Hello everyone.
New to the site, last year I bought a 2009 gs500f. It is my first bike and I love it. But I wish it was a bit faster. I am ordering a 350mm (14 inch) delkevic oval exhaust, a stage 1 dynojet kit, an air filter and I'm going up a tooth on the back.
Just wondering what your guys feed back is and if you have any suggestions. Thanks.
First things first: IMO, unless the act of doing the work is its own reward for you, there aren't a whole lot of appreciable power gains to be made on the GS. The GS's strong suit is its handling. If you focus on that rather than engine power, you will be faster in the corners than most guys on bikes with double the displacement. If you want to go faster on the GS, personally I think you're better off working on improving your riding than you are modding the bike. Work on your cornering skills, learn to trail brake, stuff like that.
But, if you do want to mod the bike, the mods you mentioned, plus things like better tires, SS brake lines, heavier fork brace, rearsets, etc. will also help you "go faster". They aren't power mods, but they allow you to more effectively apply what power the bike has available.
+1 to what he said.
Oh yea DJ kit is garbage. That's why I make a kit for it, I make kit only for a GS, I am not a "factory" that does anything and everything under the sun. Been tuned with an O2 sensor and the road in daily life, not on a magical dyno in a controlled shop and destroys the stock parts so you don't even have a way to "undo" it.
Cool.
Buddha.
If you mean higher top speed , by the words "faster" . you probably have the wrong bike. This is an 80's designed motorcycle designed as a commuter/tourer. Both jobs is does VERY well.
If you mean faster accellerating then you can jet it correctly and dump some weight. You could also gear it lower ( ie higher reverse ratio by smaller front sprocket or a bigger rear). They are covered in old design heavy stuff, start with the exhaust system. But you have an aircooled twin 500cc bike. It will out accellerate most cars, but the multies or big displacement bike will be faster.
If you mean faster through the twisties, then spend your money on good performance tyres ( go up a size on the rear), a proper rear shock, fork spring and revalving, and setup. That will have the biggest effect on your enjoyment of the bike of all.
It's not a racer. It is a very good rider's and tourer's motorcycle
I understand that the bike will not be much if at all faster from the mods I am making. I guess I should have clarified myself better.
What else should I do. I am on workers comp, so im not working. I need stuff to do, may as well get the most out of my little 500. I'm probably upgrading to a 600 later this summer but I waneed of have a snappy little bike for my girlfriend to ride. Thanks for the input.
I think my answer will be not exciting as I think you wish... but here my comments:
1) As QCBAKER said... improve your skills.. there a plenty of juice to be squeezed from regular gs;
2) TIRES... the easiest and powerful way to go faster (however you going to need tip #1)
3) Be sure that your bike is tuned (valves, carbs, etc...)
4) Good break pads ( EBC double H)
In order to attend #1#2 and #3 I would recommend you to start reading;
A Twist of the Wrist Vol. 2: The Basics of High-Performance Motorcycle Riding (very popular)
Sport Riding Techniques: How To Develop Real World Skills for Speed, Safety, and Confidence on the Street and Track
Sportbike Performance Handbook (Motorbooks Workshop) ( one of the best books about motorcycle a have read)
And the
might GS service manual! easy to find online.
If you want to tweak your bike... it's fine.. but really will not make it go that much faster... but I like to do it also. :D
My reference project is from a former GStwins member called burning1
here is he beatings some big bikes!.. so cool :bowdown: :bowdown:
PS:
I never tried.. but I do not think that a smaller sprocket will help you effectively... maybe in HUGE straights... but in any other path I think will make you slower! I read your first post again and I saw that you wrote the oppose that I understood from the first time!
I asked myself this question 6 months after buying mine. I assumed (1) previous owner had maintained properly, (2) that the bike already ran well, and (3) that I really knew how to ride it. I was wrong on all three. Before you spend money on that stuff for +5hp, money you wont get back if you ever sell, do this first:
- replace every o-ring, rubber boot, and gasket....you gain power when they're not leaking
- check your valve shims, you gain power when they're set properly
- pull the carbs and clean them. you gain power when they breath right. while youre in there check your jet. are they stock? then you're running lean and will gain a bit of power if you rejet. also check your float levels, and are your needle heads closing fully. yes, its a pain in the ass, but you'll learn a hell of a lot and this site will teach you everything you need to know. These help a lot. Each time I fixed/cleaned something, it ran a little better. All those little things added up to a bike that runs tighter and faster. Added bonus is when youre out riding, you'll have the confidence knowing whats happening in your engine
- pull the pilot air plug and learn to tweak that circuit, it will add a bit more power
- install new chain/front sprocket/rear sprocket. reducing drive train lash a bit of power off the line
- read Twist of the Wrist. you can beat all those liter bikes on the corners
or if you just want raw power, then buy a new bike and pay more insurance :0
As others have pointed out, engine modifications are not going to result in more power. This topic comes up frequently.
The exhaust swap will reduce weight and improve sound (well, it'll be louder). It won't change performance.
You should refresh the carbs by replacing all o-rings, replace the intake boot o-rings, and consider increasing the pilot and main jet sizes by going one size up (dunno which country your bike was sold ... US bikes had undersized jets). Then tune them right. All of this is written up on my blog. (https://joshkarnes.blogspot.com/2017/09/fixing-common-gs500-carburetor-issues.html) This won't improve power but will make the bike more reliable, easier to start, and especially improve idle quality when it's cold. Plus you won't be chasing your tail on a lot of other issues.
Leave the airbox and air filter alone. There is nothing to be gained there. By changing the air filter you will change the air flow through the carbs and make it harder to tune. It won't go faster, it'll be slower, because it won't run right and while you might be able to dial in the jetting to get it to where it runs as good as it would with stock parts, it will be more finicky and sub-optimal. The best performance will be had with the stock airbox and air filter.
For quicker acceleration, changing the gearing by adjusting sprockets may work out. Going down a tooth in front will have a big difference in off-the-line feel, but given shifting time and the need to shift more frequently probably doesn't result in measurably faster acceleration, and the tradeoff is in noise at highway speed. You will turn a few hundred more RPMs on the highway and coupled with louder exhaust this may put it into the annoying category. I know my bike already turns like 6K at 65mph and that basically means I avoid going faster than 60mph just because it's annoyingly loud. I think I'd hate it with more gearing.
Particularly if you are going to want someone else to ride this bike I'd suggest making it reliable and easy to ride rather than trying to get it on the knife edge. I'd leave everything alone except maybe the exhaust and jetting (don't buy a "kit" that has the word "stage" in it...) and ensure it has no vacuum leaks or carb issues, then call it done. The GS500 makes a terrific spare bike because it's bulletproof and cheap and easy to keep running. And it's more than fast enough.
Anyway, that's my input.
The others here made excellent suggestions. Tires, suspension tuning, and riding technique are where it's at.
" Particularly if you are going to want someone else to ride this bike I'd suggest making it reliable and easy to ride rather than trying to get it on the knife edge. I'd leave everything alone except maybe the exhaust and jetting (don't buy a "kit" that has the word "stage" in it...) and ensure it has no vacuum leaks or carb issues, then call it done. The GS500 makes a terrific spare bike because it's bulletproof and cheap and easy to keep running. And it's more than fast enough."
While I often have some issues with what mr72 sysa ( he is extremely conservative) , this point is very well made. If the bike is to go to someone else , especially someone who may not have sufficient mech skills to maintain high-maintenance stuff don't stuff with it too much. Tyres, brakes and suspension are the things that make the ride more enjoyable, and keep you alive to continue enjoying.
I alkso recommend a Seat Comcepts seat pad/cover. Women tend to be much more sensitive about seat discomfort and the stock Suzi seat is a bit of a butt numbness creator.
As others have said it's not so much the bike as the rider. Anyone can go fast in a straight line. The fun is learning how to go fast in the corners. "Twist of the Wrist" has really good advice on going fast. Read it and practice, practice, practice. :)
You will have a blast on a well tuned bike with good tires and brakes.
While you're at it invest in some good gear. If you're going fast it's not a matter of "if" you will crash, but "when". Good gear will save your skin (and your life). I've walked away from some bad crashes with just bruises. Had I not been wearing full gear I wouldn't be here typing this. :cheers:
Alpo.. You have said it all!!!
I spent about a 15 years of riding to learn this... NEWBIES take this lines as a mantra.... as AlPO said:
QuoteWhile you're at it invest in some good gear. If you're going fast it's not a matter of "if" you will crash, but "when". Good gear will save your skin (and your life). I've walked away from some bad crashes with just bruises. Had I not been wearing full gear I wouldn't be here typing this.
The only modifications that I could suggest is.. even riding "slow" you will fall... is part of being a rider....
The same of being a skater .. impossible to learn and to have fun without going down... gear is concerning #0
Eventually .. shaZam! will happen.. is a powerful enlightenment and part of the game!
In the past used to be quite embarrassed about my falls... not anymore!
( to be honest .. now I am a bit proud of each one of my fails...lol)
Suziekqu I will tell you that...
I ride since 2003.. Recently I(5 years ago) changed my style.. and started to ride hard. (I never used to ride like a kitty cat)
I had an 800cc... about 80 hp (BMW F800r.. incredible bike)
And then I realized that... I was not even close to what the bike could deliver.... and I decided to take a step back and buy a GS... And boy.. I am having a lot of fun... for various reasons....
1) I am not afraid of going down anymore.... because the bike value is not that much
2) I am learning a lot about bike mechanics.. because I am not afraid of take an Gs apart and making a lot of mods (the BMW was a little intimidating);
3) IS MORE FUN TO RIDE A SLOW BIKE IN A FAST WAY THAN A FAST BIKE FAR FROM ITS EDGE.
4) I am learning a lot
I also learned that most of the 100 PLUS HP bike riders
Do not know what they are doing with the thing that they have between their legs.... :cookoo:
And I will upgrade ONLY when I realize that a GS is limiting me... and not the other way around.
Consider this before you go for a 600cc. ( I know that a 600cc is very tempting.. I frequently refrain my self from doing this... they are so cool)
Good luck!
This is my goal.. after reach this level... I will go to a 600cc!!!!!
(https://i.pinimg.com/originals/76/76/f2/7676f2b6ea47604cae5af996d0bb171c.jpg)
Kito I also had an F800R. Wonderful bike to ride ...aweful to own Even changing you own oil was a pain the the bloodt finiky CANbus.
There is an old racer saying..." It it MUCH more fun to ride a slow bike fast, than a fast bike slow."
I LOVE riding small bikes and I mean small. The fun of ringing everything out of a bike is immense. Most can't ring everything out of supersport let alone a bigger bike. My most fun bike ever had 28HP . Of course it was a Honda RS125GP frame with a severly worked Honda cr85 motor that weighed 70kg ( not a mistake...70kg). It had to ridden perfectly and flat out. You had to carry all your speed into corners. Best fun riding EVER!
Get you bike running and handling perfectly and find a place that are jus over the bikes limits and ride it there...
Quote from: gregjet on March 31, 2018, 12:51:10 PM
Kito I also had an F800R. Wonderful bike to ride ...aweful to own Even changing you own oil was a pain the the bloodt finiky CANbus.
Really?...
At the time I was living in a flat... so I got no place to do the maintenance of the BMW, I had no idea of these issues of maintenance.
However that bike could pull a plough if you wish! So much torque in low revs.
QuoteIt is more fun to ride a slow bike fast, than a fast bike slow.
sounds better like you have put.
Never heard of these hondas till now...they are pretty sleek!
https://www.motorcyclenews.com/news/2014/december/our-bikes-honda-rs125/
"it revs to 13,200rpm, makes around 45bhp" WTF!!!!
(https://i.pinimg.com/originals/a8/cd/38/a8cd389d8e4293f6758d1b9f49facc38.jpg)
Cheers greg!
That RS125 would be amazing to ride. But having to change out the pistons every 300 miles??? I'll stick with my boring old GS...
I had a ridiculously tuned cr85 motor in it ( a special class thing). 300miles (480km) is a LOT of track laps!!!!!!!! I suspect the 85's pistons wouldn't had lasted even as long as a rs125 one.
My chassis was the same model as the one in the picture I think.
Quote from: Kito on March 30, 2018, 02:14:40 PM
This is my goal.. after reach this level... I will go to a 600cc!!!!!
That's what i said, i did it, and still didn't upgrade. Funny thing is, the pics ended up looking like i was sitting still:
https://imgur.com/a/WylGg
https://imgur.com/a/ahyHa
:thumb:
What tires are you using?
Quote from: Kito on April 06, 2018, 06:20:04 AM
:thumb:
What tires are you using?
stock, havent found the need yet for anything else
Quote from: Darkstar on April 05, 2018, 04:57:12 PM
That's what i said, i did it, and still didn't upgrade. Funny thing is, the pics ended up looking like i was sitting still:
https://imgur.com/a/WylGg
https://imgur.com/a/ahyHa
Sweet! Next time wave at the camera. :D
Quote from: SuzikQu on March 27, 2018, 09:57:21 PMI bought a 2009 gs500f. It is my first bike and I love it......I'm probably upgrading to a 600 later this summer.
Like everybody else said, if you wanna be a faster rider, stick with the GS and spend your money on track days. When your lap times stop dropping, THEN go buy a 600.
Quote from: Suzi Q on April 08, 2018, 02:28:18 PM
Like everybody else said, if you wanna be a faster rider, stick with the GS and spend your money on track days. When your lap times stop dropping, THEN go buy a 600.
This. :thumb:
Track days are the most fun you will have on a bike.
Quote from: Suzi Q on April 08, 2018, 02:28:18 PM
Like everybody else said, if you wanna be a faster rider, stick with the GS and spend your money on track days. When your lap times stop dropping, THEN go buy a 600.
If track days weren't so expensive...
I mean, if I had the money to pay for track days on a regular basis I wouldn't ride a GS... :DD
Quote from: Ne0n on April 08, 2018, 11:59:06 PM
If track days weren't so expensive...
I mean, if I had the money to pay for track days on a regular basis I wouldn't ride a GS... :DD
[/quote]
Try shopping preseason for packages. The local company to me offers a discount if you are a member, the membership is $99/year and you get "sponsorship" deals through vendors like woodcraft and pirelli. Membership also gets you a discount on track days, and it starts to make a lot of sense if you do more than 2 a year. Worth looking in to.