2001 GS500 upgrade questions

[Beemersworld]

So Ive gotten a 01 GS500 as my first bike.   Its in pretty good condition but there are some things I want to upgrade on it and since Im a bike newbie I have no idea wear to start at all.   

Firstly Id like to upgrade the suspension, it just doesnt inspire confidence at this point and Ive read on this board that its something many riders of this bike feel needs upgrading.   

Can someone tell me specific parts and manufacturers that they have used with good results?   

next the guy who had it before me drilled some holes in the back of the exhaust to make in sound louder or something but its not loud its just rough.   Id love to upgrade the exhaust but again have no idea where to begin.     

I appreciate any and all opinions you all have

p. Shout

[Janx101]

i am going to upgrade my suspension also... but I am about 330lb with gear right now and normally 280ish lb ..

how good are your tires also?... when i bought my bike the rubber was worn and i felt somewhat uninspired .. fresh tires did help quite a bit...

i might suggest you ride the bike till you feel comfortable that you know all its current nuances and 'tricks/quirks' .. then when you do upgrade things you can make a better evaluation of the changes

the users that have changed alreadywill no doubt be along shortly to tell you about it.. and those that still use stock hardware but changed oil/weight of oil too..

lots of manufacturers do a muffler for the bike... youtube provides a 'reasonable' (well sometimes when they know about sound quality) level of how the different cans sound .. i have the stock can still... i heard a Yoshi 'triangular' can the other day and it was throatier at idle as well as accell .. but it didnt inspire me enough to rush right out and get one...

would say also if you can hook up with some riding groups around your area it will only be a matter of short time till you hear another gs500 (or many) with a different brand exhaust/s and you can listen to see what sound YOU love the best.... live and in person is always the best way! 

[Beemersworld]

the tires are quite worn I will be picking up a new set tomorrow.   This bike was owned by a friend of mine that let me ride it a reasonable amount.   He just let me take it out his hands for a real great price.   the bike looks pretty rough which I will certainly fix overtime but before i cange any cosmetic issues Id really like to make sure that the other issues are taken care of!       the bike was laid down a couple of times and has some dents on the tank and the stator cover is scuffed up as well as the mirror perch on the brake side is broken off.     I love the naked look and really think I want to paint it a flashy color,  My brain says Bronco orange but we will have to see.     thats all down the road......

[Beemersworld]

here it is   this is the good side!

[SAFE-T]

Keep the engine/carbs/airbox/exhaust stock ~ it will run properly that way, and you can find a replacement OEM header and muffler for a fraction of the price of an aftermarket one.

[SAFE-T]

The gearing can be changed by going up or down one or two teeth on the front sprocket depending on what you want.

[SAFE-T]

You can't open the throttle all the way without repositioning your hand with the stock throttle tube. A 1st gen SV650 throttle tube is easy to change out from the GS's stock tube ~ once you have some experience you may find this simple $15 mod well worth it.

[SAFE-T]

The stock front fork springs were apparently .46kg/mm spring rate ~ this uses up a fair bit of the fork's travel just sitting on the bike, and the front will dive quite a bit under braking. Suspension people don't like this because it causes the front-end geometry of the bike to change more than they like under braking. I almost never use my brakes unless I am stopping at an intersection, so I liked the plushness of the stock fork springs, but I must admit the bike didn't like to be pushed too hard in the turns. Again, after riding for a while (maybe one season) and deciding to keep the bike you could try .85kg/mm or .90kg/mm fork springs and some 15w fork oil to firm up the front end. This will cost you around $90 if you can do the work yourself.   

[SAFE-T]

Once you do the fork springs, ride the bike for another season. If you still want to keep it and would like to improve the rear suspension, an R6 shock will fit and shouldn't cost more than $50 if you can install it yourself.

[Beemersworld]

I will look into that!  I certainly want to buy the fork spring.  Im not super mechanically inclined but I have a great friend who can help me out!  theres probably video tutorials out there.     whats a good website to buy parts??    or is a local shop best??

[SAFE-T]

These are the things I think give the most improvement on a GS500. All other mods in my opinion are personal choice ~ we had put a Zero Gravity (ZG) Sport Touring windscreen and a Givi topcase on ours. There are lots of other ways to spend money including different mirrors/signal lights, integrated tail lights, rear huggers, adjustable footpegs and aftermarket rearsets, yadda yadda yadda. Since it is your first bike, not your last bike, I would keep it simple for now. 

[SAFE-T]

The guy who owns Sonic Springs is a board member here ~ search for 'Sonic Springs' and you'll find him.

[Beemersworld]

just ordered the sonic springs!      I guess the next step is the r6 shock will any year be compatible with the 2001?     

[craigs449]

You might also want to order the fork seal/dust wipers too since you will have the forks off the bike.  My 01 forks were full of crud when I rebuilt them a few months back. I also put an R6 shock on mine too....huge difference!  Do a little research on here, only a certain type and a few model years R6 shock is a direct fit...has to have the eyebolt at the bottom as I remember, not the clevice.  Mongoose did a video for the R6 shock install, and baltimoregs did a video on the fork seal replacement.

[weedahoe]

Once you do the fork springs, ride the bike for another season. If you still want to keep it and would like to improve the rear suspension, an R6 shock will fit and shouldn't cost more than $50 if you can install it yourself.

Unfortunately, R6 shocks have went up. You cant find one on ebay for less that 75-80 and thats without the small additional pieces you need to install it.

On a side note, I do have Katana shock and stock exhaust if the OP is interested. Ive got after market pegs also

[Beemersworld]

weed,  Id be very interested in the shock and exhaust   can you pm the specifics and pictures of the pegs? 

[weedahoe]

weed,  Id be very interested in the shock and exhaust   can you pm the specifics and pictures of the pegs?

PM sent