24th Oct 2020, 18:47
I have to agree that motorcycle journalists can be harsh on reviews on bikes like the Suzuki GS500! I have ridden bikes since 1960, did 10 years grand prix racing, including three years on the Asian circuits of Singapore GP and Malaysian GP in the late 60s, on an ex works Honda for Honda Malaysia.
Perhaps they should try to give an unbiased view on all models they test, to cater for all riders, not just the superbike fans! Not everybody wants a multi cylinder racer with liquid cooling, fuel pumps as per car specs. that does 300 kph! I have owned 25 bikes to date, have never had an aircooled bike overheat, or needed a fuel pump! The GS500 is a good simple to maintain reliable mount for both learners and experienced riders alike! Alan Kash
8th May 2022, 10:05
Wow that's the most honest sensible thing I've heard in a long time. I was told myself and tell others new to motorcycling to get there slowly. You wouldn't pass your car test and go out and buy a Ferrari (not that most could afford one). Plus after you've been biking a while you don't need super speed all the time.
31st May 2013, 10:45
I'm afraid that it's nonsense like this that the mainstream bike press pump out that is partly responsible for ruining our wonderful hobby. MCN also state that the GS takes a long time to get up to speed. Since when has 0 - 60 in a tad over 5 seconds been 'a long time'?
The sad thing is that newcomers to biking swallow all this up and really believe that they need 100 BHP plus for anything but a trip to the local paper shop.
This attitude means that manufacturers don't really make light/middleweight machines any more, so newcomers go out and kill or injure themselves on the latest sports bike, and the establishment responds by tightening up the testing regulations, and insurance companies respond by hiking premiums, thus putting beginners off all together.