Suzuki GS500F

Great first bike, even better long term bike, suits bigger riders, fantastic classic bike – Updating this review after four years ownership with a bit more experience under my belt, and also having ridden several other bikes for comparison. 32,000k on the clock now. Firstly - What I'd say is get rid of the factory BT45 bias ply tyres, the best tyres for this bike are Michelin Pilot Street Radials (onto second pair now). I was of the… Read more

opinion maybe this bike couldn't be leaned very far, but it certainly can. Can be leaned 50 degree with no problems.

Not only is the GS500 a good first bike, after 4 years after having owned several others, a Bandit 1200 and a GSX650 I can more appreciate the features of this bike. My thoughts after a year "I'm completely satisfied with it and have no plans to upgrade so I could see it being a good long term bike too. I went to this bike after learning on a CB125 (way too small), then buying a Honda VTR250 (still too small imo). "

Thoughts after four years: The GS500F really is a bloody fantastic bike. The time tested design of the bike in production still, from the mid eighties I believe, just works... fantastic package. Wonderful LAMS bike, wonderful bike... period.

Pros: *Excellent power, not just for a LAMS bike but for any bike, can get up hills without struggling, overtakes, get's away from traffic, as said pretty good on the freeway. *With decent tyres this bike handles extremely well in corners and is extremely nimble and easy to ride. *Suspension is excellent and gives a comfortable ride (despite the negative reports) suspension more than adequate *Still small enough to lane filter and get to the front at lights. *Comes with centre stand which allows tank to be filled right up, and maintenance to be done, chain, tyre pressures, etc *Tyres very easy to pump up.. especially the front.. no twin disks to get around in order to get onto the tyre valve *Sensationally fuel economy and range. I get about 280km before I need to fill up without going to reserve, and I ride it hard, normally pay about $20. So an extremely economical bike... One of the best ranges too. *The fairing works really well in the rain, actually keeps the rain off me while I ride. *Windscreen also effective in reducing wind noise *People love the look of the bike, Get many strangers commenting even. *Cheap to buy and plenty of low k ones out there. I got one with just 3000k's on it for $4200 *Very reliable and tough mechanically, Even very high k ones are still going strong, but they do need maintenance to run optiimumally- maintenance however is easy.. and if you have basic mechanical skill and are prepared to get a few cheap tools you can DIY everything just about. *Comfortable. After a days riding in the country. No unusual aches or pains or anything like that. *Simple design, less to go wrong: The bike is the essence of simplicity.. no gear indicator, no fuel guage.. you don't need either and I feel more in touch with the bike without them *Wide handle bars and mirrors allow good control and excellent vision behind. *Sounds awesome.. the engine and exhaust package from factory couldn't sound better in my opinion. *Gear shifts are super smooth- incredible gearbox *Heat shield over muffler- it doesn't get super hot -can touch it after a long ride. *Air/Oil cooled... super reliable... less maintenace- no coolant to worry about. *Light enough for nimbleness(especially at slow speeds) but heavy enough for decent stability *Parts for the bike are cheap used, and easy to get (lots around) *lots of knowledge base and resources around the bike... "how to's"... etc.

Cons: *Some people want a fuel guage and a shifter guage. At first I thought that might be a disadvantage but now, couldn't care less in fact I feel I'm more in touch with the bike not relying on those.. but each to their own. For some people this could be a con. But after having ridden bikes with fuel and indicator guage much prefer going by the odometer for fuel, and the indicator guage.. I like to check the guages as little as possible.. want eyes around me... so really.. I don;t feel I need an indicator guage .. or really want one.

*If getting a low k bike it might have original tyres that will need to be changed (over ten years old) *No ABS.. I had it drummed into me this is essential.. It is a good safety feature but I don't think it is a deal breaker at all. There is no substitute for safe and experienced riding and riding within your limits and to the conditions at hand.

*low beam is hopeless at night. High beam is sufficient though.

*There are of course faster, better accelerating, and more stable (heavier) bikes available. That said only once have I had someone in a turbo AMG Mercedes sportscar try and prove something by keeping up with the bike off the lights, and even then they couldn't get ahead. The bike is quick... you do have to look after it though to keep it like that, valve adjustment, clean air filter, spark plugs in good condition etc. You could get a bike that will do 0-100 in 3 seconds and tear away even from the fastest cars, but for 99.9% of purposes the GS500F does what it's supposed to and does it very well- will get you away from the traffic, well away. Especially for a LAMS bike it has easily enough power.

Additional CONS after 3 years. The GS500F is a great bike but I think ABS would make it better. Avoiding lockup of the front wheel with ABS could likely be the difference between the bike staying upright or not in an accident. AT 4 years though have not had a situation where I wuld have required ABS... fortunately/

Conclusion The GS500F is an absolute classic motorcycle, they got a hell of alot of stuff right with this bike and it excels in many areas, and doesn't have too many flaws... well none actually.... It is a fantastic motorcycle. As you can tell from the review I'm a big fan of the GS500F... and cannot get rid of the bike even though I have tried others and own others.... this bike I think will be a keeper. Love the bike.