GS500's....any good?

[jamesriveres]

looking for a first big machine, moving on from a suzuki van-van and the GS500 looks like a good bet - anything wrong with them? anything to look out for? and any idea how much i should spend? seems like they go from £800 - £3000ish....

[Themightyimp]

https://www.motorcyclenews.com/MCN/bikereviews/searchresults/Bike-Reviews/Suzuki/SUZUKI-GS500E-1989--current/
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1998 Yamaha FZS 600 Fazer
Now turned gay and got a cruiser.

[jamesriveres]

mcn don't seem to rate it then.... but the only part of that I find worrying is about the handling....dont mind not having speed just yet! god gearbox has to be a plus though right?
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GS500 any good?

[Paris2]

Other will come along soon who have more experience with them. But they are fine bikes, common amongst learning schools which has to count for something.

I wouldn't spend anywhere near £3K on one though. £1K will get you a nice one
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Current Ride: Daytona 600

[jamesriveres]

yea didnt want to blow that much cash on my 1st one! figured I'll probably drop it once or twice... was looking at the cb500 (did my test on one) but cant seem to find any that arn't either over my price, a million miles away or have massive mileage on them...
heard good things about the er-5s (seem destinted to start on 500s!) but lots of people warning about rust....
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GS500 any good?

[TheManWithThe...]

My brother has a GS5 and i have an ER

Nothing major has gone wrong on his bike, he got an 02 model with about 14K for £900

My ER is an 03 plate with 25K miles, and rust is one issue ive found.
Its not serious rust, but just some coverage on the swing arm and bolts/brackets connecting the shocks to the s.arm.
Other than that ive not had any problems with it other than those which i caused=P
As long as its in fairly good nick, you're not bound to go wrong with a nice 500 commuter. Might just be worth having someone who knows bike mechanics to have a look over any bikes you go to see.


P.S ERs are cooler;)
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MBK Nitro 50, Sold. Kawasaki ER-5, Honda ST1100
"Anyone can jump a motorcycle! The trouble begins when you try to land it..."

[jamesriveres]

Yea the more I read the less I find between the main 3 500's. Did Yamaha do one? Think I'm going to have to trawl local dealers and see if I can test ride a few... Must admit I do like the look or the er5, some one told the the gpz is pretty much the same?
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GS500 any good?

[Paris2]

Don't rule out any bigger engined bikes. There aren't many 500's to choose from compared to 600's
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Current Ride: Daytona 600

[jamesriveres]

Bigger = higher cost? Or just me? Appreciate the help and opinions muchly! Few phone calls in the morning I think... Getting itchy and excited!
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GS500 any good?

[Richtea]

[MotorbikerTom]

I learnt on a Van-Van and stepped up to a GS500 '98 straight away. Lovely step up of power from a 125, i hit a ton on it (down a hill) but regularly gets to 85. I found the handling adequate, handled twisties well enough, the tank range was decent too, i think i got around 200 miles once but i never took it to reserve (it has no fuel gauge).

Oh, here she is

https://img94.imageshack.us/img94/381/cimg9500p.jpg
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CBT: 19/02/11 - Mod 1: 27/03/11 - Mod 2: 01/04/11
'97 GS500E > '03 Hornet 600 > '16 Street Triple 675

[jamesriveres]

Nice looking bike! Will see how goes over next few days and be back in touch!
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GS500 any good?

[mysterious_rider]

I love my gs500. Great acceleration even when restricted, takes 600's off the line every time (even if it is only to 45-55mph) a lot of fun to chuck about. Plus if you change the end can and remove the baffles they are lovely and loud!



heres mine


https://i270.photobucket.com/albums/jj88/mysterious_rider/Photo0051.jpg

[TheManWithThe...]

[Paris2]

[J.M.]

I've been riding my GS500F since the start of April and I've put on around 2200 miles on it so far. Loving the bike to bits.

The only problem is finding that I don't have an awful lot of cornering confidence in it.

I've taken a nock of confidence though from drifting the bloody thing at 80mph from locking the brakes. Then again from hitting a slippy patch on the road around a corner and then almost losing the rear end.

I'm getting the confidence back now though.

Edit: Bike cost me £1270 and insurance £380 at 18, 1ncb and 0 claims.
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2004 R1 & 2018 XSR900

[sidewinder]

Looking at your budget of £800-3000 .you would get a really nice 600 divvy(yamaha diverson) for around £1200 leaving a nice sum for kit and insurance.Had a go on the gs 500 and found the divvy to have a much nicer riding position.

[Pie-Roe]

[Bomberman]

[Themightyimp]

Get a Fazer.I certainly wish i'd got one instead of the old XJ600 I had.
Soon got fed up with it,as I felt unsafe on it,due to tyres being so narrow it caught all the ruts in the rd.
Can't fault my 98 Fazer,but then I am new to big bikes.
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1998 Yamaha FZS 600 Fazer
Now turned gay and got a cruiser.

[mysterious_rider]

[Pie-Roe]

[Bomberman]

[mysterious_rider]

[Pie-Roe]