What mods should I do to my GS? ...for the track.

[jen_]

I am so excited, I just signed up for my first trackday!!

Trying to decide what I should do to my bike before taking it to the track.  My 2004 f is stock except for upgraded suspension (SV rear shock, progressive front springs) and SM2 handlebars.  My plastics are already scratched a bit so I'm not going to swap them out for track plastics.  I'm guessing tires should be a priority.  I have a Metzeler on the back with about 5000 miles, and a battleaxe (?) on the front with as least that many miles.  Should I just suck it up and put on pilot powers?  Or will I be such a noob on the track it won't matter?

The bike has the stock exhaust and hasn't been rejetted.  The money I was going to use on a Jardine exhaust went to pay for the trackday instead.  I was thinking about the 14-tooth front sprocket, but I am used to my bike geared the way it is, and maybe I shouldn't mess with it?

Brake lines?  Those $98 HEL lines look nice.  I'm thinking breaking will be important....

I still have to buy "gauntlet-style" gloves and a back protector.  Oh, and a gas can.  And I have to find a trailer.

[CirclesCenter]

Hmmm... I dunno about the progressives. I ride straight rate.

Anyways if you're happy with your suspension try for wider wheels and tires when you swap.

[Turd Ferguson]

Wow, you seem to have awesome priorities.  You make me feel bad about myself.  Your only mods are suspension related (pretty much) which is definitely smart, and instead of buying exhaust you used the money for a track day!  Jeez.

If you want to step up to race rubber, you'll likely need to swap rear wheels.  The Pilot Powers only come in 150's and up in the rear, thus requiring a wider rear wheel than stock.

Here's my tutorial for the rear wheel swap:  http://gstwins.com/gsboard/index.php?topic=25426.0

Everyone here seems really happy with the Pirelli Sport Demon's in the factory sizes.  I say get some Sport Demons, a stainless brake line, remove your fairing/headlight and go crazy!  No need for track plastics if you ask me.  If you remove your plastics for the track, you could try and find some case guards incase you go down.  Definitely an advisable move.

Good luck!

-Turd.

[NiceGuysFinishLast]

CASE GUARDS! Like Turd said. Drop the plastics, get case guards. Best $120 I ever spent. My bike did an end over end flip/sideways slide in my accident last week. Not a scratch on the tank/frame/anywhere important. WELL worth it.

[jen_]

Turd - You call yourself "Turd" but *I* make you feel bad about yourself?

You guys are hardcore.  Do you really ride 100 mph with no fairing--no wind protection?

[Turd Ferguson]

I removed the fairings on my GS500F PERMANENTLY.  Honestly, its not that big of a difference.  My pants flap a bit more in the wind (oh no!) and I get a bit more wind on my chest, but its hardly a big issue.

Who needs wind protection!?  Not the Turd, and you don't either!

-Turd.

[manofthefield]

+1 on case guards / frame sliders

then I'd go with SS front brake line


re tires:  As long as they are relatively new, I wouldn't worry about getting the latest and greatest for your first trackday... but what do I know, I haven't done one yet

[LimaXray]

You can get a set of OEM case gaurds from the dealer for $50... they're the gaurds that are discussed in the track section on the GSTwin website.  I'll be getting a set of those, as well as removing my plastics and my center stand

I just signed up for my first track day too... the only other thing that i'll be getting are rearsets because I'm constantly hitting my feet.  

I'm planning on going on stock rubber, is that a bad idea?  

[dgyver]

Remove any of your street stuff that you do not want to damage.

Personally, I do not like case guards as they limit ground clearance. First time at the track may be a safe decision.

Brakes will really make or break your confidence. Aggressive pads and s/s lines up front are must. I like to keep the rear brakes a little soft since they lock up too much.

Do not bother with the 14T sprocket. A 15T would be good if you have not already changed it.

I like to have sticky tires. A whole lot cheaper than bike repairs. Other will have better advise on stock sizes as the only ones I use (110/140) are BT090. But I am changing all my bikes to use 150's.

Out of all the money you plan on spending...the most important will be on your personal gear.

[jen_]

Thanks for all the advice so far, guys.  I just ordered some ss brakelines. 

[pantablo]

you dont need anything. if the bike is good enough for street duty in the canyons its good enough for the track. you arent going to be going that much faster than you do in the canyons, or shouldnt be anyway.

[jen_]

you dont need anything. if the bike is good enough for street duty in the canyons its good enough for the track. you arent going to be going that much faster than you do in the canyons, or shouldnt be anyway.

I hope that isn't completely true.  Lately in the canyons I've been battling with huge fear of blind corners, oncoming traffic, and crashed riders in the road in front of me.  Slowed me down quite a bit.

[werase643]

nakid bike is the way to go
remove all bodywork/tail plastic also/headlight/taillight/turnsignals/mirrors
if nothing else it will make 100 feel like 130+
duct tape anything that moves


i second the b-stones....and they are affordable and they fit the rims!!!!!!  nothing like a set of sticky tars!!!!!!!!!!

I like the case guards...best 50-60 spent....cheaper than anything you scratch/break laying it over and dragging down the track
I also lean WAY off the bike....therefore the bike doesn't lean as far

15T  is good for most tracks.....really small tracks...less than 1.5 mile probably would do better with a 14T

have fun,
BRING LOTS of WATER!!!!!!!!!!!
dehydration will kick your ass

[TarzanBoy]

Stainless steel lines on a GS are useless (in my opinion).   The only way to get decent peformance from the front brake is to swap out the front for something with 2 discs, 2 calipers, and a fat-daddy master cylinder.

As for riding 100mph without a fairing....   dude, the gimpy GS500 windscreen and fairing offfers very little in the way of a boundary layer of air.  Turd is right, there isn't much of a difference at that speed on a GS.  Ride a 600 bike with a double-bubble and you'll marvel at the difference.  ( a windscreen that actually screens the wind?  brilliant!)

[Alphamazing]

Here's what I did to track prep my GS. Note, I have a beat up tank from my fist track day that I use instead of my nice one.

Removed:
Tail plastics
tail light
turn signals
headlight
mirrors
gauges (replaced with a single tachometer)
SM2s (replaced with cheapy Bikemaster bars)
bar ends
tank (replaced with track tank)
license plate

Gauge set up:



I zip tied the end of my seat latch cable to the bungee net bars.

-Get a SS brake line. Now. You can get one from MAW for like, $34 shipped. This is a must-do upgrade. TarzanBoy doesn't know what he's talking about. The difference between stock and SS is night and day. SO much more control.
-The Suzuki OEM case gaurds have been discontinued for a long time now. If you can't find any, you might have to drop the buck and get the SW-Motech ones from www.twistedthrottle.com.
-Remove your plastics. Your bike tops out at around 120, MAYBE. Just tuck, the wind protection isn't that necessary.
-Sticky tires are absolutely amazing. Do a wheel swap if you have to, but sticky tires are hurrrrrrr.
-Get good gear. CE armor is a very nice feature. It absorbs impact much better than foam and stays in place better as well. 2 piece or one piece, doesn't really matter.

Ken (werase643) is right: BRING LOTS OF WATER. Seriously. If it's hot outside and you aren't sweating, you're probably dehydrated. Drink lots and lots of water. It helps you concentrate and relax more.

[werase643]

well then,
somebody other than Srinath needs to step up to the plate and make 10 sets of case guards.....
and see if they sell

hey mak you listening.....

[Turd Ferguson]

Stainless steel lines on a GS are useless (in my opinion).   The only way to get decent peformance from the front brake is to swap out the front for something with 2 discs, 2 calipers, and a fat-daddy master cylinder.

I guess I don't understand your logic here.  Because you can't afford a (needless) front end swap, don't even bother doing a worthwhile upgrade to your stock brakes? 

I don't follow...

-Turd.

[rangerbrown]

EBC HH pads are kick ass. 0 fade and you can lock the front up under heavy brakeing.

if your good you can out brake others into the cornner and then walk away in the cornner. and this will keep you lead (on short straits) for the next turn.\\


sorry for  the dig