modify or buy up?

[jrsgs5f]

what's going on all?

how much performance can i really get out of an 07 gs500f?  is it worth a 350 dollar exhaust and air boxes?  i really enjoy the ride of the bike.  My only real complaint is the soft front fork and lack of power.  I rode a while with the stock gearing.  It was alright, but i wanted to experiment a bit so i dropped two teeth in the front to see what it would be like.  I like it for in town riding.  speed up real quick, slow down real quick. but i really want some top end too.  any suggestions? 

thanks
james.

[jserio]

if you bought a GS for speed, you bought the wrong bike.

[Jarrett]

Depends on what kinda riding you do most and how much money you have to spend.  The GS is a great bike, as you know, and the most simple mods change the feel of the bike dramatically.  Replacing the springs will change the feel of the bike for the better.  I think that is the first mod anyone should do.  The bike feels more stable and more safe all together.  beyond that, the sky is the limit.  You can take it as far as you want, or you can just buy up.  It really is up to you.  I remember when I use to have a car, truck, and bike.  Waking up and picking a vehicle to drive was a great feeling.  I'd like to get that same feeling again with bikes.  I'd keep the GS and get a BIG bike if money and space allow.

UPDATE:  I no longer drive the GS daily and life is so much better.  I forgot how great it felt to show up to work dry, warm, not soaked in sweat, and without fear of frostbite.  I haven't looked at a dopler radar in weeks.  That was a fun year and a half tho. 

[ohgood]

You want a firmer fork. Install progressive springs.


You want a 'faster' bike. Now faster is a often used word, easily confused.

Did you mean 'quicker' as in 0-60 or 'faster' as in top end greater than 100mph ?

You've already taken care of 0-60, and effectively killed your top end at the same time. If you want a crotch rocket, you've got the wrong bike. Get a r6, gsx-r, hayabusa or whatever. They're much faster in both respects.

Forget the simple and cheap fun on you have on the gs though. Those bikes will EAT a rear tire in a weekend. EAT a chain in a summer. EAT you, if you're not careful.


I'm not knocking your wishes , just keep in mind a moped can kill you (or worse maim you) at 30 MPH just as effectively as a hayabusa at 165.

[brett]

In general, I would say suspension mods are worth it for the GS but horsepower mods are not. No matter what you do to the engine, the GS is never going to have power like an SV650, let alone a 600 supersport or anything else more powerful. Fix up the suspension to your liking, ride the GS for a while, and then potentially buy up.

[yamahonkawazuki]

punch teh exhaust, jet carbs for it and a k&n lunchbox. also instead of two down in front, try just 1. . i dont know how alrge of a person you are, BUT im 5'11" and 170 and those mods, ( along with the fork springs kept me happy for quite a long time

[bigdaub]

what kind of performance are you looking for?

i would say for street riding the gs is great, it'll out gun almost all cars on the road, but it's weak compared to other street bikes.

the suspension mod is a must.

[badguy]

You've already taken care of 0-60, and effectively killed your top end at the same time.

I doubt that, unless he's hitting redline in 6th gear.  If you can prove otherwise (that the GS is not power limited up top but is rev limited) then I'll mail you a few cookies...

As for the original poster:  I sorta agree with brett - improve the suspension with some progressive rate springs, or even better, recetech or sonic springs; it makes a big difference.  I'm not sure how much an exhaust will help with power, but rejetting will help a little.  I'm not sure it'll give you much more top end, but it should be a noticeable difference.  The exhaust is mainly for sound in my opinion.

[SmartDrug]

2008 Triumph Street Triple... that is all.

[lowcountrygs]

2008 Triumph Street Triple... that is all.

Been drooling over that bike since I first saw it 

[The Buddha]

if you bought a GS for speed, you bought the wrong bike.

Yea, for speed or for looks, nothing matches the Polini.
The bigger you are, like 300lb + or 6 ft + its the polini for you.
Cool.
Srinath.

[Zack]

Put some Sonic .90 straight-rate springs in front. I am SO happy with them. Haven't bottomed-out since!

[characterPi]

I was also wondering the same thing after I got very comfortable riding.

I was increasingly looking at making it more sporty, but the money I would be putting into it, I could just spend on an older model 600cc sportbike that comes with all the goodies I wanted - fully adjustable suspension, adjustable rearset, bigger wheels/tire selection, clip-ons, power. A bike designed for sport riding.


For me, I just bought a sportbike and got the whole package. Although I wish smaller sportbikes were better available here. The size and weight of the gs is one of the things I like about it.

[pantablo]

In general, I would say suspension mods are worth it for the GS but horsepower mods are not. No matter what you do to the engine, the GS is never going to have power like an SV650, let alone a 600 supersport or anything else more powerful. Fix up the suspension to your liking, ride the GS for a while, and then potentially buy up.

^^ what he said.

[galahs]

Jets, K&N and exhaust give a touch more performance, but nothing to write home about.