Anyone put on Gimbel rear sets? Got it done today! Yea!

[adidasguy]

If they were in the same place as the factory pegs, then, yes - they thin your wallet and make your bike prettier. After all, a lot of what we do to our bikes is for appearance.

The Gimbel rear sets move your feet back about 4" and up about 2". That changes your riding position making it more race like. It forces you to lean forward more which is why you need clip-ons rather than the standard bars. In a way it is the opposite of why some people pit on handlebar risers. Or some people raise or lower the rear of the bike. You're changing the position of your hands, body and feet. You do that for a variety of reasons:
* so the bike fits you better. We're not all the same height
* you have hand, back or other injuries and find a different position more comfortable
* you prefer a different riding position (I hate GSXR's - TOO far forward and I hate cruisers - my feet belong below me, not out to the front)

You asked a valid question. One thing I did before I bought my GS500F was to sit on different bikes. The dealer had Suzuki, Honda, Yamaha and Kawasaki. I really felt at home on the GS500F. Given that, you can modify the bike to change the riding position just like different bikes feel different and one feels better to you than another.

I changed the '92 to be a sportier bike. The 2009 keeps the factory pegs because they are more comfortable for long rides. For tooling around the neighborhood and for having fun, the 92 with the Gimbel rear sets is my preference. I like the feel of the shifter on the Gimbel. I'm not sure why - it moves the same part on the bike. Maybe the added linkage makes for a different feel - I don't know but I like it better.

Overall I feel more a part of the bike with more responsive handling. Maybe because I'm a little closer to the bike because of leaning forward more. Not sure. It is different, It is fun. It is more playful.

For long trips - I'd get tired in that position. But that's just me. Some people prefer the prone position of a GSXR. That's too much for me. What I have seems right for me. That can change as I ride more and more. I have 2 GS500's with different styles and riding positions. I love both. Think of it as sports car ('92 with Gimbel's) for fun and SUV (the 2009 F) for long trips.

To be honest, I took a gamble. I didn't know what they would be like. The first day it was strange. As I learned the feet are back a little, I started to get the feel of the bike. Now I love it. Then I still love my other GS500 with standard pegs.

Glad you asked. Hopefully this helps.

[tt_four]

One of the main benefits to new rearsets is ground clearance. Foot pegs are usually the first part of the bike to hit the ground when you lean over, so lifting the pegs higher lets you lean a bike farther. It's a handling vs comfort thing.

Think of it like when you play baseball and your coach tells you to keep your feet shoulder width apart with a slight bend in your knees and elbows with your hands infront of you. It's puts you at more of a 'ready' stance. You could just stand there with your hands to your side and looking around at some butterflies, but if you're there and ready it'll have you ready to react a lot faster.

[rock_rebel]

I don't mean to be ignorant or rude, but what is the benefit of aftermarket rearsets except for making your wallet $300 lighter and looking really nice and sporty?
do they improve handling in any way?
is shifting easier?
is the grip better?
what about vibrations? aren't they worse than when using stock rubberized pegs?

It's a serious question. I really don't know the answer!

By the way, they really look nice 

They definitely look nice but I don't think they make a difference in terms of performance. They look lower, but does that really make a difference in riding position?

[centuryghost]

They definitely look nice but I don't think they make a difference in terms of performance. They look lower, but does that really make a difference in riding position?

They aren't lower, but higher and farther back. They add performance by giving more clearance while turning for racers. By having the pegs higher and farther back, they force the rider into a more prone position.

[kml.krk]

thanks for thoroughly answering my question. 

[gregvhen]

where did you get that chain guard?

[adidasguy]

try:
http://cgi.ebay.co.uk/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&item=130429857927

and
http://stores.ebay.co.uk/M-T-B

This guy:
http://shop.ebay.co.uk/hksy-teile/m.html?_nkw=gs500&_sacat=0&_odkw=&_osacat=0&_trksid=p3911.c0.m270.l1313

had one, too, which is in its way to me:
http://cgi.ebay.co.uk/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&item=200528432909&ssPageName=STRK:MEWNX:IT

[Suzuki Stevo]

never would have met another GS500 owner in my neighborhood if it weren't for this board. (Let's all update our profiles with our LOCATION   )

I am out by Seatac and have been known to put on a GS500 ride that goes over three mountain passes in one day (370+ miles), CAYUSE PASS SR123> CHINOOK PASS SR410> WHITE PASS US12. It encompasses both sides of the state, I may do it again Memorial Day 2011 when Chinook Pass opens up?







"Route 410 through Chinook Pass has been designated by the U.S. government as the Chinook Scenic Byway. It is considered to be one of the most beautiful routes in the United States. Because the summit is above the treeline, there are many places to park along the road to view the scenery"


 

[adidasguy]

Nice pictures. What a great ride! 

We'll have to meet up. centuryghost and grommett2k came over last weekend and we went for a ride to Vashon.
I go through your area often when going to RMC or Trader Joes.

We need a Seattle Area GS500 Club. 

[Suzuki Stevo]

Nice pictures. What a great ride! 

We'll have to meet up. centuryghost and grommett2k came over last weekend and we went for a ride to Vashon.
I go through your area often when going to RMC or Trader Joes.

We need a Seattle Area GS500 Club. 

Thanx, and you will find grommett2k (Jason) in the far left taking a photo in this photo from the Fathers Day ride to Mt St Helens 2009