| MODEL | SUZUKI GS 500E 1989 - 1994 |
| Year | 1989 - 1994 |
| Engine Type | Four stroke, parallel twin cylinder, DOHC, 4 valves |
| Displacement / Capacity | 487 cc / 29.7 cu in |
| Bore X Stroke | 74 x 56.6 mm |
| Compression Ratio | 9.0:1 |
| Cooling System | Air cooled |
| Max Power | 28.7 kW / 39 hp @ 8500 rpm |
| Max Torque | 35.9 Nm / 3.66 kgf-m / 26.5 lb-ft @ 5900 rpm |
| Ignition | — |
| Induction | 2 x 33 mm Mikuni BST carburetors |
| Start System | Electric |
| TRANSMISSION SPECS | |
| Lubrication | — |
| Gear Box | 6 Speed |
| Clutch | — |
| Final Drive | Chain |
| CHASSIS SPECS | |
| Frame | Twin spar |
| Front Suspension | Telescopic forks, 7-way preload adjustment |
| Rear Suspension | Rising rate single shock, 7-way preload adjustment |
| Front Brakes | Single 310 mm disc, 2 piston caliper |
| Rear Brakes | Single 250 mm disc, 2 piston caliper |
| DIMENSION SPECS | |
| Overall Length | — |
| Overall Width | — |
| Overall Height | — |
| Seat Height | 759 mm / 29.9 in |
| Wheelbase | 1400 mm / 55.1 in |
| Ground Clearance | — |
| Dry Weight | 177 kg / 390 lbs |
| Wet Weight | 189 kg / 417 lbs |
| WHEEL SPECS | |
| Front Tyre | 110/70 H17 |
| Rear Tyre | 130/70 H17 |
| FUEL SYSTEM | |
| Fuel Capacity | 17 Litres / 4.5 US gal / 3.7 Imp gal |
| Fuel Consumption | 4.5 L/100 km / 22 km/l / 52 US mpg / 63 Imp mpg |
| Top Speed | 174 km/h / 108 mph |
The first-generation parallel-twin GS500E was an air-cooled, budget-minded middleweight with a rigid twin-spar frame and a 487 cc engine descended from the GS450 family. It was light, forgiving and easy for novices, trading outright power for friendly handling and low running costs. In period tests it lost out to more powerful rivals on straight-line speed.
