New Rider, New to Me GS, Suspension/Tires questions

[jfoley]

Hey fellow GS'ers,

Just want to introduce myself and ask a few questions. I am a new rider from Philadelphia and a week ago I purchased a 2001 GS500E with 3200 miles on it. It hadnt been used much...at all. A few things need to be done:
-Oil change (I'll do this)
-Chain clean (I'll do this)
-New tires (originals are still on it, 10 years old...good tread, but probably a bit firm)

I had the local mechanic take it for a ride and he said everything seems good, could use new tires (duh) and much firmer fork oil. Owner of the shop suggested 30wt (seem heavy from what I'm reading). I am going to have the shop do the tires for sure, going to go with Bridgestone BT45s, seems like a popular tire of choice.

Now for suspension:
I weigh 170-175, probably 180-185 with gear on. I am just learning, I plan on doing no racing and just drive around the backroads and maybe will hit the highways in the future.

When driving the other day I bottomed out at least 3 times on the front suspension. When I brake downhill I feel the front end dip a ton and shake slightly. When I engine brake heavily downhill, I feel the rearend vibrate side to side quite a bit.

Can these things be fixed at all? I am thinking an immediate solution to the front end woes would be to add a heavier fork oil to the front. Like I said, mechanic said he can put it 30wt, seems drastic, I was thinking 15wt. I'm wondering if this is something I should do myself some night and switch to 15wt oil. Should I do a sonic spring as well? I have a mechanical understanding of things (mechanical engineer), but lack some tools (torque wrench, air compressor, etc.)

I have read alot of the forum already and done alot of searching, just wondering if some people can add their opinions to my situtation. Thanks for the help and sorry for the long post.

[jeffdodge]

Definite on the sonic springs. Best money you will spend improvement-wise.

[Mart3y]

Sounds like new tyres are a very good idea, Pirelli sport demons are very good from all i've heard on here. However i have BT45s and they are good, i'll be trying the Pirellis when i need a change.

Sonicsprings are, IMO, a very very good way to spend some money on the GS 

[weaselnoze]

So... What did u pay for it

http://gstwins.com/gsboard/index.php?topic=55680.0

[jfoley]

now thats not gentlemanly weaselnoze...

[Mart3y]

Talking prices is depressing lol, I paid $4000 for a 2002 GS500 with 35 000Km on the clock.... In Australia....

And also: Welcome to the forum Lets see some photos

[Twisted]

Talking prices is depressing lol, I paid $4000 for a 2002 GS500 with 35 000Km on the clock.... In Australia....

And also: Welcome to the forum Lets see some photos

That is pretty much what I payed for mine. Except mine was a 2004.

[mister]

Whatever handling issues you think you have might magically disappear once you've changed the tires. Ten year old tires won't really be any good - even if they've never been used.

The BT45s are what Suzuki put on them new from the factory. A lot of people change to Pirelli Sport Demons when they need to replace tires - I'm one such person. And when I need to replace a tire again I'll be sticking with the Sport Demons.

Besides the oil and oil filter, put in new spark plugs too. Double check the fluid in the battery, lube the cables, steering head bearing will probably need it now too. Lube the chain after cleaning it.

Michael

[weaselnoze]

now thats not gentlemanly weaselnoze...

Haha what do u mean? I was just showing u that I think I was looking at the same bike before u bought it

[Twism86]

Welcome to the forum and the GS.

Ill just reiterate what other are saying for emphasis...

I have Pirelli Sport Demons, they are great and I like them over the BT45s.
Change the oil
Clean and lube the chain
New spark plugs
Check your air filter
Lube cables, bearings
Fuel filter? If not maybe get one

I have progressive spring for the previous owner with 15wt oil. I weight just a little less then you and have never bottomed out. I may even go to 20wt oil for a firmer ride but i have never heard of people going to 30wt. New springs and 15-20wt oil will be a great improvement.

Tom

[Twism86]

steering head bearing will probably need it now too.

How do you go about this one Mister? What lube do you recommend? Thanks.

[burning1]

Eh... I would suggest putting the bike on the center stand. Check the steering head for notchyness and play. If it's working, don't mess with it.

[burning1]

Suspension wise, I'd suggest the R6 shock on the back (search for it in the forum, you'll need the R6 bolt, locknut, and spacer) and springs/oil up front.

I have a complete front end with .85kg/mm springs available in the for sale section here. You could buy it, and sell your stock forks for $200.

[Twism86]

Eh... I would suggest putting the bike on the center stand. Check the steering head for notchyness and play. If it's working, don't mess with it.

Well mine feels smooth as silk so....

[jfoley]

well thanks for all the input. I'll be putting the sonic springs in as soon as I get some more money, new tires are to come first.