Any 1 else have this problem? - Motorcycle-Journal Forums

varchild · 08-15-2004, 10:15 AM

Hi all,
I have had my gs500f for a month now and I noticed that the turn signal switch didnt move anymore, the rear breaks squeal bad when applied, and when I get to a long light and put it in neutral it is real hard to get into 1st again, you got to roll the bike back and forth. I took it into the shop for my 500 mile servive, they fixed the turn signal switch and said that the bushings were dirty causeing the bike to stick in neutral. They told me there was nothing they could do about the breaks, that this is common on this model bike. That every time it rains the breaks are gonna squeal real bad. They sprayed them and the squeal stopped for about a day. 2 days after I left the dealership the bike sticks in neutral again and I got the loudest rear brake you ever heard, I take it back up to the dealership and they tell me nothing is wrong. If you park my bike in 1st gear and restart it with the clutch in the bike jumps forward and you got to roll it back hard to get it into neutral.

Any Ideas?

Crager · 08-15-2004, 10:44 AM

It's brand new? Take it to another dealer if that one won't fix it.

Drake · 08-15-2004, 10:48 AM

Personally...

Go into the dealership and tell them to give you a fully operational bike or fix this one. It is still under warranty (I'm assuming this is the bike's first 500 miles). If there's a problem in the transmission, they need to fix it as part of your warranty. They can't just tell you that there's something wrong with the bushings and let it keep on going. That's BS!!! Pull that tranny out and fix it if there's something wrong. You didn't pay for a new bike to have something wrong with it that you have to just "deal with".

As for the brakes....

How do you drive with them. Are you using your rear brake hard and regularly? How do the rotors look? Signs of scarring or rough area? Try going to a parking lot and doing a large number of hard stops on the rear brake from good speeds. This is to try to smooth things out again in case you were getting uneven wear on your pads from your caliper being slightly loose etc.

However, in 500 miles you shouldn't develop a squeaky rear brake. Have other GS owners experienced this? My 1982 GS550m doesn't have a squeaky brake... but maybe the years have set it nicely. However, my experience is that when you get a squeaky brake, it doesn't go away over time....

LayinLo · 08-15-2004, 12:46 PM

Varchild, My rear brakes squeak too. I hardly even touch them when I stop. I've always got most (75-85%) of my stopping power from the front brake because I was always told to stop that way. I'm taking my bike ('04 GS500F) in on Thursday (Aug. 19) (thats the earliest they could get to it) so I'll ask and see what they say.

varchild · 08-15-2004, 01:02 PM

Kool thanks, they told me they could keep cleaning my brakes off every time I bring the bike up, but if it rains or gets the slightest bit of dirt on them the sqeaking will start again. Kinda said not to bother them anymore. I am going up there again tomorrow because it is getting worse. The problem is they take a week to look at it, it was gone over a week just to get the 500mile service. I think I will try to find another dealership.

SDSUsnowboards · 08-15-2004, 02:02 PM

maybe it is the pads suzuki puts on the bike. Might want to invest in some pads of a differing brand? Probably cheap as beans.

LayinLo · 08-15-2004, 03:49 PM

True, pads aren't that pricey, but I feel they should not have to be upgraded. That should be an option, I guess we're just frustrated by the fact that the bikes are new and the stealerships don't seem to care an awful lot.

varchild · 08-15-2004, 05:34 PM

Kinda sucks when you spend almost 6k in cash to take the bike home and nothing but problems from day 1. So now I trade it in and get $2500 and gotta spend another $4300 just to upgrade to a decent bike, now I am in it for $9300 bucks, could have got a gixxer

If I would have known how much more bike the Katana was I would have gotten 1, but the salesman talked me out of it saying the Kat was only 100cc more, not worth the extra money for such a pig 600. Well only got myself to blame I didnt do my home work, if I did I would have known the kat was a 4 cyclinder and the gs500f was only a 2. (80 hp verse 38hp). sheesh now I am really gonna cry

But still a 5k bike should still be nice and reliable. Its funny I posted my review of the gs500f and It is not on the website, I guess Suzuki only shows the good reviews!

Anyone wanna buy a used gs500f, just serviced, K&N filter? showroom condition!

I hope some 1 from my town looks at cycle trader.com

LayinLo · 08-15-2004, 06:31 PM

Varchild, I was talked out of the sv650 much like you were talked out the Kat. Imagine my disappoint after I did my homework on specs and all later. Don't get me wrong, the 500 has been good and very forgiving, but had I known what I know now, I would have chose the sv650. I'm still getting a sv1000 or a GSX-R750 etc but I would have liked to owned 2 solid investments versus 1. I'm still gonna ask about the problems we've been experiencing. I think my dealer knew I just needed something to ride until my big purchase and knew he could make a steal.

sime · 08-15-2004, 08:06 PM

I had that same problem with my rear brake when I got new pads put in (SBS). Apparently when the pads are swapped over, some mechanics don't replace the shim that goes between the brake piston and the pad. As such, the pad will oscillate when braking and that causes the noise.

You can use cement to fix the pad to the piston but this won't last. Or you can get it done right. I took it to another mechanic (non-dealer) and they fixed it right up. Maybe ring up some other Suzuki specialists to see if they've encountered this prob before.

Phease · 08-16-2004, 03:26 AM

Shim????? Whats one of them then?
If it's only the pads that need replacing do it yourself, very easy to do and only takes 10 minutes. Plus as drake said, once they are in break them in properly by some hard rear braking and they won't squeal as much otherwise you will just glaze the face of the pad and they will squeal.

sime · 08-16-2004, 10:50 PM

Quote:

Shim????? Whats one of them then?

a lot of brake setups incorporate a shim between the bad and the piston, often called an anti-squeal shim. it's designed to keep the pad from oscillating when applied to the disc.

follow this link, see "noise"

http://www.ebcbrakes.com/QandA.html

badkitty · 08-17-2004, 01:41 AM

the dealer called the 600 katana a "PIG" . Jeez. I mean compared to gixxers and otehr racers sure, but just cause its a little heavy doesnt mean it doesnt have enough go to get it moving very quickly.I love my kat.

I had also been wondering about that sticking in neutral thing.My bikes does that sometimes but usually if im rolling at like 1-3mph in neutral waiting for light to change.Then when it does i push down and nothing.I have to stop completely and tap it a few times then its good. I dont abuse the tranny at all.Bike now has 2400miles in 2 months. Is this somewhat normal behavior?

Phease · 08-17-2004, 03:40 AM

Quote:

a lot of brake setups incorporate a shim between the bad and the piston, often called an anti-squeal shim. it's designed to keep the pad from oscillating when applied to the disc.

Fair enough i never really looked that hard at pads that i have been putting on bikes so never realised there was a 'shim' mounted on the steel plate.
As for the neutral to 1st gear thing, i have encountered this with every bike i have owned, suzuki, honda and kawasaki i just put this down to a universally normal behaviour. but in my case it has happened very intermittently (like hardly at all) and has been easily remedied by pushing the bike forward a few inches before trying again, your problem seems to happen all the time from the way you describe it so should be rectified by the dealer.

**Uncle Bob** · 08-17-2004, 08:30 AM

What's your mileage on that bike ?.

Been taking it easy "breaking it in ?". That is the problem.

Brakes when used lightly will glaze and cause squealing. As suggested go do some hard stops that may help, or they may need a more agressive sanding.

As for gear changes, new bikes tend to need a thouasnd miles or so before they get smoother.

I would sort out what exactly is the cause before changing bikes, if it's your riding style and lack of mileage that's causing the problem you'll only have the same problem with another bike.

themeatmanlandry · 08-17-2004, 09:39 AM

Have you tried letting the clutch out and pulling it back in? That usually works for me (Bandit 600). What the heck are you doing rolling in neutral?

badkitty · 08-17-2004, 11:31 AM

i do the same as i do in my truck.When i roll up to a red light i put in neutral nad roll to a stop.So im not sitting there holding clutch the whole time, but sometimes the light switches faster than i thought and makes me get into 1st while rolling.

**Uncle Bob** · 08-18-2004, 08:07 AM

That's not the way you're supposed to do it now is it.

Your bike should always be in gear so that you can take off when the light changes or if you see somebody in your rear view that doesn't look like they're going to stop.

I would not be in neutral at a light in case a vehicle stopped behind me assumed that my bike would take off swiftly and instead I'm fumbling for my gear peg. Especially since I follow MSF recommendations and have my left foot down and the right foot covering the brake.

varchild · 08-18-2004, 10:11 AM

I put it in neutral because some of the lights are 2 mins long. That feels like I am holding the clutch in forever. After about an hour of riding I need neutral sometimes, but depends on the intersection and the cars behind me.

08-15-2004, 10:15 AM	#1 (permalink)
varchild Where Am I ? Joined: Jul 2004 Location: balto md Posts: 42	Any 1 else have this problem? Hi all, I have had my gs500f for a month now and I noticed that the turn signal switch didnt move anymore, the rear breaks squeal bad when applied, and when I get to a long light and put it in neutral it is real hard to get into 1st again, you got to roll the bike back and forth. I took it into the shop for my 500 mile servive, they fixed the turn signal switch and said that the bushings were dirty causeing the bike to stick in neutral. They told me there was nothing they could do about the breaks, that this is common on this model bike. That every time it rains the breaks are gonna squeal real bad. They sprayed them and the squeal stopped for about a day. 2 days after I left the dealership the bike sticks in neutral again and I got the loudest rear brake you ever heard, I take it back up to the dealership and they tell me nothing is wrong. If you park my bike in 1st gear and restart it with the clutch in the bike jumps forward and you got to roll it back hard to get it into neutral. Any Ideas? __________________ Sport Bikes till I DIE.

08-15-2004, 10:44 AM	#2 (permalink)
Crager Newbie Joined: Jul 2004 Location: NY Posts: 4	It's brand new? Take it to another dealer if that one won't fix it. __________________ '93 750 Suzuki Katana

08-15-2004, 10:48 AM	#3 (permalink)
Drake Clunked into first gear Joined: Apr 2004 Location: Boston, MA Posts: 208	Personally... Go into the dealership and tell them to give you a fully operational bike or fix this one. It is still under warranty (I'm assuming this is the bike's first 500 miles). If there's a problem in the transmission, they need to fix it as part of your warranty. They can't just tell you that there's something wrong with the bushings and let it keep on going. That's BS!!! Pull that tranny out and fix it if there's something wrong. You didn't pay for a new bike to have something wrong with it that you have to just "deal with". As for the brakes.... How do you drive with them. Are you using your rear brake hard and regularly? How do the rotors look? Signs of scarring or rough area? Try going to a parking lot and doing a large number of hard stops on the rear brake from good speeds. This is to try to smooth things out again in case you were getting uneven wear on your pads from your caliper being slightly loose etc. However, in 500 miles you shouldn't develop a squeaky rear brake. Have other GS owners experienced this? My 1982 GS550m doesn't have a squeaky brake... but maybe the years have set it nicely. However, my experience is that when you get a squeaky brake, it doesn't go away over time.... __________________ If at first you don't succeed, then maybe skydiving is not for you....

08-15-2004, 01:02 PM	#5 (permalink)
varchild Where Am I ? Joined: Jul 2004 Location: balto md Posts: 42	Kool thanks, they told me they could keep cleaning my brakes off every time I bring the bike up, but if it rains or gets the slightest bit of dirt on them the sqeaking will start again. Kinda said not to bother them anymore. I am going up there again tomorrow because it is getting worse. The problem is they take a week to look at it, it was gone over a week just to get the 500mile service. I think I will try to find another dealership. __________________ Sport Bikes till I DIE.

08-15-2004, 05:34 PM	#8 (permalink)
varchild Where Am I ? Joined: Jul 2004 Location: balto md Posts: 42	Kinda sucks when you spend almost 6k in cash to take the bike home and nothing but problems from day 1. So now I trade it in and get $2500 and gotta spend another $4300 just to upgrade to a decent bike, now I am in it for $9300 bucks, could have got a gixxer If I would have known how much more bike the Katana was I would have gotten 1, but the salesman talked me out of it saying the Kat was only 100cc more, not worth the extra money for such a pig 600. Well only got myself to blame I didnt do my home work, if I did I would have known the kat was a 4 cyclinder and the gs500f was only a 2. (80 hp verse 38hp). sheesh now I am really gonna cry But still a 5k bike should still be nice and reliable. Its funny I posted my review of the gs500f and It is not on the website, I guess Suzuki only shows the good reviews! Anyone wanna buy a used gs500f, just serviced, K&N filter? showroom condition! I hope some 1 from my town looks at cycle trader.com __________________ Sport Bikes till I DIE.

08-15-2004, 12:46 PM	#4 (permalink)
LayinLo Flipper ( Don't Ask ) Joined: Jul 2004 Bike: Crunchy 02 GSX-R 750 Location: Alabama Posts: 3,936	Varchild, My rear brakes squeak too. I hardly even touch them when I stop. I've always got most (75-85%) of my stopping power from the front brake because I was always told to stop that way. I'm taking my bike ('04 GS500F) in on Thursday (Aug. 19) (thats the earliest they could get to it) so I'll ask and see what they say.

08-15-2004, 02:02 PM	#6 (permalink)
SDSUsnowboards Tin Foil Inspector Joined: Jul 2004 Bike: 2000 CBR600f4 Location: Southern California Posts: 764	maybe it is the pads suzuki puts on the bike. Might want to invest in some pads of a differing brand? Probably cheap as beans.

08-15-2004, 03:49 PM	#7 (permalink)
LayinLo Flipper ( Don't Ask ) Joined: Jul 2004 Bike: Crunchy 02 GSX-R 750 Location: Alabama Posts: 3,936	True, pads aren't that pricey, but I feel they should not have to be upgraded. That should be an option, I guess we're just frustrated by the fact that the bikes are new and the stealerships don't seem to care an awful lot.

08-15-2004, 06:31 PM	#9 (permalink)
LayinLo Flipper ( Don't Ask ) Joined: Jul 2004 Bike: Crunchy 02 GSX-R 750 Location: Alabama Posts: 3,936	Varchild, I was talked out of the sv650 much like you were talked out the Kat. Imagine my disappoint after I did my homework on specs and all later. Don't get me wrong, the 500 has been good and very forgiving, but had I known what I know now, I would have chose the sv650. I'm still getting a sv1000 or a GSX-R750 etc but I would have liked to owned 2 solid investments versus 1. I'm still gonna ask about the problems we've been experiencing. I think my dealer knew I just needed something to ride until my big purchase and knew he could make a steal.

08-15-2004, 08:06 PM	#10 (permalink)
sime Seat Tester Joined: Dec 2003 Location: Melbourne, Australia Posts: 70	I had that same problem with my rear brake when I got new pads put in (SBS). Apparently when the pads are swapped over, some mechanics don't replace the shim that goes between the brake piston and the pad. As such, the pad will oscillate when braking and that causes the noise. You can use cement to fix the pad to the piston but this won't last. Or you can get it done right. I took it to another mechanic (non-dealer) and they fixed it right up. Maybe ring up some other Suzuki specialists to see if they've encountered this prob before. __________________ 97 bandit 600s

08-16-2004, 03:26 AM	#11 (permalink)
Phease Clunked into first gear Joined: Oct 2003 Bike: '96 GSX 600F Location: Oxford, England Posts: 211	Shim????? Whats one of them then? If it's only the pads that need replacing do it yourself, very easy to do and only takes 10 minutes. Plus as drake said, once they are in break them in properly by some hard rear braking and they won't squeal as much otherwise you will just glaze the face of the pad and they will squeal.

08-17-2004, 01:41 AM	#13 (permalink)
badkitty Kickstand Operator Joined: Jun 2004 Location: sacramento,ca Posts: 277	the dealer called the 600 katana a "PIG" . Jeez. I mean compared to gixxers and otehr racers sure, but just cause its a little heavy doesnt mean it doesnt have enough go to get it moving very quickly.I love my kat. I had also been wondering about that sticking in neutral thing.My bikes does that sometimes but usually if im rolling at like 1-3mph in neutral waiting for light to change.Then when it does i push down and nothing.I have to stop completely and tap it a few times then its good. I dont abuse the tranny at all.Bike now has 2400miles in 2 months. Is this somewhat normal behavior? __________________ "The Key to Immortality is first living a life worth remembering." - St. Augustine 2004 Katana 600 Yellow/black My Bike

08-17-2004, 08:30 AM	#15 (permalink)
Uncle Bob Site Admin & Squeegee Boy Joined: Dec 1969 Bike: 2003 Volusia SE Location: Montréal, Québec, Canada Posts: 107	What's your mileage on that bike ?. Been taking it easy "breaking it in ?". That is the problem. Brakes when used lightly will glaze and cause squealing. As suggested go do some hard stops that may help, or they may need a more agressive sanding. As for gear changes, new bikes tend to need a thouasnd miles or so before they get smoother. I would sort out what exactly is the cause before changing bikes, if it's your riding style and lack of mileage that's causing the problem you'll only have the same problem with another bike. __________________ Yadda yadda yadda, whatever, they ain't going to listen anyway.

08-17-2004, 09:39 AM	#16 (permalink)
themeatmanlandry Happy-ass Lunatic Joined: Dec 2003 Bike: 2002 Bandit 600S (Black); 2006 GSXR750 (Black) Location: Memphis Posts: 11,423	Have you tried letting the clutch out and pulling it back in? That usually works for me (Bandit 600). What the heck are you doing rolling in neutral? __________________ Go to hell

08-17-2004, 11:31 AM	#17 (permalink)
badkitty Kickstand Operator Joined: Jun 2004 Location: sacramento,ca Posts: 277	i do the same as i do in my truck.When i roll up to a red light i put in neutral nad roll to a stop.So im not sitting there holding clutch the whole time, but sometimes the light switches faster than i thought and makes me get into 1st while rolling. __________________ "The Key to Immortality is first living a life worth remembering." - St. Augustine 2004 Katana 600 Yellow/black My Bike

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08-18-2004, 08:07 AM	#18 (permalink)
Uncle Bob Site Admin & Squeegee Boy Joined: Dec 1969 Bike: 2003 Volusia SE Location: Montréal, Québec, Canada Posts: 107	That's not the way you're supposed to do it now is it. Your bike should always be in gear so that you can take off when the light changes or if you see somebody in your rear view that doesn't look like they're going to stop. I would not be in neutral at a light in case a vehicle stopped behind me assumed that my bike would take off swiftly and instead I'm fumbling for my gear peg. Especially since I follow MSF recommendations and have my left foot down and the right foot covering the brake. __________________ Yadda yadda yadda, whatever, they ain't going to listen anyway.

08-18-2004, 10:11 AM	#19 (permalink)
varchild Where Am I ? Joined: Jul 2004 Location: balto md Posts: 42	I put it in neutral because some of the lights are 2 mins long. That feels like I am holding the clutch in forever. After about an hour of riding I need neutral sometimes, but depends on the intersection and the cars behind me. __________________ Sport Bikes till I DIE.