I toured all of Scotland on mine last month with full luggage and my girlfriend on the back. The bike didn't miss a beat and did all speed limits effortless, and I was consistently on the motorway. It packs enough power for any situations and is a dream... :)
Bought a 2004 version of this bike the other day with 2,800miles on it for 2k So far I'm liking it a lot. It's got the perfect amount of power for my liking, as a daily driver vehicle. The gas mileage is the best out of all the bikes I've owned so far. Gets about 200miles to the tank.
I am actually thinking of this one as my first bike. I do have some riding experience since I already have a moped (Suzuki Address FL125i) but I do want a bigger bike. This one seems like a good choice for beginners I guess. It's 500cc packing around 50HP which is not too high to get yourself killed as a newbie, and neither too low to not have enough power to travel or play with if you want. Also I heard that it indeed has a very reliable engine too.
It's a good bike to learn on. But I do take exception to one thing you said "packing around 50HP which is not too high to get yourself killed" Please do not underestimate any motorcycle's ability to kill you.
Good content. So here is my take on it. I have a similar bike and a ninja 300. The Gs 500 is very quite at highway speeds, little engine sound but unstable in cross winds. Ninja is opposite, . Engine noise and stable in cross wind. Ninja is torqued whereas Gs is linear power. Both bikes are well worth every Dime paid
years ago I had a suzuki GXX 250 with 6 speed box and at high speeds it felt like I needed to change up a gear it was high revving in fact many times I tried to change up to 6th gear and I was already in it! good review you are very clear with your points and makes a change to have a bike review without heavy metal music in background!
I have a 2003 15000 mile naked I've had it 3 years ride it hard and fast all the time and its holding up your right about the suspension i did the oil it don't work you'll need new progressive springs it is underpowered but still fun im in the UK and ride out with 1000cc bikes the only time they get away is on the straight so I agree if you want a light economical bike that's fun not too expensive and reliable its a good bike
Thank you! Just looking into a 2005 this afternoon as my very first!! Hopefully it'll save me some gas $$ during these crazy priced times! Long time fan of Suzuki as well.. Used to have a 2006 Suzuki Aero manual.. Loved it!! Great review!
Had the same idle issue. Thought it was the carburetor. Fixed by a valve job. A year later and it's kicking out some gray smoke when I start it cold now. Seems like I'll be forking out some more $$$ to fix it.
hey man I wanna start riding should I buy this motorcycle for $1000-$2000 have it delivered and take it to walmart parking and ride in circles for a month or two, then winter will come and by next season i will have license or is this bike too old now? a brand new bike is like 5k so not like theyre expensive. I think I can wrench on it myself its all mechanical no computer wizardry.
I have one of these. It's a 2009 though. The issue you said you had with idling. I think I am having the same. It will be idling and running fine, then it will just die. When riding up to a stop sign or light, it just dies if I don't have the throttle going a bit. Was that the issue you were having? Would be nice to finally have a solutionm
I bought a 89 gs500e in 05 at sparks cycle in tucson Az for 1400 $ had the same shim issue with the valves when I first bought it. They fixed it for me that's a typical problem with them they say. Mine toped out at 118 mph I think it has to do with the rear sprocket. But they are really unstable after 100 you have to stiff arm the bars and stay in it
I too have found many people have had issues with the valves. Aside from that minor occurrence, they seem to be very reliable motorcycles. 118MPH, you're braver than I am on a GS500.
Mostly good reviews on this bike, I've had mine for almost 10 years and still enjoy riding it. Have had to do a few repairs and maintenance even though I have only ridden it about 20,000 miles in 10 years.
1100HondaCB But a lot of people make the mistake of comparing bikes based only on their engine size, i would think that's the reason he made that comparison.
My guy you really arent smart. Hes saying that just because this is a 500cc doesnt mean its anywhere near a gsxr600. Its not just the extra 100ccs its the type of engine and the gear ratios and all that. Hes basically saying just because a 500 is a beginner bike doesnt mean a 600 is. Sad how stupid your comment is and how many people upvoted it.
Nice review! I'm seriously considering getting a gs500f. I understand that it's a smallish bike if you are tall? I imagine that's why you got raised handlebars?
Nice video and I loved the look of that bike before I saw those handlebars... just looks awkward. I'm wondering, can you change the handlebars to lower sportier ones and would it cost a lot?
Very nice bike and great review. I had to sell my Suzuki S40 Savage back in 2009 due to loosing my job but I'm hoping to get back in the saddle this year. I recently saw a 2009 GS500F for sale near me on CL for $1900 that is very tempting (hence my research lead me to your vlog), but I'm trying to hold out for something fuel injected. Anywho...do you still have your GS500F?
No, I sold it to a friend. It is a good bike though if you're interested. At $1900 you're looking at a fair market value, I'd try to talk them down. Good luck to you.
Hey man got the same bike it’s in pretty good condition over all but randomly when ever I’m in 5th gear and right after I shift into 6th it’ll some times rev super high like the clutch is getting stuck after I shift is that normal?
That doesn't seem normal to me. Check your clutch cable. When's the last time you lubed it? If that doesn't work then maybe it's a bigger problem. Good luck.
@@troyholland3436 You have to open the transmission up to see. More often you can tell by adjustment and feel. If you are too new to biking to tell, do you know anyone familiar who can help you check?
Hey Bud, Are you located in Mass and did you recently just trade in this bike? Just wondering since I literally just bought one from a dealership in Arlington, Ma
+Hans Rupert No, this bike was sold in later in 2013 to a friend. If it's the same bike it has a small nick on the front fairing that was filled in with a sharpie.
Great video. I had a question about the mileage. I just bought a 2004 gs500f and the odometer reads 049460. Someone said I have 49k miles and it seems that you said you have around 7k miles on your bike, and my odometer looks the same as yours. Any opinions would be awesome. Thank you.
Is it difficult to get used to riding a sport bike for a new rider? I took my drive test on a regular motorcycle I guess what you'd call a cruiser or something.
I rode 3 miles up and down my street. Next morning I drove all around the cities near me and put up 30 more miles. I got the hang of it faster than I thought
Hi the Unknown Moto, I would appreciate your sincerity, I am thinking of buying that same bike, but I heard that it consumes oil. Has this happened to you? And if so, how much?
I experienced to oil problems. Just the valve adjustment that effected the idle. They are a pretty fair deal if you can get one at a good price. Good luck.
It's may be technically a sport bike, but that would be in name only. It's most like a standard with some plastic fairings. Still... a great first or commuter bike.
Thats what I thought as well, I managed to get a 2004 for $1350 but it needed about $600-700 worth of repair, so overall it would cost me a little over $2k. At $3.8k no way. My husband bought a beautiful Yamaha FZ6 2006 for $3500 and the gs500 is not in that ball park. You can use kelly blue book for an idea of a good/fair value.
I toured all of Scotland on mine last month with full luggage and my girlfriend on the back. The bike didn't miss a beat and did all speed limits effortless, and I was consistently on the motorway. It packs enough power for any situations and is a dream... :)
Got mine for $500 from a family friend that couldn't clean the carbs. Took me 25 minutes and it's back to normal.. aha steal.
What a deal. Sounds nice.
DAMNNN!!!
Wow, Thats cheap.
Nice...ill trade you 400 dollars cash and a 1911
I never had any issues with the bike other than the valves needing adjustment when the bike was purchased. It is a simple and reliable motorcycle.
I will look for a GS 500F 2004 here near my hometown at the weekend. i like the styling of the bike! best wishes from Germany! Mike
Best of luck in your search.
Bought a 2004 version of this bike the other day with 2,800miles on it for 2k
So far I'm liking it a lot. It's got the perfect amount of power for my liking, as a daily driver vehicle. The gas mileage is the best out of all the bikes I've owned so far.
Gets about 200miles to the tank.
I am actually thinking of this one as my first bike. I do have some riding experience since I already have a moped (Suzuki Address FL125i) but I do want a bigger bike. This one seems like a good choice for beginners I guess. It's 500cc packing around 50HP which is not too high to get yourself killed as a newbie, and neither too low to not have enough power to travel or play with if you want. Also I heard that it indeed has a very reliable engine too.
It's a good bike to learn on. But I do take exception to one thing you said "packing around 50HP which is not too high to get yourself killed" Please do not underestimate any motorcycle's ability to kill you.
Good content. So here is my take on it. I have a similar bike and a ninja 300. The Gs 500 is very quite at highway speeds, little engine sound but unstable in cross winds. Ninja is opposite, . Engine noise and stable in cross wind. Ninja is torqued whereas Gs is linear power. Both bikes are well worth every Dime paid
years ago I had a suzuki GXX 250 with 6 speed box and at high speeds it felt like I needed to change up a gear it was high revving in fact many times I tried to change up to 6th gear and I was already in it! good review you are very clear with your points and makes a change to have a bike review without heavy metal music in background!
I have a 2003 15000 mile naked I've had it 3 years ride it hard and fast all the time and its holding up your right about the suspension i did the oil it don't work you'll need new progressive springs it is underpowered but still fun im in the UK and ride out with 1000cc bikes the only time they get away is on the straight so I agree if you want a light economical bike that's fun not too expensive and reliable its a good bike
Thank you! Just looking into a 2005 this afternoon as my very first!! Hopefully it'll save me some gas $$ during these crazy priced times! Long time fan of Suzuki as well.. Used to have a 2006 Suzuki Aero manual.. Loved it!! Great review!
these have a BIG tank giving you a great range. i hate having to fill up 😞
Had the same idle issue. Thought it was the carburetor. Fixed by a valve job. A year later and it's kicking out some gray smoke when I start it cold now. Seems like I'll be forking out some more $$$ to fix it.
Very great review and recommendations. I plan on picking one up soon and your video covered everything I wanted to know.
majinkero Thanks for the reply, I'm glad the video was useful for you.
Sub Recs, thanks for taking the time to make this video. It was very thorough. Have you ever had any maintenance issues?
love the cyclop headlight iconic suzuki style
hey man I wanna start riding should I buy this motorcycle for $1000-$2000 have it delivered and take it to walmart parking and ride in circles for a month or two, then winter will come and by next season i will have license or is this bike too old now? a brand new bike is like 5k so not like theyre expensive. I think I can wrench on it myself its all mechanical no computer wizardry.
I have one of these. It's a 2009 though. The issue you said you had with idling. I think I am having the same. It will be idling and running fine, then it will just die. When riding up to a stop sign or light, it just dies if I don't have the throttle going a bit. Was that the issue you were having? Would be nice to finally have a solutionm
If you've cleaned the carb I can almost guarantee the shims are the problem.
love the bars
I think your first is always your favorite.
I miss the Shadow 1100 and Triumph Thunderbird the most probably.
Thanks for the video review! Excellent stuff.
I bought a 89 gs500e in 05 at sparks cycle in tucson Az for 1400 $ had the same shim issue with the valves when I first bought it. They fixed it for me that's a typical problem with them they say. Mine toped out at 118 mph I think it has to do with the rear sprocket. But they are really unstable after 100 you have to stiff arm the bars and stay in it
I too have found many people have had issues with the valves. Aside from that minor occurrence, they seem to be very reliable motorcycles. 118MPH, you're braver than I am on a GS500.
***** It's because the rear shock is underdamped :-( And the front forks are too soft... If not those two flaws this bike would handle like a pro!
Well done. Thank you.
Thanks.
all non super sport/race bikes should have a center stand.
Hmm, what cables needed replacing with those tall bars? Was it too cramped for you - I am 6' tall so I suffered on a CB500.
The cables are all stock as the new bars were a bit narrower than the factory bars.
No new cables were needed.
Excellent stuff! I almost killed a fazer 600 changing bars and putting risers on. What could go wrong?
Mostly good reviews on this bike, I've had mine for almost 10 years and still enjoy riding it. Have had to do a few repairs and maintenance even though I have only ridden it about 20,000 miles in 10 years.
You are comparing two completely different bikes regarding the GS500 and the GSXR600.
1100HondaCB But a lot of people make the mistake of comparing bikes based only on their engine size, i would think that's the reason he made that comparison.
My guy you really arent smart. Hes saying that just because this is a 500cc doesnt mean its anywhere near a gsxr600. Its not just the extra 100ccs its the type of engine and the gear ratios and all that. Hes basically saying just because a 500 is a beginner bike doesnt mean a 600 is. Sad how stupid your comment is and how many people upvoted it.
Nice review! I'm seriously considering getting a gs500f. I understand that it's a smallish bike if you are tall? I imagine that's why you got raised handlebars?
Nice video and I loved the look of that bike before I saw those handlebars... just looks awkward. I'm wondering, can you change the handlebars to lower sportier ones and would it cost a lot?
Sub Recs Ah alright, thanks.
Very nice bike and great review. I had to sell my Suzuki S40 Savage back in 2009 due to loosing my job but I'm hoping to get back in the saddle this year. I recently saw a 2009 GS500F for sale near me on CL for $1900 that is very tempting (hence my research lead me to your vlog), but I'm trying to hold out for something fuel injected. Anywho...do you still have your GS500F?
No, I sold it to a friend. It is a good bike though if you're interested.
At $1900 you're looking at a fair market value, I'd try to talk them down.
Good luck to you.
Fair enough... Thanks for that!
Hey man got the same bike it’s in pretty good condition over all but randomly when ever I’m in 5th gear and right after I shift into 6th it’ll some times rev super high like the clutch is getting stuck after I shift is that normal?
That doesn't seem normal to me. Check your clutch cable. When's the last time you lubed it? If that doesn't work then maybe it's a bigger problem. Good luck.
@@BrianMDIY i just got the bike so don’t know much about it how do I check the clutch? To see the condition of it?
@@troyholland3436 You have to open the transmission up to see. More often you can tell by adjustment and feel. If you are too new to biking to tell, do you know anyone familiar who can help you check?
@@BrianMDIY so do these bikes have a normal centrifugal clutch? Or how am I gonna check to see how good of shape the clutch is in?
@@troyholland3436 I'm not a mechanic. So I really can't give you any technical advice. Sorry.
Good honest review, 😀
Good review, thanks alot man.
Nice review... Can I ask.. What has been your favourite bike that you have owned?
Depends how tall. I'm 6ft. The bike fits fine. Plenty of room, but yes the taller bars really opend up the "cock pit".
Hi did you need to instal longer cable's and brake line to to fit that bars or you just reroute them
Beautiful bike 🤩
You wouldn’t happen to know where the bulb is located for tachometer do you? I think I need to change the bulb, because the lights are out.
Sorry. I don't know that answer.
I no longer have the bike.
Hey Bud, Are you located in Mass and did you recently just trade in this bike? Just wondering since I literally just bought one from a dealership in Arlington, Ma
+Hans Rupert No, this bike was sold in later in 2013 to a friend.
If it's the same bike it has a small nick on the front fairing that was filled in with a sharpie.
Yes I'm in Mass, probably not the same bike as I sold this one a few years ago.
Thank you.
Had mine of the clock 130 mph 2s up
We're you travelling downhill with a hurricane wind at you back? Mine wouldn't go much more than just above 80MPH.
Can you please tell me what kind of saddlebags do you have on it?
Nelson Riggs.
Check Amazon.
@@BrianMDIY thank you! Do you happen to know the model number?
What are those saddle bags?
Nelson-Riggs you can find them on Amazon.
Great video. I had a question about the mileage. I just bought a 2004 gs500f and the odometer reads 049460. Someone said I have 49k miles and it seems that you said you have around 7k miles on your bike, and my odometer looks the same as yours. Any opinions would be awesome. Thank you.
If you're last digit is white, like mine was, then you only have four thousand nine hundred forty six miles on the bike.
Brian M Yeah, the last digit on the right is in white. Thank you for your help.😊
Have you owned a Triumph Bonneville t120?
No, I haven't.
@@BrianMDIY No worries.
Right!
Did it come with the centerstand? Is that stock?
ReachForTheMoon Yes that is factory and came with the bike.
the handlebar is higher than the factory one right? is it worth if I'm 1m90?
+Wild Eye Studios Yes, those are ATV handlebars and they really opened up the cockpit for a taller rider.
What saddle bags are you using?
Moto Scrub Nelson Rigg soft bags available on Amazon. Model CL850 which have been updated as model CL855.
Is it difficult to get used to riding a sport bike for a new rider? I took my drive test on a regular motorcycle I guess what you'd call a cruiser or something.
Nah I started riding on a VFR700F and I did fine
started on a zx6r no but you have to counter steer alot
I rode 3 miles up and down my street. Next morning I drove all around the cities near me and put up 30 more miles. I got the hang of it faster than I thought
Hi the Unknown Moto, I would appreciate your sincerity, I am thinking of buying that same bike, but I heard that it consumes oil. Has this happened to you? And if so, how much?
I experienced to oil problems. Just the valve adjustment that effected the idle.
They are a pretty fair deal if you can get one at a good price. Good luck.
Very nice
It's not a sport bike? What is it??
It's may be technically a sport bike, but that would be in name only.
It's most like a standard with some plastic fairings.
Still... a great first or commuter bike.
It’s actually a naked GS500 the F stands for Faring
i am 190 cm, its good for me?
Yes.
My best was 65 mpg all highway driving up 5o my cabin. Amazing gas milage!
What cargo bags are those??
Nelson-Riggs available on amazon.
Awesome thanks for the quick reply man thats rare!!!
You're very welcome.
I try to reply to everyone.
no ABS?
+Fabio Gil Mota No ABS or EFI, it's not got any complicated systems as it's a very basic bike.
Is it a automatic
No.
lol I paid the same for mines lol saling it for 1100 bucks now had fun tho
i fixed my cluch disc and now my suzuki gs500 Will not start
I'm not a mechanic.
Check the clutch safety and kickstand safety switches.
Good luck.
ive had my 2004 just over 125mph, it gets really bad headshake around 120mph becareful
I got one trying to sell it now
It's a good time to sell. Everyone will be looking soon. Good luck with your sale.
That's not many miles for the valve clearances to be so far out.
You're right on about that. It is very common for tis engine to have that problem though.
I enjoy the economy...... It has a lack of power lol. Can't have both.
Holy crap, $1800.00!!??...I thought I just got a deal at 3800.00
Thats what I thought as well, I managed to get a 2004 for $1350 but it needed about $600-700 worth of repair, so overall it would cost me a little over $2k. At $3.8k no way. My husband bought a beautiful Yamaha FZ6 2006 for $3500 and the gs500 is not in that ball park. You can use kelly blue book for an idea of a good/fair value.
Good deal.
I really want one. Me first bike
I currently have 4 hundred dollars and a 1911 for trade
To slow a bike no power
you have robotic voice ,,man!