GS500

Hi all,

I'm at that "hopefully about to pass my test, thinking about my first
big bike" stage and I'm wondering if the Suzuki GS500 can possibly be
as bad as the magazines make it out to be. My main requirement is for
something that will happily handle a 15 mile each way commute
year-round, and I like to get out for a bimble in the hills at
weekends. I'm thinking about the faired version of the GS500 because
it's only IG7, is relatively cheap and offers a bit of weather
protection.

I've read some bike mag reviews and owner's opinions, and - apart from
the lack of oomph - people seem to comment on the soggy handling most
of all. What I'm wondering - not currently knowing a good middleweight
from a bad one - is, might it still be a good buy for me given that all
I'm asking for is reliability and being able to chug along at 60-70
without any complaints? I've no aspirations to do track days,
impersonate Ghostrider, scream down autobahns or anything like that...
I just want a reliable bike that will be considerably more at ease on a
motorway than my 125.

I'm also considering the Bandit / Hornet / CB500 / CB600 / ER-6 / Fazer
and even the Transalp / Versys / 650 V-strom but I'm just wondering if
I can save a grand or two by going for the GS500, and still get a bike
that's up to the job...

Wodger reckon?

TIA
Tarby

 

Tarby777 says...

I reckon that if that's all you want it for then buy one. It'll easily
do what you need and racetrack sharp handling won't be needed. You'll
probably find it a damn sight more comfortable on a commute with softer
suspension anyway.

 

The GS will easily maintain 80+ if you want it to. Mechanically, it's as
sound as a pound, even if the engine does date back to 1977.

The frame is pretty good, too. It's just the suspension that is, as you
say, cheap and nasty, but that can be very easily and cheaply improved.

Replacement rear shock, heavier fork oil, and new fork springs, or if
you can't afford those, some spacer on top of the existing springs.
Three or four 2p pieces will do the trick, at an amazing cost of 12-16p!

The other weak spot on the GS is the finish, which really is pretty
crap, especially on the exhaust, but as a post-learner cheapie, it's
hard to beat.

 

The Older Gentleman says...

An old trick nicked from RD proddy racers of the 70s.

 

They are pretty slow and have awful handling but I love them. It will do
what you need with lots to spare.

Excellent fuel exconomy as well.

 

Thanks Molly. Does the awful handling kick in only when you're driving
like a thing possessed, or is it the case that they misbehave even when
you're just bimbling along? In other words, given what I've said about
my typical ride, am I likely to encounter this awfulness and is it
life-threatening?

TIA
Tarby

 

Tarby777 wrote

Terrible machines they are, absolute rubbish. One a fool would own one.

I have two by the way.

Soggy compared to a full on race bike suspension setup maybe but hard
enough to out brake and out corner most of those who have bikes equipped
with the aforementioned race type suspension and such around these
parts. Shod on modern dual compound tyres, I can get the pegs down and
keep them there using the stock suspension and when I need to stop the
bike does it in a straight line and similarly when I need to go it does
the same so there is bugger all wrong with the running gear in either
it's design or subsequent roadworthiness. It's all down to the rider you
know and 99.9% of cunts who express an opinion are cunts who are good
for little else but expressing opinion.

It's a nice little cooking 500 made to a design that has changed little
in the last 20 years. It does what it says on the tin and it does it
economically and reliably,

To do motorway riding with any degree of confidence and safety you need
a bike with sufficient power that it will reach 100 and still be
accelerating. A restricted GS500 will reach 91, unrestricted it may top
120 if you are a skinny runt like what I am.

All fine bikes.

Saving a grand is really not what it is about, you do need to pick a
bike that is right for your needs. If you do this you will ride the
bike a lot and thus save even more money.

 

The Older Gentleman wrote

Plenty of knee jerk drivel from the ranks of the unkowing again I see.

The cans on both my GS's are neither better nor worse than many others I
have seen. I have had various bits of it apart and can say that close
inspection finds the fasteners and the finish in a similar condition.


If somebody ever accuses you of trotting out the same old tired cliches
from the "I've seen it written somewhere so it must be true" box about
this bike remind to agree with them.

Fucking journos.

Get fucking original thought you plagiarising ****.

 

Tarby777 wrote

What would she know, she rides like a girl. Always has done from what I
remember.

and it is RIDING what you do, not driving.

 

Wot 'e said.
Excellent little bikes which do everything well enough and don't break.

Docile and easy to ride at normal revs. Get it up into the last 4k on
the tacho and it fair flies along. Ride it in the classic style - don't
hang off, get the braking over before the peel in point, slower in
faster out - they handle just fine. Nowt wrong with the brakes either
when properly bled with decent pads.

Bridgestone BT45 tyres BTW.

 

Hog wrote

Best suited for shortarses if there is any downside to it though. Not a
good bike for a lanky ****.

 

Well it was a small blonde woman what was using it, but yes, agreed

 

It's a fair cop, guv.