GS550 happines or harm? For my wife...

[tkent02]

Sweeet!

That is a really nice 550. Does it run as well as it looks?
Looks about as good as mine did when I got it in '78.

[svahnm]

That is a really nice 550. Does it run as well as it looks?
Looks about as good as mine did when I got it in '78.

It seem to run fine. Here is snow on the ground so I rode only couple of kilometers at speed 10-30mph :-D

One thing there is, some oil is leaking somewhere behind gear lever or something. Is it the only sealing which could start to leak on the left side of the motor?

[svahnm]

Just to inform someone who would ever concern about seat height of GS 500E, I realized that it is much lower than my GS850g.

My wife is 156cm and she can reach the ground pretty good with both feet. I must modify it a bit lower still because of "heavy" weight. Although it is much much lighter too than 850g..

[tkent02]

Don't do any permanent changes to lower it...

until she's ridden it a bit. Once she gets used to it she may not have any trouble with it the way it was originally designed.

[rphillips]

In years past, you could get lowering blocks, for the rear shocks. They would move the bottoms of the shocks rearward appx. 2" to 3", thus lowering the rear of the bike a little. Wouldn't recommend them for road racing, but for normal, sane, riding they are fine. Not sure where to get them anymore, but in the GS & KZ years any accessory distributor had them.

[Billyboy]

Nice looking ride!

I'd love to get a 550 or 750 and cafe' it.

[Nerobro]

A half an inch matters. A lot. :-) I went from a 130 to a 120 tire and the bike went from light and happy to heavy. Just trim the seatfoam.

And i'm a 30" inseam.

If that doesn't work for the seat, making an aluminum seat can cut off almost 4"

[svahnm]

Yes, it does Nerobro. That's exactly what my wife said too. :-D :-D

It's also true that when she gets used to it it becomes easier to handle.

I already slided front tubes an inch (against handlebars) and released spring load to a minimum behind.

As rphillips said there is lowering kits and I was examining lower fastenings of the shocks and realized also that it would be possible to move a bit backwards if necessary.

Probably first I just cut the seat because I have two (previous owner had another seat too.. Looks like GS400 had like that) so I can 'destroy' another.:-\"

[brveagle]

Nice bike!

however, you will be hard pressed to find lowering kits for the older, smaller displacement gs's... they use 2 pivot posts, no bolts...

[cafe850]

Well, my main ride is a GS850, rides and feels much bigger than my 550. I currently own an 81 550 but sold my 77 last year so I know 550's. I'm 5'8" and flat foot just fine on the 80 550 with stock seat. My 77 had one of those camel couches on it and I could only tippy toe. I too was looking to get a bike for my girlfriend. She is a complete newbie so I was a little concerned about her riding the 550. It's still rather heavy and when those 4 banger revs kick in it can be a little alarming for a newbie, especially if she only weights 120lb. So I opted for a 1980 GS450 Twin. This bike is light at around 385lb. extremely nimble and very forgiving on the throttle although it will get up an go if you want it too, I've cracked 100mph on it and I weight 200lb (all muscle :-). Also seat hight is a couple inches lower. Personally, I just feel way more comfortable with her on the 450 especially since I gave her the motorcycle bug, I feel responsible if she gets injured or...ahem..killed (plus I love her) on it although she keeps assuring me, it's her choice.

Jason

[svahnm]

Well, my main ride is a GS850, rides and feels much bigger than my 550. I currently own an 81 550 but sold my 77 last year so I know 550's. I'm 5'8" and flat foot just fine on the 80 550 with stock seat. My 77 had one of those camel couches on it and I could only tippy toe. I too was looking to get a bike for my girlfriend. She is a complete newbie so I was a little concerned about her riding the 550. It's still rather heavy and when those 4 banger revs kick in it can be a little alarming for a newbie, especially if she only weights 120lb. So I opted for a 1980 GS450 Twin. This bike is light at around 385lb. extremely nimble and very forgiving on the throttle although it will get up an go if you want it too, I've cracked 100mph on it and I weight 200lb (all muscle :-). Also seat hight is a couple inches lower. Personally, I just feel way more comfortable with her on the 450 especially since I gave her the motorcycle bug, I feel responsible if she gets injured or...ahem..killed (plus I love her) on it although she keeps assuring me, it's her choice.

Jason

Thanks for your opinion. I have GS850g too for "Sunday" riding.
GS450 would be quite equal with Kawasaki ER-5n and GPZ 500r Ninja she used to have before.

However currently she has 636cc Zx6r (117hp) as main bike, so the power is not the issue anymore. It is her third bike now and even she doesn't do wheelies with that I am quite relaxed the way she handles the bikes. By the way, Zx6r is lowered too..

The reason why I chose this 550E was the legendary GS-engine (reliable) and that happened to be classified (museum) bike. It means the insurance is just $30 per year (as being second bike for my wife it is still affordable). It is allowed to ride just 30 days in year like my GS850g too but that's ok with rather short Finnish summer..

brveagle:
I googled some time and could'nt find any lowering kit for the bike, but in the first place I was considering modify it myself (if needed after seat modifications). I have neighbour who makes anything of steel or aluminium.

[chinto]

i too am considering an GS550 for my wife for a first bike...I am currently looking at an 84 550es any comments? I currently have an 88 Katana 600 and she feels its too big and heavy for her. Would the 550 be much different?

[Nerobro]

"big" is probally just the apperance. Though the Katanas aren't exactly light machines. About the only "other" option is one of the GS twins.

Has she taken the MSF yet?

[chinto]

"big" is probally just the apperance. Though the Katanas aren't exactly light machines. About the only "other" option is one of the GS twins.

Has she taken the MSF yet?

not yet, nut this summer she will be taking it. I found a local guy that is selling an 84 GS550 , it has an electrical problem, that I should be able to sort out. We are going to try and look at it this weekend. And check it out.

[jdmae92]

One thing there is, some oil is leaking somewhere behind gear lever or something. Is it the only sealing which could start to leak on the left side of the motor?

My GS550 has oil leaking from the same place. I took the sprocket cover off to find where it is coming from but i have to get my new spark plugs in before i can start it up and hunt for the leak.