Good evening everyone, this is my first post here. A little info on me, I'm 19, 5'8 and am shopping for my first street bike. I've ridden dirt on and off since I was 7, so the concept of riding 2 wheels is not completely foreign to me. Originally I was looking in the GSXR/R6 range, but I'm quickly seeing that is not a great idea, as I've watched too many close friends almost die on these bikes. I want to be as smart as possible about this. I'm not against something like a Ninja 250 or similar , but simply put, I just don't fit well on them. I haven't had a chance to look at a GS500f in person, but everything I've read points to them being a good first bike. Basically what I'm looking for is a sport style (without the power), comfortable ride, enough power to get out of the way, without being excessive. Am I on the right track? Thanks!!

Quote from: John9721 on July 26, 2016, 10:12:30 PMAm I on the right track?

Yep!

Not on purpose, but it's my first bike! My friends have a 78 Kawi KZ440, 96 Suzi DR350, 78 Honda CB750, 10 ninja 250. Of all the bikes, mine is the most fun road riding over the DR and Kawi. The seating position and seat are far better than the DR & Ninja. The weight is nice over the CB (550 vs 3~~lbs). Acceleration is comparable to the old and heavy CB750, way better than the Ninja and DR. I'm 20 and annual insurance is cheaper than a new tire! You can't really get into too much trouble on the highway with this bike. I bought it for $300 off of CL and nursed it back to health, it's been backed into & tipped over and laid down(40&50mph lowsided) and not a sweat of worry has been broken over the bike! It's tough as nails. For a first bike, I'd highly recommend.

John, if all fellers your age had their head screwed on like you, I would have no worries for the World!
A GS500 will be great as a first bike, yes, better than a gixxer for sure.
Be a little wary of bikes that may seem to put out more power etc, some of them can be death-traps for inexperiences riders.
Here's the deal with GS500:
Good performance (but not too dangerous!) You'll keep up with most bikes, unless they're doing insane speeds.
Mechanically simple... cheap and easy to maintain air-cooled twin. Good strong Suzi bulletproof engine.
Light, easy handling... it won't get you into trouble like heavier bikes when you get close to the 'edge'. Some bikes will just spit you off when you're on the edge, Geeser5 won't, it's 'forgiving'.
Welcome mate...

No one on here is going to say DONT buy a GS5..........except ME!

Take a step back and look closer. Its a 27 year old dinosaur and it wasn't even top of the class back in 1989 when it first arrived. Numerous other bikes are available on the secondhand market for similar prices that offer far more in every way possible. Sv's and Bandits are just two of them.

As for all this...  High power large capacity machines are dangerous I don't buy into it, what IS dangerous is the attitudes some of the riders have


But hey........don't let me put you off. If its what you want go get one 

Hi John and welcome to the forum 

I very much agree with Jools, you certainly do seem to have your thoughts in the right order. Very refreshing to see, I must say!!

I ended up with a GS ('98 E) as my first motorbike... about 4.5 years ago already. I still love it, still am not bored with it, and have never regretted buying it.

Let us know what you end up with and of course, remember the pictures cuz we love pictures here!

My GS was not my first bike, but it fit what I wanted. Something smaller, more fun to ride, and something that wouldn't tempt me to break speed limits everywhere I went. Couple things I love about it is that it's easy to work on, the 500 is really fun when it wakes up at high RPM's, and it really doesn't look all that bad despite its age. Sure you could do better, but for the price this bike fit exactly what I wanted. It's slower than my last bike but I love this one a million times more. I think it would be a great first bike, or a great bike for someone who wants to get on 2 wheels without breaking the bank, and for someone who wants to get to know how a bike works mechanically. Everything is totally serviceable and parts aren't that expensive.

Quote from: John9721 on July 26, 2016, 10:12:30 PM
Good evening everyone, this is my first post here. A little info on me, I'm 19, 5'8 and am shopping for my first street bike. I've ridden dirt on and off since I was 7, so the concept of riding 2 wheels is not completely foreign to me. Originally I was looking in the GSXR/R6 range, but I'm quickly seeing that is not a great idea, as I've watched too many close friends almost die on these bikes. I want to be as smart as possible about this. I'm not against something like a Ninja 250 or similar , but simply put, I just don't fit well on them. I haven't had a chance to look at a GS500f in person, but everything I've read points to them being a good first bike. Basically what I'm looking for is a sport style (without the power), comfortable ride, enough power to get out of the way, without being excessive. Am I on the right track? Thanks!!

Yes, and if you have trouble finding one you like, and depending on where you live, I just brought one back to life after it sat a few years, and it's running and performing great. I'm thinking it's time to be on to the next project. I'd let this one go for about $1700 or so. Wouldn't break my heart to keep it, but I can only afford to keep one going at any given time (3 years 'til the end of alimony... I can do this).

Quote from: sledge on July 27, 2016, 02:48:28 AM

As for all this...  High power large capacity machines are dangerous I don't buy into it, what IS dangerous is the attitudes some of the riders have

It's not necessarily that the high power large capacity machines are dangerous in & of themselves. It's that newer riders can get themselves into more serious trouble much quicker on a liter bike than on something a little more tame/low powered like the GS500. The accidental twist of the wrist by a new rider is the difference between just a little lurch and the bike popping a wheelie and taking off--with or without the rider. And even then, it's not really the capacity so much as the amount of HP that gets translated to serious amounts of torque at the rear wheel.

But like Sledge said, get what you want. Though, recognize that as a 19 year old, that liter bike is going to cost you dearly to insure.

At 19, men's brains aren't (typically) capable of the restraint and self-control it takes to operate a liter bike on the street with any sort of maturity and restraint. We're all 12 year old kids in our heads until we're in our late 20s or early 30s (this is pretty well documented in the phych circles).

Be the exception. I'm all for it.

Or... and I'm way more for this even at age 49 with >30 decades riding experience on pretty much every bike you can name... just buy a cheaper, lower-powered bike and enjoy the feeling and sound of WOT without losing your license and killing yourself by out-riding your instincts and reactions.

$.02

Not sure why most talk about power and bikes one dimensional.

Look around, power is what most get used to easy going in a straight line. Turning, braking, and combining all these skills is what actually challenges and gets most people into trouble.

For what it's worth, I also have a GSXR and the GS can easily outperform/handle the GSXR at legal street speeds...anything below 80, the bike has a ton of performance to be had, but is not a one dimensional easy go fast straight line get tickets bike.

Quote from: HPP8140 on July 27, 2016, 07:19:59 AM
Not sure why most talk about power and bikes one dimensional.

Look around, power is what most get used to easy going in a straight line. Turning, braking, and combining all these skills is what actually challenges and gets most people into trouble.

For what it's worth, I also have a GSXR and the GS can easily outperform/handle the GSXR at legal street speeds...anything below 80, the bike has a ton of performance to be had, but is not a one dimensional easy go fast straight line get tickets bike.

Oh, I'm in total agreement. The money/time/effort spent to have the most bang-for-the-buck you can on a bike...? IMO:

1) riding skills training
2) suspension updates to
3) whatever reasonable bike you can find

I've had a lot of fun having to stop and wait for folks on much "better" bikes leading rides through the mountains and curves of WV and NC. My favorite time was riding with a group of 'Busas while on my Sportster 883 that was mostly stock except for good suspension bits and nice sticky tires. Man, that was a fun couple of days.

The GS500F is a tough robust little bike. It's fast enough to have fun but not stupid fast. It's got a tried and true motor it and can take some abuse. Sits well, rides well, and what can you say, $25-30 oil change is about the expensive part of owning one if you take care of it. If you want a work horse bike go for it. You just can't kill them.

The GS 500 is a great bike...with a huge following...

It  "is what it is"....not for everybody...but those who love it...love it!

You have to decide if it is the right bike for you!

There are literally scores of "types" of bikes...and each type has hundreds of sub categories...and each sub category has lots to choose from...

I know plenty people who will only ride a "Harley"..nothing else...no way...no how...

Others ride old classic British bikes...never a "jap" bike...only British...

I know guys who have bike collections of 20 or more bikes...and have owned up to 100 bikes during there lifetimes...some have all different kinds of bikes...and they love 'em all...the one they are riding at the time is their "favorite".

You get the picture..?

Figure out what type of riding you are going to do...find a bike that fits that picture...then get it and ride it!......If it doesn't work out...sell it and get another!   Or keep it and get another!

From your post, it does seem the GS500 would be a great choice for you...if you find one and buy it at the right price...you can easily sell it for the same without loss...


Cookie

They can go long distances too! ... we have a member here that set up one for his missus and then they rode to Alaska! ..  and back!..

Dora the explorer thread if you search...  I'm not going looking right now using tapatalk!