Last year was my first for riding motorcycles, and I spent most of my free time riding my 2008 GS500F.  Now, I am seeking more performance from my insurance friendly bike, and some more motorcycle knowledge for myself as well.  I guess my first area of concern is what do I do regarding upgrading my sprocket and what mods will require me to buy a new chain.  I have read in various posts going down to a 14 or 15 tooth for the front.  The other option I have read is to go up one tooth on the rear sprocket, although I am not sure which size the stock rear sprocket is?  Which mods require a new chain?  Is it better to change the chain as opposed to using the adjusters to make up the difference?  I am not worried about reduced gas mileage or loss of some top speed.  What is the best option?

Next is suspension.  I am 6'1" and 230lbs.  The front end seems  a little soft.  What can I do for this?  Also I have read posts about replacing the stock rear shock with pieces from other bikes.  Are there rear shocks that will fit my bike fairly easily?  How will a wider rear tire effect the handling of my bike, I was thinking maybe a 150 if it would fit?

I am planning to add either a Yosh TRS slip-on or a Jardine full system. As well as a dynojet stage 1 kit, my question is I have found K&N air filters, but does anyone make a full system filter and air box?

Will upgrading from stock brake pads improve braking?  Are their any other parts from different bikes that will fit my GS500F?

Sorry for all the questions, although I do have more.  This seems like a good place to get my questions answered about my bike.

0.85 --> 1.00 spring rate at the front, 
Check out http://www.sonicsprings.com

Billett aluminium front fork brace

EBC HH front pads and braided front lines

20 - 65 - 145 jets  + K&n lunchbox filter + exhaust
- You have two options with the airbox. K&n drop in filter into stock airbox or pod style filters (lunchbox). Pod Filters suck more air.
- I got a Jardine full system and am very happy with it.

Iridium Spark Plugs

There are some 150 wide rear tyres that fit, and wont effect your handling too much at all.

Use search and the wicki

Mate in the end of the day a GS500F will never be a supersports bike, so if thats what you want save your $'s for that. But if you want to squeeze alittle more performance out of the old girl then go ahead, especially if you like tinkering. 

Quote from: galahs on January 19, 2009, 01:42:07 AM
0.85 --> 1.00 spring rate at the front, 
Check out http://www.sonicsprings.com

Billett aluminium front fork brace

EBC HH front pads and braided front lines

20 - 65 - 145 jets  + K&n lunchbox filter + exhaust
- You have two options with the airbox. K&n drop in filter into stock airbox or pod style filters (lunchbox). Pod Filters suck more air.
- I got a Jardine full system and am very happy with it.

Iridium Spark Plugs

There are some 150 wide rear tyres that fit, and wont effect your handling too much at all.

Use search and the wicki

Mate in the end of the day a GS500F will never be a supersports bike, so if thats what you want save your $'s for that. But if you want to squeeze alittle more performance out of the old girl then go ahead, especially if you like tinkering. 

he covered everything nicely, but that last part you may want to read a couple more times.

For your rear shock a katana 600 fit with no mods but will raise the raer a lil. Stiffer spring will fix the front but a front end swap will be better. You can run the 39t stock rear sprocket and drop the front to a 15t with the stock chain or if you want to wheelie than geta 108 link chain and drop the front to a 14t me I'm running a 13t front with a 108 link chain and top speed is 109 or around their. If you give the bike a lil more oomp upgrade the pads and lines. The exhaust is up to you a full will be better but it depends on the intake and jet donot get a BJ stage anything they suck ass and your bike will to.

the only thing i will add is a wider rear wheel will open up options for sticker tires.

you can start to get sporty tires in a 150

i run pilot powers and i really thing they wear fine i have about 2k miles on them and they still look brand new im exspecting about 6-7k out of them and people always tell me i shouldn't get more then 3k

Thanks for all the information.  I understand the bike is not a super bike.  But i would like to improve the bike until my insurance becomes more affordable.  Here in Ontario, Canada insurance rates are high, especially for beginning drivers motorcycles or cars.  I already pay $1200 a year for my gs500f.  I have called around and even a 600 sport bike is around $3000 a year, 750's and liter bikes are even more.  So in the mean time i am going to try and squeeze a little more from my GS until my rates drop a little.  Not to mention i do like to play in my garage

I actually like the GS even after 35 bikes and 15 yrs of riding. Canada is crazy. Traffic is nuts in most cities there. No sense buying anything faster. GS is plenty. My time in toronto the GS was perfect.
Rear wheel Kat post 98 or Bandit 400 90-02 are direct fit. Kat wheel 150 and shipping. B4 wheel has a 90% tire on it. I'd like 150 for it too. Mod the brake stay rod is all you have to do. Easy.
Kat FE is also a fit. 350 and up on this and its not throw it on and ride. Its a bit more than that.
Kat rear shock is also direct fit. It does pick up the rear end to where it oughtta be. Its almost a must IMHO. $40 and shipping for this. This is put it on and ride off type. Easy.

I have some/most of these. Pm me if you interested.

Cool.
Buddha.

Has anyone tried the Race Tech fork emulator, or using a stiffer spring?  Where can i find the lunchbox filter?  I searched K&N already.  Has the jetting improved starting and cold engine/weather performance?

I have stiffer springs in mine got the from http://www.sonicsprings.com

You can get K&N lunchbox part number RU-2970    I think I got mine from http://www.bikebandit.com

Yeah the jetting improved cold starting warm up, improved throttle responce and it absolutely a must if your going to put on a K&N lunchbox.

The K7N website shows that filter fitting up to a 2002 suzuki gs500.  Does this fit newer models. My bike is a 2008.

It fits all years of gs500.

When installing the katana rear shock, is the katana spring used as well?

Yes... it's a complete unit.

Dan

Depending on the year you get it will be a straight swap remove yours and install the new on and that is. It took me a few mins. It took me longer to find the sockets I needed my tool box is a mess.