I'm brand spanken' new to the forum and "the biker world". I've been looking for the best bang for my buck kind-of-a-bike, and I've settled on the GS500. Now I'm wondering which year would be the best to go with. Should I save some extra mollah for a 2004+ model. Will the insurance, maintenance, aftermarket parts, etc. be cheaper/in better supply that way? Are the bikes more responsive with the mikuni carbs? Or is it not really much of a difference? Also, I should probably note that I'm 6'2, 240Ibs, with a 32" inseam. What are your thoughts?

All years are virtually identical with the exception of (mostly) cosmetic differences.  Parts are mostly the same.  Also, they all come with Mikuni carbs, so I'm not sure what kind of difference you're talking about. 

Agh, haha, I mean, the 2004+ carbs are main, mid, and pilot, rather than just main and  pilot, right? Is there a noticeable increase in performance/fuel economy? And does the 2004+ model have better ergonomics for a taller rider? Or am I just noobing the hell out right now?

It's mostly gonna be whether you prefer naked bikes or fairings.  I think the newer bikes get slightly better mileage on account of the 3 stage carbs, but otherwise there's not really much difference.  The engines are pretty bombshell, so if you find a bike in good shape with relatively low mileage, don't let the fact that it's 15-20 years old scare you away.

Quote from: Winter on September 25, 2012, 12:14:39 AM
Agh, haha, I mean, the 2004+ carbs are main, mid, and pilot, rather than just main and  pilot, right? Is there a noticeable increase in performance/fuel economy? And does the 2004+ model have better ergonomics for a taller rider? Or am I just noobing the hell out right now?

The 3 circuit carbs started with the 01 model year so if you want naked they are the best choice if you find a good one.  I had a 97 with about 80k miles on it when I got my current 02 GS.  Riding them both the same day a few times I was very surprised at the greater mid range performance of the 02.  The 02 had the new 3 circuit carbs while the old 97 had the original 2 circuit ones.  The old 97 with 80k miles on it still pulled stronger than the 02 at the top end.  Fuel economy was the same for both.

In that case, I suppose I will be going with the 2004 for it's black frame and larger tank. I'm gonna have a naked either way, I can get the mirrors now, but I can't seem to find the headlight and mount?

Post in the For Sale/Wanted section of the board.  There are members here who have items in stock that are guaranteed to fit.

Forget age......concentrate on condition 

Quote from: sledge on September 25, 2012, 10:12:28 AM
Forget age......concentrate on condition 

I tell my wife the exact same thing...great advice.

Condition
Low mileage
As close to original OEM as possible

Checks for things they might not tell you and indicators they have done things:
1. Missing bar ends or changed bar ends
2. Scratches on engine covers
3. Chopped tail: what else did they modify? (Not always meaning bad - just an indicator they did things)
4. Changed turn signals, headlight
5. Has it been repainted?
6. Look in tank for rust. Some es expected. LOTS is bad. Same with looking at fill tube of gas tank.
7. Do all 3 locks use the same key? If not, something was changed.
8. Handlebars: straight? Bent? Changed? (Could be a good upgrade or changed due to a wreck)
9. Forks: leaking? Scratches? Dings? Rust? (really only critical on the lower working part that goes in and out of the lower tube)
10: LEVERS: are they bent? Scratched up? Missing the ball on the end?
11. Exhaust: Scratched a little or a lot? Did they paint it to hide scratched from a crash?
11. Safety switches: Can you start the bike WITHOUT holding in the clutch? If so, clutch lever has been incorrectly replaced and the clutch safety switch has been broken. Some thing to interrogate them about.
12. Look at foot pegs, shift lever and foot brake lever for signs of bike going down. Bent, scraped up rubber, etc. Easy to replace but ask about it if they say "Bike has never been dropped"

Any of the above is not necessarily a reason not to buy a bike. They are things to look at, ask questions about and maybe get the price down.

Some things are easy to deal with: levers are about $8 for clutch and 20 for brake. Bar ends can be replaced. So can handle bars.
Many things will tell you about the history of the bike and make you aware of things you might want to change, fix or upgrade.

I bought my wife a 94 and it's a great bike for HER.I'm 6'1 and 265# and it's way to small for me,which really sucks because I love riding it I just kinda look like a circus monkey,on and off the bike..hehe


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Thanks guys, y'all are great! And nortwestrider, what do you ride?

Im 6.1 and have 2005 GS500F. Its very comfortable to ride. Its almost a hybrid riding position between a true SS bike and a cruiser.  I prefer the fairings on the bike for looks. I cant guarantee this but I would assume 2000+ bikes will have more options for aftermarket products. I received all my goodies for a relatively low price.

I have  DL1000 ( Vstrom ) and a GS850 sidecar rig.




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I am 5' 10", about 200lb, and I love the GS.  I have the F model, 2009.  It has some wind protection, and I like it better than the naked version for that main reason.

My bike looks like this:

OP, where are you from?

Woah, those bikes are simply awesome! I want a side car so bad, but everywhere I look, it's like 4g's+. I just can't afford those things. I should probably add that this is my first bike, and that I'm a youngen'. Shonole, I currently reside in Houston, TX. And no, that's not me trying to start a pity party.

So where are you leaning in terms of year?

2001+ has the newer bodystyle and 3-circuit carbs. Oil cooler added in 2004+ when F model introduced.

I would go 01+ since older than that doesn't seem to be much less expensive unless the bike is junk anyway. 04+ if you want bodywork ~ nice if you travel a bit, but expensive to fix if you fall over.

As a newb I would say an 'E' model unfaired '01-'03 is going to be your best buy

Being a parts whore, I avoid 01-02.
Those were transition years. Newer styling, older type of ignition but different connectors. Different connectors for handlebar controls.
Nothing wrong with 01-02 but many small parts are unique to those years.

89-00 all pretty much the same except for a change in the clutch safety switch and change in front sprocket. Both easy to get.

2004+ is all pretty much identical. In 2006 they did change the right hand control plug to route the headlight through the starter button to kill the headlight when starter pressed. Otherwise everything I've seen is the same.

There is nothing wrong with any year. However, from my parts whore point of view for parts interchangeability, I prefer dealing with 89-00 and 2006+