Mini-Suzuki GS500 review

Royal & Sunalliance have provided me with an '04 Suzuki GS500 (1,500
miles on the clock) to use while the ER-5 is in for work. As I've
used it for a few days and have covered 150 miles on it I think I'm in
a position to write a mini-reviewette:

Bad points:

.. It's blue.
.. Steering might as well not be there.
.. Rattles so much my hands go numb over 6,500rpm.
.. Dives under braking.
.. Rear disc is worse than the ER-5's drum.
.. It's underpowered compared to the ER-5 (even when the ER-5 was
restricted I'm sure it would outrun this GS500 which I assume the hire
firm have restricted)
.. Seat is too hard - numb bumb
.. Rear brake is binding.
.. Headlamp is useless at night, even on full beam as it's aimed too
low.
.. Steering lock and 'parking light' mode are too close together, if
you click it anti-clockwise once too many times you have the parking
light on and as there is no 'off' switch for the headlamp there's a
possibility of draining the battery.
.. Under-seat storage space is even worse than the ER-5's.
.. Shocks very stiff - I went over a slightly sunken drain cover today
and I will now never be able to father children.

Good points:

.. Decent front brakes.
.. Stock exhaust isn't too quiet at higher revs.
.. 20 litre fuel tank.
.. Economical.
.. Isn't costing me anything.

GS500 list price £3349
ER500 list price £3299

 

Poor maintenance in large part I guess because my mate's 2001 vintage
here is excellent and suffers few of those problems. I'd recommend it as
a 1st bike, unrestricted naturally.

 

Since when could you father a child by shagging blokes anyway?

 

The same way it's been done for years.

 

What's that for, then?

See above

--
Catman MIB#14 SKoGA#6 TEAR#4 BOTAFOF#38 Apostle#21 COSOC#3
Tyger, Tyger Burning Bright (Remove rust to reply)
Alfa 116 Giulietta 3.0l (Really) Sprint 1.7 75 TS 156 TS S2
Triumph Speed Triple: Black with extra black bits
www.cuore-sportivo.co.uk

 

Hog wrote

Same with my 4 year older one.

Dunno, the pegs touch down a bit early for my taste.

Not that I go there much but it means I have to think about tucking me
toes when I am getting close if you know what I mean and I do go there a
bit more regular like.

 

catman wrote

Summat you have to use once or twice before it's next mot or they nag
you about it sticking I think.

 

It's only done 1,500 miles (1,600 now) so has only had one service.
How often does the GS500 need to be 'maintained' - every 700 miles?

 

Sounds very sussy then

 

Oh right. TBH I was planning on chopping it before it needs an MOT.
--
Catman MIB#14 SKoGA#6 TEAR#4 BOTAFOF#38 Apostle#21 COSOC#3
Tyger, Tyger Burning Bright (Remove rust to reply)
Alfa 116 Giulietta 3.0l (Really) Sprint 1.7 75 TS 156 TS S2
Triumph Speed Triple: Black with extra black bits
www.cuore-sportivo.co.uk

 

Perhaps I curse bikes.

 

But of course!! that's it. Runs in the family too.

 

Oi! I'm not related to BGN.

 

Hire bike innit? Gets abused.

 

This seems to be a trend on bikes you have - you sure you don't
accidently trail the brake when you ride?

 

Next time Timo's selling a bike, whatever it is, buy it.

 

I'll monitor it next time I'm out. I'm unlikely to be trailing the
brake on this GS unintentionally as I have to move my foot up and to
the left to go near it.

 

<snip reviewette>

Those ER5's can be fun.

 

I'm not sure if it's because the ER-5 is my bike, or I'm used to it,
or I'm not afraid of dropping it or throwing it down the road or if
it's because we've got history together, but I'd rather have my
clapped out ER-5 in its current abused state (but with a fixed engine)
than this GS500. I know the ER heavier than the GS but I'm just so
much more confident in throwing it around corners.

 

You know how much fun GS500's can be.