Upgrades

[z315]

I have a stock 04 GS500. Roughly with a little more than 600 miles on it.
What would be a good upgrade path for the bike?

[Alphamazing]

Better suspension should be the first priority.

[nick_villan]

y do u recomed suspention first ?

[Alphamazing]

y do u recomed suspention first ?

Being able to handle the bike is far more important than power. The GS has more than enough power to overcome the stock suspension, and proper suspension adjustment makes far more difference than a power increase.

[Phaedrus]

Well, sicne you mentioned "upgrade path", it makes me wonder..what path do you want to take it down?

I mean, the GS is very versatile. If you want to go for a sport path:

- When your tires wear out, replace them with some *Pirelli Sport Demons*
- Upgrade your suspension. Popular choice is *Progressive springs*
- Get a 15 tooth sprocket* (gives you more oomph)
- More sporty handlebars, like SM SV650 bars* or srinath bars*
- Rejet (dynojet*) and upgrade air filter (K&N lunchbox*)
- Exhaust (such as Wileyco*, Laser*, Vance and Hines*, Jardine*, etc)

Or you could take more of a sport touring path..

- Zero gravity sport touring windscreen*
- Tourmaster Sport Saddle bags*
- 17 tooth sprocket*
- handlebar risers* and throttle lock* for cruising

The * indicates good search terms for more information. There are a TON of things you can do....but the question is, what do you want it to do? 

Personally, I'd enjoy the bike for a while - get the hang of riding. Upgrade the RIDER, and THEN the bike. 

edited to include exhaust mod, per Teflon Nick. 

[nick_villan]

sweet Phaedrus u made almost the perfect list, ur just missing an exhaust system. What does upgrading the suspention do? does it make the bike take curves better? or somtehing like that?

[dracflamloc]

When turning alot of outward force gets applied to the shocks. As that force increases (sharper turns, faster turns, etc), the shocks compress from the force of the turn. If the shocks are too soft then they will compress all the way or at least give you a very floaty feeling.

[blue05twin]

Ok dumb question does the stock springs need to be changed for a 105 lbs. rider?  My wife is probally about 110 to 115 in full gear.

[scratch]

No.  Unless she's racing, or doesn't feel that the stock springs/forks/shocks are doing enough for her.  I'm a 125 and I switched back to the stock springs, but I also ride in the rain alot (you want softer for the rain/wet conditions).  See here for suspension: www.peterverdonedesigns.com/introduction.htm

As you can see, sag is the most important thing to set on your bike to be suited to YOU (again, I have more sag, because I ride in the rain, to maintain traction/contact with the road).  There's still a wealth of information here if you search "suspension", too.

[nick_villan]

hey i weight 140, should i bother to cahnge the suspention ?. ohh ya my nieghrbor who owns a body shop is charging me 100 to put the sprocket on, is he screwing me ?

[My Name Is Dave]

hey i weight 140, should i bother to cahnge the suspention ?. ohh ya my nieghrbor who owns a body shop is charging me 100 to put the sprocket on, is he screwing me ?

Search, Nicky. You'll find so much info on suspension upgrades that your head will spin.

And yeah, that's a f%$king rip. From what I've read, it takes hardly any time to do yourself. Don't pay $100 to get it done. Search for more info and do it yourself.

Dave

[scratch]

Does the bike have the proper sag with you on it now?  If so, don't change it.
http://gstwins.com/gsboard/index.php?topic=18692.msg170413#msg170413

[12thmonkey]

but I also ride in the rain alot

Why does it rain in a place called "Sunnyvale?"

[Phaedrus]

Nick - if you pay $100 for someone to install the front sprocket, I am going to come down there and kick you in the ass. And I'm bringing My Name Is Dave with me    I am sure you can do it yourself, just make sure you do it right and safe.  There are step by step directions with photos on how to do this in the GS500 FAQ in the "Performance and Suspension Modifications" section. 

[nick_villan]

are u sure, i thinl im mecanically inept. I mean im engine smart and all, but i just dont trust my own work.

[My Name Is Dave]

are u sure, i thinl im mecanically inept. I mean im engine smart and all, but i just dont trust my own work.

Jesus Christ, Nick. Inept? You never stop surprising me.


I think you're adept enough to do it. Well, the comment about not trusting your own works scares me. But you can do it.


"Inept" is my word of the day!

Dave

[nick_villan]

hey i can do a bunch of shaZam!, working on my own engines scars me a lil. i dont want to be straded on the highway or not able to make it to work cause i fuked up my engine

[My Name Is Dave]

hey i can do a bunch of shaZam!, working on my own engines scars me a lil. i dont want to be straded on the highway or not able to make it to work cause i fuked up my engine

I know, dude. You can do this. You don't crack open the case or anything, so you're (most likely) not gonna f%$k anything up. Find someone who has done the mod (search for it...), and ask them. It's not a huge ordeal, I swear.

Dave

[nick_villan]

aight bro im trusting ya, and i dont have to change the chain do i?

[My Name Is Dave]

aight bro im trusting ya, and i dont have to change the chain do i?

If you go 1 down in front? No. 2 down? Maybe.

However, I think it would be advisable. While I can't be certain, I think you'd want to put a new chain on with a new sprocket. But, I'll let you search to figure that out.