Suzuki GS500F

NOT SO MUCH

You might remember 1989 as the year that saw the fall of the Berlin Wall and the beginning of the collapse of the old Eastern Bloc, but for one Suzuki model the year was equally momentous, even if it didn't quite grab a similar share of news headlines. Yep, some 22 years ago the very first GS500 rolled out of the Suzuki factory, marking the beginning of one of the most long-lived motorcycles of the modern era.

A cheap and cheerful commuter, the model has stood the test of time in both naked and, since 2004, faired guises, keeping countless thousands of riders happy with its easy operation, low running costs and budget price tag.

Today the faired GS500F looks every inch a part of the GSX-R legend, thanks to sharp bodywork mimicking the lines of the family of sports in-line fours, but underneath those fancy clothes beats what is essentially the same old heart, with a chassis and running gear that over the years has seen little in the way of tinkering.

Today the GS500F is plodding on in its familiar, endearing way, but with the Learner Approved Motorcycle Scheme now in place across Australia bar WA (and how I yearn for the day when I can drop that exclusion), the model is finding favour with a whole new generation of riders, and sending many down the road to a life-long, motorcycling love affair.

PRICE AND EQUIPMENT
The success of the GS500F is built around a simple formula. Take a steel frame, wrap it around an air-cooled, two-valves-per-cylinder parallel-twin, and bung in some basic brakes and suspension. I don't mean to sound harsh, because the end result is superb - perfect for its intended market and price range.

The telescopic fork and rear monoshock are adjustable for preload, while the brakes are limited to a single-disc set-up at the front, with a matching jigger at the rear. Seat height is a low 790mm, and with a claimed wet weight of just under 199kg, this bike is eminently easy to manage.

The fairing and front screen hides a set of fairly plain but easily-read instruments, while the 20lt tank will come into its own on longer runs. That's a hefty capacity for a bike of this size, and with the fairing in place this is a potential budget tourer.

Available in blue/white and black/grey colour schemes, the evergreen (sorry!) GS500F retails for just $8490 (plus ORC), and comes with a two-year, unlimited kilometre warranty.

ON THE ROAD
It's easy to be harsh when reviewing a GS500F, but to assume such a stance is really missing the point. The cynics would say its power delivery is dull, asthmatic and uninspiring, while the practical would say the engine is bulletproof, cheap to run and cheap to maintain. With the GS500F it really depends on what angle you're coming from - experienced riders will find it dull, but those new to motorcycling will love its predictable, easy-to-handle nature, while commuters will love its affordability and practicality.

Power builds steadily as the revs rise, but you do need to wring its neck if you want to make fast progress. In this way darting for gaps in the traffic needs to be a bit more of a calculated affair, and is usually accompanied by knocking it back a gear, too. But having said that, once you're in the groove you'll find a GS500F is a good companion in peak hour, its light weight, skinny dimensions (and tyres) and upright stance helping it make light work of the chaos.

It's a pretty comfy thing really, with decent legroom and just a short stretch to its 'bars. It'll cruise at 5000rpm at 100km/h in top of its six-speed gearbox, where that screen and fairing give you a fair amount of protection.

It's got carburetors (remember them?), so it generally needs a little choke and a bit of time to warm-up in the morning before it settles down into an even idle. It's a mid-range machine really, and this is where you'll spend most of your time. You can rev it out if you wish, which will unleash a few extra ponies, but that's not what this bike is all about.

However, point it up a twisty road and you'll be pleasantly surprised by its handling, as it slices its way through the corners with sure-footed confidence. It tracks beautifully, although its relatively basic suspension, while doing a completely adequate job most of the time, will meet its match in any reasonably-sized mid-apex bump or pothole.

That single front disc is perfectly fine for a bike like this, and although personally I would have preferred a twin-disc set-up, for those new to biking it's spot-on. Its instrumentation is basic, with all the mainstays but nothing in the way of frills. There's no fuel light as the GS still sports a fuel tap, so you'll end up using the trip meter as a fuel indicator. I got an average of about 17km/lt out of the GS500F, which included mostly town work and a bit of time on the expressway. That means it's good for about 300km per tank, which you certainly can't complain about.

So there you have it - Suzuki's 'Old Faithful' is still entirely faithfully, and is now wooing a whole new clientele of LAMS riders. The GS500 has been a healthy seller for Suzuki Australia forever, and when you look at that $8490 price tag, you can understand why. It might not be the most exciting bike in town, but it's right up there when it comes to value for money. And if you're on an even tighter budget you can always go for the naked version - the $700 it'll save you will keep you in petrol money for some time to come…

Visit the GS500F in Bike Showroom.

SPECS: SUZUKI GS500F
ENGINE
Type: 487cc, air-cooled, two-valves-per-cylinder, DOHC, four-stroke, parallel-twin
Bore x stroke: 74mm x 56.6mm
Compression ratio: 9.0:1
Fuel system: 34mm Mikuni carburetors

TRANSMISSION
Type: Six-speed
Final drive: Chain

CHASSIS AND RUNNING GEAR
Frame type: Steel double beam
Front suspension: Telescopic fork, adjustable for preload
Rear suspension: Monoshock, adjustable for preload
Front brakes: Single disc with twin-piston caliper
Rear brakes: Single disc with single-piston caliper

DIMENSIONS AND CAPACITIES
Wet weight: 199kg
Seat height: 790mm
Wheelbase: 1405mm
Fuel capacity: 20lt

OTHER STUFF
Price: $8490 (manufacturer's price before dealer and statutory costs)
Colours: Blue/white or black/grey
Bike supplied by: Suzuki Australia, tel: (03) 9931 0500
Warranty: 24 months, unlimited kilometres