2009 GS 500F

This is a great bike. It is a very comfortable bike for everyday use. It is not a supersport powerhouse of a machine that some of the larger more expensive bikes are but it is more than anyone would ever "need" for a street bike. During break-in I averaged about 55 mpg and expect even b...etter because that included alot of "playing around" and is not a true represintation of everyday use. One negative I have is the slope of the seat. Friends of mine and myself tend to ride "on the tank" and every passenger I have taken along has a hard time sitting on the passenger part of the seat because they slide forward. Passenger foot pegs are better placed than most other sportbikes. I would rate driver comfort great, passenger comfort good. I have also had a hard time finding aftermarket parts on the market compared to other bikes so if you like to "trick out" your bike you may want to take that into consideration. Read Full Review

GS500F; Best 6K You Can Spend

Granted, I only have 1500 miles on this bike so far but I am very pleased. It is my "opinion" that for the price (well under $6000) you can NOT get a better deal.

As for after-market parts; I have so far re-jetted the carbs, up-graded the front forks, installed a complete exhaust system,... a taller wind screen, saddle bags, additional instrumentation, dropped pegs, auxiliary running lights, and much more. So as you can see, there are lots of goodies available to "mod" the GS500F.

Too many people compare the GS500F to sport bikes costing twice as much! Don’t be fooled; 500cc never felt so good.

The GS500F does have its limitations.
If you plan on doing a lot of long distance 2-up riding, you might need more than 500cc. If your interested in driving at speeds over 110 MPH (!crazy!), the GS may not be for you. But other than that, you will NOT be disappointed. Read Full Review

Fun, Great looking Bike

I was torn between the Ninja 500 and the GS500. Both are comparable but I preferred the white/blue style of the GS500. Rides great and is easy to handle. I exercised it on one of the MSF training areas to see how it handled in a safe, closed off area. It handles tight S turns and tight U turns with ...no problems. Inconvenient helmet holder accessed by lifting seat, so buy one that attaches to the license plate. Other than that, it is great. While it has a bit of the crotch rocket look, it rides more line a standard or dual purpose bike. That makes it comfortable for commuting around the city. At the dealer, I did find it more comfortable than the Ninja 250 or 500. Read Full Review

Excellent Choice for an upgrade...

I started on a ninja 250. Loved everything about it. The looks, the ride and the fuel economy. When I looked around for an upgrade I found only two to compare; the Kawi 500 and the Suzuki 500. i rode both. The Kawi is narrower and lighter with a lot of pep but the Suzuki...well is is a little heavie...r thank the kawi but it has more pep. The ride is VERY comfortable. The look of the bike is more substantial...prolly because of the fairings but it makes a difference. The gas mileage is excellent and the look if very sporty. Priced at $4300 new there was no way I could pass it up. I am glad I didn't...I LOVE this bike! Read Full Review

Nice bike

This is my first bike and I love it. I went aganist the ninja 500 cause it seems like everybody has the ninja. The GS is a great bike and i'm happy with the decision. Read Full Review