Hi i previously posted the topic "possible upgrades/modifications for more power" and the majority of the replies were leaning towards making the handling and braking better.
I was wondering what i can actually do to the gs500f to improve both as its probably the smarter thing to do and is it possible to get dual front disk brakes without too
much hassle with installation?

cheers

Ditch dual discs idea ,single front is strong enough just install braided SS line on it and get stiffer front springs ( Sonic Springs,Race Tech,Progressive) you can replace rear shock also( check the wiki ) it will handle much better with more feedback and control.
GS is what it is , plenty fast on the road just not compared to other sportier bikes but it can be a real corner weapon if you set it right.

aside from springs up front, new fork oil, and a new rear shock, the wiki tells how to go with wider wheels front and rear, so that you can fit wider, stickier tires on them.

The only way to have dual front brakes is to swap the fork assembly from another bike. What is defined as "too much hassle" is relative to your mechanical ability, along with how much money you want to spend.

Better pads (I'm a fan of EBC HH sintered), proper bleeding, and an SS front line is the cheapest and easiest combo for better braking.

I've not had a fork brace on a GS500, but on other bikes, it's been a dandy upgrade.

I've done a stoppie behind a line of dumbass ducks, so I can attest that a single disk with stainless steel lines is sufficient.

Quote from: Chuck on July 23, 2009, 11:33:56 AM
I've done a stoppie behind a line of dumbass ducks, so I can attest that a single disk with stainless steel lines is sufficient.

I gotta know... Ducatis or Waterfowl?

You dont really get more power with the DOP calipers in the duals disks you get with the 89-96 katana.
You get more feel, less wear, in fact the wear is even across all pads in general, on a gs the inner pad wears 90% to 10% on the outer, and all the components last longer and are easier to maintain.
The kat forks also drain easier, so you can swap oil in minutes ... like, drain, take off top, and fill, repeat on the other side.
Cool.
Buddha.

It was more than just upgrading the handling and braking, it's upgrading the RIDER.

A good rider can take the stock GS into some pretty surprising places. Places that would terrify a poor rider on a faster bike.

Straight rate springs and new oil, better brake pads, a Katana shock, are all on the top of the list. Racetech makes good springs, and it's easy to do.

Quote from: s0crates82 on July 23, 2009, 11:37:03 AM
I gotta know... Ducatis or Waterfowl?

They quacked.

And Alpha: the GS with stock springs terrified me on its own.   All of the other mods I would consider optional, but the springs are 100% required.

Quote from: Chuck on July 23, 2009, 01:35:50 PM
And Alpha: the GS with stock springs terrified me on its own.   All of the other mods I would consider optional, but the springs are 100% required.

After having the GS out on the track with stock springs and the Racetechs, I'd agree. However, I was still able to regularly hang with worse riders on 600s with stock springs.

After getting the DR-Z, a bike must have high quality, fully adjustable suspension if I am going to buy it. I'm aiming for an '03+ SV650 next, and the first thing I am going to do is swap the forks and shock for GSX-R units. First thing as in using the leftover cash from the sale to order them within a week of getting the bike.

Quality suspension makes a huge difference. That being said, I wouldn't appreciate it as much if I didn't put so much time and effort into learning how to ride the crap out of a bike with rubbish suspension.

Yeah, you really do not know the difference until you ride a properly setup bike. It was the best $300 I spent on my TLR, Traxxion rebuilt them with some Ohlins parts. Frontend setup work is the first mod I do on any new bike.

btw... my SV has a reworked GSXR f/e and Fox T/C shock

Quote from: dgyver on July 23, 2009, 07:43:15 PM
btw... my SV has a reworked GSXR f/e and Fox T/C shock

But is CARBURETED! I want to experience some fuel injection! I am tired of fussing with choke and starting in 30 degree weather. Also, it's an S model, I'd have to make it naked. Have to. The 1st gen S models are fugly. The 2nd gen ones are good lookin', as are the 1st gen nakeds.

Quote from: Alphamazing on July 23, 2009, 08:09:30 PM

But is CARBURETED! I want to experience some fuel injection! I am tired of fussing with choke and starting in 30 degree weather. Also, it's an S model, I'd have to make it naked. Have to. The 1st gen S models are fugly. The 2nd gen ones are good lookin', as are the 1st gen nakeds.

I know fuel injection is nice, especially when it's freezing outside and all you've gotta do is hit that button and run back inside until the bike is warmed up, my last bike had it, but when the bike starts acting goofy I'd rather pull apart a carb instead of trying to figure out the computer and deal with all the extra wires under the seat.

I used to think the first generation faired SVs were ugly, but after loving TLRs for so long, the TLSs started to grow on me, and once I started to like them, I realized the SVS looked just like one. The unfaired first generation has always been my favorite though. I was within a hair of buying one years ago, then I saw the new year and decided to wait for that one, but they took too long to come into the dealership. After a couple 70 degree days I freaked out and just bought something else.

Aaaaah fuel injection ... its like crack ... its not what its cracked up to be ... The EPA of course loves it ... It actually makes a bigger difference when the bike is parked than when its ridden.
Cool.
Buddha.

FI used to be sketchy. Manufacturers have so much experience with it now that there is no reason for it to be.  The first FI sportbikes were rough, but modern FI bikes aren't.  My SV is great, my FZ was like butta.  I eventually had to pay a guy to get the pumper carb just right on my 150R.  Bah, the only reason I have carbed bikes is because the bike itself fills a niche that no FI bike has fiiled as well...

...yet.

It went from sketchy to about equal with carbs ... my SV too just like it has carbs.
I dont see how it can be better, of course its gonna use less gas in some situations, and really comes in very good when you dont ride it. it does not have a float bowl that can crud up and make misery for you.
Cool.
Buddha.

Don't make me mock you for living in a state without elevation changes.   

No... it is just that he does not ride where there are elevation changes.  

Plenty of elevation changes around here. Actually, the highest point on the East coast is about 2 hours away at Mount Mitchell.

I stand... er, sit corrected.