There are also the 530 EXCs between the 525s and 500s. They are carbed though.
My 2010 Champions Edition with the Clockwork Orange 3.5 gallon tank and Giant Loop Mojave bags.
Out at Big Bend Ranch and State Park right after I bought it in 2011.
I later set it up for more long distance dual sport riding to go to Utah, Idaho, Montana, Wyoming, and Colorado.
Here it has an Acerbis/KTM 6.6 gallon tank which gives me a reliable 300 miles. Side bags are the Kriega Overlander 30. They have tools, spare tubes, chair, food, stove, and other misc stuff. Top bag is Wolfman medium size dry bag that has tent and sleeping bag (light stuff). Tank bag is Wolfman Enduro bag. We camped off the bikes for seven days.
Here it is with the same setup for six days of riding in Arizona
Maintenance wise, I really haven't had to do much other than change the oil. I checked the valves and they were fine. While doing the valves, I replaced the piston rings just because I thought it might help with using oil. On the long rides, it has always used a little bit of oil. It has never smoked or dripped. So it must be barely burning it. The new piston ring didn't change that. So I just check it each morning and add a little if needed. I also upgraded the oil pump gears and the water pump impeller. And I added a radiator fan.
I rebuilt the suspension a while back just because I had access to a person that could help me do it. I've also had to rebuild the Ohlins suspension on my R1150 GS and two of my R1200 GSs. Basically, if you are riding them hard, the stock suspension on ANY bike is going to need rebuilding sooner or later. It's kind of like wearing out tires, chains, and sprocket. So I don't see that as an unusual maintenance issue for this bike. Throw a bunch of heavy luggage on a bike and then ride in rough stuff and that pretty much guarantees a rebuild or replacement at some point. I had to do the same thing to my KLR 650.
I've had this bike for eight years now. I am just now at the point where I need to replace the steering head bearing because it has a "notchy" feeling right in the center of the range of motion. I replaced the steering head bearings on two VFR 800s and my 02 KLR as well. Again, it is just a wear item on any bike. I am going to replace the wheel bearings when I do the steering head bearings. They don't really need it, but I figure I will just do it while I am at it for cheap insurance. I ended up having to change the wheel bearings on my KLR because they were getting kind of crunchy sounding when I just spun a wheel in the garage. I also had to pull the KLRs swing arm and clean, inspect, and repack the swing arm bearing. We won't get into the final drive failures on two of my GSs...
The only real issue for me with this bike has been messing with the carb. This is not a failure of the bike as it would be an issue with any carbed bike that gets ridden at sea level and then 13000 ft mountain passes. You have to rejet for different altitudes. It is not hard. It just has to get done. Also, because this bike tends to sit for long periods between trips, if I forget to drain the carb, it gets nasty and has to be cleaned before a trip. I have gotten better about remembering to drain it.
Last summer I took it to Ouray for a week of riding mountain passes. It ran fantastic! That said, if I had the money, I would likely get a newer 500 just to get the FI. However, if you can't or don't want to spend the money for a 500, this is still a rock solid bike.