Joining the community soon... and a seat question

[xcsx]

Hey guys, first post.. Have been checking out the site for a while.. Great info!!  

I am in the process of getting my first bike (and have been for a looong time now) this Winter.. I am not going to start a 'which bike should I get?' post.. After much research, the answer to that is: a GS500F

I have also decided to buy new.. I am eyeing up an '06 black and white.. I have a decent handle on how to ride, but am definitely taking the MSF as soon as Spring hits, before I go out on the road..

Enough of the intro, onto my question..

My question is on seat heights.. I am 5'7" with a 30" or so inseam.. I have sat on the new model GS500F's ('05) at the dealership and it is comfortable for me.. However, it puts me almost on my tippy toes and I would feel a bit more comfortable with my feet flat.. 1 or 2 inches lower would be perfect..

I am also not a huge fan of the rear of the bike, aesthetically.. Bannana seats has never been one of my favorite parts of motorcyles.. Safety wise, I really don't want anyone on the bike with me until I am extremely comfortable with riding..

Searching around (yes, I have searched for hours on here   ) I see alot of people swap the solo tails of other bikes.. In turn, this lowers the seat height (perfect for me).. But, I did not see which ones in particular would work well for the new models of the GS500's.. I also saw that some of the fellow forum members make custom tails but not for the new models, either..

Any info you can provide will be great.. You have a great forum here.. So many of you have answered my questions and don't even know it.. Thanks in advance!!  

-Chris

[Roadstergal]

http://pantablo500.tripod.com/id13.html

http://www.gstwins.com/forum/viewtopic.php?t=12097

There's a broken GS Twin link in there.

[Roadstergal]

Oh, ja, and if the link on this one could be updated...

http://gstwins.com/forum/viewtopic.php?t=17934

[xcsx]

Yea, most of my searches have links that are down, or are dead ends..  

Looks like people are using Yamaha R1 and R6 tails..

I was on the trail of posts with someone trying to use a GSX-R tail but they seem to not get it to fit without serious modification..

Basically does anyone know which make/models/years of tails will fit, without serious surgery?? I am handy around the garage, so that is not the issue.. I'm just not too keen on torching my brand new bike's frame before I even ride it..  

Thanks again..
-Chris

[Phaedrus]

Yeah! Another New Yorker! I am up that way every so often, usually on my way to Niagara Falls. And my GF is looking into going to school in Buffalo.   Anyway, if you have not done so already, make sure you add yourself to the:

GSTwin.com Rider Map
http://www.frappr.com/gstwin

And check out the Northeast threads we got in the Meet and Greet Section. We've had some pretty cool group rides, and are in the process of planning for one next Summer. (Yeah we get excited easily). So be sure to check that out as well.

As for the rear of the bike, you would be surprised how much better it will look after a good:

Fenderectomy
http://www.gstwin.com/fenderectomy.htm

It really will help clean up the look, and it was easy..even I did it   And if that isn'e enough, consider getting some short stalk turn signals for the back.

[xcsx]

Nice!! Well, I wouldn't call myself a rider yet, but I'll add myself to the map..  

I did see the fender and tail mods.. All of them improve the appearance by leaps and bounds..

However, looks are not the only thing I am looking to change, but height as well.. Just looking for the right direction..

[Phaedrus]

My inseam isn't much longer than yours, I think 32 (been a while since I bought pants haha). But I bet if you got some good riding boots with heels on them, you should be fine. I can flat foot on the GS with BOTH feet with my boots on, and they are just leather logging boots. So if you can flat foot with one foot and touch/balance with the other, you should be cool.

Also, have you been on..

www.ride-ny.com

..yet? It is NOT as good as this forum, but it is cool to find out about local riding events and find other locals to ride with, ask local questions about, etc. But as far as the GS goes, this is THE place hands down.  

[aaronstj]

He's already decided on a GS... he's gonna take the MSF... he searches... perfect noob?

[xcsx]

He's already decided on a GS... he's gonna take the MSF... he searches... perfect noob?

Let's not forget correct spelling and proper grammar..  

I've had to deal with my fair share of forum n00bs, trust me.. I am coming from (and still am in) the car/autocross scene.. Try dealing with ricer n00bs, thats the worst..  :x

Anyone else with tail swap info??

[starwalt]

Anybody else catch the write up of the Bandit 650s (Canadian market) in the Oct. 05 issue of Sport Rider?

The seat has adjustable blocks to raise or lower it in relation to the pan! That would be a great aftermarket idea for ANY bike.

[xcsx]

Bump..

Anyone else with seat options for the new model GS's??
Any info would be greatly appreciated..  

[Roadstergal]

Anyone else with seat options for the new model GS's??

http://www.gstwins.com/forum/viewtopic.php?t=22137

[buzz]

Nothing to add about the seat conversion, but I am 5' 8" with a 30" inseam. I should have been 6ft, but I have legs of a 5' 4" man.    I have found a good set of boots will cure the tip toes issue.

[xcsx]

I might have to try the R6 tail swap.. Looks interesting.. Although, it also looks like it is done on a earlier model GS.. I would like to see pics of that mod on a newer, full faring GS..

Anyone know what model year the R6 tails are from?? I was also seeing people talking about using an Airtech R6 tail, which looks slick.. But, once again, I would need to know which model year tail to get..  :dunno:

Of course, if I did this, I would take a bunch of pics and post them here to help future noobs..