Introduction and pics

[nat2256]

Gday guys

I'm Nat, from the Central Coast NSW. I've been lurking for a while, so thought I'd finally join up and say hello. I figured why not show you guys my current ride.

About a month ago i got a stock 500F with 7000km on the clock. I've since added another 3000km to this as i use it as my daily ride. I have a 150km round trip for work, with a good mix of twisties and highway / city riding. I'm really impressed with the way the GS handles just about anything i can throw at it. Before this bike i have only ridden a cruiser and dirt bikes, but i am know a GS convert.

Over the last month i have done a few minor cosmetic mods, and i have a few more lined up (if the postman ever brings my parts).

What I've done so far:

Chopped the rear guard
relocated rear indicators. Had to mod the number plate bracket for this
replaced front indicators with flush mounts
removed rear decals
replaced front decals
pin striped the wheels
blacked out the screen
really outlandish hot pink dice tyre valve caps. had these left over from the wife's dirt bike build and thought....why not? 

Still to do

replace rear indicators with mini ones Will need to re mod the bracket or make a new one
replace front indicators, as these flush ones don't fit as well as i want. i have new ones on the way
new front and rear foot rests. GSXR style ones
tank guard
thinking about exhaust and re jetting but still doing my homework on this

I have a million other ideas, but for now I think that will do. Famous last words i know.

If anyone is interested ill add more pics as the rest of the parts arrive and get fitted.




Cheers

Nat

[akapellen17]

Welcome to the forum! My biggest suggestion, (which you will hear a lot), before you do any rejetting or exhaust stuff, upgrade the suspension. The GS suspension has a lot to be desired and needs to be set to your weight. I have Racetech front springs and an R6 rear shock and it is a whole new bike. Much better and feels solid and planted in the corners and no more crazy fork dive under braking. I highly suggest it.

[nat2256]

Thanks mate

ill look into the suspension. I havnt noticed any major issues with suspension yet. The front is maybe a touch soft but i wouldnt call it a crazy dive.

Maybe I'm not riding it hard enough 

Did you have to change the forks out for the springs, or are they just drop in and away you go ?

This bike is, and will be for a while (unless the wife lets me spend a bit more $$) a work in progress. As i said its my daily ride so im not doing anything too major..........yet 

A mate of mine said suspension was too soft so maybe it is.

Thanks for the advice mate.

[akapellen17]

I'm not sure if this is your first bike or not, but as you progress as a rider I think you will notice it more. If you are just nicely cruising around you might not notice it. Once you start heavy braking and going on some more spirited rides, you'll realize that the suspension is a mess! To swap out the springs... (I'll give you the brief version)

1. Put bike on center stand and strap down the back so that the front wheel is off the ground.
2. Break the fork caps loose but don't remove them. Remove front wheel and then undo the triple tree bolts and slide out the fork tubes.
3. Carefully undo the fork cap (It's under pressure from the springs and you don't want to strip the extremely fine threads)
4. Drain oil and remove spacer and old spring.
5. Cut new spacer for your preload and install new spring and new spacer and set the correct fork oil height.
6. Button her back up

I'm going to search around quick for the detailed instruction thread for you so you know all the details. It also has an equation for how long your spacer should be. Give me a couple minutes and I should find it.

[akapellen17]

http://gstwins.com/gsboard/index.php?topic=25706.0

There's the detailed how to.

http://gstwins.com/gsboard/index.php?topic=55976.0

That's some good info if you are around the 180 lbs with gear range.

It's also suggested that you swap the rear shock as well so the bike isn't unbalanced. I have an 07 R6 shock. Works extremely well when set up to my weight. It also gives you tons of different settings. I suggest the R6 shock unless you are on the heavier side, then the katana shock is a bit better, but not nearly as much tuning abilities.

Here's some threads that can get you started.

Exact Video How-To: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=a_0gnFaONfY

http://wiki.gstwins.com/index.php?n=Upgrades.RearShock

[yamahonkawazuki]

Goldent tidbits of all things GS. Get used to its amount of power. its got enough to get you into trouble IF you go looking for it. that being said spend some time on it as is. then figure out whats next. tbh ive had 6 GSs  one of them twice. lol. anyhoo suspension upgrades were on my todo list with my first one, then a K&N Lunchbox filter then a punched exhaust. followed by a -1 sprocket in front. my 5th and 6th gs had these mods plus the gsxr wedge can. what im suggesting my friend is 1 it will never have as much power as a gixxer. HOWEVER in the hands of a skilled rider you can outcorner a larger bike. this will come with time. if it were me, id get used to it stock then go with suspension, then intake exhaust, etc. the 5th and 6th gs had a -2 front sprocket. there was a guy here that turboed a gs. a few years back. and then theres bob broussard. who  took a gixxer head shaved off outer two cylinders made ahe llacious race bike. last 2 things are PRICY. rest are fairly inexpensive
Aaron.

[nat2256]

cheers for all the info and advice guys. ill check out those vids when i get home.

this is actually my 3rd bike.
previously was a 650 cruiser and a 250 2t kwaka which i slapped road tyres on. it was a weapon. still have her actually. use to scare the s### out of me at times so much power in the mid.
im new to the sports style bike so just re educating myself with new different riding techs. im more than happy with the power at the moment. was more thinking of exhaust to change the note of the engine.

ive only just started attempting more spirited rides the suspension may become something to look into once im more comfortable on a sports bike.

cheers
nat

[ShowBizWolf]

Hi nat, welcome to the forum!! I enjoyed reading your thread and I'm really happy you love the GS!

Yes, keep us posted on updates and we certainly do love pics