Suzuki GS500 and GS500F Maintenance Schedule and Service Intervals

This is the maintenance schedule and associated service intervals for the Suzuki GS500, also applying equally to the Suzuki GS500F, which is the same motorcycle but with a fairing.

The Suzuki GS500 is an entry-level or do-it-all motorcycle with a 487cc parallel twin that’s air-cooled and carburettor-fed. It’s a very simple motorcycle, and maintenance is very straightforward (in fact, this is a great motorcycle to learn how to do maintenance on, particularly the non-faired version).

Suzuki produced the GS500 and GS500E from 1989 on and the fully faired GS500F from 2004 onward. They were both retired, being replaced conceptually by fuel-injected motorcycles like the Ninja 650.

This post was originally published on Feb 9, 2021, but has been significantly updated with more detail. Updated further in 2024 with some minor corrections, including new guidance for air filters.

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Service intervals of the Suzuki GS500

The Suzuki GS500 has 3500 mile / 6000 km or annual service intervals. At every interval, you have to not just change the oil and filter, but also inspect the valve clearances.

Suzuki requires you to replace the spark plugs and air cleaner every second service. They also suggest you clean the air filter between services, particularly if you ride in the rain or in dusty conditions. However, general consensus for modern motorcycles is to replace the air filter rather than to wash one.

Since the Suzuki GS500 has an air-cooled engine, you don’t have any coolant to change, but you should still keep the brake fluid fresh.

What you need to service the Suzuki GS500

Aside from basic motorcycle maintenance tools, you need a number of specific items to service the GS500 (or GS500F).

Part	Suzuki GS500 spec
Oil	Suzuki requires engine oil with JASO MA spec, or at least API SF/SG or SH/SJ spec. Many oils fit this. Suzuki recommends SAE 10W-40 weight Suzuki motor oil, but I wouldn’t over-think this and use a basic synthetic like Motul 5100.
Oil filter	Use a Hiflofiltro HF133, which is a drop-in high-quality replacement.
Air filter	Use a K&N air filter as a drop-in replacement, part number SU-5589.
Spark plugs	The standard spark plug is NGK DPR8EA-9, gapped at 0.8-0.9mm.
Brake pads	Get EBC FA231HH brake pads for the front, and FA63HH for the rear.
Brake fluid/Clutch fluid	Suzuki (like most motorcycles) requires DOT 4 brake and clutch fluid.
Chain maintenance	Use either Motul chain paste or a complete Motul chain care kit for frequent chain servicing.
Grease	Always handy to have some lithium soap-based grease for external pivot points, like the kickstand.

Suzuki GS500 Maintenance Schedule

Below is the maintenance schedule for the Suzuki GS500. It’s presented in simplified form, with a distance-based interval for most items but some things requiring attending to every year or so.

mi x 1000	4	7.5	11	14.5
km x 1000	6	12	18	24	Every
Conduct standard annual inspection (see checklist below)	✓	✓	✓	✓	Year
Engine oil and oil filter — Replace (Motul 5100 10W-40, HF133)	✓	✓	✓	✓	Year
Spark plugs — Inspect	✓		✓
Spark plugs — Replace (NGK DPR8EA-9)		✓		✓
Valve clearances — Inspect / adjust	✓	✓	✓	✓
Air cleaner element — Replace (SU-5589)		✓		✓	Clean between services
Exhaust pipe bolts and muffler bolts — Tighten	T	T	T	T
PAIR (air supply) system — Inspect		✓		✓
Brake hoses — Replace					4 years
Brake fluid — Replace (Castrol DOT 4)					2 years
Steering — Check for notchiness, replace bearings as necessary	✓	✓	✓	✓
Front forks — Check for leaks, damage		✓		✓
Rear suspension — Check for leaks, damage		✓		✓

Suzuki GS500 Standard Annual Service Checklist

Below is the standard maintenance checklist for the Suzuki GS500. Do it per the schedule above.

Suzuki GS500 Standard Annual Service Checklist
Battery — Check specific gravity
Idle speed — Inspect / adjust
Throttle cable play — Inspect / adjust
Clutch cable play — Inspect / adjust
Drive chain — Check wear condition
Brakes — Check function
Brake fluid — Check level
Brake hoses — Inspect for leaks and cracks
Tires — Inspect for wear and damage
Chassis bolts and nuts — Inspect, tighten Not necessary if no miles done

Maintaining your Chain on your Suzuki GS500 / F

As the Suzuki GS500 tends to get a lot of varied use (as a commuter and do-it-all bike), it’s important to regularly clean and lubricate the chain. Either use a good-quality (and affordable) chain lube like Motul Chain Paste, or use a full-on Motul Chain Care Kit to clean and restore a chain.

Suzuki recommends that you maintain your chain regularly according to the following schedule.

Chain maintenance item	Every
Check chain * Correct tension / slack (20-30mm / 0.8-1.2 in at loosest point) * Adequate lubrication * No excessive wear / damage	Ride (pre-ride check)
Clean and lubricate chain	1000 km / 600 miles

Damage includes loose pins, damaged rollers, dry or rusted links, kinked or binding links, excessive wear, and improper adjustment.

To check the slack, measure the free vertical movement of the chain at the middle point. It should be 20-30mm per the schedule. Check a few points around the chain to make sure you’ve captured the tightest spot.

To adjust the slack, you need a large wrench to loosen the axle nut, and a small one for the adjuster bolts. Follow this procedure:

1. Put the motorcycle on the side stand
2. Loosen the axle nut
3. Use the adjuster bolts to tighten the chain (or loosen if needed). Be sure to use the alignment marks to tighten them the same amount.
4. Tighten the axle nut — 57 lb-ft or 78 Nm (or very, very tight).

Tyre size and tyre pressure for the Suzuki GS500

The manual for the GS500 specifies the following tyre sizes and pressures. The manual also mentions Bridgestone Battlax tyres, but the specific version (BT45) isn’t mandatory or even necessarily easy to get, so use whatever street tires you can find.

Wheel	Tire size	Tire pressure
Front	110/70-17M/C 54H	250 kPa (2.50 bar, 36 psi)
Rear	130/70-17M/C 62H	290 kPa (2.90 bar, 42 psi)

About the Suzuki GS500 / GS500F

The Suzuki GS500 and GS500F are an excellent and well-loved pair of basic motorcycles that are good for running about town as well as for highway runs.

It’s an excellent first bike, with adequate if not exciting power for more experienced riders (approximately 40 HP at the rear wheel). In the motorcycle market, the GS500 occupied the low end of Suzuki’s mid-sized range for over twenty years.

Suzuki sold the unfaired version of the GS500 from 1988 in the UK, and from 1999 in Europe and North America.

Both the GS500 and GS500F have the same engine, a 487-cc air-cooled parallel twin. It’s carburettor-fed, but has electronic ignition.

Suzuki also produced GS500 in restricted form to satisfy the maximum power-to-weight ratio for use in countries where restrictive motorcycle licenses were issued, like the EU and UK. But these days, the GS500 meets restriction requirements of most countries, including Australia / New Zealand’s updated LAMS rules.

The parallel twin of the Suzuki GS500 isn’t high on power, but it has a distinct burble to it. Suzuki’s two-into-one exhaust system doesn’t strangle it and lets the engine breathe enough for a nice sound and an even torque curve.

Front suspension of the GS500 is via a non-adjustable telescopic fork, and the rear shock is adjustable for preload via a seven-way adjuster.

Brakes are simple but effective, with a single 320 mm disc up front and two-piston caliper. It gets the job done, but it’s not track spec.

The GS500 has a classic console and instrument cluster, with a tachometer that rises to an ambitious 10000+ RPM, and a speedometer that goes to over 200 km/h (over 120 mph). You’ll get most of the way there!

Maintenance of the GS500 is mercifully easy, with oil changes and valve services on the P-twin needed every 3500 miles or 6000 km

Manual for the Suzuki GS500

The above maintenance schedule comes directly from the user’s manual for the Suzuki GS500.

You can download genuine Suzuki manuals from here.