If you push down on the back end and the bike stays down the suspension linkages are seized, if it pings right back again then the rear shock is probably shot! Get the bike on its centrestand and grab hold of the back of the swingarm with one hand and the chassis with the other and try and rock the swingarm from side to side to feel for wear in the bearings. Most times it simply isn’t economically viable to do the job. This can lead to seized linkages or bearings in the swingarm and that can be a nightmare. 'Older, high-mileage bikes have issues with the rear suspension linkages as it is seldom stripped and regreased. 'In general terms the GS has no Achilles’ heel, so you don’t have to look out for a specific issue, but age and the often very high mileages that they cover conspire against them. However, production finished a while ago and that means any used examples you are likely to encounter nowadays will be deteriorating through age. 'They are about as reliable as it gets when it comes to the motor and that’s probably why Suzuki sold so many of them. Suzuki GS500 reliability - the mechanic's viewīy Shaun Lock of Bridge Motorcycles, Exeter On the plus side, it’s said the old Suzukis crash well… ! The welds are a particular weak spot on the Suzuki GS500 E: it may be sensible to invest in shed loads of WD40. The paint on the GS500 E is thin, scratches easily then quickly rusts. Whilst the engines are proven, the rest of the bike suffers from famously-bad build quality.

Gs500 ignition advancer test