howdy folks.. i recently purchased a 2005 gs500f, and had to wait to get my permit due to work scheduling stuff, so i spent that time adding blue reflective wheel stripes (10 bucks on ebay), small light blue bubble mirrors inside the front fairing ($4 at AutoZone), new GS500F decals for the rear ($7 bucks for two on ebay), and just gave it a nice clean-up. I paid 2300 for it, but now it just looks so much cooler that Im sure ive increased the resale price already!! ha!
Now that I've got my permit, I spent 2 days riding around on the streets, and then today drove it the two hour drive from st louis to mid missouri. I had to stop at 2 exits and stretch.. my butt was going numb, haha... I still need to put it back up on the standard height dogbone.. how is that done? PO has it 2" lower, but there is a "stock" setting.

Secondly, the chain is looking a little rusty colored and old looking.. and I was thinking a blue one would look pretty cool, but i dont want something that looks cool only to break down a week later on the road. What are the specifics for the 05 GS500F chain? How is it replaced? anyone know where i might find a blue one that fits?

Third, the clutch and brake levers seem to be hurting my hands. im a first week rider, so is that something that gets easier over time? should i look into getting new levers? Who makes good ones?

I put on some underglow (white) above the engine, and hooked the + up to the running back tail light, and then hooked the negative to the ground on the battery. Is this going to drain my battery while the bike isnt running? Is it going to affect performance?

Lastly, I have a need for the lower cowlings for my bike. Anyone know where to get some cheap other than ebay?

Cool... glad this site is here. Almost bought a ninja 500 and im glad i didnt. I love my new bike!

Im also interested in any cool parts yall might know of that are purely cosmetic. I get a lot of joy in "pimping" my ride.

EDITED FOR PICS!

Hmmmm.......can't really help with a blue chain. I know Tombstone put a red one on his GS, but I've never looked for one personally. I will tell you however, that both sprockets should be replaced with your chain though. A new chain will just get destroyed by old sprockets (they wear together).

While your hands will get accustomed to the levers over time, they make foam sleeves that slide over them too. They aren't very expensive, and can be found online fairly easily.

I wouldn't think the engine lights would hurt anything, but a relay and separate fuse would be ideal.

Can't help with the cowl either - except maybe post in the "for sale / wtb" section.

Ha... sore butt, sore hands... welcome to riding a motorcycle 

Ok. Riding for 2 hours is not something that can be done with comfort right off the bat - as you have found out. This is why I Always suggest to build up to it. Get used to 30 minutes in the saddle first. Then get used to 45 minute stints. Then 60. Then 75, then 90. Do many trips at each time frame before progressing to the next one. This will accustom your butt to Saddle Time.

Your clutch hand and brake hand will get used to it over time. They hurt now because you've never used your hands like this before.

Michael

Thanks for that tip.. I figured that might be the case. I still need to get some gloves as well...

any suggestion on riding pants, anyone? im size 36, 6'3". 

thanks again for the replies!

Holy Huge Image... dude, scale it down. Something like this will do nicely...



What kind of suggestions do you want for riding pants? Named brands kinda thing or...?

Michael

Sorry, I am not too tech savvy.. but yes, I am not really sure which brands (outside of OEM) are reliable.. and that make somewhat of a range of products for this particular bike.

Replace your first post's image code with this one http://i.imgur.com/5LXcv.jpg and the image will be smaller.

Pants: Are you looking at leather, Kevlar lined denim, some kind of textile or?

For cool parts, I would suggest Adidasguy's stainless steel chain guard and Chuck81's stator cover.

Quote from: DrewBarrett on August 20, 2012, 12:42:52 AM
Thanks for that tip.. I figured that might be the case. I still need to get some gloves as well...

any suggestion on riding pants, anyone? im size 36, 6'3". 

thanks again for the replies!

I wear Fly Butane textile overpants because I used to use my bike to commute to classes and wanted something I could take off easily over my boots. Lots of pockets, full length zippers, lightly armored, and waterproof.

http://www.motorcyclegear.com/

is a good place to start. they only carry reputable brands.

For all your questions about parts, start by reading the gs500 wiki

http://wiki.gstwins.com/

Welcome to the forums! 

QuoteLastly, I have a need for the lower cowlings for my bike.

If you want to save some cash, and give her that mean look, take the rest of the front fairings off and do and F-to-E conversion.

Looks great, and will cost you a good bit less than picking up fairings.

I scooped up the headlight mounting bracket and light, with turn signals, for about $60 off of ebay.

Yes, i love the wiki, has been very helpful so far.

Ive thought about taking the fairings off as you suggest.. but in the long run, I plan on getting a new cowling set used, taking the vinyl off, painting white, painting gas tank white, and then adding a cartoon character or something air brushed onto the side and tank. I would do it myself. I prefer the full fairing rather than the "E" style. I even have the right side ready to go but still need the left.

Definitely going to comp the chain guard and stator cover. Still waiting on a post from somebody who has used the Brisk spark plugs for a lot of miles and see how they work after extended use, before i buy any new spark plugs.

Quote from: DrewBarrett on August 19, 2012, 09:55:11 PM
... I still need to put it back up on the standard height dogbone.. how is that done? PO has it 2" lower, but there is a "stock" setting.

Should be a matter of putting the bike on the center stand and moving the bolt from where it is to the "stock" setting. You might need a second set of hands for this maneuver though!

Quote from: DrewBarrett on August 19, 2012, 09:55:11 PMSecondly, the chain is looking a little rusty colored and old looking.. and I was thinking a blue one would look pretty cool, but i dont want something that looks cool only to break down a week later on the road. What are the specifics for the 05 GS500F chain? How is it replaced? anyone know where i might find a blue one that fits?

EK makes colored chains. Have heard good things about the quality of the brand specifically but haven't heard any reviews from people I know about the colored chains.

Quote from: DrewBarrett on August 19, 2012, 09:55:11 PMThird, the clutch and brake levers seem to be hurting my hands. im a first week rider, so is that something that gets easier over time? should i look into getting new levers? Who makes good ones?

Some good gloves and time will get you used to it. The gloves will protect your hands and over time your forearms and wrists will strengthen to the point that you don't get sore.

Quote from: DrewBarrett on August 19, 2012, 09:55:11 PMI put on some underglow (white) above the engine, and hooked the + up to the running back tail light, and then hooked the negative to the ground on the battery. Is this going to drain my battery while the bike isnt running? Is it going to affect performance?

Shouldn't affect performance. It could drain your battery if not hooked up correctly and a fuse is always a good idea when adding electrical bits to the bike.

Quote from: DrewBarrett on August 19, 2012, 09:55:11 PMLastly, I have a need for the lower cowlings for my bike. Anyone know where to get some cheap other than ebay?

Like someone else said, you could do a conversion F to E. Otherwise, the "For Sale/WTB" section on here is a good place to start.

Quote from: DrewBarrett on August 19, 2012, 09:55:11 PMCool... glad this site is here. Almost bought a ninja 500 and im glad i didnt. I love my new bike!

Im also interested in any cool parts yall might know of that are purely cosmetic. I get a lot of joy in "pimping" my ride.

Welcome to the forum! Don't forget to check the wiki for things too. There are a lot of upgrades and such on there.

Thanks Worm! I'll look into their chains, and thanks for the advice with the dogbones. I had an (irrational?) fear that once i took it off the bike would fall to pieces, haha...