Why do you modify you GS500

[Cozzy]

No doubt, the GS500 is a good bike! It meant to be a simple realiable bike that takes you from A to B. I reckon can and fork spring other simple modification is needed.
And no douft the modifcation are awsome .Waned to do the front and rear end swap, wheel change, engine bore and other staff but need someone to convince me to put my hard earn money and weekends to start the project , I reckon with all that money I can get a more powerful bike like a GSX-R750 and I can also save alot of time.
Anyway, I need the GS500 the get me to work and then uni nearly everyday, no time to work on it just yet.

[manofthefield]

I'm like you, I can't justify doing most mods for the $$ I'd have to put into it.  It took me 2 years to get around to doing a rejet (still on stock air filter and pipe.)  And I'm not afraid of getting my hands dirty either.  I guess most of the time I'd rather ride that modify, and fix/ do maintenance when I have to.  I did do a few little inexpensive mods in the spring when I was out of work and really bored. 

I guess it's nice to have something that's a little different... AFAIK no one else on here has Duc Monster mirrors (not a highly recommended mod unless you really like the look... ask me why)

[cagedbunny]

The question has an obvious answer to anyone who is an enthusiast; because we want to.  It's like asking,  "Why buy and modify a Volkswagen, when you can just buy a Porsche?"  Some people would rather have something unique, then something ultimately faster or better performing.  Just my opinion though   

[Cozzy]

  Alright mate, point taken.

Still, don't have the time and money to start modify it yet, no doubt UNIQUE is the reason for modifying a bike.

[Queso]

The only reason I modified mine was to make it a tad bit faster. It's been months since I've done any modifications to it, and I'm still very happy with it's performance. I'll have this bike for a while, long as it still runs It's also my main mode of transport, as I hate taking the car anywhere because of traffic. So the little speed boost I got from the mods made it a great little ride for zipping around town on.

[RedShift]

Good question Cozzy.  Me thinks there are a million answers.

I have only dabbled with a few changes from stock; Flyscreen (to add a bit of wind deflection), a taller front sprocket (to let me run comfortably in 3rd at 30 MPH) and an all-LED dash (for bling and so I don't have to replace on of those dash bulbs every 8-12 months).  Other mods like Progressive Springs make obvious sense.

But to do radical surgury to boost power or performance?  Do it if you like to learn how or like the challenge.  For me, I'd rather buy a different motorcycle life form that better fits what I'm looking for.  (I'm probably lazy, but seems to be the easier route.)

[bubba zanetti]

A few of my mods were just for apperance or because I wanted to mod it. Then theres performance mods to make the bike a little bit more comfortable & fun to ride.

BTW I also usually mod the crap out of my cars as well so maybe it's a sickness.  

[Alphamazing]

Most of my mods were simply to correct the items that Suzuki cheaped out on from the factory. Suspension, lean jetting, ugly F model fairings, odd design lines, rear wheel.

[hmmmnz]

meh, what else ya gunna do when your bored, its as good as an excuse as any to not to talk to the girlfriend

[pandy]

meh, what else ya gunna do when your bored

Ride? I'd rather ride than tinker!   

[hmmmnz]

lol, yep, what about when its dark, or raining , or snowing, or american idle is on tv. there is always time to tinker, and you can't ride 24 hours a day.
just my oppinion of course, and i do spend more time riding than modding, but i think its quite therapeutic working on bikes.

[galahs]

Front Springs - because the original ones are crap and nbot up to the task for even normal riding. Aids performance!

Exhaust - Because the stock one is too restrictive and not loud enough for many's tates. Aids performance!

Air intake - Too restrictive and too quiet. Aids performance!

Jets - Current ones are too lean and plus this needs to be done if you improve the exhaust or intake.

Fenderectomy - Pure Squid and slight weight saving. No other reason.

[cafeboy]

ME I MOD. EVERY THING JUST BECAUSE. IF THE FACTORY WOULD HAVE ASKED ME THE RIGHT WAY TO BUILD IT THEN I WOULD NOT HAVE TO FIX IT AND I JUST LOVE MAKING THINGS ALL MINE 

[scratch]

I've been saving this little tidbit on my harddrive for a long time:

Did you buy the bike solely for the reason of modifying it?  If modifications are the motivation for purchasing a bike, wouldn't you purchase a bike that has a large aftermarket for it?  Or, are you into the "challenge" of modifying, or finding modifications for a given bike?

[Wrecent_Wryder]

Ij7

[RedShift]

meh, what else ya gunna do when your bored, its as good as an excuse as any to not to talk to the girlfriend

All I can say is, "Good think your GF doesn't review your posts in this forum."   

[Cozzy]

guys i am confirmed my bike is half a lemmon, should i start to modify it or save up for another bike.

what to built a unique bike, but not sure if i have the determination to carry on the projects.

if I start the projcet i want to do it properly.

1. twin disk front fork.
2. a better swing arm, thinking about a single side.
3. bore the engine, exhaust and jet kit.
4. rear set.
5. overhaul the electric wiring, re-wire the whole bike.
6. kill the rust on the frame.
7. upgrade the cooling system

anyway, I need the get another bike for sure, if i start the project i will get a crappy bike to ride around, if i don't i will sell my GS and buy a better bike.

[RiderX]

It a chemical inbalance I'm sure of it... 

Well in my case anyway...

If the bike were my daily driver - I would be doing very little in the way of mods. (or rebuilding... ) I'm the tinkering kind of person though. Major rebuild projects or modifications are a good escape for me, and they tend to make me enjoy the time I spend riding all the more. Tinkering is just something that's in your blood, I grew up knee deep in Jeep CJ parts, walking through junk yards and weilding air tools at an early age. I grew up and got an office job, now the need to work with my hands is even more. It's some odd need that you just have to do... hard to ecplain to those who aren't of the tinkering inclination...

[Jughead]

It a chemical inbalance I'm sure of it... 

Well in my case anyway...

If the bike were my daily driver - I would be doing very little in the way of mods. (or rebuilding... ) I'm the tinkering kind of person though. Major rebuild projects or modifications are a good escape for me, and they tend to make me enjoy the time I spend riding all the more. Tinkering is just something that's in your blood, I grew up knee deep in Jeep CJ parts, walking through junk yards and weilding air tools at an early age. I grew up and got an office job, now the need to work with my hands is even more. It's some odd need that you just have to do... hard to ecplain to those who aren't of the tinkering inclination...

It's not a Chemical Inbalance for me.I think it's Bipolar Disorder or Terets Syndrome or Possibly ADD.F%^@ What was I talking About?  I've only bought a couple of bikes in my Life that I haven't found a purpose for modifying.Like Riderx I love to Tinker when I get the time.I grew up a Farm Boy so I was Always Tearing into some sort of Equipment fixing or Making better.

[Wondertwin]

Most of my "mods" involve fixing broken or neglected things on the bike whilst spending a minimum of money on the precess.  This pretty much rules out purchasing "standard" parts!