so everyone is worried about low end power, take off speed ect. But I don't want low end, I want high end power, cause the highways around here are at 80MPH at the least! < that's the flow of traffic. and Passing some di%k who keeps slamming on his brakes or someones exhaust smells horrible is dangerous on a GS500f at 80MPH so I was wondering how to gain a few more high end speeds.. I know its a 500cc.. and not a crotch rocket, but Over all.. there's lots of new cars in my area or just rentals. And a lot go faster than me.. and passing someone/something could really put me down, Also lots of big trucks.. I can Either A Speed up and get in front of them, or B, back down into traffic and be all the way in the back of the traffic pack, personally on a bike, I rather be in the front because people drive like tards around here. "OMG I GOT A TEXT MESSAGE GOTTA READ IT RIGHT NOW WHEN GOING 80MPH A BIG TRUCK IN FRONT OF ME AND A MOTORCYCLE BEHIND ME!!"
that could be the reason why young girls aren't attracted to motorcycles as their first vehicle of choice.. They can't Text on them...
The short and skinny is...there are a few ways in order of increased difficulty:
*Downshift
*Change your front sprocket from a 16 to 15T
*Increase the backpressure in your exhaust/tune exhaust
*Get a different bike
Obviously downshifting is the easiest way to pull the most muscle you can out of the old girl. At 80mph (indicated) you should be turning at between 6 and 7k. Drop down a gear and run her up to about 9k, then shift. A lot of people misinterpret this bike. It has almost zero gut and you have to wring its neck to get power. That doesn't mean it DOESN'T have power, it just means you have to know how to access it. Don't worry, she won't cry too much at 9K so long as you're not sitting there at that RPM with no load. What's most important is load versus amount of throttle being applied. Believe it or not, it's actually worse for the motor to open it all the way up at 80MPH in 6th than it is to downshift and open it up.
A 15T front sprocket may be in your near future if the above does not suit you. All it's doing, however, is changing the given speed at which the engine is turning versus traveling speed (MPH) - something you can do with your gear shift.
More exhaust backpressure (to a point) will grant you more horsepower. However, this will come at the price of low-end torque which you need for cruising around town unless you want to wind her up like a top just to ride normally. The opposite is true of torque. If you want more torque just open the exhaust up more. However, this will exacerbate your original problem.
If none of this works...then get yourself something like a Katana 750. Similar bike...heavier, more fairing, TONS more power. I don't know how it is where you live but GS500's and Katana 750's go for about the same price (all things considered).
What a thin line we as motorcyclists travel, huh? (no pun intended) Either the bike is too much for us and we hate riding it (if we have sense), or the bike that feels just right isn't powerful enough. :)
Quote from: Kijona on December 16, 2011, 10:28:21 PM
The short and skinny is...there are a few ways in order of increased difficulty:
*Downshift
*Change your front sprocket from a 16 to 15T
*Increase the backpressure in your exhaust/tune exhaust
*Get a different bike
Obviously downshifting is the easiest way to pull the most muscle you can out of the old girl. At 80mph (indicated) you should be turning at between 6 and 7k. Drop down a gear and run her up to about 9k, then shift. A lot of people misinterpret this bike. It has almost zero gut and you have to wring its neck to get power. That doesn't mean it DOESN'T have power, it just means you have to know how to access it. Don't worry, she won't cry too much at 9K so long as you're not sitting there at that RPM with no load. What's most important is load versus amount of throttle being applied. Believe it or not, it's actually worse for the motor to open it all the way up at 80MPH in 6th than it is to downshift and open it up.
A 15T front sprocket may be in your near future if the above does not suit you. All it's doing, however, is changing the given speed at which the engine is turning versus traveling speed (MPH) - something you can do with your gear shift.
More exhaust backpressure (to a point) will grant you more horsepower. However, this will come at the price of low-end torque which you need for cruising around town unless you want to wind her up like a top just to ride normally. The opposite is true of torque. If you want more torque just open the exhaust up more. However, this will exacerbate your original problem.
If none of this works...then get yourself something like a Katana 750. Similar bike...heavier, more fairing, TONS more power. I don't know how it is where you live but GS500's and Katana 750's go for about the same price (all things considered).
What a thin line we as motorcyclists travel, huh? (no pun intended) Either the bike is too much for us and we hate riding it (if we have sense), or the bike that feels just right isn't powerful enough. :)
I think the Katana is even more under powered compared to its weight class than the GS500f... Lol if anything I'd get an SV650. or something along those lines...
A smaller front sprocket doesn't really help at freeway speeds. It more or less causes 6th gear to be close to where 5th used to be. Gearing is never a magic bullet - the most important thing is that you have the right ratio spread for the way the bike delivers power. Lower is often not better.
Short answer to the original post... There's a lot of stuff that could be tweaked to improve top end power.
- Ignition advance
- Shorter intake runners
- Exhaust with shorter headers
- Rejet
- Gearing tweak
- Cam profile
- Cam timing
That's on top of the usual mods that improve power everywhere (high compression pistons, exotic fuels, etc.)
The more of those you adjust, the more top end power you get, but the smaller the usable RPM range will be.
All of the above suggestions will improve high end power...
But........none will make any significant difference........
Here's the problem.....as you want to go faster, the power required goes up by the third power....
In other words, if you want to go twice as fast, you need 8 times the horsepower.
Increasing a 40 HP engine to like 41 or 42 HP will have barely any noticable effect at all...
v (mph) 30 55 65 90 120 150 200
F (pounds) 14.5 48.7 68.0 130 232 362 644
horsepower 1.16 7.14 11.8 31.3 74.2 145 344
This chart, which somebody on the net developed for cars, (but would be similar for bikes) shows how the force (drag) goes up by the square of the speed, and the hp required goes up by the cube...
In addition to trying to increase HP, another approach would be to reduce weight, and reduce drag (with aerodynamics). Again, would be improvement, but little noticable improvement is possible.
Yet another approach to the OP's problem....
Use driving technique (defensive driving) to deal with bad drivers on the road...(superior brain power). Try to "avoid" the problems, not try to "outrun" the problems.
I consider the GS500 to be about as "fast" as an "average" car. It's faster than "slow" cars, but not as fast as even a slightly "perfromance" car. That's about all you're gonna get. So you have to deal with that fact on the highways.
Cookie
Quote from: J_Walker on December 17, 2011, 12:09:32 AM
I think the Katana is even more under powered compared to its weight class than the GS500f... Lol if anything I'd get an SV650. or something along those lines...
Not another Katana basher!! A Katana may be under powered in it's weight class but it is still a fast motorcycle when compared to a GS500. It only weighs 80 pounds more than a GS and has double the horsepower. And it is a has a revving 4 cylinder engine that is nearly bullet proof! Add to it the fact that you can buy one dirt cheap and you have one of the best values in motorcycling! Rant end...
-Jessie
All the mods are of not much significance as far as I'm concerned, maybe a 10% power increase at the top end at best with no real midrange improvement for everyday riding. Your stock GS power is made available to you thru your shift lever, keep it in the 7-9k power range if you want it to move. Remember your stock GS will go over 100 mph in 4th gear before redlining. Spent many an hour screaming thru the Smoky mountains on my GSs in the 7-9k range with bigger bikes. Use to just keep it in 5th gear on the freeways when running with big twin friends to match their roll-ons. :thumb:
Dollar for dollar spent, it has never changed and it will always be the same answer, buying another bike is the ONLY cost effective way for any REAL increased in performance, . I buy a bike and accept it for what it is, if I wanna go faster, harder, deeper, I grab a bike with more ponies in the first place.
I have 6 bikes for a reason! :thumb:
Quote from: J_Walker on December 17, 2011, 12:09:32 AMI think the Katana is even more under powered compared to its weight class than the GS500f... Lol if anything I'd get an SV650. or something along those lines...
Katana's are sexy, curvaceous creatures! 8)
(http://home.comcast.net/~stykers/katana.jpg)
^^ yes that is a smokin sweet friggin bike! :thumb:
I'll think about it.. Maybe I'll just work on getting my GS500 to work and possibly sell it sometime after January, when the summer season is coming back.. sell it for like 2grand. Buy another tad bit faster bike. btw I thought the Katana was a 650? Lol?
Mostly, I think you just have the wrong bike, although I have read that a 1-tooth smaller front sprocket doesn't affect top speed while increasing rpm in all gears at every speed on the GS500. This may help to keep you in an rpm range where the motor is operating near it's maximum power output. On the GS500 this appears to be 9500 rpm.
Quote from: Suzuki Stevo on December 17, 2011, 10:50:57 AM
[
Katana's are sexy, curvaceous creatures! 8)
waitWHUT? I thought katanas were non-faired.wow was I off.
It's funny how much the current hayabusa's look like the old katana though
You change your mind more than some people change their underwear :kiss3:
The Katana was a 600 all it's life. It's motor was eventually used in the Bandit 600 which later became a 650. This motor then found its way into the GSX650F.
Quote from: SAFE-T on December 17, 2011, 02:20:05 PM
You change your mind more than some people change their underwear :kiss3:
The Katana was a 600 all it's life. It's motor was eventually used in the Bandit 600 which later became a 650. This motor then found its way into the GSX650F.
Problem is there isn't a lot around my area for slow riding... our "normal" roads are 45mph slowest is 35mph, now, our freeway/highways is 80mph Just getting up and past a D-bag on their phone trying not to get killed is a problem on my GS500f, I LOVE the fuel mileage on my bike.. and how nibble the GS is. If I could find a bike that's an upgraded version of the GS. I Don't wanna get a bike any bigger than a 750cc, If I can I'd also like to still have a V Twin engine.. I like my engine being louder than my exhaust. It scares people. Idc about how old the bike is... 1960 or 2010 to me it doesn't matter as long as shes a prudery gas saving, speed wielding bike. For now I will stick with my GS500.
So if the traffic is traveling at 80 on a freeway (which means multiple lanes) why do you want to get past them? Why not do the same speed? Why not go in the slow lane and do 5 slower and bother noone?
Michael
Quote from: mister on December 17, 2011, 06:53:54 PM
So if the traffic is traveling at 80 on a freeway (which means multiple lanes) why do you want to get past them? Why not do the same speed? Why not go in the slow lane and do 5 slower and bother noone?
Michael
+1
He lost me when he said he wanted to pass people on his GS who were already doin 80. WTF? :cookoo:
Quote from: J_Walker on December 17, 2011, 05:51:07 PM
Problem is there isn't a lot around my area for slow riding... our "normal" roads are 45mph slowest is 35mph, now, our freeway/highways is 80mph Just getting up and past a D-bag on their phone trying not to get killed is a problem on my GS500f...
I have no problems with those speeds on my gs500 (2006)
If it is an issue for you, I would suggest this is a case of either:
a) something wrong with your bike
b) unreasonable expectations on your part. (ie: expecting that going from 70mph to 80mph takes the same amount of time as going from 10-20mph)
Edit to match "tricky"'s post: fyi, I weigh 150lbs.
I'm a big guy (240lb) and my GS has taken me up to an indicated 160 km/h no problems. 6th gear is very sluggish, I stay in 5th as long as I can to get up to speed a little quicker
EDIT: Indicated 160 km/h, less 15% for inaccuracy, that's around 85ish MPH. You could do better :thumb:
You want to be BEHIND the driver on the cellphone, NOT in front of them so they can run you over when they're not looking. Take the slow lane and watch your mirrors more.
Quote from: J_Walker on December 17, 2011, 05:51:07 PM
Quote from: SAFE-T on December 17, 2011, 02:20:05 PM
You change your mind more than some people change their underwear :kiss3:
The Katana was a 600 all it's life. It's motor was eventually used in the Bandit 600 which later became a 650. This motor then found its way into the GSX650F.
Problem is there isn't a lot around my area for slow riding... our "normal" roads are 45mph slowest is 35mph, now, our freeway/highways is 80mph Just getting up and past a D-bag on their phone trying not to get killed is a problem on my GS500f, I LOVE the fuel mileage on my bike.. and how nibble the GS is. If I could find a bike that's an upgraded version of the GS. I Don't wanna get a bike any bigger than a 750cc, If I can I'd also like to still have a V Twin engine.. I like my engine being louder than my exhaust. It scares people. Idc about how old the bike is... 1960 or 2010 to me it doesn't matter as long as shes a prudery gas saving, speed wielding bike. For now I will stick with my GS500.
If you want a v twin, I would check out the SV650SF...it has a slightly tighter riding position, is faster and gets similar fuel consumption to the GS...the other option is the one SAFE-T mentioned...the GSX650F (which replaced the Katana 600 & the 750...in other parts of the world the Katana was known as the GSX-F 600 & 750)...the GSX650F is Suzuki's first step up the sport bike ladder...it's much faster than the SV, but uses more fuel...but it isn't bad & has a 20L tank...fuel injection is a nice change...
Later.
Quote from: J_Walker on December 17, 2011, 05:51:07 PM
If I could find a bike that's an upgraded version of the GS. I Don't wanna get a bike any bigger than a 750cc, If I can I'd also like to still have a V Twin engine.. I like my engine being louder than my exhaust. It scares people. Idc about how old the bike is... 1960 or 2010 to me it doesn't matter as long as shes a prudery gas saving, speed wielding bike. For now I will stick with my GS500.
Sorry to be a semantic dork but I think you just mean you like 2 cylinder engines, the GS is a parallel (not V) twin.
-Jessie
More exhaust backpressure (to a point) will grant you more horsepower. However, this will come at the price of low-end torque which you need for cruising around town unless you want to wind her up like a top just to ride normally. The opposite is true of torque. If you want more torque just open the exhaust up more. However, this will exacerbate your original problem.
The above is wrong ,
I have just completed a performance upgrade at minimal cost and the gs500F responds better in all ranges of revolutions from idle to maximum revs bettor torque bettor acceleration and slightly more fuel consumption than standard . They take time to get them tuned right if you have the ability.like any performance mod you cant do just bits and peices and expect it to perform
This is what ive done with exccelant results .
jetting pilot jet# 22.5
pilot screw 3 turns out
mid main jet #60
Needle was from FACTORY PRO 0994G-84M-60U/2 In 2nd notch down from the top
main jet 150
float level 13 mm
timing advance 3 degree's ....... 5 degree's was to much in this engine of mine.
Sparkplugs NGK DPR9EA-9
Air filter i used came out of a GSX 1400 It fitted straight into standard airbox
Air filter #13780-05A00( 6V04) BRACKETED # MAY NOT BE NECESSARY
Exhaust i removed the first cataylitic converter completly it still has another in the front of the muffler
Ground out the exhaust header to 1 5/8"as it had a weld that had reduced the exhaust down to 1 1'4 " it now sounds and performs as well as any performance exhaust.
BEFORE ANY OF YOU START KNOCKING THESE MODS JUST GO AND TRY THEM IN THERE ENTIRITY YOU WILL BE SUPRISEDi have spent over 6 months trying different timing settings and many jetting combinations.
THE TIMING ADVANCE DOES WORK i dialed in more advance and got signs of to much advance.
all testing done at sea level in fine weather.
GO TRY THIS .
Quote from: Suzuki Stevo on December 17, 2011, 10:50:57 AM
Quote from: J_Walker on December 17, 2011, 12:09:32 AMI think the Katana is even more under powered compared to its weight class than the GS500f... Lol if anything I'd get an SV650. or something along those lines...
Katana's are sexy, curvaceous creatures! 8)
(http://home.comcast.net/~stykers/katana.jpg)
Except for when you look at them from the front. The front is ugly enough that I chose a GS500F over a Katana when I was buying my bike. Plus they're heavy, cumbersome, and not a GSXR.
Quote from: Dr.McNinja on December 23, 2011, 12:30:14 PMExcept for when you look at them from the front. The front is ugly enough that I chose a GS500F over a Katana when I was buying my bike. Plus they're heavy, cumbersome, and not a GSXR.
The Katana in my photo is actually considered a Sport
Touring bike,
touring bikes benefit from having mass/weight. FJR1300's are cumbersome also...until you let the clutch out :woohoo:
GSXR= Sport Bike
GSXF= Sport Touring Bike
GS500= UJM
Quote from: Suzuki Stevo on December 23, 2011, 01:29:13 PM
Quote from: Dr.McNinja on December 23, 2011, 12:30:14 PMExcept for when you look at them from the front. The front is ugly enough that I chose a GS500F over a Katana when I was buying my bike. Plus they're heavy, cumbersome, and not a GSXR.
The Katana in my photo is actually considered a Sport Touring bike, touring bikes benefit from having mass/weight. FJR1300's are cumbersome also...until you let the clutch out :woohoo:
GSXR= Sport Bike
GSXF= Sport Touring Bike
GS500= UJM
Ditto...
The GSX650 is heavy - but - only when you compare it to something lighter. Compare it to a C50 Boulevard and you'll think it is light and nimble.
Michael
"Sport Touring" is a term being applied to big, heavy, under-powered pig bikes, the same way "Special" was applied to developmentally disadvantaged children. Whitewashing bikes like that doesn't do anything to raise the bikes up, but does a lot to drag the term down.
The Katana is an old-tech sport bike, with somewhat relaxed ergos. It doesn't really have any touring amenities.
Also, back-pressure doesn't provide any power benefit - simply adding a restricter won't do anything to help improve performance (unless you're jetting is so far off that reduced back pressure exasperates a lean condition.)
There's a lot of science behind exhaust system design, and there are some trade-offs that will increase pressure and reduce performance at certain RPM in order to improve another. With the exhaust, the name of the game is gas velocity - the idea is to keep velocity high so that the exhaust pulse will help suck more air into the cylinder. This must, however, be accomplished without creating so much back-pressure that it kills performance completely.
Quote from: twinrat on December 23, 2011, 02:43:19 AM
More exhaust backpressure (to a point) will grant you more horsepower. However, this will come at the price of low-end torque which you need for cruising around town unless you want to wind her up like a top just to ride normally. The opposite is true of torque. If you want more torque just open the exhaust up more. However, this will exacerbate your original problem.
The above is wrong ,
I have just completed a performance upgrade at minimal cost and the gs500F responds better in all ranges of revolutions from idle to maximum revs bettor torque bettor acceleration and slightly more fuel consumption than standard . They take time to get them tuned right if you have the ability.like any performance mod you cant do just bits and peices and expect it to perform
This is what ive done with exccelant results .
jetting pilot jet# 22.5
pilot screw 3 turns out
mid main jet #60
Needle was from FACTORY PRO 0994G-84M-60U/2 In 2nd notch down from the top
main jet 150
float level 13 mm
timing advance 3 degree's ....... 5 degree's was to much in this engine of mine.
Sparkplugs NGK DPR9EA-9
Air filter i used came out of a GSX 1400 It fitted straight into standard airbox
Air filter #13780-05A00( 6V04) BRACKETED # MAY NOT BE NECESSARY
Exhaust i removed the first cataylitic converter completly it still has another in the front of the muffler
Ground out the exhaust header to 1 5/8"as it had a weld that had reduced the exhaust down to 1 1'4 " it now sounds and performs as well as any performance exhaust.
BEFORE ANY OF YOU START KNOCKING THESE MODS JUST GO AND TRY THEM IN THERE ENTIRITY YOU WILL BE SUPRISEDi have spent over 6 months trying different timing settings and many jetting combinations.
THE TIMING ADVANCE DOES WORK i dialed in more advance and got signs of to much advance.
all testing done at sea level in fine weather.
GO TRY THIS .
That post is kind of a jumbled mess but it sounds like you're trying to quote me with the intent of saying I'm wrong.Opening the exhaust up, if NOTHING else, leans the motor out even more and with stock settings on the carb, it's too much. I don't think "seat of the pants" is proof enough of your argument.
You CAN tune the motor for a straight exhaust but unless you are actually someone capable of doing it (trained professional), just throwing parts and money at a bike isn't going to make it go faster.
By far the easiest and simplest method of "fixing" the overall lean running the GS exhibits, is to install a tiny washer on the needles inside the carbs. There is a post somewhere describing how to do this - hopefully somebody can link it. Anybody with more than half a brain and rudimentary mechanical skills could do it. It is, by far, the most effective and least expensive mod there is for the bike. For the cost of a piece of gum...and a few hours of your time, you can make your bike run a whole lot smoother and better.
As far as the ignition advance, yeah I'd bet that would make some small difference but how much? I'd love to see some numbers.
Quote from: burning1 on December 23, 2011, 11:20:25 PM
Also, back-pressure doesn't provide any power benefit - simply adding a restricter won't do anything to help improve performance (unless you're jetting is so far off that reduced back pressure exasperates a lean condition.)
There's a lot of science behind exhaust system design, and there are some trade-offs that will increase pressure and reduce performance at certain RPM in order to improve another. With the exhaust, the name of the game is gas velocity - the idea is to keep velocity high so that the exhaust pulse will help suck more air into the cylinder. This must, however, be accomplished without creating so much back-pressure that it kills performance completely.
It depends. All things being equal, adding an aftermarket exhaust to an otherwise stock GS is going to rob you of power because of how lean they're already tuned - removing backpressure will cause the motor to run leaner...thus exacerbating the issue. You would benefit from an aftermarket exhaust PLUS a needle shim or different jets. Plus, running an already lean-tuned motor even leaner will result in burnt valves eventually. It's generally not a great idea to just throw whatever the hell you've got laying around on the end of the pipe if you want your bike to run the best.
They [aftermarket exhausts], generally speaking, derive their sound from baffling...or lack thereof...which equates to less backpressure versus stock. ;)
Lean condition introduced by an aftermarket exhaust is a fueling problem, not an exhaust problem. Restricting the exhaust flow isn't the solution; jetting properly for the exhaust is.
If you don't want to mess with your fueling, don't touch the exhaust. The GS is fine stock. If you want to mod, do it right.
Quote from: burning1 on December 24, 2011, 01:31:22 AM
Lean condition introduced by an aftermarket exhaust is a fueling problem, not an exhaust problem. Restricting the exhaust flow isn't the solution; jetting properly for the exhaust is.
If you don't want to mess with your fueling, don't touch the exhaust. The GS is fine stock. If you want to mod, do it right.
That's an argument of semantics my friend. It's a fueling problem CAUSED by the exhaust. ;)
Edit: Either way, we're saying the same thing. Modding the exhaust isn't a way to get any real results.
kijona you obviously know absolutly nothing about engine tuning, my reply was not for your benifit but for the originator of the post who would understand that what he required was an increase in power .,there by increasing fuel consumption .seat of the pants tuning is non existant ,it is about reading spark plugs they tell you everything . now get that dummy out of your mouth and stop wasting everyones time
Quote from: twinrat on December 24, 2011, 01:36:28 AM
kijona you obviously know absolutly nothing about engine tuning, my reply was not for your benifit but for the originator of the post who would understand that what he required was an increase in power .,there by increasing fuel consumption .seat of the pants tuning is non existant ,it is about reading spark plugs they tell you everything . now get that dummy out of your mouth and stop wasting everyones time
I think if you took the time to actually type like you have some sense I might have understood what you were trying to say a little better. Please don't blame me for an oversight on your part. Thanks.
I think this thread is getting nowhere fast. When the insults start flying it's about time it be closed. Calling all mods? :icon_confused:
Quote from: Kijona on December 24, 2011, 01:46:24 AM
I think this thread is getting nowhere fast. When the insults start flying it's about time it be closed. Calling all mods? :icon_confused:
Nope. No thread closures here for a handful of questionable posts. It's all left alone and magically it all sorts itself out :thumb:
Quote from: mister on December 24, 2011, 01:58:32 AM
Quote from: Kijona on December 24, 2011, 01:46:24 AM
I think this thread is getting nowhere fast. When the insults start flying it's about time it be closed. Calling all mods? :icon_confused:
Nope. No thread closures here for a handful of questionable posts. It's all left alone and magically it all sorts itself out :thumb:
:dunno_black: Whatevski. :p
Quote from: Suzuki Stevo on December 17, 2011, 10:43:02 AM
Dollar for dollar spent, it has never changed and it will always be the same answer, buying another bike is the ONLY cost effective way for any REAL increased in performance, . I buy a bike and accept it for what it is, if I wanna go faster, harder, deeper, I grab a bike with more ponies in the first place.
I have 6 bikes for a reason! :thumb:
+1
80mph is the end of the gs power / comfort zone. Slow down or get a new bike.
+2!!!
Quote from: burning1 on December 23, 2011, 11:11:32 PM
"Sport Touring" is a term being applied to big, heavy, under-powered pig bikes, the same way "Special" was applied to developmentally disadvantaged children. Whitewashing bikes like that doesn't do anything to raise the bikes up, but does a lot to drag the term down.
The Katana is an old-tech sport bike, with somewhat relaxed ergos. It doesn't really have any touring amenities.
There is more to riding than sweating a bikes Power To Weight Ratio, for the street, Katana's, Bandit's, and bikes like the GSX650F are far more practical than any bike with an "R" in it's badge. Again somebody is trying to compare a good All Around Bike to a Sport Bike, because Sport Bikes are the
only bikes with a higher Power To Weight Ratio. Obviously your not a fan by describing practical fun bikes as
"big, heavy, under-powered pig bikes" why don't you just say their not Sport Bikes therefore they suck?
I'm following a thread on one of the bike riding clubs in my city. The 20 year old is currently on a REstricted license - which means he can only ride a Learner Approved Motorcycle (LAM). LAM bikes are bikes with less than 150kw per tonne (with 90kg being estimated as rider weight) and under 660cc. After 12 months he can upgrade to a larger cc and more powerful bike. He is currently riding a GS500.
His chosen upgrade bike is...
Triumph Rocket III
From GS500 - Triumph Rocket III :cookoo:
Michael
Quote from: mister on December 24, 2011, 11:51:26 AM
I'm following a thread on one of the bike riding clubs in my city. The 20 year old is currently on a REstricted license - which means he can only ride a Learner Approved Motorcycle (LAM). LAM bikes are bikes with less than 150kw per tonne (with 90kg being estimated as rider weight) and under 660cc. After 12 months he can upgrade to a larger cc and more powerful bike. He is currently riding a GS500.
His chosen upgrade bike is...
Triumph Rocket III
From GS500 - Triumph Rocket III :cookoo:
Michael
Love to see him try to go into his first bend after coming off the GS and then trying to navigate that tank through a corner.
Actually, my complaint about the Katana is that it's not practical enough. Ergonomics are somewhere between a sport bike and a fared standard, and it really doesn't have any touring amneties at all.
The GS500 is my race bike. My street bike is a BMW hyper-tourer; the equivelent of a 'busa for touring duty. Comes equpped with heated grips, heated seats, luggage, electronically adjustable suspension, trip computer, electronically adjustable windscreen, and a bunch of other stuff. It weighs a little above 600lbs topped off, and makes 160 HP. It's a fat, under-powered pig compared to a bike like the S1000RR, but its comfortable go 1000 miles to get to the twisties, and it's agile enough that I can embarrass some sport bikers when I get there (not that I ever see sport bikes where I ride...)
A bike like the Katana doesn't have anything like that. It's heavy compared to modern sport bikes, and it's under-powered. It certainly has better ergos, and it's certainly a more comfortable street bike... But it's not a tourer by any means, until you take the time to turn it into one.
A lot of bikes that were once sport bikes are starting to get labeled 'sport tourers' as sport bike ergonomics become more agressive, and modern technology renders the older sport bikes obsolete. The Katana is one example, but the most famous is probably the Yamaha FZR600.
(http://i261.photobucket.com/albums/ii63/ctbarbour/Z2%20K1300GT/148570_1453612787922_1461367353_30936569_5913650_n.jpg)
Alas, there are only a few bikes purpose-made for sport-touring. The rest of the time people are more often referring to a style of travel focused on performance/speed, with the objective to get somewhere with lots of twisty roads.
Yamaha FJR, Kawasaki Concourse, BMW K1600GT, F800ST, Honda ST1300, Honda NT700V, Triumph Sprint, Moto Guzzi Norge, Motus MST...
Not an exhaustive list, and those are just the bikes currently on the market. List extends even further when you include the dual sport touring machines, and sporty tourers (R1200RT, for example.)
Am I the only one here who commutes on a stretch of interstate doing 80+ and doesn't have a problem with the GS keeping up and passing?
:confused:
The power is there. The bike will do 100 if you have to. It isn't a fast bike by any measure, but it is faster than most traffic of the cage kind. Just let it rev.
:dunno_black:
Quote from: burning1 on December 26, 2011, 11:36:51 PM
Yamaha FJR, Kawasaki Concourse, BMW K1600GT, F800ST, Honda ST1300, Honda NT700V, Triumph Sprint, Moto Guzzi Norge, Motus MST...
Wow. the latest yamaha fjr looks pretty! :)
But, (if you have the money) the BMW ST is the only straight up replacement/improvement for the GS500.
Better horsepower, better mileage, and only a little heavier.
412lb vs 400lb dry weight, allegedly.
Quote from: Phil B on December 27, 2011, 08:53:56 AM
Quote from: burning1 on December 26, 2011, 11:36:51 PM
Yamaha FJR, Kawasaki Concourse, BMW K1600GT, F800ST, Honda ST1300, Honda NT700V, Triumph Sprint, Moto Guzzi Norge, Motus MST...
Wow. the latest yamaha fjr looks pretty! :)
But, (if you have the money) the BMW ST is the only straight up replacement/improvement for the GS500.
Better horsepower, better mileage, and only a little heavier.
412lb vs 400lb dry weight, allegedly.
Let me throw in the Honda 919. It's like a naked GS but more comfy and powerful. Tour on it easy.
(https://lh5.googleusercontent.com/-nMu4RhU4fLw/TSokixSX59I/AAAAAAAAAxQ/yGaQADM3AI0/s640/CB900-panniers.jpg)
Michael
come on gents we are getting off the origonal post.Some one should put up a show us your toys post.
Quote from: twinrat on December 28, 2011, 12:29:35 AM
come on gents we are getting off the origonal post.Some one should put up a show us your toys post.
We never stay on topic here. We go off, get back on, off, on again, and so on. :thumb:
Michael
We are right on topic ~ they asked how to get more top end power, and we provided a list of more powerful bikes LOL
+1
Want more power get a more powerful bike, want more fun learn to do them with your GS. :thumb:
Quote from: Mauricio on December 27, 2011, 03:50:00 AM
Am I the only one here who commutes on a stretch of interstate doing 80+ and doesn't have a problem with the GS keeping up and passing?
:confused:
The power is there. The bike will do 100 if you have to. It isn't a fast bike by any measure, but it is faster than most traffic of the cage kind. Just let it rev.
:dunno_black:
No, you're not the only one. Well, I don't commute on the interstate, but 80+ is no problem. I have traveled on the big roads for probably 1200 miles over the last few years. Can comfortably pass a car or truck who's going 79 by getting up to 90 in a reasonable period of time.
Quote from: Paulcet on December 29, 2011, 09:47:02 AM
Quote from: Mauricio on December 27, 2011, 03:50:00 AM
Am I the only one here who commutes on a stretch of interstate doing 80+ and doesn't have a problem with the GS keeping up and passing?
:confused:
The power is there. The bike will do 100 if you have to. It isn't a fast bike by any measure, but it is faster than most traffic of the cage kind. Just let it rev.
:dunno_black:
No, you're not the only one. Well, I don't commute on the interstate, but 80+ is no problem. I have traveled on the big roads for probably 1200 miles over the last few years. Can comfortably pass a car or truck who's going 79 by getting up to 90 in a reasonable period of time.
Ditto.
I generally sit on 75 on the freeway. Occasionally, I'll need to give a but to get around a car with more haste due to the way traffic creates and diminishes gaps on a freeway, leaving it on 6th I have no problems getting up to 85, 90. I'll stay doing 75 cause it's a bit quicker than most cars are willing to go but not fast enough to attract the attention of the plod who patrol the freeway with unmarked cars and hidden speed cameras.
It's a comfy speed and going faster would only cut maybe 2 minutes off my trip by the time I am done and not worth the extra hassle.
Michael