GS500 vs GPZ500

[Marc_Buck]

I have preety much narrowed my search down to these two bikes due to the low cost.

Can anyone tell me how much bhp these two bikes push?

Top speed, 0-60, handling and do they like to be opened up?

CraigZZR owned/owns a GS500 right? can you give me any advise on it mate?

Ta
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94 fzr600r

[Ninja]

The GPZ has been likened to a 4-stroke 'LC' - being easily and readily caneable. Ground clearance is restricted with the belly pan being easily introduced to the road.
GPZ is watercooled, meaning additional maintenance jobs if that's a consideration for you.
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James
4 wheels transport the Body ... 2 wheels transport the SOUL

[Frost]

GPZ is by far the quicker bike, with water cooling it doesnt heat up so much as the air cooled GS. However from what ive expirenced, the GPZ isnt too good on the roads for long distances. The engine (Twin) is unhappy staying at certain speeds and can vibrate alot in mid range revs. When going slow they are smooth, with going fast they are smooth but mid range they vibrate alot.

Given the choice i would go for the GS. Its a sensible bike with little to break, which you should have no trouble selling on afterwards, or getting parts for.

[dainesefreak]

Yes, Yes I know but . . . .


Honda CB500.

Edit: Review here https://www.motobykz.co.uk/Bike_tests/Honda_CB500.htm

[iCraig]

[Marc_Buck]

great
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94 fzr600r

[Kickstart]

Hi

The GPZ does not have any problems riding at constant speed (we have had 2 of them). There is a very noticeable kick in the power at about 7000rpm, but keep it below that and it will happily do over 60mpg (the current one averages 61mpg for me in all use).

GPZ brakes are not that great, but then the GP has almost the same braking system so I suspect they are about equal there.

The GPZ liquid cooling is only a problem due to some idiot of Kawasaki putting the coolant pipes to the head between the cams, so you need to remove the pipes to adjust the valves. The pipes are sealed with a rubber O ring, so by Murphys law the O ring will be knackered when you need to reuse it.

I have had over 125mph indicated from a GPZ500, probably with a touch more to come.

All the best

Keith
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Traxpics, track day and racing photographs - Bimota Forum - Bike performance / thrust graphs for choosing gearing

[iCraig]

[Kickstart]

Hi

Think there used to be a floating disk conversion available for the GPZ500 from Spondon Engineering.

All the best

Keith
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Traxpics, track day and racing photographs - Bimota Forum - Bike performance / thrust graphs for choosing gearing

[JonB]

Well I am thinking of getting the GS500F version because it is trying to be a GSXR, but has affordable insurance, so I have my heart set on this bike. Can't really contribute anymore than that.
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Be careful whose advice you buy, but, be patient with those who supply it. Advice is a form of nostalgia, dispensing it is a way of fishing the past from the disposal, wiping it off, painting over the ugly parts and recycling it for more than it?s worth.

[mrchips]

My da has a GPZ500S, they are a quick enough bike and accelerate quite well and seem to handle alright too. Group 9 insurance.

[stinkwheel]

I did an 850 mile run on a GPZ500s last weekend and owned one for 4 years (35k miles), perfectly comfortable, efficient fairing, liquid cooling, rarely returns less than 50mpg (unless mercilessly thrashed, which they will handle very well), 4 gallon tank, enough of a powerband at the top-end to make life interesting if you want to (they really pick up their skirts and shift at about 8k rpm) and don't have the same corrosion issues that come as standard fitment with suzukis.

Downsides, quite a low seat (but I am over 6' and find them comfy enough), front brake woefully inadequate but OK with braided hoses, fussy about tyres (will not tolerate cheap ones, but great on BT45s which are probably an ideal mix of longevity and grip anyway), 'autocorrode' rear shock due to overly short rear mudguard and a healthy appetite for unitrak bushes.

The coolant o-rings Kickstart mentioned cost no more than a couple of quid, you don't need to go into the rocker cover all that often anyway, just buy new ones before you do so, I reckon the benefits of liquid cooling outweigh the disadvantages.

I would go for the GPZ over a GS any day of the week unless it was a real cheap one (500 or less) in which case the simplicity of the GS engine means it is less likley to have any 'timebombs' in it.
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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.

[iCraig]

Well I picked the GPZ up this afternoon and I can now give my valid opinion on it.

The GPZ is a lovely machine, has good torque and lovely power from about 2000RPM, and it somewhat picks up its skirt from about 7000RPM and flies!

Handling is very sure footed and quick with it being a 16" front wheel.
So far I am not too confident in the Continental tyres that are on it at the moment and they will be replaced with BT45 soon anyway.

And the fairing does a good job at keeping the wind off and its just big enough to hide behind on the motorway, though a taller screen is on order for it.

Oh and there are some pictures of it here https://www.bikechatforums.com/viewtopic.php?p=300312#300312

[stinkwheel]

Take the Contis off and throw them in the bin before they have you off! I bought a pair for my GPZ once and threw them in the bin with 3mm of tread still on them. The profile is entirely wrong for the bike, far too steep, they are only 20 quid cheaper a pair than the bridgestones.

Another quirky point that happens when you fit a new BT45 on the front. After about 100 miles, the front-end starts tracking along white lines in a disconcerting manner. Don't panic, it wont do anything funny and passes after another 50 miles. You know if you have been riding it hard because you wear the sides off them before the middle (dual compound)
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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.