Suzuki GS500

Suzuki GS500
1997 Suzuki GS500E
ManufacturerSuzuki Motor Corporation
Also calledGS500E
GS500F
Production1989–2012 (GS500 / GS500E)[1]
2004–2013 (GS500F)[2]
AssemblyJapan 1988-2003
Gijón, Spain 2004-2013[3][4]
Pereira, Colombia 2014—[5]
PredecessorSuzuki GS450
ClassNaked bike (GS500 / GS500E)
Lightweight Sport bike (GS500F)
Engine487 cc (29.7 cu in), 4-stroke, air‑cooled parallel twin, DOHC,
2 valves per cylinder [6]
Bore / stroke74.0 mm × 56.6 mm (2.91 in × 2.23 in)
Compression ratio9.0 : 1
Top speed185 km/h (115 mph)[7]
159 km/h (99 mph)[8]
169 km/h (105 mph)[9]
Power52 hp (39 kW) @ 9500 rpm (claimed)[7]
33.5–47 hp (25.0–35.0 kW) (rear wheel)[8][9]
Torque30.4 lb⋅ft (41.2 N⋅m) @ 7500 rpm (claimed)[7]
25.6–26.7 lb⋅ft (34.7–36.2 N⋅m) (rear wheel)[8][9]
Ignition typeTransistorized electronic ignition
Transmission6-speed
Frame typeDuplex cradle[10]
SuspensionF: Telescopic, spring preload adjustable
R: Link type, spring preload adjustable
BrakesF: Disc, twin-piston caliper
R: Disc, single-piston caliper
TiresF: 110/70-17, R: 130/70-17[11]
Rake, trail25° 30′, 95 mm (3.7 in)[12]
Wheelbase1,405 mm (55.3 in)
DimensionsL: 2,080 mm (82 in)
W: 800 mm (31 in)
H: 1,060 mm (42 in) (GS500),
1,150 mm (45 in) (GS500F)
Seat height790 mm (31 in)
Weight169 kg (373 lb) (GS500E)[12]
174 kg (384 lb) (GS500)[13]
180 kg (400 lb)[14] 184 kg (405 lb) [9] (GS500F) (dry)
193 kg (425 lb) (GS500)[1]
199 kg (439 lb)[2] 201 kg (443 lb)[8] (GS500F) (wet)
Fuel capacity17.0 L (3.7 imp gal; 4.5 US gal)
20.0 L (4.4 imp gal; 5.3 US gal) (2001—)
Fuel consumption56.3 mpg‑US (4.18 L/100 km; 67.6 mpg‑imp)[15]
Suzuki GS500E Four
Gs500e
Inline-four engine GS500E model
ManufacturerSuzuki
Production1979-1982
ClassStandard
Engine492 cc (30.0 cu in), 4-stroke,
4-cylinder, air-cooled, DOHC 2 valves per cylinder
Bore / stroke53.0 mm × 55.8 mm (2.09 in × 2.20 in)
Compression ratio8.5 : 1
Transmission6-speed constant mesh
BrakesF: Dual disk R: single disk
TiresF: 3.25-19 R: 3.75-18
Wheelbase1,435 mm (56.5 in)
DimensionsL: 2,200 mm (87 in)
W: 850 mm (33 in)
H: 1,155 mm (45.5 in)
Seat height835 mm (32.9 in)
Fuel capacity17.0 L (3.7 imp gal; 4.5 US gal)
RelatedGS550

The Suzuki GS500 is an entry-level motorcycle manufactured and marketed by the Suzuki Motor Corporation. Suzuki produced the GS500 and GS500E from 1989 on and the fully faired model, GS500F from 2004 on.[16] The GS500 is currently being produced and sold in South America.[5] The GS500 has been described in the motorcycle literature as a best buy and an excellent first bike, with adequate if not exciting power for more experienced riders (approximately 40 HP at the rear wheel).[17]

The unfaired version of the GS500 was first sold in the UK in 1988 (model code GS500EJ)[18] and the following year's model (code GS500EK) was released for sale in Europe and North America. It was equipped with an air-cooled parallel twin-cylinder engine derived from the earlier GS450. In the motorcycle market, the GS500 occupied the low end of Suzuki's mid-sized range for over twenty years.[19]

Suzuki also produced GS500 models, identified by a 'U' suffix, with engines restricted to satisfy the maximum power-to-weight ratio for use in countries where restrictive motorcycle licenses were issued (the GS500 meets current EU and UK licence level A2 conditions without restricting the engine)[20] or for countries with a Learner Approved Motorcycle program (such as Australia and New Zealand)[21] enhancing its worldwide popularity.[22]

  1. ^ a b Cite error: The named reference Garlitos was invoked but never defined (see the help page).
  2. ^ a b Cite error: The named reference Sulthoni was invoked but never defined (see the help page).
  3. ^ Cite error: The named reference Ebert2012 was invoked but never defined (see the help page).
  4. ^ Cite error: The named reference Tibu2013 was invoked but never defined (see the help page).
  5. ^ a b Cite error: The named reference LaTarde was invoked but never defined (see the help page).
  6. ^ Cite error: The named reference SoyMotero was invoked but never defined (see the help page).
  7. ^ a b c Cite error: The named reference Maxx was invoked but never defined (see the help page).
  8. ^ a b c d Cite error: The named reference PerfIndex2013 was invoked but never defined (see the help page).
  9. ^ a b c d Cite error: The named reference Canet2004 was invoked but never defined (see the help page).
  10. ^ Cite error: The named reference GS500L2 was invoked but never defined (see the help page).
  11. ^ Cite error: The named reference Kodack was invoked but never defined (see the help page).
  12. ^ a b Cite error: The named reference Manual500E was invoked but never defined (see the help page).
  13. ^ Cite error: The named reference GS500K6 was invoked but never defined (see the help page).
  14. ^ Cite error: The named reference GS500FK5 was invoked but never defined (see the help page).
  15. ^ Cite error: The named reference Catterson was invoked but never defined (see the help page).
  16. ^ Ash, Kevin (11 October 2003). "Back in the real world". The Telegraph. Telegraph Media Group Limited. Retrieved 12 January 2015. Suzuki has added a touch of sportiness to its revised GS500 budget twin with a fairing inspired by its GSX-R sports bikes, although little beneath has changed.
  17. ^ “The Complete Idiot’s Guide to Motorcycles”, by the editors of Motorcyclist Magazine, Alpha Books, 1998, p324.
  18. ^ "1989-2006 Suzuki GS500 Service Manual". repairmanual.com. Repair Manuals Online. Retrieved 17 January 2015.
  19. ^ Ash, Kevin (24 November 2007). "Suzuki GSX650F is the complete package". The Telegraph. Telegraph Media Group Limited. Retrieved 16 January 2015. …Suzuki makes good bikes at very good prices. This is especially the case in the budget middleweight sector, where Suzuki offers a very wide range, from the basic GS500 twin (a snip at £3,349) and the SV650 V-twin (£4,599), to the Bandit 650 (£4,449).
  20. ^ "The 5 fastest A2 motorcycles - Suzuki GS500F". Visordown. Immediate Media Company Ltd. 6 August 2013. Retrieved 17 January 2015. Its power, at 47bhp, is perfect for the class, and the 180kg weight means its power-to-weight ratio is close to the 0.2kW-per-kg limit.
  21. ^ "Motor Vehicles (Approval of Motor Bikes and Motor Trikes) Notice 2014" (PDF). www.sa.gov.au. Government of South Australia. 23 September 2014. Retrieved 4 March 2015.[permanent dead link‍]
  22. ^ Smith, Rob (3 January 2008). "Buy Used: Suzuki GS500". bikepoint.com.au. carsales.com Limited. Retrieved 13 January 2015. …with the impending Learner Approved Motorcycle scheme to be rolled out later this year or next, the GS may set a few learner pulses racing.