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Suzuki GSX500ES

I have tried to tell the Suzuki GSX 500 ES model history on this page, as I know it. The page is still under construction. I would be grateful of any contributions — sales brochures, magazine ads, magazine articles, pictures, specs, facts, corrections etc. Please scan the material in JPEG format (large enough that all the details are visible) and send them to me. Please tell me the source and the publication date if possible. If you send me pictures of your own bike, please follow these instructions.
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Suzuki 1993More Suzuki models from 1993
1993 Suzuki year code: P

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I don't know if I have missed something but I believe I hadn't seen any pictures or heard anything of a Suzuki model called GSX500ES before I saw a comparison test in a Finnish magazine called Tekniikan Maailma. It looked like the GSX550ES (presented in late 1982).

There were small differences on the length, wheelbase, seat height and such figures, but it was only a few millimeters and could be explained by different suspension components or settings. The tyre sizes are the same.

And that was exactly the piston displacement of the GSX500ES. Its four cylinders were bored at the same dimension, 60,0 mm (2.36 in) but it has shorter stroke than its big brother, 44,1 mm (1.74 in). Both machines had two (not four) 30 mm Mikuni carburetors.

I claim it is simply a GSX550ES with a smaller piston displacement. I don't know the reason for that. The tax system in Finland (and several other countries as well) favors bikes with smaller piston displacements but I don't really believe in this explanation. The Kawasaki GPZ550 in the comparison test had a 558cc engine and it was actually slightly cheaper than the Suzuki. The insurance fees in Finland were also based on the size of the engine, perhaps... No, I will stop guessing. I don't know.
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Suzuki GSX500ES1983 Suzuki GSX 500 ES
Overall Length: 2 120 mm (83.5 in)
Overall Width:
Overall Height:
Seat Height: 785 mm (30.9 in)
Wheelbase: 1 420 mm (55.9 in)
Ground Clearance: 155 mm (6.1 in)
Dry Weight: 195 kg (429 lbs)
Engine: Air-cooled 498 cc inline-4, DOHC, 16 valves. 60 hp (44.1 kW) @ 10 500 rpm, 43.6 Nm (4.4 kg-m) @ 9 000 rpm
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Click on the image for larger format.
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Suzuki 1984More Suzuki models from 1984
1984 Suzuki year code: E

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I have seen many different horsepower figures for the GSX550 model family, from 50 (West Germany) to 68 (Sweden). The claimed power output for the Finnish version of the GSX500ES was 60 bhp. Not that bad, but the Honda VF500F in the comparison test I saw had ten horsies more...

I don't know how many units of the GSX500ES were sold in Finland but I know some numbers from 1983: GS400; 70 units, GR650 and GSX750; about 100 each, GSX1100; 60, GSX1100S Katana; 40 units. There must be a really good reason if Suzuki makes a 500cc model of the 550 just for Finland...

Please tell me more if you happen to know something about this model. Which countries was it sold in? Do you have pictures of it? Anything?
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Suzuki GSX500ES1984 Suzuki GSX 500 ES
Overall Length: 2 120 mm (83.5 in)
Overall Width:
Overall Height:
Seat Height: 785 mm (30.9 in)
Wheelbase: 1 420 mm (55.9 in)
Ground Clearance: 155 mm (6.1 in)
Dry Weight: 195 kg (429 lbs)
Engine: Air-cooled 498 cc inline-4, DOHC, 16 valves. 60 hp (44.1 kW) @ 10 500 rpm, 43.6 Nm (4.4 kg-m) @ 9 000 rpm
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Click on the image for larger format.
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More: Suzuki GSX500ES article scans

More: Suzuki GSX models

More: All Suzuki models

Sources: Tekniikan Maailma (Finland)

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