Here's the deal.  When I'm starting out, biggest problem is up hill, even a small one, if I don't tach 4-5K and tease the clutch, the bike is likely to die.  Even then the RPMs are dragged down to around 2K and the take off is, well Lurch-y, if you get my drift.  It's like it has no flywheel et go no torque.  Is that just the nature of the beast.  I rode an Intruder 800 for a while before I bought the GS500.  Never had that trouble.  
So is it just me or is there an issue to be addressed with the bike?

To quote GS Jack:

"I never noticed any torque worth mentioning below 4 kRPM"

Keep the revs up. As you engage the clutch give more throttle. Typical of most bikes. Your Intruder 800 had more torque so it could handle when the motor was being bogged down.

You are in need of the #4 washers on the needle trick. My bike did the same thing when I bought it(used). I installed two #4 brass washers(ACE Hardware) between the carb needles circlip and plastic spacer to raise the needles. The result is perfect carburetion. The GS may not have a lot of torque below 5,000rpms but it should run smooth and pull away from a stop smoothly above 2,000rpms. You can do a search for info on the carb/needle/washer fix for more detailed info and probably pictures.

15 tooth front sprocket and ignition advancer.  Guaranteed to make you happy.

-1 in the front and +10 in the rear works for me

The V&H ignition advancer helped with this alot.  You can also make a DIY advancer.  Do a search on this website and you will find out how to do it.  Also, the washer trick seems to help a little.


I have had no problem at all since doing these mods.

Don't do anything until you run it in the proper rpm range.  Unless the bike has been re-jetted, you should be above 4,000 rpm.  Even if you re-jet don't run it below 3,500.  If you are doing all the above and are not happy you can start to monkey with it.