gs500 dual sport

[Batalia]

Can a gs500 be converted to a dual sport bike?  Removing the street tires and adding dual sport tires?

[JeremyP]

better upgrade the suspension too!

[Batalia]

I've upgraded the front suspension with longer progressive springs and the 650 rear spring mod.  Feels harder on the and I can image it will kill you going off road but I want the bike to be able to go offroad on wood trails or sand.  Nothing heavy duty that a dirt bike would be needed.

[ben2go]

The GS is kind of heavy and will sink up in loose terrain.The suspension does not have enough travel to go off road and will bottom out frequently.I've upgraded my suspension also and just riding down a gravel road makes the GS feel really unstable.I would really consider a purpose built dual sport.

[sledge]

The GS was never designed for the rough stuff, even with suspension upgrades and off-road tyres. Think about the exhaust pipe, centerstand, sump and oil-filter housing. They wont last long when the going gets tough.

[VSG]

And what about the torque/gearing?

I would imagine for off-road use, you'd want more low end grunt.  If you're set on doing it, maybe get a smaller front sprocket?

[The Buddha]

Dual sports - OK then we'd be missing 2 sports. With it being a sport bike atleast its only missing 1 sport. 
Cool.
Buddha.

[scottpA_GS]

I would say that its not gonna work out, the GS is too big and heavy. But... If, BIG IF! You took off all the weight you could and beefed up the front and rear shocks added a 14-13 tooth front and change the rear, new rims and tires you may be able to ride it in minor off road situations.

For the most part, a designated "street trail" or "dual sport" weighs almost half that of the GS, sits MUCH higher than the GS and has suspension made for the dirt.

In short, the GS is too short, fat and slow for off road 

[makenzie71]

biggest problem is ride height and travel.  I happen to know that RM250 (I think mid 90's era) front ends will bolt up to the GS.  That will give you many more inches up front...and really a better performing front end.  The swingarm needs to be longer.  A longer bike will be more stable in less than asphault conditions.  Extensions can be bought, but it's better to find a longer arm to put on or to get a solid stretched arm.  Look for a longer shock, too...dirtbike shocks are out, though, because they're usually in the vacinity of 18".  Late 90's CR125R shocks are 16", I think, and may work, but I make no promises.

What you need to keep in mind is that underthinking it can be troublesome and dangerous...knobbies does not a dual-sport make.

[510]

I guess that given enough time and money, just about anything is possible, although in this case you might have to replace a _majority_ of the bike.

With all that money you might as well buy a new DRZ 

[Teek]

Yeah, I vote for the DRZ as well. We had one in the family, it's a nice bike. So my .02 cents is make space in the garage and get a second bike, (it will be cheaper and safer in the long run) or just swap the GS for a DR-Z400SM, the supermoto version. As previously noted, the GS is just too heavy, too short, too fat, and too slow for dirt no matter what you do, I think even for fire roads, and if it falls on you it weighs a lot more than the DR-Z. Plus the stock DR-Z can get out of it's own way!   

http://www.suzukicycles.com/Products/DRZ400SMK8

[wreckhog]

I have a rutted 400' gravel driveway with a steep drop. In rain, it is an adventure with the GS. Bottoms out unless I am real careful. The little dirt bike that cost me less than 500? I power into and out of the ruts.

[qwertydude]

Sometimes I wish we had more of a bike choice here in the states like the Suzuki vanvan. This bike would make an awesome fun toy and short trip commuter. I'd say it's funfun.

http://www.motorbikestoday.com/reviews/Articles/suzuki_vanvan.htm

[Teek]

What a little honey, wow does it take me back to days of my youth with it's functional styling. I'd have one in my garage for quick putts to the library, but then having to fully gear up around here takes half the fun out of a moto for a short trip, dang it.