HP & speed upgrades

[ghostrider_23]

Just wondering.

What type of horsepower and speed could one get after upgrading to a performance muffler, rejet the carb, and new lunchbox air cleaner.

Of those of you who have done this, was it worth it and can you notice the difference?

[mister]

You don't buy a GS500 to chase HP. If you want more HP, buy a different bike. 

Michael

[gregvhen]

If I had like 5 bucks for every time someone has asked this questio and gotten that response I could pay off these speeding tickets I have pending right now and buy a faster bike.....twice.

[Big Rich]

Just wondering.

What type of horsepower and speed could one get after upgrading to a performance muffler, rejet the carb, and new lunchbox air cleaner.

Of those of you who have done this, was it worth it and can you notice the difference?

I think it was Buddha that said something to this effect: "You might gain 1 hp doing the basic bolt on mods. There is no huge increase in useable power, much it smooths out the power delivery that is already there"

Buddha, if I'm wrong on this feel free to correct me.

[ghostrider_23]

Buddha,

Sounds like a "wiseman"

I ask this question because I have read alot about do this mod, change this part and was wondering the gains.

Being new to the GS and this forum I have not ran accross this info before, so I thought I would ask.

[gsJack]

Just wondering.

What type of horsepower and speed could one get after upgrading to a performance muffler, rejet the carb, and new lunchbox air cleaner.

Of those of you who have done this, was it worth it and can you notice the difference?

http://gstwins.com/gsboard/index.php?topic=45924.msg515200#msg515200

[Affschnozel]

Anywhere near 45hp for a 500cc twin engine (487cc in case of the GS ) is pretty good, stock GS is 39-42hp so it's close, jetting+exhaust will get you there.

Stock GS 0-60 in ~4 + sec
Top speed 115mph
Not too bad ,the GS's strength is in it's agility/maneuverability mostly and being a good sporting platform, small suspension upgrades are more rewarding than a couple of hp's IMO 

[noiseguy]

Frankly, I think the $$$ is better spent upgrading the stock suspension and brakes. 

Main reason to run pods, in my mind, is to make the carbs easier to remove on a racebike. I'm not a fan.

Get the basic Buddha upjet for the stock airbox, and check your valves.

Moving up the ignition timing 5 degrees was a nice change on my bike. That's a free change.

[JAY W]

Should make it a bit more responsive,stock silencer is pretty hefty compared to most race cans.

[5thAve]

Although it won't add power, the best mod will add lots of SPEED. I'm talking about upgradng your own skills. Witness this recent thread:

http://gstwins.com/gsboard/index.php?topic=55694.msg631473;topicseen#msg631473

[KlaXon]

Moving up the ignition timing 5 degrees was a nice change on my bike. That's a free change.

Can you tell about this mod something more? What changes you noticed and how to do that?

[burning1]

It's better to upgrade the rider. I regularly chase down and pass bikes with 2-3 times the horsepower at the track.

[jeffdodge]

The timing advance is in the wiki. Best thing I have done for my bike short of upgrading the front springs and brakes. The advanced timing seems to give the bike more power down low, where it needed it most.

If you have basic mechanical skills you can do it no problem.

[mister]

Everyone is forgetting the two most important mods...

1 - removing tank idiot stickers adds 5hp
2 - using full cream milk in the handlebars; powdered milks just does't cut it.

[cd]

put an ex650 or sv650 engine in the bike if you want more hp

[burning1]

Why not also swap in the SV650 frame, shock, forks, electronics, swingarm, wheels... etc... etc... etc...? A big bike is a better platform for a big engine.

The main benefit of the GS is it's ubiquity, simplicity, cost, and balance. When you start throwing it far out of balance with crazy modifications and major upgrades, you kill all of it's benefits.

[ghostrider_23]

Affschnozel

thank you. This was the answer I was looking for. So if I am getting what everyone is saying:

muffler makes the bike sound better
air box or cleaner make the engine breath better
Spockets give you either more take off torque or lower RPM at high speeds

So spend my money on upgrading the brakes and suspension.

OK, good tip

[burning1]

Suspension is definitely the weakest point of the GS. If you're interested in brake and suspension upgrades, check out my threads in the for sale section. I have race quality upgrades for both.

[Cosimo_Zaretti]

Horsepower's probably the only aspect of my GS I never thought needed upgrading. The suspension was a bad joke when I got it and the brakes aren't really up to the job.  Preload shims, 15w fork oil and a new set of sport demons tranformed into something that wanted to be thrown around. It still requires my full attention in a hard downhill E stop and I may be overhauling these 16 year old brakes fairly soon. 

I probably will put a higher flow exhaust and filter on at some point with the jetting to match, but only because I need a new muffler and the carbs could do with a rebuild. May as well get things flowing a bit better while I'm in there. 

[fraze11]

This is a good HP and speed upgrade