Possible Mods for a 2006 GS500

[riversjk]

I am in the process of getting my first bike and I am looking into a 2006 gs500.  It has 26000 miles on it.  I figure that is getting up there in miles but if someone rode it that much, it must have been taken care of.  I am rather a large fellow.  I am 6'01'' and currently weight around 245.  (that number is to decrease hopefully with a little luck) I was looking into the sv650 but figured the gs500 would be a little better suited to my limited skills and experience.  Here comes my question.

I went to a shop today to sit on a few different models.  I really liked how the gs500 felt even though I was almost set on the sv650.  The guy at the shop suggested to accommodate interstate and highway speeds (75-80+) that I could change the sprocket on the rear for a smaller one to help with mid range and top end power and fuel economy.  He suggested doing this on the SV650. 

Could the same thing be done for the gs500?  What suggestions do you pro's have as to helping the gs500 get interstate worthy for a big fellow like me?  thanks.

[SAFE-T]

Changing to a smaller rear sprocket or larger front sprocket will reduce your rpm's at any given speed. Depending on how you ride it may increase your gas mileage a bit as well. We did this on a 2007 GS500F and liked it.

[jacob92icu]

I am in the process of getting my first bike and I am looking into a 2006 gs500.  It has 26000 miles on it.  I figure that is getting up there in miles but if someone rode it that much, it must have been taken care of.  I am rather a large fellow.  I am 6'01'' and currently weight around 245.  (that number is to decrease hopefully with a little luck) I was looking into the sv650 but figured the gs500 would be a little better suited to my limited skills and experience.  Here comes my question.

I went to a shop today to sit on a few different models.  I really liked how the gs500 felt even though I was almost set on the sv650.  The guy at the shop suggested to accommodate interstate and highway speeds (75-80+) that I could change the sprocket on the rear for a smaller one to help with mid range and top end power and fuel economy.  He suggested doing this on the SV650. 

Could the same thing be done for the gs500?  What suggestions do you pro's have as to helping the gs500 get interstate worthy for a big fellow like me?  thanks.

To tell you the truth, I am 5'11 and 197 lbs on a good day and I have no problem getting up there on the highway/freeway speeds with the stock gs set up. Plus I still have power to overtake cars and get out of sticky situations when I need too. The only con is that the bike will look pretty dang small on you when your sitting on it. But at that height and weight, not much will make you look small to any bike.

[gsJack]

6'-1" and 245# sounds about average to me for a GS500 rider.  I have been 230-255-210-235# over the 14 years and 175k miles I've been riding GS500s.  I remember one former member who was 275# and left this pic when he bought a MT01 and moved on:



I've never considered taller gearing on my GSs but did use a shorter 15T front sprocket on my 97 GS to get under way easier starting on uphills in the mountains.  I like the stock gearing best on my current 02 GS.  Did a lot of 400-500 mile days on the Interstates at 70-80 mph indicated on GSs getting to the mountains to play.  Best to ride your GS for a while before you think of sprocket changes.  I consider the GS500 to be interstate worthy as is.

[codajastal]

6'-1" and 245# sounds about average to me for a GS500 rider.  I have been 230-255-210-235# over the 14 years and 175k miles I've been riding GS500s.  I remember one former member who was 275# and left this pic when he bought a MT01 and moved on:



I've never considered taller gearing on my GSs but did use a shorter 15T front sprocket on my 97 GS to get under way easier starting on uphills in the mountains.  I like the stock gearing best on my current 02 GS.  Did a lot of 400-500 mile days on the Interstates at 70-80 mph indicated on GSs getting to the mountains to play.  Best to ride your GS for a while before you think of sprocket changes.  I consider the GS500 to be interstate worthy as is.

for a second there I thought that was me but wrong bike.
I am 275 and have no problem with my bike.

[SAFE-T]

An 18-tooth front sprocket gives the GS500 the same gearing as an SV650.

[SAFE-T]

Almost every Japanese motorcycle I have ever ridden has similar gearing ~ top gear tends to give you a road speed in km/h that is roughly double your rpm. The FZ6R my wife currently has is awaiting a larger front / smaller rear sprocket change that will make it considerably less frantic at highway speeds.