Why Bother Testing an Old Bike?
So I’ve had this 2008 Suzuki GS500F sitting in my garage for years, right? Saw online folks arguing about its actual top speed – some claimed 100mph, others swore it couldn’t break 90. Figured screw it, let’s settle this myself. Grabbed my helmet, gloves, and that sketchy phone mount I never trust.
Prepping & Location Scouting
First, checked tire pressure like my life depended on it – because it kinda does. Topped off oil and gas. Didn’t wanna test on public roads with cops or traffic, so I drove an hour to this dead-straight industrial backroad. Concrete barriers on both sides, zero intersections, totally abandoned on Sunday morning. Perfect.
Safety first? Sorta:
- Taped phone to handlebars for speed tracking
- Wore my thickest riding jacket
- Told my neighbor where I’d be (didn’t tell her why though)
The Speed Run Drama
Cruised slow first to warm up the engine. Felt that familiar Suzuki vibration buzzing through the seat. Hit the straightaway, dropped to 4th gear around 60mph. Wrist-twist time. Slowly pushed throttle open – bike screamed like an angry chainsaw. Wind tried ripping my helmet off past 85. Hit 95mph and everything started shaking like a washing machine full of rocks. Held throttle wide open for what felt like forever. Glanced down: phone showed 101.7mph. Legs were jelly when I finally braked.
The Ugly Truth
Let’s be real – hitting 101mph on that thing felt like a death wish. Vibration blurred the mirrors completely, and the front wheel got scarily light over bumps. After cooling down, checked my tracking app’s data. Three runs, best was 101.7mph downhill with tailwind. Flat ground? Maxed out at 97mph consistently. Those forum heroes claiming 110+? Pure fantasy.
Honestly shocked this 15-year-old budget bike even touched triple digits. Would I do it again? Hell no. But hey – at least now I know.
