Suzuki GS500F

Message
Author
jeffm6000
Rookie
Rookie
Posts: 3
Joined: Sun Apr 20, 2008 1:00 pm

Suzuki GS500F

#1 Unread post by jeffm6000 »

I just finished my MSF course this weekend and passed, I will be going to the DMV soon to get my license. I have been researching bikes for a month or two, right now I am leaning towards a GS500F, I heard they are great starter bikes and was wondering what you guys think of them. Thanks.

User avatar
Bubba
Legendary 500
Legendary 500
Posts: 531
Joined: Tue Nov 15, 2005 6:03 am
Sex: Male
Location: New Jersey USA

Re: Suzuki GS500F

#2 Unread post by Bubba »

jeffm6000 wrote:I just finished my MSF course this weekend and passed, I will be going to the DMV soon to get my license. I have been researching bikes for a month or two, right now I am leaning towards a GS500F, I heard they are great starter bikes and was wondering what you guys think of them. Thanks.
Great starter bike. It's what I started on many a moon ago. actually a GS550. Trouble is, after a year you'll want somthing a bit bigger and cushier.
Last edited by Bubba on Tue Apr 22, 2008 4:03 am, edited 1 time in total.
2004 Yamaha Midnight Silverado
<-------------------------------------

User avatar
gsJack
Legendary 500
Legendary 500
Posts: 544
Joined: Sun Oct 10, 2004 12:44 pm
Sex: Male
Years Riding: 30
My Motorcycle: 02 GS500
Location: NE Ohio

#3 Unread post by gsJack »

Great bike!............. and a good one to start on too. :laughing:
407,211 miles in 30.1 years for 13,528 miles/year average. Started 7/21/84, updated 8/26/14

User avatar
Teek
Regular
Regular
Posts: 38
Joined: Fri Feb 29, 2008 5:00 pm
Sex: Male
Location: SoCal

#4 Unread post by Teek »

I'm with Jack, I love my GS, especially now that I have rejetted the carbs and put new springs in the forks. Pretty much any entry level bike is going to need that done. Mine has a big air filter now instead of the crummy stock airbox, and it growls and rips through the turns, and my hubby can do wheelies on it. Plus they're easy to work on and pretty bullet proof.
2001 Suzuki GS500, Sonic springs, Katana shock, 14t sprocket, OEM flyscreen & chin spoiler, billet fork brace, fenderectomy, Diamond links, NGK Iridium plugs. Lowered and lean but not very mean.

ShawnKing
Elite
Elite
Posts: 207
Joined: Sun Feb 19, 2006 2:37 pm
Sex: Male
Location: Danbury, CT

Re: Suzuki GS500F

#5 Unread post by ShawnKing »

jeffm6000 wrote:I heard they are great starter bikes and was wondering what you guys think of them. Thanks.
Perfectly good bike to begin on. You don't say how big you are but I'm a big guy and I have ridden that bike - not comfortably :) but it's a nice bike. Congrats on your license and ride safe!
Shawn King
Your Bike Life
http://www.yourbikelife.com
2008 Yamaha FJR 1300A

jeffm6000
Rookie
Rookie
Posts: 3
Joined: Sun Apr 20, 2008 1:00 pm

Re: Suzuki GS500F

#6 Unread post by jeffm6000 »

ShawnKing wrote:
jeffm6000 wrote:I heard they are great starter bikes and was wondering what you guys think of them. Thanks.
Perfectly good bike to begin on. You don't say how big you are but I'm a big guy and I have ridden that bike - not comfortably :) but it's a nice bike. Congrats on your license and ride safe!
I'm about 5'10" and 170 lbs if that helps. I've sat on them at the dealership and it seems to fit me well.

ShawnKing
Elite
Elite
Posts: 207
Joined: Sun Feb 19, 2006 2:37 pm
Sex: Male
Location: Danbury, CT

Re: Suzuki GS500F

#7 Unread post by ShawnKing »

jeffm6000 wrote:I'm about 5'10" and 170 lbs if that helps. I've sat on them at the dealership and it seems to fit me well.
I'm 6'3" and 260lbs. It was my wife's bike and she had had it lowered considerably so I think you'll do fine. The biggest concern I'd have would be you getting "tired" of it too soon and/or outgrowing it too quickly.

My wife had hers "only" 18 months but we put a lot of miles (and several Dragon Rides!) on it before she moved up to a BMW F800ST. :)
Shawn King
Your Bike Life
http://www.yourbikelife.com
2008 Yamaha FJR 1300A

jeffm6000
Rookie
Rookie
Posts: 3
Joined: Sun Apr 20, 2008 1:00 pm

#8 Unread post by jeffm6000 »

ok well I found a 2006 for just under 3000, but it has 16,000 miles on it, is that too much for a bike with that many miles on it?

User avatar
gsJack
Legendary 500
Legendary 500
Posts: 544
Joined: Sun Oct 10, 2004 12:44 pm
Sex: Male
Years Riding: 30
My Motorcycle: 02 GS500
Location: NE Ohio

#9 Unread post by gsJack »

I put 80,000 miles on my 97 GS500E and now have 58,000 miles on my 02 GS500 and expect it to go 80-90k miles too. A 06 with 16,000 miles is hardly more than broken in unless it was badly abused.
407,211 miles in 30.1 years for 13,528 miles/year average. Started 7/21/84, updated 8/26/14

Post Reply