Key mods for a beginner?

[MattM]

Hi all. 2004 GS500F here ridden by me, a beginning rider. Couple questions, keeping in mind that I really have yet to learn much about anything mechanical.

1. Is there any way to lower the handlebars slightly in order to achieve a slightly sportier-feeling stance?

2. If you had to pick three performance-oriented mods to make, with price not being a serious consideration, what would you choose? (Any explanation of what these mods would get me, practically, would be great, as I am clueless here.)

Thanks all!

--matt

[Mk1inCali]

First off, congrats on the bike and the start of your riding career.  That being said, this question has been posted previously, and you can learn a lot by using the search feature and reading through the archives.  With that being said, here goes-

Lower handlebars-

Couple options you have here, one is to support another GSTwin member, Srinath, and buy a set of his custom handlebars.  I believe he is taking orders right now for '04 specific bars that won't hit your fairing and will look great.  All of his stuff is top-notch, I've personally got a set of his case savers on my '00 and they fit perfectly and look great to boot.  

Alternately, you could go with a really cheap set of drag bars from your local bike shop, but most people don't like the way they stretch your hands out wide because they are so flat/straight.

Thirdly, because they are so expensive, you could go with a pair of Suburban-Machinery bars.  If you do a search for the author "Daniely" and go to his website, you can see a pair of those on his bike.  I don't know if they will work for a fairing-equipped '04.

As for my preference for performance upgrades, since your bike is a CA-emissions, if you found a Vance and Hines ignition advancer or trade your stock one for Bob Broussard's modified ignition rotor (very easy to do), that would help engine response drastically.  That, and a K&N pod style air filter, coupled with a full exhaust system, or one of Srinath's slip on conversion system would get you a lot more higher RPM power, definitely noticeable.  
But, above and beyond all that, I'd have to recommend some Progressive springs and 15wt fork oil in your front forks.  That will help steering response and handling more than you can imagine right now.  It's simple to do (very well documented) and even a rank beginner should be able to do the swap in a day's time.

So, to summarize, do some searching for K&N air filters, or exhaust, or ignition advancers, and keep riding.  The more experience you have, the better you will understand what is going on with your bike, and what you would like to have changed.  More miles under your belt will help you decide for yourself what you want to change first, and what mods you can put off until later.  Keep it safe, and keep it fun.  We'll have to hook up some time, I'd like to ride up Highway 1 to Frisco some Saturday here.  Oh yeah, I'm in Fresno, so if you are ever down this way and want a tour of some of our local roads, Daniely and I will be happy to show you around!!

[cucamonga]

The Suburban Machinery handlebar works great on my GS500F. It is defintely 'sportier'  and improves the handling of the bike (at least it seems that way to me), worth the $$. The Suburban website has some picts of the bar on a 500F.

[JetSwing]

is there a place that still sells v&h ignition advancer?

[GSRider]

Check out my profile at sportbikes.com:

http://www.sportbikes.com/wwwthreads/showprofile.php?Cat=0&User=16267&Board=rant&what=ubbthreads&page=0

I have Tomaselli clubman bars that makes the riding position a bit more sporty, though I am not sure if they would fit an '04. I really like them; all I needed to do was put some heavier bar end weights - I used fishing wieghts stuffed down cotton. By putting fishing weights in instead of real bar ends saved me almost $80.

Just a thought

[gs500freak]

i have an 04 gs500f and the clubman hit the plastic really bad it is harder for me to make a left turn and the black liner under the windscreen has to come out to make the bars turn easier but not any better if u want also get rid of the stock 16t front sprocket and go get a 15t or 14t jt sprocket from your local bike shop they run only 15 bucks and makes a really big difference i just put my on last night and i am loving it so far feels like an actual bike now the sprockets will come from a 2002 gs500e the have the same cranks and slide right in try this also with the mods to the motor and if anyone has any site to find the mods to the motor if u can send a message my way to this name with some of the sites i thank you so much for the info  

[Roadstergal]

The first performance mod I was going to make on the GS - and will still make on the SV when the season starts back up next year - is track days.  They're both better bikes than I am a rider.

[pantablo]

most important upgrade/mod has to be the progressive suspension fork springs. Best thing you can do. they will help dramatically with handling and probably the best mod under $75 you can do. Should have come from the factory that way. Stock sucks bad...

the suburban-machinery bars are a great upgrade too. I had them on my 2001 and it moves your weight a bit more forward and combined with the lower position makes the handling much quicker and sportier. these two mods are exceptionally good. These two made the most dramatic difference to the bike.

[Mk1inCali]

I tend to forget how horrible the stock springs are since I bought my bike, put 20 miles on it, and swapped out the springs.  Literally.  They do make the biggest difference, and the rest is just fine tuning it for what you use it for, how you fit.

[dufoes]

I don't see why just springs would make such a big difference. What's the diff?

[70 Cam Guy]

Check out my profile at sportbikes.com:

http://www.sportbikes.com/wwwthreads/showprofile.php?Cat=0&User=16267&Board=rant&what=ubbthreads&page=0

Are those Rizoma mirrors?  They look pretty cool with your set up

IMO fork springs w/oil and Katana shock are the 2 best things you can do to to the bike.  The improved stability, handling and low price makes them worth every penny.  Do the forks before the rear shock though or do them at the same time.

Lower handlebars like Superbike, drag, or Srinath's bars are good but not really necessary.  I have Flander's wide center drag bars