Customizing my GS500 for travel

[lukinhasb]

Hello everyone,

This is my GS 500:







I want to prepare it to hit the road comfortably, I was thinking of putting a custom seat, I did a simulation and this is what it would look like:


Do you guys think it looks terrible or not?

List of modifications in mind:
- Custom seat (simulated in Photoshop above)
- Engine guard with someplace to rest the feet
- Trunk and saddlebags
- And, the most controversial of it all, a high handlebar that allows me to stay erect while driving long distances. The sport position isn't very good for many hours in the road. Have anyone ever did that, if so, can send me pictures?

[mr72]

IMHO, and please don't take this the wrong way, but I intend this truly as helpful and earnest advice: sell the GS500 and buy a different bike that has the riding position/fit that you prefer (like a cruiser, maybe dual-sport, maybe an old-school standard, even a used Royal Enfield). A different motorcycle is really what you want. Nothing you do to the GS will make it have a riding position or feel you want without compromising other important things.

If it's running and working well then even with your cosmetic (*ahem*) changes you should be able to get $1500-2K for the GS, then you can probably find a Shadow 750 or a Royal Enfield or a DR350 or a CB450 or even a Rebel etc., heck maybe stretch out and get a TU250X if you want to keep it in the Suzuki family. Or if you want a classic-ish reliable then you can get something like a GL500 that's MADE for touring. Just go try out a bunch of others and find one with forward pegs and tall handlebar and cushy seat that you like.

IMHO. GS500 is not a sport bike, it's a standard, maybe a "sporty" standard. If it's not "standard" enough for you then there are classic standards out there, or for compatibility with your Mad Max aesthetic get a dual sport.

[The Buddha]

- And, the most controversial of it all, a high handlebar that allows me to stay erect while driving long distances. The sport position isn't very good for many hours in the road. Have anyone ever did that, if so, can send me pictures?

LOL, there was this retard back in 2007-08 that put ape hangers on a katana and was then selling it on craigslist saying "he started to convert it over". Like its obvious, everyone wants ape hangers on every bike dont they
Cool.
Buddha.

[mr72]

FYI sell the GS and get one of these:
https://collegestation.craigslist.org/mcy/d/honda-gl500-silverwing/6368284269.html

IMHO.

That's a great deal even at $1400. Makes me tempted to go pick it up myself!

[Bluesmudge]

My GS is set up for touring. My Wife and I toured all around the west coast of the US on it in relative comfort with all our camping gear. Its a GSF model but most of the mods I did should work on an E model GS.

For comfort and convenience on the road I did the following mods:
For the seat we use Airhawk seat bladders with an Ikea sheapskin thrown over the top.
The handlebars are stock Vstrom 1000 bars with risers.
The pegs are lowered.
Bags are hepco & becker juniors (30l +30l + 50l topcase) with a rack on top of the topcase
LED driving lights
Madstad windscreen
17t front sprocket
Ram mounts for cup holders and/or cell phones
Renntec engine bars with Emgo highway pegs
I also have aluminum hand guards. Won't ride a bike without them since they saved my fingers when a Jeep Wrangler backed into me. The guards are also necessary for supporting Hippo Hands in the winter.

If you like the GS, no reason its can't be a great touring bike. Since its a standard you can turn it into anything. I'm always adapting mine to suit whatever type of riding I'm currently in to. All of the mods you are suggesting are pretty normal and available for the GS.

[ShowBizWolf]

That simulated/photoshop seat looks COMFY!!

Bike looks pretty sharp in all black like that. What kind of headlight you got on there?

I agree with Bluesmudge, I've seen sooo many GS's from hanging around this forum... and the facebook group for a while... and they are very versatile when it comes to modifying for different uses.

Keep us posted on what you do!

[gregjet]

I also believe the GS is an almost perfect touring bike.  The biggest bike I have toured on is my 650 Husky Strada and my equal sized MT07. My biggest tour was 9000km on my CX500 in the early 80's. At no stage did I feel I needed a bigger bike.
The GS500F's geometry, strong rear frame ( for panniers), easy seat height and large tank( with OK fuel economy) make it a truely fine tourer. It will certainly sit well above the speed limit for long distances comfortably. Like any bike you need to fit the bike to the rider , NOT the other way round for good comfort and longevity in the saddle.
The big power thing is a red herring. A motorcycle and rider only needs about 10HP to sit at 100kph/60 mph though it needs more for climbing and accellarating. I know of SEVERAL people that have done the big loop ( Aussie motorcycle slange for riding around the outside of the continent) on GS500's and had nothing but praise for the bike.
NOTE: Your rear is designed to sit on the two bones at your rear end. The soft surrounding tissue isn't meant to be sat on.  A soft seat will feel more uncomfortable than a hrad one. Don't be fooled by the initial comfort. Soft seats put pressure on blood supply and nerves where it isn't supposed to be. Have a look at bicycle seats. You can sit on them for a 24 hour race ( I have) and they will still be OK ( not good...NOTHING is good). They hard reasonable hard with only a small cush so your iscial tuberosities are the only thing that gets pressure. If you find your seat is uncomfortable go harder not softer. Seat concepts pads are a good example.

[Bluesmudge]

The GS500F's geometry, strong rear frame ( for panniers), easy seat height and large tank( with OK fuel economy) make it a truely fine tourer.

This is a great point. The GS500 has an amazing safe carrying capacity for its size. Almost as much as a BMW R1200GS!
~435 lbs for the Suzuki GS vs 467 for the BMW GS. For comparison, the modern CB500F is only rated to carry 408 lbs.

[mr72]

My comments were mostly in response to the OP's suggestion of rider position changes... moving pegs, tall handlebars. I think that's a mistake. If we're talking bars that are 1/2" taller or moving the pegs 1/4" that's one thing, but nobody goes to that effort unless it's >2" for each. In that case you'll be way better off, IMHO, with a different bike altogether.

That's not to say the GS is not a good platform for touring. Just maybe not the right one for the OP.

IMHO.

[lukinhasb]

What do you need for travel? Luggage!



It has spacers too for lateral luggage, but I won't use them while in the city.

I've also exchanged those tiny mirrors for bigger ones.

My GS is set up for touring. My Wife and I toured all around the west coast of the US on it in relative comfort with all our camping gear. Its a GSF model but most of the mods I did should work on an E model GS.

For comfort and convenience on the road I did the following mods:
For the seat we use Airhawk seat bladders with an Ikea sheapskin thrown over the top.
The handlebars are stock Vstrom 1000 bars with risers.
The pegs are lowered.
Bags are hepco & becker juniors (30l +30l + 50l topcase) with a rack on top of the topcase
LED driving lights
Madstad windscreen
17t front sprocket

That's nice and very inspiring! Thanks!

A soft seat will feel more uncomfortable than a hrad one. Don't be fooled by the initial comfort. Soft seats put pressure on blood supply and nerves where it isn't supposed to be.

I'll think about it but it's hard to convince my butt after it sat on a Shadow 600, my friend has one and we travel together, I'll ask him and see how it goes by the end of a ride day.

My comments were mostly in response to the OP's suggestion of rider position changes... moving pegs, tall handlebars. I think that's a mistake. If we're talking bars that are 1/2" taller or moving the pegs 1/4" that's one thing, but nobody goes to that effort unless it's >2" for each. In that case you'll be way better off, IMHO, with a different bike altogether.

While custom bikes are more comfortable, it's hard to carry luggage on them (the irony)... I think I'll stay with the GS some more time, put it on the road, try a high handlebar if necessary, and only if it's good to drive then, I'll buy the seat and the engine protector with forwarded pegs, 'cause those are the most expensive mods.

[Ted]

Bags are hepco & becker juniors (30l +30l + 50l topcase) with a rack on top of the topcase

How did you mount the panniers? I haven't seen much for luggage racks except for the Givi plate, and it's only for a top box.