GS500s are so like inline 4s - SV650.org

05-06-05, 04:47 PM

I've had my GS for 18 months and I was so smitten with the idea that as a twin it is torquey, that I've only just started to notice that it's like an inline-4 when it comes to it's power delivery. You have to rev it to at least 5000rpm - 7000rpm to get the best from it and preferably 9000rpm (which is where its peak power and torque are (give or take)). I always thought it was torquey low down, but it isn't is it?

I know it's torquier than something like a Honda CBF600 at lower revs because I've rode one and discussed it with a mechanic who worked at a Honda + Suzuki dealer. (2 x 250cc cylinders versus 4 x 150cc cylinders)

I noticed this afternoon that it only really gets going at about 7000rpm+. (I've obviously been spoiled by the SV I tested a week ago)

So to conclude in a rather depressing way, its like an inline-4 WITHOUT the power! (hardly surprising when you consider it's only got half the number of cylinders of an IL4)

05-06-05, 05:14 PM

ha ! you got a GS 500 i hate those dam things i had a new one in yellow it wos so crap! through cheddar it would just wooble all over the place! absolutly shocking!

the only good thing about them is learners can get em n ride slowly but then im sure a GS can put n e one off of bikes its so pooo!

ohh god i could go on for ages! i traded mine in for my SV soooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooo much better!

sorry if n e one has some wird reason for likeing a GS500

one good thing ! it pulls whillis ok! thats it realy...

sorry about my spelling and grammer as useual

rob

05-06-05, 05:35 PM

I hated the GS500 I used on training. It was heavy, bulky and unstable in bends - for those sort of commuter bikes, the ER5/CB500 is a much better bet!

(oh it had horrid rearsets added as well which meant my legs were bent right up - putting all the weight on my wrists)

05-06-05, 05:54 PM

Yep, as soon as I've got the money, it's replaced with a shiny new SV or maybe, just maybe, a Z750S. (probably the SV though)

05-06-05, 06:19 PM

That GS500 engine has been around since the 70's. Basically a big bore GS425/450 motor.

05-06-05, 07:12 PM

Get a Z1000

05-06-05, 07:20 PM

having ridden both a GS and a CBF600, the GS is still outclassed by the CBF imho.

The only thing I didnt like about the CBF was it needed the choke on to start. Otherwise, its handling and power delivery were without question way better than the GS.

But in order of choice... SV over both of those, though right now I think the CBF wouldve been kinder to my posterior today than the SV has been. Then the CBF and if I really had no choice the GS...

05-06-05, 08:32 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by lynw

having ridden both a GS and a CBF600, the GS is still outclassed by the CBF imho.

The only thing I didnt like about the CBF was it needed the choke on to start. Otherwise, its handling and power delivery were without question way better than the GS.

But in order of choice... SV over both of those, though right now I think the CBF wouldve been kinder to my posterior today than the SV has been. Then the CBF and if I really had no choice the GS...

I will say I really liked the CBF600. It had a great riding position. The seat was probably one of the comfiest I've rode on and the handling is indeed good because of a good frame (what does handle worse than a GS?!). Yep, everything about the CBF is nice. I do like it - the only thing that let it down for me was the engine - it felt weak and not torquey enough for me.

Speaking of torque, anyone rode a Firestorm? WOW!

05-06-05, 09:15 PM

It probably feels more like a an IL4 because of the engine stroke/bore.

If it has a muchly (i know its not a word) oversquare engine, then it will rev really high.

So, the shorter the stroke of the engine, the higher it will rev.

This is why IL4's rev more, it has more smaller cylinders with short strokes, so they rev higher.

Even though you associate twins with bieng the more torquey motor, you can bet your **** that something like a 4 cylinder suzuki GSX1400 wont rev as high as your GS, probably even lower than the SV.

It all depends on tuning aswell, the more the engine is tuned, the higher it can rev, so the more power it will produce, thats why its a surprise to me that the GS revs as high as it does, its not exactly race orientated is it?

05-06-05, 09:56 PM

I had a GS500. And, Northwind thought his Virago rusted bad.

I spend £400 trying to get the engine sorted at a dealer. The dealer took the money and was outdone by the bikes problems. Brakes never worked. Consistanly never started. Hit 22,000 and was dead - engine fluttering 'n' all.

I did however do 100 miles with _no_ engine oil (fell out en route) and I took the oil cap off to find billows of smoke.

Good mpg and performance though. I think you are reverting to the engine braking saying its like an II4. Defo less severe than the SV and much nicer around town.

05-06-05, 04:47 PM	#1
TrojanHorse11 Guest Posts: n/a	GS500s are so like inline 4s I've had my GS for 18 months and I was so smitten with the idea that as a twin it is torquey, that I've only just started to notice that it's like an inline-4 when it comes to it's power delivery. You have to rev it to at least 5000rpm - 7000rpm to get the best from it and preferably 9000rpm (which is where its peak power and torque are (give or take)). I always thought it was torquey low down, but it isn't is it? I know it's torquier than something like a Honda CBF600 at lower revs because I've rode one and discussed it with a mechanic who worked at a Honda + Suzuki dealer. (2 x 250cc cylinders versus 4 x 150cc cylinders) I noticed this afternoon that it only really gets going at about 7000rpm+. (I've obviously been spoiled by the SV I tested a week ago) So to conclude in a rather depressing way, its like an inline-4 WITHOUT the power! (hardly surprising when you consider it's only got half the number of cylinders of an IL4)

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05-06-05, 05:14 PM	#2
suzsv650 Guest Posts: n/a	ha ! you got a GS 500 i hate those dam things i had a new one in yellow it wos so crap! through cheddar it would just wooble all over the place! absolutly shocking! the only good thing about them is learners can get em n ride slowly but then im sure a GS can put n e one off of bikes its so pooo! ohh god i could go on for ages! i traded mine in for my SV soooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooo much better! sorry if n e one has some wird reason for likeing a GS500 one good thing ! it pulls whillis ok! thats it realy... sorry about my spelling and grammer as useual rob

05-06-05, 05:35 PM	#3
Anonymous Guest Posts: n/a	I hated the GS500 I used on training. It was heavy, bulky and unstable in bends - for those sort of commuter bikes, the ER5/CB500 is a much better bet! (oh it had horrid rearsets added as well which meant my legs were bent right up - putting all the weight on my wrists)

05-06-05, 05:54 PM	#4
TrojanHorse11 Guest Posts: n/a	Yep, as soon as I've got the money, it's replaced with a shiny new SV or maybe, just maybe, a Z750S. (probably the SV though)

05-06-05, 06:19 PM	#5
BURNER Guest Posts: n/a	That GS500 engine has been around since the 70's. Basically a big bore GS425/450 motor.

05-06-05, 07:20 PM	#7
lynw Guest Posts: n/a	having ridden both a GS and a CBF600, the GS is still outclassed by the CBF imho. The only thing I didnt like about the CBF was it needed the choke on to start. Otherwise, its handling and power delivery were without question way better than the GS. But in order of choice... SV over both of those, though right now I think the CBF wouldve been kinder to my posterior today than the SV has been. Then the CBF and if I really had no choice the GS...

05-06-05, 09:15 PM	#9
Jp Guest Posts: n/a	It probably feels more like a an IL4 because of the engine stroke/bore. If it has a muchly (i know its not a word) oversquare engine, then it will rev really high. So, the shorter the stroke of the engine, the higher it will rev. This is why IL4's rev more, it has more smaller cylinders with short strokes, so they rev higher. Even though you associate twins with bieng the more torquey motor, you can bet your **** that something like a 4 cylinder suzuki GSX1400 wont rev as high as your GS, probably even lower than the SV. It all depends on tuning aswell, the more the engine is tuned, the higher it can rev, so the more power it will produce, thats why its a surprise to me that the GS revs as high as it does, its not exactly race orientated is it?

05-06-05, 09:56 PM	#10
snoopy Guest Posts: n/a	I had a GS500. And, Northwind thought his Virago rusted bad. I spend £400 trying to get the engine sorted at a dealer. The dealer took the money and was outdone by the bikes problems. Brakes never worked. Consistanly never started. Hit 22,000 and was dead - engine fluttering 'n' all. I did however do 100 miles with _no_ engine oil (fell out en route) and I took the oil cap off to find billows of smoke. Good mpg and performance though. I think you are reverting to the engine braking saying its like an II4. Defo less severe than the SV and much nicer around town.