Hi all. I am kind of new to the bike world, I just bought my first bike last April(an 02 GS500).
I've got a buddy at work that is trying to convince me to put a V and H exhaust on my bike but I can't seem to get a straight answer out of anyone how much more power this will give my bike. Can anybody help me out with this? Also I would love to hear if anybody has any advice on other upgrades I can do without spending a whole lot to get a little more speed out of my bike.

Thanks,
Will

regear is cheapest thing you can do IMO to get speed. i think front an rear sprockets and new chain was about 100 for my 05

1-3 HP, depending on the dyno...

But the V&H makes the GS sound like a very pissed off lawnmower.  My GS is MUCH louder than my SV.  The V&H has a nice decel crackle too.

I think I read somewhere that a kn filter, Vance and Hines, and rejet added about 2hp

Yes Hoffy.  If you guys look at Anne's dyno run (link on the right side of the main page of this website) you'll see that a K&N filter, V&H pipes, and Dyno-jet kit raises her rear wheel HP to 43.2, a 2HP gain. (but it sounds great!)

Josh, when you lowered your gears your bike got quicker, but you lost top speed, mileage, and comfort on the interstate.  I went the other way.  I run 17/39 sprockets, and I love the long-legged feel of the bike, and I can still accelerate at 90 in top gear, or I can click it down to 5th for more git.  Gearing down is necessary for short track racing, but on the street I can't make sense out of it, unless you're into stoplight-to-stoplight drag racing.

i said regear i didnt say what way thats up to him.