New rider, Suzuki GS 500 E

[Ninja Geoff]

http://www.bikez.com/motorcycles/suzuki ... e_1996.php

My friend's roomate is selling one of those soon. It was his learner bike, so i figured it could work. I think he wants ~$1,250 or so. Buuuuuut something broke when he was riding today and the bike just sorta stopped running. Hopefuly it's nothing serious, but it may mean a big price reduction.

Buaha so excited i couldn't help but share. Anyone else have/had one of these? Any pros/cons?

[Tarzan]

I don't own one but rode one for three days as part of my motorcycle training. A lot of the training schools here use them because they are easy and cheap to maintain and very economical.

It was very good in traffic. Fast enough for everything except prolonged highway travel (my opinion anyway). Easy enough to control and pretty forgiving. It has no expensive plastic fairing to break if you drop it (I dropped it in training and it suffered no damage at all). All in all I thought it was pretty darn good and if my commute to work didn't involve fifteen miles each way of motorway travel I'd have definately purchased one.

[gsJack]

http://www.bikez.com/motorcycles/suzuki ... e_1996.php

My friend's roomate is selling one of those soon. It was his learner bike, so i figured it could work. I think he wants ~$1,250 or so. Buuuuuut something broke when he was riding today and the bike just sorta stopped running. Hopefuly it's nothing serious, but it may mean a big price reduction.

Buaha so excited i couldn't help but share. Anyone else have/had one of these? Any pros/cons?

Great all around bike, all you really need. It's not a beginners bike, but it is a good one to begin with.

Got about 100k miles on my two GS500s after starting with four 400-750cc Hondas. Have done many 400-500 mile days at 75-80 mph (indicated) on the interstates. Have spent many fun days in the mountain twisties running with all kinds of bikes.

If you get the GS500 and reach the point where you "need" more bike you have 2 choices, learn how to really ride the GS or get another bike with a bigger engine.

For all you need to know about the GS500s:

http://www.gstwins.com/forum/

[Aggroton]

yeah thats pretty sexy...id be stoked too...ride safe brotha.

[Ninja Geoff]

Talked to the guy who owns it. $700! Buuut he has no clue why it's still not running. Gonna go look at it with my step-dad, he'll probably be able to tell what's wrong and how much it'll cost to fix. Did the same with my XR200R and so far he's been dead on. He's one of those guys who has the "touch" or "knack" for bikes. The hardest part will be convincing him that I'm ready (or think i am ) for a street bike. Basically as far as he's conserned i should get an enduro bike and put it on the road for a (at LEAST a season ) before i move onto a street bike. I suppose the best way to do this is to ace the MSF course .

Until then, mountain trails and mud pits for me! Maybe i'll ride to Vernon, VT tomarrow

If you get the GS500 and reach the point where you "need" more bike you have 2 choices, learn how to really ride the GS or get another bike with a bigger engine.
http://www.gstwins.com/forum/

Haha i hear yah. No point getting bigger until i can handle what i've got. And a quick question on the bike, as it is naked, is it possible to get farrings for it? just thinking that that'd make highway use a little more comfortable.

[TechTMW]

If your step-dad has a knack for bikes and can determine the problem w/ that gs500, he should have no problem w/ you buying it, because that's a deal!

[Ninja Geoff]

Just talked to mom/step dad for a bit about. First before i can even consider looking at the bike, i gotta get the permit/MSF. So thurs i'll be getting the permit and calling the MSF people. Also, i have to have a quote from the insurance peeps on costs. Shouldn't be THAT much for a 96 GS500 . Hell, if full covereage for a $20,000 HD that was bought new is only $600 a year (even with his driving record ) then that suzu shouldn't be too much for a basic coverage. I won't need personal injury, already got BlueCross BlueShield for that, and paying for comprehensive on a $700 learner bike seems a little silly. And the final catch, no solo trips until about halfway next season. I say good enough for me! I'm hoping a couple of months and i'll have me a road bike!

[gsJack]

If you get the GS500 and reach the point where you "need" more bike you have 2 choices, learn how to really ride the GS or get another bike with a bigger engine.
http://www.gstwins.com/forum/

Haha i hear yah. No point getting bigger until i can handle what i've got. And a quick question on the bike, as it is naked, is it possible to get farrings for it? just thinking that that'd make highway use a little more comfortable.

There are all kinds of fairings/windshields available for bikes. For summertime use, I prefer a small shield like the Slipstreamer Spitfire. It's all I need to make highway travel comfortable, takes the wind blast off of your chest and still gives almost as much wind in the face as no shield does. My 02 GS500:

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v443/ ... 4gspic.jpg

For year around use in all kinds of weather I prefer a Plexi 2 type fairing. Much better wind, rain, and cold protection.

http://www.nationalcycle.com/images/pro ... 99_600.jpg

There are also a couple kits to add full fairings like a sportbike has, kinda pricey though. You can find info on these at the GS twins site. I have a Plexi 2 mounted to my 97 GS "winter bike" and fittings on the 02 GS for both the Spitfire and a Plexi 2.