Tastefully modified GS500

The only tool suitable for "tastefully modifying" a GS500 is a Chieftan tank!

Yes, they seem ok when they're the only big bike you've ridden, and then you learn different. Did all my direct access training and 1st test on a GS500. Did second test (the one I passed) on a shed of a CB500 and it was WAY better than the newer GSs.

[mikerj]

I bought a pretty tidy '96 GPZ500 for £400, looks better and would give a GS500 a pasting (especially now it has fork emulators and a decent rear shock).

[yorkie_chris]

Until the engine crunches itself to death.

[mikerj]

Originally Posted by yorkie_chris

Until the engine crunches itself to death.

Just because you thrashed yours to death Mines got 30k on it and feels good for at least another 30k to be honest, as long as the magnets stay attached to the rotor.

Originally Posted by Lozzo

They are nothing like an old school 4 cyl GS motor - sure they have twin cams and two valves but the similarity stops there. They started life in the late 70s as a 400cc commuter bike and were slowly hogged out to 500 and suffered all the usual problems experienced when upping the capacity of an already ancient design.

I had a GS425 and it was a good little bike, the engine was roller bearings and it had 90K miles on it when I sold it on, still running. Guy who bought it made a hardtail chop out of it and last I spoke to him he still had it.