Already underway with new ordering new suspension for my bike because i would like it to handle well with a total under 150$, so now my focus turns to the engine. She has almost 20k miles on her and since i bought the bike for 800$ im wondering if it would be worth it to put on a lunchbox filter, full V&H exhaust, and the rejet for around 380$ total. Seems like investing half of the bikes cost into only a 500cc engine would be a little bit silly but some part of me still wants to do it for whatever reason.
Anyone have the V$H super sport system and like or dislike it?
Another note I don't race, mainly cruising and aggressive street riding every now and then
Here's a good link for you to take a look at: http://gstwin.com/gs_mods.htm
Note that if you do decide to go with the V&H system, you'll be removing the exhaust header bolts every time you want to change the oil filter. For me, that's a little more trouble than it's worth, but hey, I'm my own person! :P
Are you planning on doing the rejet yourself? If so, you can save yourself a lot of money by purchasing Mikuni jets instead of DynoJet jets (redundancy?). You can purchase them individually. I'm assuming since you paid next to nothing for the bike, it's an older model (89-00). The older model carbs only have two jets and since Mikuni jets are usually about 4-5 bucks, you'd only be looking at a total of $20 for an entire set of new jets for your bike. Or, if it was newer, $30 since the newer model bikes have 3 jets in their carbs.
It all depends if you think a 3-5 HP gain is worth $380 bucks.
If it was me I'd focus on random bike mods, and less engine mods. Maybe keep an eye out for a used exhaust for $100, but I wouldn't spend the money on something new. All you're gonna do is make the bike louder(unless that's what you want). Fork springs are great, but a used Katana/R6 shock, better brake pads, some nice riding boots if you don't have any. I know the boots sound random, but if you're riding in soft shoes you won't believe how much better shifting/braking feels on racing boots with a stiff sold and a shift bad on the top of your right food.
Ultimately, do whatever you want, but don't forget about other things that actually make your ride better. Some nice gloves or a better helmet can make the experience way better than a new exhaust and some jets.
I have V&H on Junior. LOUD so I jammed in a Jardine silencer. Now it is OK.
Trey has a Sito slip on. Only because the can he came with was painted fugley black. Same as stock for noise.
Changing pilots from 37 to 40 is the only thing that made any difference - better low RPM performance.
I have a DynoJet kit I'll mail to anyone for $50. Paid like $89 but I don't need it and I'm tired of seeing it sitting on my desk.
If its worth it depends totally on the individual. I personaly think its worth it but thats because Im in the process of doing something very similar my self. Im doing it because I want to not because Im expecting crazy horse power out of the thing. To each their own. At least in the end I can say I tried it. also if you dont like the mods you can always put it back to stock and sell off what you put on it.
My Mustang has at least $8k in modifications. My GS500 is stock. I guess there are some people who have a stock Mustang and a totally morphed bike. The only one who can say if it is worth it is the one spending the money.
i did a Jardine full exhaust, K/N lunchbox, and Dynojet kit and love it, the Jardine sounds great without being loud, the main reason I did it was because the stock exhaust was crap, so i deceided to do the whole thing and really like it, but i saved money doing the work by myself.
Quote from: knowles on February 10, 2012, 04:08:46 PM
i did a Jardine full exhaust, K/N lunchbox, and Dynojet kit and love it, the Jardine sounds great without being loud, the main reason I did it was because the stock exhaust was crap, so i deceided to do the whole thing and really like it, but i saved money doing the work by myself.
Thats a good point that I forgot to mention, only do those mods if your going to do the work yourself. It would get to expensive if you paid someone else to do it. Plus it gets you knowing your bike in and out. Always good in any relationship..
Depends on what you expect to get out of them.
A three horsepower improvement would be hard to detect in a push lawnmower much less a motorcycle...so it isn't going to turn into a Hayabusa. You might detect some performance improvement through the seat of your pants but this motorcycle is what it is...The Fisher Price My First Motorcycle.
Best description I've read concerning exhaust "upgrades" is that it goes from sounding like a weed trimmer to an angry weed trimmer.
You likely will not get any of the money you sink into it back when you go to sell it.
Mods do increase mechanical knowledge and aptitude which may help to maintain/upgrade vehicles you purchase in the future. Just go into it with a clear idea of what you hope to gain, a reasonable idea of performance improvements, and knowledge of what you're comfortable spending.
Chop off unnecessary brackets, rip off the fairings, get anice headlamp, do your jets and k&n, move the mattery to where the stock airbox, relocate the wires to under the tank, and make the tail section beautiful, and you'll have a one of a kind bike that a lot will think is a ducati at first glance.
Make it handle better and put your own asthetic touches on and ride it, you see so many rejet problem threads here. And for the few extra horsepower it isn't worth it and it will ruin your fuel economy.
Hi Pontiackid read these 2 posts of mine and you should find a very nice increase in performance accross the whole range if you decide to use this info.First post Re: high end power. Second post Re:stock exhaust mod .You should be able to do all this for $100 especialy if you know or own a welder.
Thanks everyone for your opinions. After much thought i think i will be putting that 400$ into the funds for the next bike and just learn to ride well and fast on the stock power of the gs. Having less power will force me to be a better rider to keep up with the big guys. I think i will finish the suspension upgrades and some aesthetic mods of my own like you guys have mentioned and ride her into the ground. Thanks again for the info, this is a very helpful forum. :thumb:
Pont,
Okay. This is a GS500. You aren't keeping up with Big Guys unless they ride at posted limits. In which case, you can keep up with them cruising. But if they want to be gone, you ain't keeping up no matter what mods you do.
My GS is totally stock. I bought it new and have just reached 50,000kms. I ride it daily. No carb/running issues cause I left the carbs alone and didn't rejet like all the others think they needed to do cause they read too many rejet threads.
The lessons to take from the GS, besides how to ride, are all about not expecting whatever bike you have to be anything other than what it is.
Michael
Quote from: mister on February 11, 2012, 02:34:22 AM
Pont,
Okay. This is a GS500. You aren't keeping up with Big Guys unless they ride at posted limits. In which case, you can keep up with them cruising. But if they want to be gone, you ain't keeping up no matter what mods you do.
My GS is totally stock. I bought it new and have just reached 50,000kms. I ride it daily. No carb/running issues cause I left the carbs alone and didn't rejet like all the others think they needed to do cause they read too many rejet threads. The lessons to take from the GS, besides how to ride, are all about not expecting whatever bike you have to be anything other than what it is.
Michael
+1
Agree, as I have said many times "Don't mess with your carbs and they won't mess with you." At 92k miles mine runs like new and has had no carb ussues.
Quote from: Pontiackid73 on February 10, 2012, 01:50:57 PM
Another note I don't race, mainly cruising and aggressive street riding every now and then
If this is your main activity - doing your front and rear suspension upgrades first is a wise choice. Not only is it the best bang for your bucks, its arguably the most noticable upgrade(s) you can do. If you are doing the work yourself do it in stages. I found it interesting to see the differences to the bike as I did things "performance" wise.
But pretty much what everyone else has said. Much in the way you paint a room in your home you do it for you because you like it, not for anyone else. If you want to do it, do it :D
Some bikes have engines that just don't produce more power unless you modify them way beyond their original parameters. The GS500 can be made to produce hundreds of hp, and there is a board member that has done it. My VFR800 produces around 100hp stock, but the 750cc RC45 motor it was based on made 190hp in race trim, and you can supercharge it for around the price of an additional VFR800.
The most bang for you buck ($15 I think)would probably be a 15T front sprocket. Only mod I've done so far and it made a difference you can actually feel. From a 5mph roll it pulls more like it should.