Suzuki GS500
Summary:
Like the Kawasaki Ninja 500R, the GS500F offers a sporty ride for a minimal investment. It looks sporty, rides sporty, but falls just short of the benchmark set by the Ninja 500R.
Engine Size: 487cc
Price (new): $6,899 CDN/$5,499 USD
Comparable bikes: Suzuki SV650S, Kawasaki Ninja 250R, Kawasaki Ninja 650R, Kawasaki Ninja 500R, Yamaha FZ6R
Our Suzuki GS500F Review:
Suzuki GS500 has been one of the “learner bike” staples since its introduction nearly 20 years ago. It has a long and praised history, and a lot of that praise is well deserved. Since its introduction it’s be heralded as the ultimate beginners bike, a title that it shares with the Ninja 500R.
However, we aren’t as convinced that it’s the case now. Kawasaki has recently revamped the Ninja 250R and Ninja 650R, making both bikes much more competitive and appealing in the “learners bike” segment. Suzuki has updated the GS500 a few times as well, with the most obvious update being the addition of the “F” (faired) version. The GS500F is a great bike that sports aggressive bodywork and is definitely worth your consideration.
However, we found the Ninja 500R to be both more response and quicker off the line- two things that beginner riders are going to want to see in their bikes as it offers more longevity to their purchase. That being said, we did notice that the GS500F did get slightly better mileage: 50mpg as compared to the 45mpg we got on the 500R.
The Suzuki does handle very well. Its light weight and low ride height make this bike a joy to thrash around corners, and it remains surprisingly stable during commuting and highway situations. It has a claimed top speed of 190kph (118mph) but we did not feel confident testing that. We did take it up to about 140kph where it felt solid, though anything above that and the bike began to become a little twitchy- perfectly acceptable for such a small bike.
That does make the Suzuki GS500F a great all-around bike that both beginners and somewhat experienced riders will enjoy. It’s not a drag queen, with a quarter mile time of right around 13 seconds (some quote an exact figure of 13.8 seconds), but that’s not why you’d want to buy this bike anyway. This bike is something you’d buy when you like the idea of having a fast machine that can handle traffic, highway riding, and still return exceptional fuel economy. This bike is as much a weekend tourer as it is a commuter go-to guy.
A new rider who wants something small to start off with has a lot of options, but in the 500cc range it pretty much comes down to the Sukuki GS500F (or the regular GS500 if you like naked bikes) and the Kawasaki Ninja 500R. We’re a bit partial to the Ninja, but really the differences between the two are pretty minimal. Buy the one you think looks the best and have fun, either bike is a joy to ride.
The Bottom Line:
It’s slightly slower from a standing start than the Ninja 500R, but the GS500F is no slouch. Don’t count it out based on what you read or the numbers that are posted. Ride it for yourself and experience the bike before you count it out.
Related posts:
- Suzuki SV650
- 2004 Suzuki Katana 600 – Review, Pics, and More!
- The Suzuki SV650 as a First Bike: Our Thoughts
- Suzuki DR200SE
- Suzuki DR-Z400S
Category: 500cc-650cc, Featured, Suzuki
I don’t really like this bike much, though I cannot provide a thorough review because I only rode one for a few days (borrowed from a friend).
I think the Ninja is far better than the suzuki, not only because of the speed, but also the handling.
This was my first bike so I’m sad to say I’ve moved onto the Ninja – YES it was a good starter, but I’ve found a new love baby.
I agree with Natalie… This bike is good to learn on, but once you realize what you are doing, you will want to upgrade ASAP. It is not even that cheap, so I really don’t see any advantages to this particular bike.
I love this bike… This was my first bike, so I guess I have a sentimental attachment to it. I got it when I didn’t even know how to ride a bicycle, but I didn’t have too much trouble figuring it out. Once I did figure it out, I had a lot of fun riding it around. The only thing I marked it down for was price. I think it is a little over priced for the bike, but maybe that’s just me. I love that I only have to fill up every few weeks… This thing gets better gas mileage than a hybrid car, and it is much more fun!
It’s a pretty slick lookin’ bike, but it is a bit too pricey. Runs great, but again, I think it costs more than it is worth.
Everyone here seems to have the same general idea on this bike, awesome but just doesn’t compare to the ninja, the price and it’s abilities. Learn with this bike but realize that there’s better out there.
I have to disagree… I actually like this bike better than the Ninja. I have owned a Ninja in the past, but I actually traded it in for my Suzuki. I think the Ninja’s are over rated. Too many people own them, and they are just too common these days. I prefer a rarer bike, but I guess a Suziki GS500 isnt all that rare either.
I think the Suzuki handles better than the Ninja. It takes a few weeks to get used to it, but after you get the hang of things, the Suzuki runs perfect and handles great. Like anything, you should master something before you judge it. I recommend that you try both… maybe borrow a Suzuki from a friend and test it. I think these days everyone just listens to whatever the majority of people think, but with bikes, it really depends on what you personally like. Therefore, I encourage you to “think outside the box” and try a GS instead of a Ninja.
Bike looks great, but after a week of ownership you’ll want something bigger.
hey guys i am thinking of getin a 2009 gs500f just wondering wat top speed they can basically sit at without reving there guts out??
I wouldn’t want to be going any faster than 85-90mph (135-150km/hr) on one. To be honest, motorcycling might not be for you if your primary concern is how fast you can go. It’s a surefire way to get yourself killed.
I have a 2005 Suzuki GS500F. It just ticked over 22,000 miles on the odometer. Other than the instrument light bulbs burning out (which I replaced with LED bulbs), I haven’t had a single problem with the bike. I have 3 bikes total (including a Ninja 650R) but I find that I ride this bike most of the time. It’s comfortable, gets excellent gas mileage, is very reliable, and has enough power to keep me happy. I’m not one of those motorcycle rider that needs maximum power all the time, so the GS500F fits me perfectly. On weekend rides, I find myself still taking the GS500F out for mountain road runs and surprising my friends by keeping up with them through the twisties. I’m surprised even with the skinny 110 front and 130 rear tires that I can turn the corners as well as it does. Overall, I am very satisfied with the bike. My friends with their Kawasaki 636R and various Gixxers do tease me about it, and when I do need to go fast, I switch to the Kawasaki, but mostly I’m on the GS500F when I ride with them. Does it keep up with them in the straight runs? No. They will leave me in the dust every time. I have about 70,000 miles of motorcycle riding experience so far and I have to say, I like the GS500F and wouldn’t hesitate to get another one if I had to get a replacement.
This is a great starter bike but nothing can beat the classic 250 ninja still the most affordable and best starter bike out there.
The 250 ninja is not the best starter bike out there at all. Its a nice looking little bike and maybe great for a very small man or a woman but anyone else that gets one wants to upgrade in two months. With the 500 at least you still have highway capabilities and enough pep to be a long term motorcycle. The Gs500f may cost more then the 250 ninja but you wont be losing money after selling it in a couple months to upgrade. I have a Gs500f 2007 for daily commuting and long distance riding and a Gixxer 750 and i definetly drive the Gs500 way more. Its powerful enough to have fun, cheap to drive,comfortable and looks great. Im sure if i could only keep one bike, it would be the Gs500f. The ninja 500 are nice bikes to, but there style is really dated, need some refreshing and you defenitly cant go wron with one of them either. just my 2 cents
This bike has double the displacement of the Ninja R250, why are the performance number the same… 1/4 mile at around 88 and 14.5 seconds? Shouldn’t this bike be faster? Wondering which one I should get? Both priced about the same. $4700 out the door! or maybe even less.
Thanks
Charles
There are a lot of things that go into making something fast. Displacement/horsepower is just one of them. Suspension and gearing play a big role here as well.
Plus, the Ninja 250R is going to suffer more on a top-end/top-speed scenario as opposed to an acceleration scenario, though the Ninja 250R does lag by about 1 second when compared to it’s bigger brother (the 500R).
It’s well known that the Kawasaki Ninja 500R is faster than the Suzuki GS500F.
Thanks Cameron, just the seats looks so much more comfortable on the Suzuki GS500F. I hear that at 70 mph, the GS500F will have more power than the R250, true or not, i don’t know. There also seems not to be too many GS500F on the used mkt, but there’s a lot of the 2008-2009 R250′s. I’m worried the handling isn’t as good on the suzuki.
When I rode the GS500F I quite enjoyed the handling. It’s a very stable bike, and it will tell you it’s limits clearly enough that you won’t get yourself killed (unless you’re being reckless). It’s a great bike to ride.
At 70mph the GS500 will annihilate the 250R in terms of continued acceleration and overall top speed. I’d like to point out, however, that these kinds of speeds on a bike that’s this small (500cc’s and under) aren’t really what the bike was designed to do. That being said, you could easily get the GS500F to 100mph+. The 250R wouldn’t get that high.
Is this your first bike?
Yes it’s my first bike… I don’t see many 2008 and newer GS500F out there in the used market. But 2008-2009 R250 flood the used market… so I just picked one up last Friday 5/28 for $2900. It has 180 miles on it. Not sure if I got a great deal or something’s really wrong w/the bike. Wonder if i take off the silencer on the muffler, it will make it faster.
It doesn’t seem to have much pickup… but i haven’t went over 8000 rpm because it’s not broken in yet. My friend did rode it on the highway and said it’s pretty bad at accelerating.
thanks for the feedback… i’ll continue to write here so hopefully, it’ll give some feedback to whoever thathave the same decision issues as I did. Price and availability ultimately won.
Congratulations on the purchase Charles!
Absolutely let us know how it goes moving on. Even if it’s not a pocket rocket, it’s still much more fun to ride a “slow” bike “fast” than a “fast” bike slow. Give it a year or so… you’ll love it
Thanks Cameron. I rode it on the highway, very slow… especially accelerating from the on ramp. City driving is great and is fast. 1st gear very short… shifting within 1 sec to 2nd gear from standing start. Sometimes Neutral light not on, even though in neutral. Handles great though, i could drive with one hand already. Not very loud bike so it’s dangerous on the streets cause no one knows ur there. Tried taking off the silencer but it’s welded into the muffler.
Great Bike after a few mods changed rear tire to 150mm put on a set of drag bars and removed fairing i can drag my cousins yamaha r6 up to 125mph then he leaves me. I didnt like the fairing because is wanted to stand up bike in turns and crosswinds pushed you around.It is a great durable bike.
Have a 2009 GS500f- commuted on the bike daily for a year. Have Cortech bags for touring. Still have the bike but now have a company vehicle for work. Have ridden 325 miles in one day and kept up easily with the big bikes. For me it is about the joy of the road, not so much the racing aspects of the machine. If you want to ride at 200mph plus please stay on a track.
Paul, we just launched the BMR forums and I’d encourage you to check it out! I’m one of the mods here at BMR and we’re in the process of building an active community of guys/gals like yourself who like the smaller bikes (as well as the big stuff). Riding is truly about the joy of the road and sometimes on a big bike, you are a bit more focused on controlling speed rather than just enjoying the ride.
See you in the Forums! http://www.beginnermotorcyclereviews.com/forum/
how does it handle if your a 6ft…200lb man?
Great, honest review. I had a 1989 (then EX500) Ninja 500 and really liked my 2 years with it. Back then, the it and this Suzuki GS500 went up against each other, and as then, the Kawi prevailed. But this is a great size for new motorcyclists; they’re light and nimble so they can get used to leans and counter-steering before getting on something that weighs twice. I actually recommend real noobs, say those still in high school, to look at 250s.