GS 500 for a large guy

[TurTur]

Hi there,

I wasn´t riding for a few years (I had an GS400, RD350 and XT600 before) but I had a chance to get an GS500E for a day, I really like the bike. Enough power for me and it`s handling is exceptional. So I want to buy one...

Now here`s the problem: I`m 188cm tall and would like to be the bike a little bit bigger. Does anybody have an idea about how to modify the bike for large skinny guys like me? I thought about changing the steering wheel, put it at least a little bit higher, or change it for an Enduro steering wheel (do you say wheel?  English is not my mother language), furthermore i thought about the foot bars, putting them backwards, but modificacions there seem to be expensive and the angle of my knees wouldn`t be very comfortable I guess.

Ideas?
Thanks in advance
Turby
www.schmidtgonzalez.com/adventure

[gsJack]

188 cm = 6'2" which is about what I was when I got my first GS500.  I added some GenMar risers to move the handlebars up and back.  There are some members here as tall as 6'4" = 193 cm.  Also there are SWMotech risers available now.

http://www.zianet.com/GenMar/

http://www.twistedthrottle.com/trade/productview/2016/218/

I've not moved my foot pegs.

[TurTur]

Thanks for the links 

I`ll go shopping then...

Even though... if there are other ideas dont hesitate posting, anybody uses special handle bars?
The one on that bike (beautyful BTW) http://gstwins.com/photogallery/displayimage.php?album=2&pos=0 isn`t the original one or is it?

[gsJack]

New handlebars are less costly than the risers.  There are all sizes and shapes available if you can figure out what you want.  Have you looked thru the Wiki for modifications.  Here's the section on handlebars:

http://cgi.stanford.edu/~sanjayd/gs500/Upgrades/Handlebars

Look thru the entire Wiki when you get time.  There are lots of good ideas there.

[Jay_wolf]

Im 6ft 3 ,  and i have Katana CLip ons mounted above the tripple , and i think its well comfy , dont get back aches or nout

[TurTur]

Thanks again guys,

I think the handlbar change is the best option for me. I live in Argentina and there is not so much special stuff available.  Probably the bes thing is to take the bike to the reseller for the handlebar and try to get the best configuration by try and error.
Obviously I have to have in mind the length of cables and atuff conected to the handlebar... any thoughts on that?

[gsJack]

That's one reason I chose the GenMar risers over new bars, they move the bars about as far as possible without any cable or wire changes.  Very easy to install.

[ohgood]

i've suffered being tall since i turned 14. guess i've gotten used to NOTHING fitting, door handles, car seats, chairs, couches, showers, pants, - nothing fits, it's all made for midgets. the gs is no exception. it's grown on me, and i've learned to lean into the wind and straighten my back to be comfortable.

sat on a vstrom a while back, and decided some risers are in order for more comfort. good luck !

[TurTur]

That sounds very familiar to me 
I got my actual height with 14 too, now i live in Argentina, nobody here is over 1,75 m and the biggest problem is to get shoes (they are produced and imported mostly up to 45 European). Ah... and in my car, nobody with legs can sit behind me.

If money wouldn´t be an issue I'd buy a Versys (cecause the front of the V-Strom is so ugly), but it would cost me a years income (it`s 12.800 US here), but it is... 

[beRto]

I'm 6' 3" and I find the stock GS500 pretty comfortable for casual riding. That being said, I could see how enhancements (new handlebars etc.) would help for long trips, or if it was used as a daily commuter.