suzuki gs 500f beginner bike or? | GTAMotorcycle.com

suzuki gs 500f beginner bike or?

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ScorpioCBR16

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hi
im a beginner and i like the suzuki gs500f since i dont want to buy cbr 125 cant afford the cbr 250, i want a bike that can go on the highway and i read that suzuki gs500f compared to ninja 250 and honda 250 r not shaky on the highway.
i just wanted to know if i should get a used 2004 model(looks good than 2008/2007) or get a higher year. because all im willing to spend on a first bike is $2500-3000 since i might drop it.
im looking at a bike that has good speed , easy to learn on and looks good.
any opinions will help thanks :)
 
I got an EX500 to start with and the bike you're looking at is similar. They are good beginners bikes and I don't think the models change much over the years so for a first bike you might be able to get away with a well cared for older model and use the cash saved on gear. They are carbed so watch out for any bike that's been left unridden for a while though, it's not a disaster if the carbs are fouled but it is a bit of hassle.
 
You know what they say, Hyabusa or you're a lilly dally patty whacker!
 
The design of the GS hasn't really changed too much since its intro in '89... there's very little difference between an 04 and an 08. Go with the one that you like better
 
Very very minor differences over the years ... if you get a GS500E versus a GS500F, there's not even any fairings to break.
 
best beginner bike ever....
 
I've got one, awesome bike :D
Got decent power, and is very forgiving if you make a mistake (like grabbing a handful of throttle, or dropping from half throttle to none in the apex of a corner in a panic reaction, and many other things.)
No shaking on the highway, stays in a straight line, wind doesn't affect it very much.

One thing about the bike, the front suspension is very soft and the rear could use a little upgrade. But these are easy mods to do in the event you want them changed.
 
great thanx all for ur replies i will go with the suzuki gs500f any year model and ya thats true there isnt much difference in the look its probably just the colors :)
 
Ahhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhh lets just say it is sounding so sexy right now. Especially with the silencer out. Had some fun under two bridges yesterday. I love it!!!
 
rafiki911 said:
Ahhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhh lets just say it is sounding so sexy right now. Especially with the silencer out;)
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So jelly.

But I need new tires, new helmet, new suspension, new foot pegs, and a buncha other new stuff before I get a new exhaust... (although I think a PO did something to my exhaust, it looks a little different than stock. I'd have to have it next to a stock exhaust in person to tell though)
 
New tires makes it a completely new bike:) What suspension are you going with? I'm going to try getting a better tool so I can adjust mine before I change that. I was going to change the foot pegs but I think the more vibration would make my feet fall asleep faster on the long rides.
Sabex said:
So jelly.

But I need new tires, new helmet, new suspension, new foot pegs, and a buncha other new stuff before I get a new exhaust... (although I think a PO did something to my exhaust, it looks a little different than stock. I'd have to have it next to a stock exhaust in person to tell though)
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rafiki911 said:
New tires makes it a completely new bike:) What suspension are you going with? I'm going to try getting a better tool so I can adjust mine before I change that. I was going to change the foot pegs but I think the more vibration would make my feet fall asleep faster on the long rides.
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Well right now I have a +6 tooth rear sprocket... so I doubt the vibration would affect me much more (cruising at 8kRPM on the highway in 6th gear is fun but not fun)
Probably the standard 600 katana rear shock, and I'm thinking .80kg/mm front springs with a 15w oil. (I heard some good things about SonicSprings, but I'll be looking more into it before deciding. I might even just try a heavier oil in the stock first)
As for tires, my front is now almost completely bald in the center, along with some mild cracking and cupping. The bars are starting to shake back and forth while just driving straight... hoping to have the tires sometime next week and then just need them mounted and installed. (I'm thinking Pirelli Sport Demons)
 
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rafiki911 said:
New tires makes it a completely new bike:) What suspension are you going with? I'm going to try getting a better tool so I can adjust mine before I change that. I was going to change the foot pegs but I think the more vibration would make my feet fall asleep faster on the long rides.
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What tires are you running?? I was thinking of picking up some Pirelli Sport Demons.. they are suppose to be pretty good on the GS. And I definitely want to hear that Yosh without the silencer!

Sabex, what suspension upgrade are you looking at? Front and/or rear? I got Race Tech .9 kg/mm on the front, and it's a different animal.. I've been keeping my eye out for an SV or Katana rear shock but it's not a top priority for me right now

Just for reference, my GS is pretty molested... Jardine full system with a K&N lunchbox, steel braided brake lines, Suburban Machinery SV bars (went for bar end mirrors there too), integrated tail light, fenderectomy, R&G frame sliders, NGK iridium spark plugs.. the list goes on. I was considering trying the ignition advancer, and definitely want to change the gearing up a bit, maybe -1/+2 or something like that
 
tricky said:
Just for reference, my GS is pretty molested... Jardine full system with a K&N lunchbox, steel braided brake lines, Suburban Machinery SV bars (went for bar end mirrors there too), integrated tail light, fenderectomy, R&G frame sliders, NGK iridium spark plugs.. the list goes on. I was considering trying the ignition advancer, and definitely want to change the gearing up a bit, maybe -1/+2 or something like that
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refer to my above about suspesion^
as for mine. the only mods are currently the +6 rear tooth, and flush mount turn signals. well, along with a fenderectomy.
 
rafiki911 said:
Got these from Competition Cycle... http://www.bridgestone.com/products/motorcycle_tires/products/battlax/bt003rs.html I love them:)

Yes, you definately got to hear it tricky:) Some of my other mods... braded front brake line and master cylinder off a gxsr 600, adjustable levers, R&G sliders, new bar ends, stickerectomy and added my own. lol
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The smallest rear for them is a 15/60-17 while the bikes stock is 130/70-17 (of course, it'll still fit on and just pinch a tiny bit; but nothing major or anything to worry about)
I heard a fatter rear reduces handling (mostly cornering) quality a bit.


edit: most places I've looked are telling me that bt003 are awesome for the track, but not the best for road. (I also think it would have an issue with fast wearing, how long have you had them on for/how much longer do you think they'll last?)
 
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I put the 140 on the back and its awesome in the corners.
 
rafiki911 said:
I put the 140 on the back and its awesome in the corners.
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The website isn't showing a 140. EDIT; according to pete's they have a 140/70-17, but the bridgestone website doesn't show that size.. huh, weird.

SO, how's the milage so far?
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