Service tips and tricks: Suzuki GS 500 E

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Service tips and tricks: Suzuki GS 500 E

Service tips and tricks: Suzuki GS 500 E
Relationship kick

When the initial euphoria has subsided, one or the other little thing suddenly puts a strain on the initially harmonious relationship between man and machine. In the case of the Suzuki GS 500 E, however, there are suitable means to give the relationship the right kick again.

Uli Holzwarth

02/02/1999

With over 40,000 copies sold, the Suzuki is owned GS 500 E to the most successful motorcycles in Germany. With its manageable technology, low weight and good handling, the inexpensive twin is particularly popular with drivers who are new to driving a license and those returning to the sport.
The GS 500 E is also very popular with accessory providers who have conversions and ingredients ready for almost every taste and purpose. MOTORRAD picked out a few parts from the wide range of products on offer and checked whether the Suzuki could be improved with them.
Sporty riders complain about the suspension that tends to be too soft and weakly damped, as well as the rough, appealing shock absorber that is also too soft in terms of damping. After installing progressive fork springs together with the appropriate fork oil, the streamlined front suspension still responds sensitively enough, but offers significantly more reserves; In addition, the clear feedback on the current driving status ensures a safe feeling when scraping corners.
The tested struts prove to be good tranquilizers for the rear wheel control when driving briskly or with a pillion passenger. While the White Power shock absorber noticeably increases both comfort and damping reserves compared to the standard part, the Hagon mono shock absorber focuses on full damping; the response behavior improves only marginally compared to the original.
Driving behavior is further enhanced by converting to other tires. The Bridgestone Exedra G 547 / G 550 fitted ex works are sensitive to longitudinal grooves and road markings; In addition, they ensure a pronounced righting moment when braking in bends. When it comes to grip, the Exedra are no longer quite up to date. MOTORRAD tested four alternative rubbers for their qualities under everyday conditions. Characteristics such as handling, driving behavior in curves, self-damping and the righting moment when braking in an inclined position were decisive for the assessment. Wear, wet grip and behavior in the limit area were not taken into account in this tire recommendation. Result: The four tire pairings give the GS 500 E a more neutral driving behavior across the board (see box on page 149). The comfortable Bridgestone BT 45, which conveys an extremely safe driving experience, turned out to be particularly harmonious. Since the GS 500 E does not have to be branded, nothing stands in the way of upgrading to a better product the next time you change tires.
The performance measurement of the retrofit exhaust systems with EG-ABE from BSM, Laser and Remus produced gratifying results: Compared to the standard system, the complete systems each produced two more horsepower and a slight increase in torque (see box on page 148). The recorder drew the fullest curves in the Remus system in the diagram, which sounds slightly duller than the original. In terms of sound rating, BSM and Laser are subjectively on par with the series.
The multi-part complete systems are clearly superior to the one-part Suzuki pipe in terms of processing quality. While the original is made of rust-prone, painted steel, the retrofitters rely on easy-care stainless steel or aluminum and thus noticeably upgrade the appearance of the twin.
Anyone who would like to go on a big tour with the GS 500 E can convert the mid-range machine into a travel-ready bike using a variety of means. With luggage specialists such as Hepco & Becker has a large selection of luggage racks and pannier systems. The perfectly fitting, tightly padded and slightly wider seat from Corbin improves comfort on long journeys. The well-made and precisely fitting handlebar trim including the front spoiler comes from MBD. The full fairing from JF Motorsport, which was already available in a limited special series directly from Suzuki, provides more wind protection. Engine protection bars, which are available in black or chrome, are particularly useful for beginners. A steel-flex brake line is highly recommended, as it is much easier to control the powerful brake in the front wheel with it than with the flexible rubber line of the series. The Superbiker handlebar conversion helps to achieve an upright sitting position, but the longer lever travel of the wide handlebars makes the Suzuki, which is already very handy, almost too nervous.
What you can do with a GS 500 E if you don’t look at the market is shown by the sporty complete conversion by Gimbel in the Lucky Strike design by Kevin Schwantz. GS 500 riders don’t have to go that far: The right tires, progressive fork springs, one of the retrofit struts and a steel-sheathed brake line are sufficient for a harmonious relationship between man and machine.

Suspension elements: Hagon shock absorber

On the mono shock absorber from Hagon (599 marks from Wilbers Products, phone 05921/6057), both the spring base and the rebound damping are continuously adjustable. It offers significantly more damping reserves than the original with minimally improved response. After the conversion, the GS is noticeably more stable, especially with a sporty driving style or with a pillion passenger.

Suspension elements: Protech fork springs

After installing the progressively wound springs from Protech (150 marks) with the appropriate 10 oil (one liter 24 marks) and 125 millimeter air chamber, the fork works much tighter, without losing the necessary sensitivity. The driving behavior gains noticeably in precision and offers more reserves. During the transition to the progression, however, the fork hardens too abruptly.

Suspension elements: White Power strut

The White Power shock absorber (799 Marks at Baehr, phone 06335/5004) with continuously adjustable spring base and eleven-way adjustable rebound damping offers more reserves than the standard part and impresses with its excellent response behavior and large adjustment range. This improves driving behavior significantly, both in terms of sport and comfort.

Silencer: standard

Type: Series exhaust system Supplier: Suzuki Motor GmbH, Tiergartenstrasse 8, 64646 Heppenheim, Phone 06252/7050 Price: 817.57 MarksWeight: 7.1 kilogramsDiameter of muffler: 11.0 centimetersAssembly: Exactly matching series system, quickest to assemble.Special features: One-piece exhaust system made of black painted steel with stainless steel cover around the muffler, best fit, unsightly weld seams, dirt burns in quickly, difficult to care for, susceptible to rust Conclusion: precisely fitting series system with rust-prone, quickly unsightly surface finish

Silencer: Remus Rem 1 – Remus

Type: Three-part complete system with silencer Rem 1 Supplier: Phoenix Remus, Neuenhofstrabe 160, 52078 Aachen, Phone 0241/5688222 Price: 1059 MarkWeight: 7.2 kilogramsDiameter of the muffler: 11.2 centimetersAssembly: Custom-fit parts, easy to assemble.Special features: Elbow and connecting pipe made of stainless steel, Damper with polished aluminum shell and stainless steel caps, except for rough welds on the manifold, very well made Conclusion: Neatly manufactured exhaust system with power and torque increase over the entire speed range

Silencer: BSM Future – BSM

Type: BSM Future complete system, four-part Supplier: BSM Auspuffanlagen GmbH, Hohlstrabe 1, 65510 Hunstetten Price: 799 MarksWeight: 6.2 kilogramsDiameter of the muffler: 10 centimetersAssembly: the parts fit very well, no tensions, problem-free assemblySpecial features: elbow, connecting pipe and silencer made of stainless steel , very well made with exact weld seams, elbow guide prevents changing of the oil filter Conclusion: inexpensive, very well made system with power and torque increase compared to the original

Silencer: Laser K1 – Laser

Type: Laser K1 complete system, three-part Supplier: CEA GmbH, In Tenholt 47, 41812 Erkelenz, Phone 02431/96990 Price: 1152 MarkWeight: 7.0 kilogramsDiameter of the end pot: 10 centimeters Assembly: The parts are somewhat laborious to align, the end pot becomes quick when the two retaining clamps are installed Scratched Special features: Elbow and connecting pipe made of stainless steel with coarse welded seams, damper with jacket made of matt aluminum and end caps made of stainless steel, rust-prone inner workings made of steel Conclusion: The Laser K1 gives the GS 500 E more power and torque than the standard system

Tires: Bridgestone BT 35

Price: front: 208 marks, back: 233 marks

The Bridgestone BT 35 harmonizes very well with the GS 500 E. Handling, straight-line stability and comfortable rolling are just as impressive as the sufficient stability on winding and undulating passages and when braking. The adhesion also meets sporting demands.

Tires: Bridgestone BT 45

Price2: front: 211 marks, back: 235 marks

With its long-lasting touring compound in the middle of the tire and the highly adhesive sports rubber on the flanks, the very comfortable BT 45 provides an exceptionally safe driving experience. In terms of handling and directional stability, it is only marginally behind the BT 35.

Tires: Dunlop GT 401 Arrow Max

Price: front: 218 marks, back: 252 marks

Precise and neutral steering behavior as well as good braking stability are the advantages of the Dunlop, as are the great handling properties. The GT 401 shows weaknesses in terms of comfort. The stability at top speed and in fast corners is not quite as pronounced as with the Bridgestone rubbers.

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