Im not tracking my bike, but I ride it just the same on backroads every weekend, 5-6 hours every sunday Ive been following the maintenance schedule very closely for the 23,000 miles it has on it so far. Still rips just like it did at 6000 miles. Folks are saying I'll need ot do a top end rebuild it I keep it up. Think this is true? I could try it this winter, but only if it needs it of course

Man, I almost doing as you, but instead of 5 hours I go for 2,5.

I am feeling that the bike start to ask for attention here and there,, for instance, my clutch started to slip lately.

Eating more oil than I would like.. etc..

However I (for now) do not believe that you need do all at once. I got my Gs by a year ago... so not that much experience...

But I have been messing with her all over.. and beating her a lot...


Cheers

 From my own experience, the cam journals are the biggest problem on these heads. Because there are no bearing's in them they do go "out of round". How long it takes for that to happen I can't say but it happens.
I had to have my cam journals cnc machined which in turn made them over size. So then the cams ends had to be ground down and bearing material pressed on the ends and then that was machined to the size of the cam journals. I had it done by a race engine builder and it wasn't cheap.
The other problem is the valves stretch and eventually need to be replaced because you cant get a shim thin enough to fit and keep the clearance in spec. I'm in that predicament myself ATM.
With 23,000 on it, you should be right for some time i imagine.  Ride it like you stole it.

I have thought about your concerns (our concern also) sometimes during the day....


Crackin has even pointed project issue in the cam journals.. man.. at least here in Brazil.. it would cost a lot...

But then I remembered WHY I BOUGHT a GS500... and not a fancy and expensive bike

Nowadays ... I try to see a motorcycle as a consumable good.... A equipment that will not and should not last forever...

So in this morning, I thought.. I need to used and ride this bike hard as I can.. put into track.. and finish it before had to replace all this expensive stuff.. and than ... maybe buy another one...

My intentions with my Gs are not to restore it.. but to use it to learn and commit errors... fall ... etc...

This are my thoughts... maybe not aligned with your minds... but they are truly  sincere..
]

cheers

the other fix for the cam journals issue are needle roller bearings. I've toyed with the idea of using these for awhile just haven't cared enough to throw that kind of money into a GS top end.

all the bearings in the GS are pretty garbage tier too.. so re-doing one set really doesn't net any benefit. also a failed needle roller bearing would send those damn evil pins things EVERYWHERE.

It's well worth running semi synthetic or full synthetic oil to reduce engine wear.