[kirk]

I’ve been riding for a little over a year now after taking the local MSF class. I feel confident riding all over town even though this took a while. Anyways, I’m looking to upgrade from my GS500F to the GSX 600. Any advice on this upgrade?
Several things that I’ve thought about. Will I feel a big difference between a 500 & 600? The salesman said no and I should just go with a 1000. I don’t like the forward lean on the GSX. Can I adjust the handlebars to get a slightly more upright position?
Keep in mind that I mostly use my bike for fun. By hat I mean I take it out for nice little cruising. I don’t generally speed or engage in other unsafe activities. Thanks for any feedback.

[ShannonG]

Isn’t the GSX a 650?

[bam37]

well first off, when a salesmen tells you that youd be fine on a liter bike he is just trying to selling you a more expensive bike. so don’t take that into account. I would go look at bikes with someone who knows a lot about them. Someone you can trust to give you honest feedback, or find a dealer that you trust. (i found the dealer )

[megaspaz]

The gsx600r is 600cc’s.

—
If there’s anything more important than my ego
around, I want it caught and shot now…

[Matt]

Will you notice a difference. Absolutely. The 600 will respond much faster, and you can spin that engine up way higher. Unless you can break the 80mph mark, in second gear on your 500, expect a different animal underneith you.

You can buy bar riders that will make it slightly more comfortable, but the biek was designed for that riding position. You might want to look around at other less extreme bikes if you are more interested in cruising than pure track day power. The ZZR-600 is considered a really good bike. Pure supersport demeanor, all day comfy. Ditto the Honda VFR800. The SV650S will be a good blend of what you are used to and the more extreme GSX-R. It is also a more useful bike aroudn town, as it has more torque and you need to spin the engine less. It is also one of the most popular club racers these days. If you ever want to do a track day, it is certainly up for it. Similarly, non of these are classes as “supersports” and so should have a much lower insurance rate.

There are lots of choices that are 95% as fast in 95% of the situations as the GSX-R, with more practicality than the GSX-R or other 600cc supersports.

Whatever you end up with, enjoy and be safe.

[ShannonG]

Sorry, I thought you were talking about this:
http://www.motorcyclenews.com/MCN/bikereviews/searchresults/Bike-Reviews/Suzuki/Suzuki-GSX650F-2007-current/?&R=EPI-99365

I sort of had a pipe dream about someday moving up to a GSX-R 600. But after a little research I learned it’s 125 horspower, up from the roughly 50 my GS500 puts out. I could get into waaayyy too much trouble on a bike with that kind of power.

[kirk]

Thank you all for the information. I kinda figured the salesman was trying to get me to go bigger but I figured I would ask anyways.
I have asked several people that have been riding and I seem to get conflicting reviews. Some people say that a 600 is hardly a move up from the 500 while others say it is all I need. Keep in mind that there are no tracks where I live. The nearest one is about 200 miles away. Most of my riding will consist of pure recreation and sometimes transportation to work.
I guess in the end my reason for the GSX is that it is a drean bike to me. Ever since I started riding I have wanted one. The dealer has one left and he is selling it for 8,999.00. Not too bad a deal.
Again, thank you all for the useful info.

[Author]

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