After a break of 17 years I am back on two wheels and chuffed to bits!
At 41 and three quarters, the less generous amongst you may suggest I'm probably going through a mid life crisis, attempting one final gesture of defiance before succumbing to the inevitable zip up acrylic beige cardigan, slippers, radio two, and the mantra of 'young people of today don't know the meaning of popular music, in my day gramophone records had a tune you could follow, and words you could make out' - you're probably right!
In my youth, I owned a series of several single cylinder for stroke motorcycles, all manufactured by Honda, all of which I thrashed the backside off, in an age when speed limits were considered an absolute minimum, and the belief that a couple of halfs before setting never did anyone any real harm!
- before anyone chokes on their horlicks, I must point out that this was the image we liked to present, in practice, apart from a couple of nutters who seemed to spend most of their
time at the local orthopaedic department, we all acted far more responsibly, the local constabulary considered it their civil duty to pull us over at least once a week for a 'routine check sir' and issue us with the obligatory HORT1 certificate just to make sure we weren't actually doing anything *too* stupid!
I never progressed past a 250cc machine, which at the time, was the maximum capacity allowed by a learner - the prospect of the two part test, however, made me resolve to get a full licence before the going got tough.
The motorcycle test was frankly a joke, you drove round a couple of blocks, the examiner used to pop out behind a parked car every now and again, and make you do an emergency stop - first time, you nearly always failed, second time, you nearly always passed.
But what about the bike? - hang on, I'm coming to that!
In spite of my lack of formal training, I considered myself a reasonably proficient rider, six years constant use, with only one minor accident - I put this down to having a reasonably cautious driving style, and 'sensible' choice of motorcycles.
Back to the bike
I got the chance of a GS500e from my best mate, who after using it for a couple of years upgraded to a Triumph speed four (which, if he ever stops polishing it, and lets me have a go, I'll write a review on!)
The GS500e is basically a sheep in sheep's clothing.
Not that there's anything wrong with sheep!
Suzuki worked very hard to identify a specific market, and delivered the goods with astonishing accuracy.
At the centre of the machine is a four stroke, double overhead cam parallel twin cylinder air cooled motor, developing with a six speed gearbox - if you don't understand what that means, take it from me, it's a bog standard power plant.
About the only innovation which Suzuki implemented on the bike was to use a rear-mono shock swing arm, mounted in an 'A' frame - this is now the absolute standard construction design for practically any motorcycle built in the past ten years.
The wheels are three spoke alloys, with disks front and back, there is a chain drive, and beyond that, everything is very much as you would expect.
The machine was built very much with final selling price in mind, so there isn't any works fairing (on my model anyway) refinements are kept to an absolute minimum. There *is* an electric start, however technology has progressed to the extent when it would probably have *cost* money to have this missed out.
It terms of styling, it's very much a road bike, the mono shock and 'A' frame allows a reasonably broad tank, side panels are extend the visual line of the tank along the underside of the seat, the whole package ends in a slightly ludicrous 'duck tail' over the back wheel.
There is a single grab rail located behind the pillion seat, handlebars do not allow adjustment, and comprise of a couple of 'bolt on' stubs - my preference would be to have them slightly higher, as I am only five foot seven, but for short journeys this isn't too uncomfortable.
Handling is fairly forgiving, having not ridden a motorcycle for 17 years I was soon taking corners, if not exactly like a pro, certainly convincing enough not to attract attention!
The engine is responsive, and hasn't shown any 'power bands', braking is equally reassuring.
So far (and bear in mind, I'm still getting to grips with the machine) it hasn't shown any immediately obvious vices, I believe I ought to get around 90 miles to the gallon, and had I the inclination, would get the Ton, in appropriate conditions. Certainly, on a dual carriageway, I was able to pull 70 with absolute ease, something my 250 was never able to do convincingly.
As a medium range commuter bike, or a stepping stone to larger and more fussy machines the GSX500e is generous enough to take on most riders, and in spite of the design being over 12 years old, is still modern enough not to draw too much attention to itself.
In summary, a perfectly respectable machine by any standards and ideally suited to the price conscious.
Ask me in six months time if I still feel the same way about this bike!
******************************** Update, January 2004 - not quite six months!
Felt the front end handling was still a bit heavy, especially after trying my mate's Triumph speed 4 (yes it took 'till December and being confined to hospital for him to stop polishing it!),
I installed PROGRESSIVE FRONT SHOCK SPRINGS (about £60, and half an hour to install) made a huge difference, why on earth these aren't fitted as stock is completely beyond me!
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JUst wanted to say thanks. im hoping to buy one of these bikes in the next few weeks. i have my test to take first which luckily will be on the same machine. shame about the bars though as im only 5'3".thanks again
purebitch 22.08.2003 09:29
Nice op mate. Did you get my email? georgina
Silverback 21.08.2003 22:04
It's when you start going round in four-wheel Hondas (ie like me) that you really have to worry about senility. Paul
Advantages: Reliable, cheap, does exactly what it says on the tin! and has masses of fun! Disadvantages: uncomfortable long distance touring for taller people!
sentientphil 18.06.2009 ·
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Review of Suzuki GS500E
Aug 21st, 2003
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