I just recently purchased a 2004 GS500.  It will be delivered to my house tomorrow ...  I'm so excited.

I have a few questions about lowering the bike and would appreciate advice from those of you who already have a GS500.

I'm 5'2" and need the bike lowered about an inch or so.  My friends who ride are telling me that you can turn some sort of screw and lower the bike without any mods.  The guys at the bike shop are trying to talk me into doing some sort of "dog bone" configuration, which they said will make the bike safer.

Personally, I don't want to go for the dog bone mod.  It costs $200 and I don't want to modify the bike in such a way that I won't be able to sell it later.  

Any opinions?  Has anyone lowered their GS 500 by "turning the screws"?  Is it hard?  Thanks to all who respond.

Don't know about turning the screws to lower it, don't think that's possible, the dogbone config is your best option. There is a guy on this site that makes them for $50.00. I'll see if I can locate that link.

Here it is

http://www.venhorstrocks.com/SUZUKI_GS500F_PARTS.html

GS500's are not adjustable for ride height. cranking the shock down will only make the preload softer. Get the $50 dogbones.

I think the "screw" you are refering to is the preload collar.  Yes, backing it off will make the bike sit lower, but that has unwanted side-effects on the bike's handling.
The best (really only way) to safely lower the rear suspension on a GS is by shortening the dogbones.  
Don't forget that you also have to lower the front as much as you can (about an inch before you hit the bars) to keep them balanced.

Doing a search here on dogbones or lowering links will give you an hour or so's worth of reading.

BTW- Congrads on the new bike!  

Thank you all for your advice.  I decided to go with the dog bone.  They are charging me $200 to do it for me.  Maybe I could do it myself, but I'm new to bikes and just want to get on it and get riding ASAP, so I figure I might as well pay them to do it.  I can't wait to start riding!  

But thanks for the links.  I'll definitely read up on what is involved!

Go for the lowering links.

It's a safety issue so don't compromise there. Why? If you soften the preload you won't get the performance your shock was designed to deliver. While this sounds like an okay trade-off at first, when you start getting more aggressive in corners you'll appreciate having the controlled ride. The confidence you'll gain at a stop sign will be traded for a sloppy-handling bike that may wallow in corners or bang off the bump-stop at inopportune times.

You'll eventually get used to coming to a stop with one foot down. Even 2-up. But as a beginner, yes, it's good to have both feet firmly planted. Just don't get addicted to the idea that flat-footing at a stop is the only way to ride.  Lots of women and short guys get stuck with a limited number of bikes because of that.

Another trick--buy riding-specific boots that give you a bit of  heel height and some serious ankle stabilization. I ride a big dualie and I'm only 5'4" so I wear dual-sport boots even when I'm staying on the road. I can only touch the  my toes only when I'm riding solo, unloaded, so I like having a boot that keeps my ankle/foot from rolling under at a stop.  90% of the time I just put one foot down.

Another trick--have some foam taken out of the seat. Buy a used seat and check with your local dealer for folks (sometimes they are local) that can carve out a bit of foam so that you sit down a bit lower. After you gain confidence, go back to the stock seat so that your butt doesn't get so sore. :lol:

you can do it yourself easily. All you need are a couple 1/8" thick bars of steel, drilled on each end and install these in place of the 'dogbone' links. Do a search on this site as its been done several times and someone has a good explanation, including photos, on doing it yourself. I remember they even had a list of how far to space the holes to get 1" lowering...

A search here will save you big money.

Congratulations too btw!

I think I'm too late with this response, but I was in the same boat.  When I got my bike I had to get it lowered if I wanted to go anywhere on it.  The first thing we tried was lowering the rear suspension down to level one.  When it was still a little too high (I'm also 5'2) he installed the dogbones (used ones for the GSX-R) they have 3 holes in them so you can adjust to different heights and they did the trick.  He charged me $75 for them and about 40 for the 10minutes of labor which sucked.  It was one of those things-you live and learn.  If it's not too late I'd suggest you do it yourself or have someone (strong) help you.  Just pull the rear of the bike down and screw on the dogbones.  

Hope I helped-
Amanda

there are several of us in the dc area.  i'm sure somebody can help you install them if you need help.  should take less than an hour.

You cant pull the rear down and screw in dogbones...
You have to take the stock dogbones off, and check against the ones you are putting in where the bolts should go... Longer length = lower ride... and BTW 1 inch longer dog bones = 5 inches lower... so cant actually make it much longer ... The time you have the dog bones off... the back end of the bike will have to be held up... BTW does the 500F have a centerstand... If it does you can leave it on that... else you need to have it held up... by the sissy bar, or better still by the seat sub frame rails...
Then bolt the new dogbones in the right length and you are good.
Cool.
Srinath.

OK it does have a centerstand... so just put it on that, and undo the dogbones and swap them with the other ones of the right length... ~ 3/8th tp 1/2 inch longer should be good for a 2-2.5 inch drop.
Cool.
Srinath.

You can't drop it that much b/c the plastic at the bottom won't have enough clearance, especially if you hit a pothole.  The 500F can only be dropped about an inch before it gets too risky.
I watched my mechanic do it and when he installed the new dogbones another guy had to pull down the back of the bike to allow him to screw them in so the bike was lower.  That's what I meant by pull down the bike.

Quote from: JamesG
The best (really only way) to safely lower the rear suspension on a GS is by shortening the dogbones.  

Um, in order to lower the bike, you LENGTHEN the dog bones.
BTW, one should really lower the front of the bike also, such as raising the fork tubes in the triple clamps by some amount in order to keep the geometry similar to stock.

You definately want to have your side stand shortened. A slight breeze could blow the bike over since it is hardly leaning.  I just purchased another side stand and had it modified. If I remove the dogbones later I can go back to the stock stand. All "they" have to do is cut about an inch off the kick stand and weld a foot back on.

The other down side is your center stand will be harder to operate. I discovered if you back the rear tire on to a 2x4 it will work like stock.  You could hang on to it for chain maintenance or just get a shop stand and remove the centerstand, less weight.

I lowered my GS about a inch and a half.

Longer Dog bones are one way to lower it... But not the only way, and if you have a good wrecking yard close... there is an easier and just as effective way...
Get a rear shock off a ninja 250 or a VTR 250 (dont remember which). Its ~ 1 inch shorter, and that makes for ~ 2 inches lower... and its beefier than the stock GS one ... I had some a couple years ago and sold it to some guys here... maybe one of them is done with it... they were both teaching their Wives/SO's...
Cool.
Srinath.