GS500F: any good?

[nzspokes]

If they have the same gearbox as the GPZ/EX then make sure you take it for a ride and try some decent engine braking in second gear. Take it out to redline in second then just throttle off and see what happens. Some of them (including my one) would drop into neutral, which was very annoying but not really worth the cost of fixing ($$$). It meant that you couldn't use second gear for anything other than accelerating.

http://www.ex-500.com/index.php?acti...e;topic=3485.0

Well thats a major problem

[MSTRS:Me]

Well thats a major problem

Never had any trouble here. And nor have any of the other 3 or 4 that I know of. The man in that link does say

All the early 500s had crappr bushings in the trannies

Mid/late 90s aren't 'early' models...

[nzspokes]

Never had any trouble here. And nor have any of the other 3 or 4 that I know of. The man in that link does say
Mid/late 90s aren't 'early' models...

One im going to look at is 96. Cant test ride due to licence.

[Ender EnZed]

Well thats a major problem

I think it's reasonably rare. Just make sure you put it through it's paces on the test ride and it'll be pretty obvious if it's one to avoid.

[Ender EnZed]

One im going to look at is 96. Cant test ride due to licence.

Did the seller say that or did you? Most people aren't going to place the letter of the law above selling a bike. It's only a problem for them if you break the bike and won't pay, your general respectable-ness will matter more than a piece of plastic.

[nudemetalz]

Our EX-4 (400 version of MSTRS's one) definitely doesn't do the second gear pop out, as I might...ahem...give it some redline "every nown and then"....
Lovely bike to own and ride and when the 400 engine goes pop (which it probably won't) , going to slot a 500 one in. Apparently they're a virtual bolt straight in.

Back to the GS500's,..a mate bought one new last year and liked it. The only thing he didn't like about it was it was affected by crosswinds down the motorway quite badly (as most lightweight full faired bikes would be). His new SV1000 isn't though...

[MSTRS:Me]

One im going to look at is 96.

It'll be fine.

Cant test ride due to licence.

Don't get caught. 'Someone' I know rode her's (oops - I mean - their's...) for a year or more before getting full licence.
They are not a hoon bike and don't really draw attention to themselves.
Besides - they comply under LAMS, anyway. Just say you thought it was in already if you do get spoken to.

[nzspokes]

Back to the GS500's,..a mate bought one new last year and liked it. The only thing he didn't like about it was it was affected by crosswinds down the motorway quite badly (as most lightweight full faired bikes would be). His new SV1000 isn't though...

Ive heard that about the Faired ones.

[nzspokes]

Went and looked at the ER5. Sold while I was there. There was a horrid noise coming from the clutch cover, guess the plates or basket. Apart from that It looked ok.

[Crasherfromwayback]

Went and looked at the ER5. Sold while I was there. There was a horrid noise coming from the clutch cover, guess the plates or basket. Apart from that It looked ok.

They can be quite 'knocky' at idle if the carbs aren't balanced properly.

[nzspokes]

They can be quite 'knocky' at idle if the carbs aren't balanced properly.

He did say the carbs were out. Could be it.

What do we think of Yamaha 900 Diversion, 2001?

Cant seem to find much info on them.

[Crasherfromwayback]

He did say the carbs were out. Could be it.

What do we think of Yamaha 900 Diversion, 2001?

Cant seem to find much info on them.

No such thing as a bad Japanese bike after the mid to late 80's mate. But I think a 900 is getting away from what you were originally after?

[nzspokes]

No such thing as a bad Japanese bike after the mid to late 80's mate. But I think a 900 is getting away from what you were originally after?

Yeah it is. But at least its still for sale.

i have a nack of missing bikes.

But in saying that Ive done a stack of work on the little CBX and its looking good. New dash, guages, switch gear, recovered seat, CDI, Coil and the such like. It will do me for a bit yet.

Just need to work out how to swap speedo needles over.

[Tigadee]

Hey Spokes, check these out:

http://www.trademe.co.nz/motors/moto...-440082777.htm

http://www.trademe.co.nz/motors/moto...-440127737.htm

http://www.trademe.co.nz/motors/moto...-438083165.htm

[MSTRS:Me]

They can be quite 'knocky' at idle if the carbs aren't balanced properly.

Is that the reason?
I just thought it was a Kawasaki twin thing.
A young friend's old GPX250 did it, YT's EL250 did it and her EX500 does it. Sounds like the bigends were gone years ago. Until you open the throttle...