Hi all,
I got my beautiful new 2010 GS500F earlier this year! Unfortunately, I only came across this wonderful site recently, so I am new to this forum! I have added blue LED underglow strips to the bike. I just wanted everyone's feedback on what you guys think! All criticism is accepted :icon_lol:! Also, if anyone has any suggestions on any modifications that I should do to my bike, please let me know! Hope you like it!
(http://sphotos.ak.fbcdn.net/hphotos-ak-snc4/hs288.snc4/40728_10150096730985041_508115040_7661508_7166829_n.jpg)
SWEET! :thumb:
Throw a flag on her and ride for old glory.
You can search on my ID and see things I've done to my 2009 (I also have a 1992).
Some people chop the fender - I don't care for that. I did move up the rear reflector so it doesn't hang down from the fender.
Watch out for your blue lights if you come into the US. Blue lights are for police only. I switched my blue to white when I got caught (nice cop, so no ticket but informed me of state and federal regulations regarding vehicle lighting.)
You can have blue or anything while posing. On the road, gotta follow the law. Check Canadian law regarding lights. Add white and switch from blue to white when on the road. I actually prefer white now that I switched colors. Some states do not allow ground effect lights (lights that shine under the vehicle onto the road). I see you have that, too, so check the legality where you ride.
Things you'll find I did to my 2009 (named "Suzi") when you search: white LED inside cowling lighting. added side marker lights with integrated turn signals (so cars to my side can see a turn signal for changing lanes. I like to be seen!). Duplicated instrument lights inside the cowling with LEDs because in the sun you couldn't see them. Smoke turn signals. Smoked LED tail light from Germany (better than Clear Alternatives as it is a complete unit, not an add-in board plus it lights the license plate which is a requirement here). Switched bars to factory clip on style. Rear hugger to keep suspension cleaner. added older style mud flap to back of front fender. Zero Gravity wind screen. Rear carrier. Reflective wheel tape. Denali fog lights. Mirror extensions. Clock from clocks4bikes. R&G bar ends (much better looking). R&G muffler guards. That's all I remember right now.
Also search for photos on the Wall of Fame for photos of Suzi.
You can see I love my 2009. 3400 miles on her since May.
2010 models were not sold in the US. We still have 2009 models. Is that a factory tank protector or did you add that?
(Photos are from different times and do not show all the current mods. Some things added to "Junior", the 1992, are the same as done to Suzi since many parts are the same.)
Instrument LEDs in cowling. Includes left and right turn LEDs and a very visible white "park" position LED so I know I accidentally turned the key too far to PARK when I turned the bike off.
(http://gstwins.com/photogallery/albums/userpics/21426/normal_IMGP0309.JPG)
White LEDs
(http://gstwins.com/photogallery/albums/userpics/21426/normal_DSC00397.JPG)
Blue, before getting caught and switching to white
(http://gstwins.com/photogallery/albums/userpics/21426/normal_DSC00144a.JPG)
Oh, the FAQ's mention how to remove the fugley safety stickers.
Hii! Very nice good looking bike!!!! Ride safe :thumb:
Very nice led mod-you can be much more visible in the dark-and i'm serious about that :cheers:
You can do many mods and many things...it depends on what you want... :dunno_black: appearance? comfort?
performance?....etc...all together..? maybe any frame sliders? :o
How about getting rid of the warning stickers on tank and fairings AFTER you have read them?? :icon_rolleyes: :D
What you do depends on your purpose. I went for a really nice (in my opinion) stock bike with upgrades. No radical chopping up, removing stuff or racing mods. She's my commuter bike. You'll find all kinds of things you can do.
Have fun! You've got a nice bike. Make your bike your own. Do it because you want to, not because others are telling you to do it. I've received many complements from total strangers on how nice Suzi looks. Even guys with GSXR's have complemented me. No need to chop the fender or put on big tires to try to be cool. People love the GS500. A number of people have talked to me about her because they used to have a GS500 and wish they kept them.
Suggestion: As before and others say, remove the figley warning stickers. Add muffler guards - at least one (If she falls on her right side - muffler gets scratched). Think about crash sliders - only because when she falls over, the front turn signals will probably punch through the fairing and those could prevent that. That would also prevent the side engine covers from getting scratched. Rear hugger if riding a lot in wet weather as that helps keep water and dirt from the suspension (there is a gap between the upper front part of the rear fender and the lower mud flap, just behind the suspension) OR add an extension to the bottom front of the rear fender to close that gap. Front fender mud flap helps keep front of bike cleaner. I don't know why they stopped putting those on. Mirror extensions because you're probably tired of looking at your elbows.
Here's photos today of Suzi (well, today doesn't mean much if your reading this in the future, as today is now sometime in the past so let's say Dec 2, 2010).
Showing: mirror extensions, fog lights, fender mud flap, smoke turn signals, ASV adjustable brake lever, R&G bar ends, Zero Gravity wind screen, side marker light, wheel tapes, reflectors moved (due to mounting of fog lights)
(http://i1206.photobucket.com/albums/bb442/adidasguy/GS500/IMGP0876a.jpg)
This shows: moved rear reflector, plate mounted helmet locks, smoke turn signals, smoke tail light, muffler guards, SW Motec carrier, factory clip on bars, rear hugger, rear passenger seat cover, and again the bar ends, front fender mud flap, fog lights on the fork, mirror extensions and wind screen.
(http://i1206.photobucket.com/albums/bb442/adidasguy/GS500/IMGP0873a.jpg)
not visible: R&G chain toe guard, super strong big neodinium magnets under frame to trip traffic signals, Buddha's bullet aluminum front fork brace/fender holder.
Still to do: put clock on stem bolt, R&G crash sliders, either change brake pedal to older style with black rubber tread or change pegs to aluminum to match the fugley steel brake pedal, SS brake lines, somehow fit ASV clutch lever to her, stainless steel chain guard like I put on Junior.
Will not do: chop fender, bigger tires (bike designed for these plus dealer, techs here say no reason to change to bigger tires). When I want a racing bike line a GSXR, I'll buy one. I won't try to turn Suzi into a GSXR.
I like the white tank. Of course, I think white looks sexy on a bike.
Quote from: adidasguy on December 02, 2010, 02:15:49 PM
Is that a factory tank protector or did you add that?
I had to add the tank protector myself, but I did buy it at the dealership for around $15.
Quote from: adidasguy on December 02, 2010, 04:06:56 PM
This shows: moved rear reflector, plate mounted helmet locks, smoke turn signals, smoke tail light, muffler guards, SW Motec carrier, factory clip on bars, rear hugger, rear passenger seat cover, and again the bar ends, front fender mud flap, fog lights on the fork, mirror extensions and wind screen.
(http://i1206.photobucket.com/albums/bb442/adidasguy/GS500/IMGP0873a.jpg)
Where did you get the rear passenger seat cover from?! It looks amazing!!
I think a member named cafeboy made it. I got it from another GS500 owner in my area. He wasn't wanting it so gave it to me and I repainted it factory blue (colorrite.com for factory color paints).
I have a few others in my garage that I haven't used which I located because I was going to produce one. In the next month or so I'll be cleaning out all the extra stuff in my garage so I'll have a few belly pans, headlight cowlings (for naked or older E models) and a couple seat covers for the E and the F style seat. They're hard to find for the F seat. When I get around to digging them out, I'll post them for sale.
Please let me know when you're selling the rear seat cover! I will even make a small deposit! How much was it to paint it?
I'll check this weekend. I'll be doing some garage clean up.
I saw you posting about the rear sets. While I didn't change Suzi (because she's more for commuting) I did put the Gimbel set on Junior (my 92 black & red restoration and sportier bike). You might look at Junior's photos and postings on him (many in "What have You Done for Your Bike Today"). They will fit on the newer models since the foot pegs are the same. available from Gimbel on ebay:
http://cgi.ebay.com/Fussrastenanlage-SUZUKI-GS-500-E-/260683023958?pt=Motorrad_Kraftradteile&hash=item3cb1eb4656
Painting can vary in cost depending on the color and how much gloss you want. The white is a 3 layer color (base + color + clear) where the blue is 2 layers (color + clear). and of course a layer of primer. You're looking at probably $60-$80 to paint anything with the proper factory colors. You've got a nice bike. Don't go cheap when painting anything by using crappy Home Depot stuff. You really want to use the factory paints. Otherwise, it will look like you spray panted something rather than looking like factory original parts. The large cafe racer type tail for Junior has maybe $160 in paint plus the GS500F tapings. That original color of candy red and gloss is not easy. Quite a learning experience. Now it has set up for 10 days and is ready to buff out. It wouldn't look as cool if I used Krylon or something else.
Painting is a cinch, I'm gonna do another write-up when my solo cowl comes in because it will need painted. If you search "acrylic urethane" my previous paint write-up (which is now very outdated) will come up.
Bike looks good, but the fender has to go. I would get rid of it altogether instead of chopping it down. I had blue lights on mine too, but only up under it.
If you were going to remove the fender (I wouldn't - but that's my prefernce. In fact I un-did the fender chop Junior had :icon_twisted: ) I do have an undertail replacement cover with stainless steel license plate/turn signal holder. Also have small LED "tail tidy" lights (European term for license plate holder). Those I won't be using. Then add to that a combo chain guard/wheel hugger that I don't need and you could have something unique.
Both of you have nice clean bikes.
Adidasguy, what's up with your pipe? Stock muffler, but with some kind of clamps on it . . . . ? :dunno_white: Love the hugger, the A* sticker really draws attention to it.
Thank you for the complement.
The bands on the muffler are R&G Racing muffler guards or sliders. They protect the muffler if the bike goes over. You probably only need one one the end as the forward part of the muffler probably wouldn't hit pavement as the pegs and other parts there would hid pavement. The end of the muffler definitely would take a hit so you need one there.
The rear hugger is made by airbrush. He may have a couple fiberglass ones left. I remember that he was out of carbon fiber when I ordered one for Junior. That one on Suzi is carbon fiber. Junior had to settle for the fiber glass - which still looks great.
Those were added more for the "cool" factor as was the R&G chain toe guard on the other side. Chrome steel bar ends are also by R&G Racing in the UK.
Actually, when my gs went down it always wound up being the front of the muffler that got scraped up. The pegs fold back, so next in line is the front corner of the muffler. That's how it always worked out for me anyway, but that's a cool addition either way.
Right you are. I just looked at Suzi and the scratches she has. There is one at the front and one at the back from when she got knocked over.
Junior only needs one because his pegs are non-folding on the Gimbel rear set so they will take the pavement preventing the front of the muffler from getting scratched, leaving the back end to take the rest of the pavement.