I'm an old retired guy.  I've been riding for 50+ years and I've owned many bikes, many styles.  I've had German bikes, American bikes, Italian bikes, but mostly Japanese bikes.  Here is a list of Suzukis I've owned:

1996 GSXR750
1999 DR650
2001 GXS1300R
2001 VS1400
2008 B-King
2009 DL1000

Maybe, by Sunday I will add the 2009 GS500F that I'm going to look at.

BTW, I currently have a 2009 Kawasaki EX500, a very similar bike to the GS500F.  I enjoy the smaller displacement lighter sport bikes -- reminds me a lot of the bikes I had in my youth.

I've already started a couple of threads about the GS500F -- thank you for the replies there.

(FYI:  For those that are curious, my user name is the 7th samurai, the role played by Toshiro Mifune.)

where pics?    oh and welcome!

Quote from: cbrfxr67 on March 02, 2018, 09:30:34 AM
welcome!

Thanks.

Welcome!  I'm also a Southern AZ rider, currently in Tucson, though it's been a while since I've had a GS.

If you find yourself at the Tucson CycleGear and see a yellow Ducati Monster parked out front there's a 99.99% chance I'm working, so stop in and say hello!

Quote from: Watcher on March 02, 2018, 03:39:29 PM
Welcome!  I'm also a Southern AZ rider, currently in Tucson, though it's been a while since I've had a GS.

If you find yourself at the Tucson CycleGear and see a yellow Ducati Monster parked out front there's a 99.99% chance I'm working, so stop in and say hello!

Thanks for the welcome.

I also have a Duc -- a 2010 Hypermotard 796.

Looks like Google maps caught you at work . . .

Hey, that's cool!

Old photo, though.  There's been a few changes to the bike since then.

I am in Tucson too, welcome!

Awesome!

The three of us have to meet up at some point.

Welcome! Very cool that you have one of the few B-Kings. How do you like that bike?

I used to have a '02 DL1000. Sold it because it was too fast and too top heavy to take anywhere I couldn't already get to on my GS500.

Quote from: Bluesmudge on March 08, 2018, 12:01:23 PM
Welcome! Very cool that you have one of the few B-Kings. How do you like that bike?

I used to have a '02 DL1000. Sold it because it was too fast and too top heavy to take anywhere I couldn't already get to on my GS500.

The B-King is crazy fast but I don't ride it that way -- it will definitely keep up with traffic.  I had a 2001 Hayabusa and this bike feels just as fast.  I like the B-King's standard ergos and the styling -- I know many people don't.  Mine is completely stock.  Pic attached.

You're right -- the DL1000 is way top-heavy.  I like the power of the TL1000R motor and the ergos.

Love that B-king. I think the styling was ahead of its time. The bike looks way more normal today than when it came out. Maybe Suzuki will bring it back some day.

That Vstrom motor was amazing. Best thing about the bike by far. I just thought it was overkill for an adventure bike. It really likes to "cruise" at 100+ mph and I realized the bike didn't fit my needs and that I was riding really fast to get a thrill on that bike. My wife actually finds the passenger area of the GS500 more comfortable so the Vstrom didn't even check the 2-up box for me. I think 500 to 750cc is the perfect size of a do it all bike. Although the new goldwing has me thinking twice.

Quote from: Bluesmudge on March 08, 2018, 03:30:20 PM
Love that B-king. I think the styling was ahead of its time. The bike looks way more normal today than when it came out. Maybe Suzuki will bring it back some day.

That Vstrom motor was amazing. Best thing about the bike by far. I just thought it was overkill for an adventure bike. It really likes to "cruise" at 100+ mph and I realized the bike didn't fit my needs and that I was riding really fast to get a thrill on that bike. My wife actually finds the passenger area of the GS500 more comfortable so the Vstrom didn't even check the 2-up box for me. I think 500 to 750cc is the perfect size of a do it all bike. Although the new goldwing has me thinking twice.

The DL1000 scares me when I am moving/pushing it around -- it feels like it would fall over easily.  It is by far the tallest motorcycle I've ever owned.  I love riding it but my DL1000 has never been off-road.  I like the high seat when in traffic and the extra-travel suspension soaks up bumps in the crap roads that we now have.