GS 500 owners/previous owners

[Bonez]

I'm interested in hearing your experiances with this little beuty.
Found this site to have a wealth of info - http://gstwin.com/gs_info.htm

[erik]

Here's a couple of reviews by Pwalo:
http://www.kiwibiker.co.nz/forums/showthread.php?t=4830
http://www.kiwibiker.co.nz/forums/showthread.php?t=8771

[Hillbilly]

Here's a good review of the '04 GS500F:

http://www.bikepoint.com.au/print.aspx?alias=bikepointau&tabID=5760&ArticleID=119521&ModID=10742

The main difference with the new GS500F K6 is the DOHC engine with electronic ignition and PAIR, pulsed secondary air injection. I think the Mikuni BSR34 carbs are the same though.

[Pwalo]

I'm interested in hearing your experiances with this little beuty.
Found this site to have a wealth of info - http://gstwin.com/gs_info.htm

The gstwin site is probably the best for information on what other people think of the GS, and what mod's they have done to their bikes.

There have been three articles published in 'Two Wheels' magazine (1990, 2001, and 2005 I think), which all gave very good reviews. 'Cycle World' rated it as the best of the mid range 'cheap' bikes. 'Ride' magazine gave the 2001 model a surprisingly favourable write up.

The GS seems to be very popular in the States, and Europe (appparently it's been a top seller in Germany - ???), but usually struggles in the UK (just not sporty enough).

Personally I've found the little GS to be surprisingly competent as an all rounder. It's great for commuting, comfortable enough to spend a decent amount of time in the saddle, and with a bit of suspension work the GS handles pretty well.

Being an air cooled twin its really easy to work on, and commuting sees about 22 k/l (about 65 mpg).

It's not a GSXR, but at the stop light GP it'll show any car (short of some serious kit) a clean pair of heels. And believe me it's a hell of a lot better for riding below 120ks. Much above that and you'll be acting like a sail anyway.

Best of all it's cheap, and with such a long production run there are heaps of parts and advice available.

[wysper]

I owned one of these a years ago. Was my third bike.
I loved it. I would recommend it to anyone who likes naked bikes. You ride it up in the 8000 rpm range and it is great fun. I got mine (standard) to about 196kph.

Pretty awesome bike. I would seriously consider buying again.

Not sure what the new ones are like. The one i had was early 90's.