Suzuki GS500F ? GSF650S !!!!

[Brava210]

Yes,i know its old and a bit slow but i am thinking of buying at the weekend .It will be my first PROPER bike.i can pick up a new faired version for £2795 with 2 years servicing.What do you lovely people think. i dont really want a big,expensive,sports bike.just an ok all rounder ?

PS passed my test on monday..
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Honda Novio, Puch Grand Prix, Suzuki AP50, CZ 125, Wassell 125, Montesa 348,Honda 125TDC, Suzuki 100ER, Suzuki GSF650 Bandit, Aprillia Pegaso, Honda PCX125, Honda Forza300, BMW G310 GS, Suzuki SFV650, Honda CB500X

CHARLEY SAYS " ALWAYS TELL YOUR MUMMY BEFORE YOU GO OFF SOMEWHERE"

[RickHolt]

Sounds bloody expensive to me. No way I'd pay that much for a gs500. There's a good chance you'll scratch/wreck the fairings within a month if it's your first big bike. Depends on how much experience you have on other bikes I guess.

Personally I like the GS500. Much better than my old GPZ500 (probably because the gs is about 8 years and 40kmiles newer).

I've got a GS500, 1998 model. 16k miles roughly, full fairings in decent enough condition. Cost £750.

If you've got the money to spend though I guess it would be nice to own a bike from new

Rick.

[Zimbo]

I personally would probably buy a second hand example, you'll probably lose quite a bit on a new one should you decide to sell it.
Having said that, there's not too much wrong with them as an all rounder, bulletproof engine if not the most modern design, handles ok, and they are pretty inexpensive to buy and run.

[JonB]

I suspect K4 second hand GS500F's will be available this year.
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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.

[JonB]

Just a quick browse on biketrader found a couple of F versions for just over 2K.

[Brava210]

thanks,everyone....i do know it will depreciate as soon as i sit on it.
but my wife is kinda insisting i get a new one so whatcha gonna do. i dont mind loosing money on it just wondered what they are like in general ..
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Honda Novio, Puch Grand Prix, Suzuki AP50, CZ 125, Wassell 125, Montesa 348,Honda 125TDC, Suzuki 100ER, Suzuki GSF650 Bandit, Aprillia Pegaso, Honda PCX125, Honda Forza300, BMW G310 GS, Suzuki SFV650, Honda CB500X

CHARLEY SAYS " ALWAYS TELL YOUR MUMMY BEFORE YOU GO OFF SOMEWHERE"

[R4nger]

Goods points -

You will learn mechanics very quickly. Buy a haynes manual.

Bad points -

It will turn into dust quicker than the Fat Fighter's team leader can eat a chocolate cake.

joke

[Brava210]

so are you saying they are rubbish?
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Honda Novio, Puch Grand Prix, Suzuki AP50, CZ 125, Wassell 125, Montesa 348,Honda 125TDC, Suzuki 100ER, Suzuki GSF650 Bandit, Aprillia Pegaso, Honda PCX125, Honda Forza300, BMW G310 GS, Suzuki SFV650, Honda CB500X

CHARLEY SAYS " ALWAYS TELL YOUR MUMMY BEFORE YOU GO OFF SOMEWHERE"

[R4nger]

For yourself I would say it is not the best bike to buy. A second hand one that is un-faired would be.

If I was you, I would buy a second hand un-faired bike for under £500 and crash/drop it because you will. I would go for a 500 twin. Gooses tend to be the cheapest at the moment I would get one on eBay AFTER viewing it.

The main problem with gooses is that the front suspension is way too soft and even when set to the hardest setting. Also another known common problem is that the front the engine mount seizes in the engine (This has happened to me). To prevent this grease the spindle and apply copper slip. It is also known that Suzuki's generally rust more than other manufacturers. A goose will generally last 10 years before it is a dire state. I would buy a 1998-2002(ish) bike. The GS500 is most fun bike I have ridden ever because it scared the sh!t out of me and the engine had character. My bike got speed wobble over 90-100mph.
They are a good first bike to crash on.

[MarJay]

[Keen]

[iCraig]

GOOSE is also a nickname for a the GS500E cos it looks like its spelt goose if you squint.

Also £2795 isn't a bad price for a new GS500F, usually the list price is about £3699 OTR.

Also I am a big fan of GS's there reliable, good fun and easy to work on, and above all cheap as chips to run.

[Method]

I have a GS500e '94, it was unfaired when i bought it for £600.

Rode it for a year without any fairings, dropped it a few times as you always do because its your first big bike. No damage at all, apart from a little scratch or two on the bar ends. Now with a fairing, that would be 3-400£'s for replacement plastics.

Ive only recently fitted a fairing to it, and im still nervous about the price of replacing panels, should anything happen. (Touch Wood).

On a side note, Naked GS500 Cant Go Wrong Mate!

[Knowlsey]

Good little twins, easy maintained and parts are plenty when it gets on a bit, and they never changed much, just cosmetics, if you intend to keep it for a long time, do yourself a favour and remove the front engine bolt and copper slick the hell out of it, any gs5 owner will tell you why.

more info here

www.gs500e.co.uk

[instigator]

£2795 is an utter bargain for the bike, you can't even get plain er5's for that price (close though)

You will get bored of it, it will lose half of it's value within 1 year but I assume you already know this. I say go for it.

[ZZR Girl]

I bought my K5 GS500F new last May for £3500. I kept it for 3 months and got £2500 for it in part exchange on a new 05 ZZR.

Just before I sold it (with 1200 miles on the clock), the engine sounded a bit rattly but I never bothered to find out why. At speed, anything over 60 mph, it seemed as though I was having to really open the throttle to get it to go fast. It was brilliant at cornering though.

Comparatively speaking, £3500 is cheap for a new bike, so I guess you get what you pay for. The ZZR was nearer £6000, so you're paying almost £3K more for just an extra 100cc but getting better build quality, mechanics etc.
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Keep it shiny!

[BigChris]

[iCraig]

[NicM]

I would say go get second hand, then in a year or so get the new bike you've always wanted with a load of miles under your belt; more/better bike for your money.

As for faired, well I've had my license 4 months, have a faired bike and dropped it once, silly mistake trying to park it up on the patio lost my footing and the bike toppled the other direction from me. Only a minor crack by the indicators as they stuck out past the crash bungs, which is now hidden behind the new flush indicators that i fitted .

Why is the wife insisting on you getting new? Any good dealer would sell you a second hand bike which is just as good and if your lucky they'll fling in a decent warranty. Whatever you go for make sure you get crash bungs or the likes, especially if you get a faired bike.

[Doddmaster]

I had a GS500E, it was a fantastic bike. A basic no-frills machine, but it could do anything asked of it. If I gave the car up and bought a winter bike, it would definately be a GS

[Brava210]

Am now also considering gsxr600 £5300
beautiful bike.... thanks for all replies. i should say i am fairly experienced with bikes but more off road trils riding for about 10 years.This will be my first ROAD bike .
Maintenance wise i am a qualified auto technician (posh speak for mechanic) so not worried about that.
My wife insists i buy new ,annoying really as i know any NEW bike will depreciate quickly...........

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Honda Novio, Puch Grand Prix, Suzuki AP50, CZ 125, Wassell 125, Montesa 348,Honda 125TDC, Suzuki 100ER, Suzuki GSF650 Bandit, Aprillia Pegaso, Honda PCX125, Honda Forza300, BMW G310 GS, Suzuki SFV650, Honda CB500X

CHARLEY SAYS " ALWAYS TELL YOUR MUMMY BEFORE YOU GO OFF SOMEWHERE"

[Brava210]

just found out insurance for gs500 = £98,insurance for gsxr600=£698

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Honda Novio, Puch Grand Prix, Suzuki AP50, CZ 125, Wassell 125, Montesa 348,Honda 125TDC, Suzuki 100ER, Suzuki GSF650 Bandit, Aprillia Pegaso, Honda PCX125, Honda Forza300, BMW G310 GS, Suzuki SFV650, Honda CB500X

CHARLEY SAYS " ALWAYS TELL YOUR MUMMY BEFORE YOU GO OFF SOMEWHERE"

[Brava210]

[Mister James]

Go for the new bike mate - you should get everything you can out of your first bike, with the least possible hassle.

I brought a brand new fazer for mine, and never regretted it. until that polish cow wrote it (and me) off

For that kind of money, you can't really fault it - I've been pondering picking one up for commuting, as an upgrade from my 100cc scooter.
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>Soultrader Mister James, I bet you are a copper
>Bazza Wow. Eyes like a shithouse rat, you...

[Keen]