Suzuki GS 500.....who likes it who does not.....

[BamBam]

Guess I'm just repeating what everyone else here is saying.  Great starter bike and just a great small bike in general.  I got a used '02 several years back to get back into riding after a long absence.  I would have liked to have kept it but it was a little small for me so I traded it when I got my Wee.

[SVNET]

 yesterday at the dealership I took a close look at the GS 500 an I have to admit that although I have always been a cruiser type of guy...I really like the GS 500.....

any opinion on the GS 500...maybe some pictures?

If you really considering a 500cc sport bike, then you should learn more about the competition, the Kawasaki Ninja 500R.

The GS500 is a great bike, but you do get a little more for your money with the Ninja 500R.

Normally Suzuki produce more polished vehicles then the Kawasaki, for example the SV650s vs 650R, but in this case the Ninja 500R is a much more polished bike then the Suzuki.

If you go to the dealer, just by looking at the two bikes you can tell that a lot more efforts when into the craftsmanship of the Ninja 500r.

In terms of reliability the Kawasaki has been around just as long if not longer and it is just as reliable.

In terms of performance, the Kawasaki is a superior bike in several aspects.

In terms of looks, Suzuki gave the Gs500 a face lift by adding a plastic dress and so it looks more modern.

But note that looks and plastics doesn't make a bike perform better.

You can read all about it here:

http://www.mcnews.com/mcn/model_eval/NinjaGScomparo07a.pdf

[Kool shades]

If you really considering a 500cc sport bike, then you should learn more about the competition, the Kawasaki Ninja 500R.

The GS500 is a great bike, but you do get a little more for your money with the Ninja 500R.

Normally Suzuki produce more polished vehicles then the Kawasaki, for example the SV650s vs 650R, but in this case the Ninja 500R is a much more polished bike then the Suzuki.

If you go to the dealer, just by looking at the two bikes you can tell that a lot more efforts when into the craftsmanship of the Ninja 500r.

In terms of reliability the Kawasaki has been around just as long if not longer and it is just as reliable.

In terms of performance, the Kawasaki is a superior bike in several aspects.

In terms of looks, Suzuki gave the Gs500 a face lift by adding a plastic dress and so it looks more modern.

But note that looks and plastics doesn't make a bike perform better.

You can read all about it here:

http://www.mcnews.com/mcn/model_eval/NinjaGScomparo07a.pdf

If you put an "R" at the end of the name, the insurance goes up...

I dont know if that's a factor or not... I'm just sayin'...

[artyboy]

If you put an "R" at the end of the name, the insurance goes up...

I dont know if that's a factor or not... I'm just sayin'...

The GS500F is classified as a sportbike on Suzuki's website, too.  That's what insurance companies that differentiate between sportbikes and everything else use to decide whether or not they're going to rape you.  Insurance should be pretty similar on both bikes.  As far as which one I would choose it would probably be whichever one I could get a better deal on.  A beginner isn't going to be able to tell the difference between a ninja 500 and a Suzuki 500.  The spec sheet and the bike rag articles don't mean much to someone learning to ride on bikes that are this similar.  From what I've read (in the bike mags) the Suzuki handles better and the brakes are better but it doesn't have as much power.  I'll take better handling and better brakes over a slight increase in engine performance every day of the week.  The Suzuki also looks a lot better, imo.  

[OVD]

I think GS500F is an excellent started bike. It worked very well for me. Does let you have your fun on it but very forgiving at the same time. I'm really glad I started on one and I actually miss it. Though I traded it in for my next bike but I would keep it if I had more room in my garage. I did actually mini-tour on it, it gladly accepts Givi luggage. 300-600 mile days was such a pleasure on it if you avoid highways.

[Ack535]

The GS 500 is a great starter bike, but has terrible re-sale value. The Suzuki SV650 IMHO is a much better bike for the buck.

I rode my friends GS 500 back in the mid 90's, while he rode my old KZ750. Keep in mind my KZ was no speed demon, but the GS 500 was slow and it's engine reminded me if an air cooled garden tractor engine...

[Zerosum]

The GS 500 is a great starter bike, but has terrible re-sale value.

...which is a great thing if you're buying it used!    Depreciation can work to your advantage, you know.  

[etskatana600]

good first bike but i would recomend to go a lil bit bigger. i started with one sold it in 2 years.  now its been 2 years since then and i just bought a 600 hoping to get a lil more.

lacking lots of accelaration
i use to ride with a few guys with bigger cruisers and if they accelarated a lil harder then normal i had to give her to much to keep up
seat is to narrow and hard
and sounds like a four wheeler with that 2 cyl lol

[artyboy]

If you're going to go that route, the GS500 is good but the Kawasaki EX500 is better IMHO.  Both bikes have been around forever, but the EX is liquid-cooled, has four valves per cylinder, and makes about 8 more horsepower at the rear wheel which is a big deal at these smaller displacements.

If you're new to motorcycling you won't be able to notice the extra 8 hp.  If anything it will be detrimental to your learning experience.  The improved braking and handling of the GS over the ninja will definitely serve you better while you're learning.  

[et]

good first bike but i would recomend to go a lil bit bigger. i started with one sold it in 2 years.  .............

Isn't that the purpose of a first bike ?

[Zerosum]

Isn't that the purpose of a first bike ?

Seriously.  I think a lot of riders who've reached a "proficient" level of skill (2-3 years) tend to really underestimate just how much they've learned.  Then move on to more powerful bikes, and then think "why didn't I just start on this?"  But in reality, they've come farther than they realize, compared to a brand new rider.

[JamesG]

Yep, and prevented/saved them from some of the mistakes and dangers that a lot of new riders face (even if they are oblivious to them).

[Ves]

Should be picking this one up for my wife next weekend...  



We actually looked at both the Ninja and the GS500.  The GS has a wider fairing and will probably give better wind protection.  The riding position seems to be a little more neutral on the GS.  Probably would have bought either one, but the GS was here at the right time.  With all the good things I've read about the bike I'm kind of curious to ride it myself.

[steve.ski]

I used to ride a '98 back in '99  

Hey Vivid, you look great in that photo. Wow.

Great bike too.

[Ves]

Done deal.  Wife and I went to pick this up for her today...  '08 with 1500 miles on it.  Haven't ridden it much yet, but I love the simplicity of the thing already.  And that's important, cause I'm the one that's going to be working on it...  

[Marcster]

Done deal.  Wife and I went to pick this up for her today...  '08 with 1500 miles on it.  Haven't ridden it much yet, but I love the simplicity of the thing already.  And that's important, cause I'm the one that's going to be working on it...  

Looks great, Ves!  The GS500 (E or F) is on my shortlist!  Only 1500 miles?  You can't go wrong.

[HipGnosis]

Done deal.  Wife and I went to pick this up for her today...  '08 with 1500 miles on it.  

So why isn't SHE posting this?!?

FYI; Tiggeress and I will be posting in region 4 w/ some 'newbie / flower-sniffing' rides once the weather gets better.  Hope you both can join us.

[Ves]

So why isn't SHE posting this?!?

FYI; Tiggeress and I will be posting in region 4 w/ some 'newbie / flower-sniffing' rides once the weather gets better.  Hope you both can join us.

She's not a post whore like me... I'll try to encourage her...

Ah.... "flower-sniffing"?  As in, stop and smell the roses?   There aren't going to be any riders with fuzzy black and white outfits, are there? Cause I'm not riding behind them.

[SVNET]

Congratulations...

Those are to be really good and reliable machines.

I almost signed my name on a brand new left over 2007 for $4500 but in the end we could not worked out the deal...

Enjoy and ride safe.

[Ves]

Congratulations...

Those are to be really good and reliable machines.

I almost signed my name on a brand new left over 2007 for $4500 but in the end we could not worked out the deal...

Enjoy and ride safe.

We were also trying to work out a deal on a brand new one... dealer wanted to charge me $780 for destination and prep...    He started out at $3995 and by the time he was done it was up to $5300... then Suzuki wants 13.x% interest...    forget that.  You'd think they would want to deal better than that given the economy...