Tell me about the GPZ500?

[fatpies]

'Lo

Thinking of buying a GPZ500 after passing my test a couple years back and not actually doing anything with the licence. Anybody have one? I want to know the total running costs of them, tyres oil, chain fuel etc.

How would my love for pies affect this I'm big boned at 14stones.

Thank you.

[27cows]

I've had a couple and am looking for another right now. Fantastic bikes. Buy one. It'll haul 14 stone around with no bother. Running costs are very reasonable, as are spares prices. 90mpg is possible if you potter.
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The RXS100: vehicle of choice for Chuck Norris

[dextersaurus]

Fantastic bikes.

3L sump which is quite big for what it is, so it'll cost a wee bit for oil at services, but nothing too expensive.

BT45s, i get them for £80 fitted each, so not expensive, and can get chain/sprockets for much cheapness.

As for the weight thing, i took my dad out on the back (he's 6'1 and about 19 stone...), and it still shifted. so i don't think that'll be an issue. the fairing is more than adequite and the fuel is great. not seen 90mpg, but i get about 200 miles to a tank, which is about £18.

Overall a great bike, would recommend one to anyone getting their first bigger bike.

Keep it below 7k RMP and you'll see great fuel economy, take it above that and it'll fly.

Dunc

[Glenben92]

Just replaced chain and sprockets on mine.. around £30 delivered for the chain IIRC (O-Ring) and £26 for both sprockets delivered, JT. Can't complain!

Insurance is also dirt cheap for me compared to ANY other bike. I'm 18 with 1 years NCB on a full license since october. £222 TPFT

I was paying that for my 125 last year TPO!
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57 Huoniao HN125-8 - , 97 Kawasaki GPZ500S -
99 Yamaha FZS 600 -
Mod 2 Passed - 01/10/2010

[dextersaurus]

[stinkwheel]

I ran them for years.

If I was hard up and could only have one bike, this is the one I'd get. Does most things quite well for not too much money. It's a reliable, frugal commuter when you weant it to be but will happily go for a bit of a hoon round the twisties at double the speed limit in an exciting and invigorating manner if required. Also makes a respectable tourer.

Mate of mine christened them as a "sports commuter" which pretty much hits the nail on the head.

Other bikes will be better at different things but as an all-rounder at the price you pay, you'll struggle to do better.

Avoid the "old shape" ones with the 16"wheels because the alternators can let go which costs several hundreds to put right. I actually think the A to C models handle better and are marginally quicker but they can land up costing you a bit if they go wrong.

An aftermarket exhaust system is a desireable feature (usually a motad Nexxus).
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“Rule one: Always stick around for one more drink. That's when things happen. That's when you find out everything you want to know.”
I did the 2010 Round Britain Rally on my 350 Bullet. 89 landmarks, 3 months, 9,500 miles.

[Glenben92]

[fatpies]

Thanks for your responses.

I'm going to look at a 2000 one Friday.

[ws4936]

I had the D7 2000, good bike. Got t-boned on it, so i went out and bought a D6 1999. The 2000 in blue is nice, but you can't go wrong with investing in a scotoiler. Good luck on your purchase.
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If everything seems under control, you're just not going fast enough.

[Slacker24seve...]

Seriously considered one when picking my bike, was in the final three along with the considerably pricier SV and Hornet. Theres a lot to like about them
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Triumph Daytona 675 track bike + girlfriend's Honda Hornet 600
Selling a hack/winter bike for less than a grand? PM me.
Banger rallies are ace

[dextersaurus]

Scottoiler is a great idea, as are bar-end mirrors (or longer stem ones at least, unless you like the look of your elbows).

Also, if you ever need to replace the exhaust, get the one i have.

https://a8.sphotos.ak.fbcdn.net/hphotos-ak-snc6/183469_1726775422950_1645368025_1562387_2837274_n.jpg

It's a stainless 2-1 off ebay, with a Viper race can all for £250... sounds EPIC and brings you more mid range power.

Dunc

[ws4936]

[wilbur]

Great bike.

I'm on my third.

Latest one is a 2005 model (one of the very last in the UK) with the twin discs and 2400 miles on the clock.

Highly recommended.

I really must get the horrible original tyres changed though, they are terrifying especially in the wet, will be putting BT45s on as soon as cash permits.

[StevRS]

My first bike was a GPZ500S on an 'N' plate. It'd sat for 18 months outside when I went to view it and with a jump off the car it started and ran.

I ran it for over 10K miles and other than very early on (before I stripped, cleaned & balanced the carbs) it didn't miss a beat. Heated grips & an autocom didn't seem to bother the electrics and servicing was dead easy. Even valve clearances are easy to do!

Couple of tips:

Service it as soon as you buy it.
If it runs hot, it's likely the carbs need balancing. Being a twin you can easily balance the carbs with one of these (works on multi-cylinder but perfect for a twin).
In winter (if you ride in extreme cold) cover half the radiator with card or similar or it'll never get warm and the carbs will ice.
Warm it up gently - they don't stand cold abuse well (the person who bought mine discovered this - tw*t!).
7K rpm is like someone fitted another (bigger) engine - it really is a Jekyll & Hyde motor.
Check the shock for damping (and linkages for wear), the originals are not the best.
They do sound a bit agricultural on tickover!
50+mpg is not difficult.


All in all a fantastic bike, though if you do a lot of motorway miles you may quickly want something larger.
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MV Agusta Brutale 800 RR, Unfinished 1978 XS250

[hellkat]

I love mine.
I also love pies.
The two are compatible.
I rag mine across London and back on an at least 5-daily basis, and its only ever required a new battery (and even that was only cos I thought it was a "sealed" battery and neglected to top it up with distilled water for over 18 months).
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Not nearly as interesting in real life.

[whitedevil]

ive still got mine even tho i have a cbr now. great bike