2005 Suzuki GS500F review from Canada
"Excellent beginner bike"
What things have gone wrong with the motorcycle?
Nothing!
General comments?
Excellent beginner bike, this was my first ride and it's perfect for someone looking to get into the scene.
I like the looks of the fairings and it handles amazingly well.. It's affordable and the insurance is cheaper that most other bikes, other than cruisers.
Gas mileage is good, averaging around 60MPG. The drive train is a little outdated as it hasn't changed much since late 1980's, but is very reliable! There is a reason why Suzuki didn't change much mechanically.
The downsides:
- The front suspension is soft. I replaced them with stiffer after market springs, and I recommend this to anyone who owns a GS500.
- Front brakes are weak, could use dual front discs to support its 400lb weight.
- The rear tire is skinny, needs to be wider as when leaning into sharp turns, I'm almost hitting the sidewall on occasion.
Overall:
An excellent bike for the price! You just cannot beat it. I will be upgrading to a GSXR-600 very soon.
| Would you buy another motorcycle from this manufacturer? | Yes |
| First year of ownership | 2005 |
| Most recent year of ownership | 2006 |
| Acceleration marks | 7/10 |
| Roll-on Performance marks | 7/10 |
| Handling marks | 9/10 |
| Braking marks | 6/10 |
| Reliability marks | 10/10 |
| Comfort marks | 8/10 |
| Dealer Service marks | 5/10 |
| Running Costs (higher is cheaper) | 2/10 |
| Distance when acquired | 7 kilometres |
| Most recent distance | 2200 kilometres |
| Date of Entry | 18th September, 2006 |