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Hey guys. I have been reading these forums for a while now and I have a question. A local guy is selling a Suzuki GS500E 1993. My plans are turning it into a fighter. I have been doing some research online and just want some input from the fighters. Will this bike be a decent fighter? The bike is in amazing condition I am just worried about the lack of power.
It is not my first bike. I currently own a gsxf750. Love the bike but don't want to tear it up. It was handed down to me by my father so it has some sentimental value to it. I was reading more of its history and that did come up. I think I am going to pick it up here in about a week.
I think compared to the 750, it will definitely feel under powered. But if you do make a fighter out of it, you'll be taking off so much weight from an already "light" bike. There's something to be said about that........
Browse around long enough on the Twins site, and you would be hard pressed to find something that HASN'T been done to one already. Hardtailed? Check. CBR600 motor swap? Check. Turbo/ Super charged? Check.
That engine is based on the GS450 engine. Suzuki made that engine series for a lot of years. It's a well proven design. It's counterbalanced, so it is very smooth and vibration free. It's tuned higher than the 450 was. The 450 had a pretty wide powerband and redlined around 9,500 RPM. The 500 has crappy bottom end, but is fast and revs to 11,000 RPM.
My first street bike was an '89 gs 500. Great bike. 89 was the only year with clip-on style bars. Bulletproof motor. Good power, handled well. I had a vance & hines pipe and some basic jetting. Was not too far behind the 600s of the time. I actually look them on craigslist all the time. Would make a great cafe bike.
Cafe yes... FIGHTER.... No....
Fighters are Rip snortin loud fuck off fast bikes.... the kinda bikes Yer Mom warned You about and Yer Dad bragged about knowing... The kind of bike that scares the shit outta old ladies and children alike. Fighters are 99% of the time built out of big sport bikes that some power ranger threw down the road and can't be arsed to fix.... There are some exceptions to the rule... but bikes like GS500's CB550's, CX500's etc... anything that had a hard time getting out of it's own way or pulling the skin off pudding, does not a fighter make... they can be nice customs... but not true fighters..
And now you know. Dont bother buying it... Its not good enough to be a super cool fighter. I mean, it probobly wouldnt be able to handle the badassery (ya, its a word) of that hockey goalie mask headlight. Definitly would look silly under the dollar store flat black paint too. Than when you throw the balance all off by cutting the subframe in half and shoehorning all the electronics so close to the exhaust that they all melt, whew... Dont even try that with a GS. It cant possibly handle it.
I actually have a gxsf750 and a gs500 in my garage right now. As far as power goes there is no comparison the gs (although not the slowest bike in my garage) just does not come close to the katana. I have only seen a couple gs500 customs that I really liked but for a stock everyday rider it is a really good bike. A lot of fun to ride.
I actually have a gxsf750 and a gs500 in my garage right now. As far as power goes there is no comparison the gs (although not the slowest bike in my garage) just does not come close to the katana. I have only seen a couple gs500 customs that I really liked but for a stock everyday rider it is a really good bike. A lot of fun to ride.
Did you ever see Buddha's GS500? He is a mod on the twins site. He got hold of a GR650 motor and mounted it in the GS frame with only a few small modifications.
I see where you guys are coming from. Those where the first things that worried me when I read up on the bike. I think I might let it pass. I just have to save up a little more for a bigger bike. This bike was just so cheap. haha When I decide on a bike and purchase it I will post in this thread.
That's another thing... why does everyone think that "Fighters" have to be flat/matt/black.... there are some amazing ones out there that are in "Full Colour"....
in my book the only necessary element is cast wheels. put spoked wheels and its a cafe. cast wheels and it's a fighter. I suppose big aluminum parts are more fighterish. but my frankenbike has elements of both so I don't know what to call it (but I don't care, either).
@thebronze... I was just joking. There are some amazing looking "fighters" out there. I just think its hilarious when dudes rip the fairings off there gsxr, paint it flat black and tell everyone its a badass streetfighter.
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