Pacific Coast 800!

It won't have everything you want, but it will have everything you need.

http://www.pc800buysell.org/



Built-in luggage!

40-55mpg, ride the interstates all day, carve the canyons when you want.

QuotePacific Coast 800!

it does have everything you need, including a buttload of ugly! 
(beauty, beholder, eye, you know, I know.)

My bud went from a gs500 to a 2014 street triple R. less than $12k after everything
its like the GS500 but different, and better

haha. Yeah, it is definitely not the sexiest bike out there, but hey - you can't see it while you're riding it!

Quote from: jsyzdek on May 19, 2014, 05:40:50 PM
haha. Yeah, it is definitely not the sexiest bike out there, but hey - you can't see it while you're riding it!

But, people can see it when you ride it, and more to the point they can see you when you ride it! 



The GS500, at least in my opinion, is economy to the core.  It's cheap to run, cheap to operate, cheap to maintain, and cheap to repair.
If you want more performance, then I honestly think you just have the wrong bike.  Not that I think the GS is slow by any means, it sure dominates a lot of smaller engine bikes and even beats many bikes with the same or similar displacement (I'm looking at you, Buell Blast), but I think the only niche the GS500 really fits is "economical commuter".
Better than smaller bikes because it's not left in the dust on the expressway, better than larger bikes because it's more nimble and can even easily be brought inside of a building through a normal doorway by one person (ask me how I know).
I can't lift my bike by myself, but I can lift the front/rear end up off the ground which can be handy when parking it in a weird spot.

Is it a little laggy when loaded up with a passenger or lots of luggage?  Maybe, I wouldn't know.  I use mine to get to work and back and run errands so at the most I have a heavy backpack on and it seems to do just fine with that.


Would I get a bigger bike, in other words "upgrade"?  Yes.  I'm digging the Buell M2s currently but I have a few other bikes I'd be interested in upgrading to.
Would I ditch the GS?  Not unless I had to!

Quote from: Watcher on May 20, 2014, 07:29:35 AM

Better than smaller bikes because it's not left in the dust on the expressway, better than larger bikes because it's more nimble and can even easily be brought inside of a building through a normal doorway by one person (ask me how I know).

Pics or it didn't happen!

Quote from: Funderb on May 19, 2014, 04:20:59 PM
My bud went from a gs500 to a 2014 street triple R. less than $12k after everything
its like the GS500 but different, and better

I went from the GS to the Street Triple R myself, 2012. I still really miss the GS but I dont have the space to keep both bikes without putting the GS out to pasture. While she was an outdoor bike in upstate NY her winter hibernation spot was taken by the Triumph. I also knew she wouldn't get ridden as much as she would want and that just makes her cranky..... 

Learn to ride the GS as best you can, not just well. Its an easy bike to ride well but to really push it you need more than 6 months in the saddle, I knew I did. After two years, lots of windy roads and plenty of miles I was able to say I was ready to move on. I never did much highway cruising though. There are still some twisty roads by me that I was able to ride just as fast or FASTER on the GS than my Triumph with way more than twice the power (and a little extra weight... where it counts).

In the end, bikes are toys and buy what makes you most happy. Just dont put yourself in debt for it or grab more throttle than you can handle. Ride safe, smart and watch out for everyone trying to kill you. If you move on, you will probably be happy but find that you miss the quirky little GS once and a while.

Quote from: brickerenator on May 20, 2014, 12:01:14 PM

Quote from: Watcher on May 20, 2014, 07:29:35 AM

Better than smaller bikes because it's not left in the dust on the expressway, better than larger bikes because it's more nimble and can even easily be brought inside of a building through a normal doorway by one person (ask me how I know).

Pics or it didn't happen!

Ha!  Well, my bike is in pieces at the moment so that's not happening.  But the machine shop I work at (and where the bike currently resides) often has the overhead doors blocked by vehicles and other equipment (a construction company also uses the building).  If I wanted to bring the bike in due to bad weather, wanted a climate controlled area for service, or was just winterizing it I would often bring it through the front door and through the office into the shop.   
It was always easier and less time consuming than clearing the overhead doors.

Reason I will never sell my GS500 is because it is my first bike. People who know me, know I love cars/motorcycle and engines in general. Later after college(currently senior is HS) I will have more income to buy the bigger engines I want. But because the GS500 is what had me started on bikes I think I will regret selling it. Plus the ability is transform it into anything a rocket with clip on or standard cruiser with windshield. I just love it to much.

Not my first bike to own, but first one to do a restore/modify. Fell in love with this little one from the first ride. Every little trinket or repair is making her look better day by day. Nerve knee how much fun this bike could be i actually regret that i considered selling her. Plus i promised her to my daughter

There is no excuse for what I'm about to do

QuoteIt's more fun to ride a slow bike fast than a fast bike slow.

+100