Total Motorcycle Community Forums

Anybody here own or have experience with a 92 or 96 Suzuki GS500 and/or a 1990 Yamaha FZR 600? One of my buddies is looking into getting his first bike and that's what I found on craigslist today. I know the Suzuki would be a good first bike, I'm just looking to hear about how long they last, maintenance costs, any common problems to look for, things like that. Seems like a good, solid, cool-looking bike though.

Also saw what looked to be a good deal on a 1990 FZR 600 ($1500). I think I'd take that one for myself and let my buddy learn on my Seca II . Again, any common problems with this? For all I know the FZR sucked in 1990 and this is a terrible deal.

Any help, suggestions, heckles or sarcastic comments welcome. Thanks in advance!

The GS500 is a great bike to learn on. My GF just got one and she loves it. Maintenance is as cheap and simple as it gets when it comes to motorcycles. Now the Seca II was my first road bike and it was great! Dunno anything about the FZR.

I can recommend the GS500 from personal experience. I know three guys at school and one friend who have had them as first bikes. Good response but not too fast. You have to work the gears and throttle to get into trouble. They're not powerful enough to throttle wheelie, but are powerful enough to haul 300 lbs up to 100 mph.
Plus they're good on gas, reliable, and other than oil changes and chain adjustments pretty much maintenance free.
Even when you do have to get into them to do valve adjusts and such it's pretty easy.
Wrider

Thanks for the replies fellas. Buddy just got back in town and we should be going to look at bikes tomorrow! There's a GS 500 on the list (assuming it isn't sold yet) and we might check out the FZR for fun.