Your Best Mod

[Villager]

So, I've now resprayed my GS from red to black, and replaced the dented tank (pics to follow). It looks ace, and I've added heated grips. I was thinking that I would sell it on this summer for something bigger, but the more I see it shimmering away, and the more I ride it, the more I love it. So it stays. But I want more. I really enjoy working on my car and bike, although my skills are limited, it's a nice way to learn. It would be nice if people suggested one or two really good mods that I could tackle.

What's the single best thing you've done to your GS? If you can comment on the benefits / difficulty / cost involved / provide links that would be great.

[bucks1605]

So far my favorite mod, performance wise, was the upgrade of the front springs. For a small cost you can greatly improve the ride and handling of your bike. Plus no more bottoming out! You can get Progressive springs for around $60 I believe. Or you can get a straight rate spring such as Sonic or Race Tech for around $100. Those prices aren't exact, just a ballpark.  Also upgrading the rear shock to a kat600 was right there with it.

[Villager]

I like those prices.

"bottoming out"?

[darb85]

hitting the bottom of the suspension, the end of travel.

Front fork springs, and rear shock for sure

I went to a Kat front end, and while its not toally done, i took it for a quick jaunt yesterday and braking is much improved. 

14t sproket up front changes the bike completly. 

[Teek]

I can't weigh in on carbs yet, they're still off of the bike waiting for a part, but definitely if I only had one thing to do, it would be the fork springs, they are terrible! If you're light in weight, you can get by on the stock shock, but the Katana helps match the suspension front to back.
I also agree a sprocket change, to a 15 or a 14, is a cheap, easy to do, and effective mod.

[Jay_wolf]

Best Mod .. Katana Front End Which had progressives and HH pads.. It counts as one ... makes the bike handle so much better  £120
Second Rejet for The Lunchbox and Predetor Exhaust       Dont want to melt the engine  £10
Third  Lunch box  It Growls  £50!
Forth  Predetor Full Exhaust  £0 Came with the 2001
Fifth    Hagon Racing Rear Shock  £40 Ebay        There worth £250
Sixth  Katana 4.5 Rim with 160 tire  £30 Ebay

[RyanClarke]

I actually just posted about this.  I installed the Kat shock and rear wheel with a 160 tire and a 14t sprocket.  The sprocket makes the bike pull so much harder in all gears.  For the cost and quickness gained there is no better mod IMHO.  Pulls more like an SV650 I must say.  It feels great and I would be out riding right now but I picked my bike up from the shop when it was 50 degrees out and an hour later it was snowing here in Colorado.  Just my luck...

[Jay_wolf]

The sprocket is a good one for acc , but u effectivly *loose* a gear

[lnb001]

As far as getting the most performance for your money, the springs were my favorite upgrade.  Moderately easy to do and only costs $100 including fork oil.  On the down side I had to buy my first torque wrench which was $70, but I will get a lot of use out of it.  My new exhaust set me back some and really there is just a difference in the noise and a slight difference in performance.

-Lucas

[ben2go]

I have an 89 here is a list of my mods.

bigger 04GS fuel tank-clymer manual for install
94 carbs rejeted 40-150-1 washer http://gstwin.com/rejet.htm
1/5 turn sv650 throttle-clymer manual for install
95 katana front end http://gstwins.com/gsboard/index.php?topic=13673.0
97 katana rear shock-clymer manual for install
ebc hh front and rear brake pads-clymer manual for install
K&N lunch box air filter RU2970  http://cgi.stanford.edu/~sanjayd/gs500/Upgrades/AirFilter
K&N valve cover filter 62-1320-see link for air filter
cbr front pegs-http://cgi.stanford.edu/~sanjayd/gs500/Upgrades/Pegs
targa upper fairing and chin spoiler-i had to improvise on this
bandit600 4.5 rear wheel http://gstwins.com/gsboard/index.php?topic=27757.0
shinko tires 120-60-17 front 160-60-17 rear
99 Clear Alternatives Yamaha R1 tail light-install same as factory light
buell signals-install same as factory
After market aero rectangular mirrors-install same as factory
stainless steel brake lines-used clymer manual for install
EBC SV650 clutch friction disc-used Clymer manual for install
Barnett SV650 clutch springs-used clymer manual for install
Bob Broussard ignition rotor-used clymer manual for install
petcock mod to use no vacuum-http://gstwins.com/gsboard/index.php?topic=19363.0
clear fuel filter-cut line between fuel valve and carbs and install
98 GSXR bar ends-screw into end of factory clip ons
Air Tech Solo tail-don't have a link for this one-it simple screws or rivits to the bottom of the seat
6 LED gear indicator made by myself with guidance from here and Wiki-http://gstwins.com/gsboard/index.php?topic=15563.0/-I also make these to sell
Bandit400 front fender-clymer manual


I have done so much to my bike i'm sur I forgot some things.

[Ronin]

It's coming..It's almost here.  Pictures next week! 

[philward]

Performance: lunchbox and rejet.
Cosmetic: taking those fairings off.

[Jay_wolf]

My 2001 Has

Katana Front End      Dgyvers Help                   £120
Acewell Speedo        Myself                             £80
Stainless Lines Front And Back       Myself          £30 
K and N Lunch Box     Gstwin/ Wiki                   £50
Predetor Exhaust        Me                               £330           Came with the bike
Katana 4.5  Rim          Gstwin/ Turd                 £30
Uni Belly Pan               Me                              £30
Fsd Undertray             Me                              £110
New Blue Bolts           Me                               £30
Hagon Shock              Me                              £40
Baby Plate                 Me                               £5
Rejet                        Gstwin                          £10
Bandit Rear Hugger     Pablos Site                     £18
Bt45 160                   Gstwin/Turd                  Came with Wheel 

Thats what i can think off for now

[galahs]

1. Front Springs (Sonic Springs 0.85kg/mm)


The first mod I would recommend to any GS owner with stock front suspension. Better handling, no more dangerous diving under braking and no more bottoming out.



2. Philips X-treme Power 80% + H4 headlight globe

If you're going to do any night riding away from streetlights, I highly recommend this as the stock globe just doesn't cut it.

[frankieG]

my woodcraft rear sets

[GSRider]

Suspension all the way around - whether you go with a Kat shock, or Penske or Works.

Second best mod I ever did was the handlebars. Changing them out to situate your body over the front wheel a little more while being more comfortable all at the same time.

And though not really a mod, Pirelli Sport Demons - they are like glue with decent tire life.

[Jim Knopf]

servus,

USD-fork from the rgv250 with 3,5x17 rim and 120/70-17

bandit600 swingarm with 4,5x17 rim and 160/60-17

[seamax]

6 LED gear indicator made by myself with guidance from here and Wiki-http://gstwins.com/gsboard/index.php?topic=15563.0/-I also make these to sell

Any pics of this and how much?

[pbureau69]

usefull mods:
-----------------
Progressive springs in Front Forks
Front and Back EBC HH Brake Pads (nice!!)
K&N Filter in air box
Stebel Air Horn = > http://www.longcoeur.com/Motorcycle/technotes/videos/stebelhorn.wmv

cosmetic mods:
-------------------
LED Tailight w integrated turn signals => http://www.longcoeur.com/Motorcycle/technotes/videos/Interated_tailight_led.wmv

Flashing brake leds => http://www.longcoeur.com/Motorcycle/technotes/videos/flash%20tailight%20leds.wmv

Led in Guages = > http://www.longcoeur.com/Motorcycle/technotes/videos/Led_guages_GS500F.wmv

coming up:
----------------
Topcase rack + topcase and/or 2nd'up back support (awaiting reception)
Sv650  Rear Shock (awaiting reception)
Additional "lighting sources" (received need installing)
inner/under body "leds" (received need installing)
HID Headlight system (received need installing)
Clubman Handlebars (received need installing)
Katana Rear Wheel (on bid...)

[Tang]

get pictures of that Katana Rear wheel i want to see how that looks