Need Parts For My GS500E

[BlindFaith429]

So I will be getting my 2000 GS500E in a couple weeks and I will be needing some parts for it.

I need to get a new set of bars, grips and bar-ends. The bike was my aunts, and she dropped the bike when learning on it. No damage to the bike except the bar-ends got messed up and it tweaked the handle-bars. Still ridable, but my OCD will kick in and replace the bars. Where is a good place to buy these items? And are aftermarket parts okay to run? What do you guys suggest brand-wise?

Also, I need to get a new battery as the current one isn't holding a charge. Any suggestions on this as well?

The bike has roughly 5k on it, so is there anything else I should do at this time? My uncle was very particular about the bike and kept it in very nice shape and up-kept the maintenance. I may change the oil on it just to be on the safe side.

Thanks!

[Gorilla]

hey there blind faith.

Glad you joined the group and are ready to fix up the bike.

As far as the battery I would highly suggest Patrick's, (adidasguys), recommendation and get a Shorai Battery.
http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B005FIUJ0S/ref=wms_ohs_product?ie=UTF8&psc=1

As far as the bars. Are you planning on upgrading to CLIP ONS or staying with the stock handle bar? Have you considered bar ends in case the bike falls again?
http://www.twistedthrottle.com/r-g-bar-end-sliders-for-suzuki-bandit-1200-96-06-dl650-2012-bandit-1250gt-08-09-bandit-1250-fa-10-bandit-600-95-06-bandit-650-06-10

As far as the grips do you have need for heated grips? I just bought these and they are amazing. Easy to install to. A 30 minute job at the most.
http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B00EQ9KXTO/ref=oh_details_o00_s00_i00?ie=UTF8&psc=1

As far as what to do for maintenance I highly suggest buying a 3rd party manual from Clymer or Haynes. We could argue which is best but I can safely say the Haynes has helped me tremendously.
http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/1844258815/ref=wms_ohs_product?ie=UTF8&psc=1

These are the cheapest places I can find these things at that time. I always suggest shopping wherever is best for you though. Don't necessarily assume these will be the cheapest you can find.

[BlindFaith429]

For the bars, I will stay with the standard style. Was thinking about going to the "super-bike" style bar. I like the ones in the picture below, but I think they are the "drag bike" and may be a little aggressive for a beginner rider.

Yes, I was looking at the more heavy duty bar ends, and was even looking at the engine case loop protectors to add a little more beef to the bike in case it goes down.

My uncle has a Clymer manual for the bike, so that's already taken care of.

And the heated grips, I do not think I will need them. This will be a fair-weather bike. I have a daily driver (a Ford Escape), so I do not need something that is good for winter / cold days / rain.

And the battery, thank you for the suggestion. I had seen the new Lithium batteries, but did not know if they were worth the huge price jump over the typical lead-acid type.

[Thrillwill352]

I have drag bars on mine and I love them and it's my first bike,
Drag bars with end mirrors> stock but that's just my opinion   Go with what you like best man!

[Thrillwill352]

[bombsquad83]

I use GP Touring bars by Bikemaster, and I like them.  I never had stock bars, but looking from pictures, I would say that my bars are a just a little lower than stock but pullback at a similar angle to the clipon style bars.  Superbike bars have less pullback (closer to the drag bars). Here is a picture of my bike with the GP Touring bars.

For bar ends, I went with OEM bar ends purchased from another forum member.  You might be able to find some on ebay.  Look for the real OEM ones, because you want something heavy to dampen vibrations.  Cheap aluminum replacements are all form and no function because they are light weight.  These might work: http://www.ebay.com/itm/SUZUKI-BANDIT-1250-OEM-BAR-ENDS-WEIGHTS-BALANCERS-/231233334544?pt=Motorcycles_Parts_Accessories&hash=item35d694ad10&vxp=mtr

As far as a battery, I ended up going with an AGM battery over the Lithium just due to the expense.  I got the MotoBatt MB10U battery on amazon with prime shipping for $77.  It fits very well in place of the stock battery with no need for the vent tube, which is nice.  I don't have a ton of experience with it so far, but it's far better than my 2 year old lead-acid battery was (no more dimming lights application of the brake or turn signal).

[BlindFaith429]

Thanks to all who posted. I think I am going to go with the Drag bars as I like the looks of them much better.

Thanks allot to ThrillWill for putting my mind at ease about them being too drastic for a beginner bike.

Thanks Bombsquad, I will look for OEM bar ends. The aluminum ones do look nice, but I agree with what you said.

Now what about grips (non-heated) and the case protector loops? Any opinions on those?

Thanks!

[Thrillwill352]

No problem! Glad I could help usually I'm the one asking for help haha

[BlindFaith429]

After doing some research, I think I am going to go with the Renthal Dual Compound grips. Seem to have great reviews. They are also open ended for the bar-ends.

The other thing I came across is the Renthal aluminum bars. They are pretty pricey compare to the BikeMaster steel bars. Is the aluminum that much better?

Thanks!