After riding several thousand miles on her, I think I want to turn Betty into more of a sport(ish) touring bike. I'm trying to decided between replacing the bars altogether or adding bar risers, or maybe both. Ultimately, I'm wanting a more up-right riding position.
I'm aware of the Bike Master Touring GP bars, but not of any others. It seems there are a LOT of sportier bars, but not that many touring bars. I would love to hear form anyone who has turned a gs500 into more of a touring style ride.
Risers are probably the easiest way to go, and they do make a big difference. There are several different options out there for you on risers too. There are probably more options out there, but here is a list of them I've seen on GS500s from $$$ to $:
SW-Motech risers
(http://static.twisted-throttle.net/media/catalog/product/cache/1/image/28496d0a14ec004b76332fd2427e3099/p/h/phpXgEVh6.jpg)
http://www.twistedthrottle.com/handlebar-riser-barbacks-top-clamps-bmw-ducati-gas-gas-honda-kawasaki-ktm-lc4-mz-suzuki-triumph-yamaha-pair-1-rise-1-pullback
Roxx Risers
(http://www.revzilla.com/product_images/0042/3132/rox2_pivot_risersfor78_handlebars_detail.jpg)
http://www.revzilla.com/motorcycle/rox-2-pivot-risers-for-78-handlebars?utm_source=product&kwd=&adtype=pla&kw={keyword}&gclid=COvygOSU_bkCFcvm7AodyhkA4A
Ebay risers
(http://i.ebayimg.com/t/1-up-1-25-Handlebar-Risers-GS500-GS1100-LS650-GS-500-/06/!B4M5PE!EGk~$(KGrHqJ,!ioEyd+-jCC0BMo85,0Ijw~~_1.JPG)
http://www.ebay.com/itm/1-up-1-25-Handlebar-Risers-GS500-GS1100-LS650-GS-500-/170698037473
Also available in black.
Clamp risers (hillbilly risers, junkyard risers, etc). Just buy another set of clamps for your handlebars, flip one upside down, mount the other on top, and it gives you about an inch rise. Cheap to just buy the whole plate and rob the clamps.
(http://cgi.stanford.edu/~sanjayd/gs500/uploads/Upgrades/junkyard_risers.jpg)
http://www.ebay.com/itm/09-Suzuki-GS500F-GS500-500-RISERS-HANDLEBAR-/130668710990
- Bboy
Put the GenMar risers on my 97 GS for 80k miles and transferred them to my 02 GS for another 100k miles, wouldn't leave home without them. They move the bars up 1" and back 1 3/8" which is as far as you can go without a longer brake hose. Did my last 400-500 mile GS500 Interstate days at age 72, they worked for me for a lot of years and miles.
(http://www.gs500.net/gallery/data/500/GenMar_risers.jpg)