HandsomeSteve 
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Location: Dekalb, IL
Bike: '82 NH 450
Posts: 251
Join Date: Mar, 2011
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« on: May 27, 2011, 02:30:38 PM » |
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Anyone have one of these? Just curious about reliability and short touring comfort. Not cross country but 3-4 hour drives.
Thanks!
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happycommuter
EX500 pilot, WTF?
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« Reply #1 on: May 27, 2011, 06:00:45 PM » |
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AFAIK this is one of those 'proven' motors that has been in production essentially unchanged for a few decades...Nighthawk-style. I suspect the motor is not the best for highway or a passenger, and suspension is always the first place budget bikes suffer.
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coffee_brake
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Jenn in "Jaw-Juh"
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« Reply #2 on: May 27, 2011, 06:04:32 PM » |
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Ask Ari....  |
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gammer
Crazy Canuck
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Bike: 85 NH 750S - cam mod, K&N, jet kit, MAC pipe, Andrews ign.
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"Hang on lady, we going for a ride" - Short Round
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« Reply #3 on: May 27, 2011, 06:18:46 PM » |
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I agree with HC. The GS engines have been around since the 70's and have earned the respect of being of good quality and "bullet proof". I owned a 78 GS550e and loved it. I also owned a GS650g and loved it too.
I always recommend the newer GS500's to folks looking for a beginner bike. Upright seating and just the right amount of torque and power for someone learning to ride.
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Certifiably not certified.
Technical answers based on experience
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ariwhiteboy
Child Psychologist (No, Really)
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Carpe Navitas
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« Reply #4 on: May 28, 2011, 03:57:02 PM » |
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Ask Ari.... I got one that I picked up for like $450...PIMAhole. It's not a bad little bike, it's just got a dropped valve and I've yet to fix it. As soon as I find the money tree growing in the middle of a time garden I'll be able to report more on it. |
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What is good Phaedrus, what is not good? Need we ask anyone this?
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SteveM
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My HD
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« Reply #5 on: June 15, 2011, 07:21:41 PM » |
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I had a GS500E and the bike was rock solid and fairly comfortable. I rode from Ottawa, ON to Kingson, ON and back again on day just for fun and I was fine. I'm just a hair under 6 feet and I did find my legs cramped up after a time. The bars are also a bit on the low side for me.
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NicholasDM
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« Reply #6 on: August 29, 2011, 09:56:52 PM » |
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GS500 is definitely not going to be a fast bike as they are known for somewhat soft power delivery, but they are very reliable and very ridable. It'd be a good choice for a ~$500-$750 bike.
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JB1290
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« Reply #7 on: August 30, 2011, 10:19:26 AM » |
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The GS's are much like the NH line. Reliable, bullet proof and cheap. I'm also looking for a 650, 750 or 1000 for a project bike.
Plus IMHO, they are really cool looking bikes. I'm a sucker for the 80's UJM's though.
Good luck.
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I'd rather be judged by 12 than carried by 6
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gammer
Crazy Canuck
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Bike: 85 NH 750S - cam mod, K&N, jet kit, MAC pipe, Andrews ign.
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"Hang on lady, we going for a ride" - Short Round
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« Reply #8 on: August 30, 2011, 10:29:38 AM » |
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Plus IMHO, they are really cool looking bikes. I'm a sucker for the 80's UJM's though.
I love them GS's too. If I found a late 70's, early 80's GS1000e I'd buy it and face the consequences later.   |
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LOKi
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« Reply #9 on: August 30, 2011, 10:31:27 AM » |
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Pictures make threads more interesting. It also clears up misunderstandings  GS500F or  BMW GS series. Didn't get any hits for BMW GS500F but a bunch for the Suzuki GS500F. |
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Drive fast, take chances!
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JB1290
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« Reply #10 on: August 30, 2011, 10:31:37 AM » |
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Now THAT is what I'm talking about, Gammer! Those are such sweet bikes.  |
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I'd rather be judged by 12 than carried by 6
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