mid-sets ?

[mr72]

After finally being able to ride, I think I might prefer moving the footpegs forward and downward so there is not as severe of a knee bend. I'm getting pain in my knees after 30-60 minute rides.

I see people swapping different rearsets on GS500s but what about more forward foot controls? I think I'd really like to move the pegs forward 3-4 inches and down 1-2 inches. My google-fu is not good enough to produce the right results on how to pull this off. Anyone have clues of where I might find midsets or whether I can yank them from another bike? GS450 maybe?

[Watcher]

You could always raise the seat with a pad for a decreased knee bend.  It'll probably be cheaper than peg sets and will benefit your butt as well!

[mr72]

Good idea Watcher. Or maybe even just add more dense foam on the seat and re-upholster it.

[qcbaker]

Good idea Watcher. Or maybe even just add more dense foam on the seat and re-upholster it.

How many more mods do you plan to do to your seat? lol

But yeah, I think a seat pad or custom seat is probably a better option than different pegs and foot controls

[Watcher]

Well, aside from highway pegs for the fronts I typically only see "rear sets" on the market.  The factory pegs aren't rear-set, they're basically right below you, so any rear-set is going to make the knee bend tighter.

Plus you have to contend with the shifter.  Since it's not on a linkage from the factory moving the pegs forward without a solution to moving the shifter is really going to crowd your foot.

[mr72]

Well, aside from highway pegs for the fronts I typically only see "rear sets" on the market.  The factory pegs aren't rear-set, they're basically right below you, so any rear-set is going to make the knee bend tighter.

Yes, this is what I have found. Some other standard bikes have mid-set controls as an option (Triumph, etc.) but nothing I can find for a GS.

Plus you have to contend with the shifter.  Since it's not on a linkage from the factory moving the pegs forward without a solution to moving the shifter is really going to crowd your foot.

Yeah I figured I'd have to use a rear-set type shifter arrangement with a shift rod and heim joints to reverse the pattern and relocate the shifter.

The factory pegs sure feel "rear set" since they are too far back to stand up on them. But as I do the math in my head it seems that to keep my knees from being bent just as far moving the pegs forward would require me to move them down quite a lot, maybe too much. Maybe I'll try and dig up a salvage seat base so I can try to build a taller seat.

[Bluesmudge]

For comfort, moving the pegs down is more important than moving them forward. Knight Designs makes a lowered peg for the GS500.

My solution was to switch to CBR rearsets (search forum, one of the holes just needs to be reamed out to fit) and then buy cheaper ebay lowering pegs for those rearsets. At some point I want to find a shorter shift linkage so that I could make some plates to move them forward and down.

[mr72]

For comfort, moving the pegs down is more important than moving them forward. Knight Designs makes a lowered peg for the GS500.

Yeah, I agree. IIRC that lowered peg is pretty expensive. OTOH it should be kind of simple to make a lowered peg, especially if I can get someone to weld it up for me.

My solution was to switch to CBR rearsets (search forum, one of the holes just needs to be reamed out to fit) and then buy cheaper ebay lowering pegs for those rearsets.

That's a really good idea! I may check into that!