Hey Everyone,

So as mentioned, I'm a new member, I've been looking at the site a lot, since I have loved the GS since the first second I sat on it.. I got a lot of info from it, so thanks all! So quick back-story: I'm a fairly new rider (Last year), the GS is the bike I learnt on during lessons, and I couldn't picture getting anything else as a first bike, so I got my own last may and absolutely love it!! (I guess you all know the feeling..)

So this year, I decided that instead of wasting money on a new bike, I would pamper my 2008 GS a little bit.. Thinking of new tires, chain, sprockets (gonna go down one tooth on the front, just like some of you guys suggest.. to get a little extra kick in low-mid RPMs), exhaust etc..

So I wanted to come here and ask you guys to share your experience with the GS to help me decide on mods:

-Looking for fatter rear tire, but everybody tells me that it won't fit (bike shop mechanics...) I would like to go up to a 150, but it really doesn't look like it will fit.. do I need to do anything special to make it fit or will it actually fit? (Suggestions on brand etc.. would be nice too..)

-Looking for an exhaust, here is the issue: in Quebec, they are very strict about exhaust mods: basically anything that looks modded is unacceptable.. any suggestions on a full system that fits, looks completely stock but has better airflow?

-Handlebars.. any suggestions on a sportier feel, that would be good on the GS?

Feel like I'm gonna love this forum already! Thanks for any help/feedback you guys can give me!!

You can pick up a Bandit 1200 rear brake arm off ebay and a 98-02 rear Katana rim and it would a direct swap out. Then you could go to a 150-160 rear tire

Check the GSTwins wiki as there is an exh section and in it there are many full exhaust systems you can look at and the decide.

I think you are on the right track with maintenance over mods. Last thing you want is a bike that looks good and breaks down or cant ride because you dropped all your money in mods or cosmetics

There are several type of bars out also. On mine right now I have 37mm clip ons that fit around the top of the forks. I love them. I also have a set of OEM 89 clips on and top clamp.

Diffidently get the clip on bars, I'm planning this for mine as the stock ones feel awkward to me (long arms so when i lay over tank it gets really awkward  )

I also understand wanting a wider back tire, I have thought about this myself. However I think i will stick with the stock, they hold the're own pretty well. Like how your planning maintenance first, take care of the bike and it will take care of you. Abuse it and it will bite back(yes even a gs500 packs a bite).

Hey guys, thanks for the info and suggestions!! I will definitely look into those! I am probably going to stick with my regular tire size though, as a swap is out of my skill-set at this point, and I wouldn't want to screw it up.. Gonna get some good tires (Ordered Pirelli Sport Demons) And see how that goes..

My bike is actually in pretty good shape overall, I just want to push it further, make it more... Perfect Shaped to my desires..

Speaking of which, any suggestions on changing brake-light? I think it's the one part of the bike I'm not crazy about.. it clashes with the super modern, race inspired fairing..

Quote from: wayne242 on March 02, 2013, 10:19:51 AM
Like how your planning maintenance first, take care of the bike and it will take care of you. Abuse it and it will bite back(yes even a gs500 packs a bite).

I know exactly what you mean, and that's what I loved about the GS right off the bat, it's a no BS bike.. It feels like it will take care of you in any situation, as long as you respect it.

I will post pictures once summer is here..(Yeah i live in frozen country..) and once I figure out how to post pictures on the forum

I'll keep you guys posted!

OK, so I was just doing some research, and apparently any exhaust that is not stock is considered illegal.. BS! I know, but I am kinda wary about spending 400$ on an exhaust system just to be forced to remove it afterwards.. so my question becomes this:

Is it still useful/smart to do the re-jetting even without changing the exhaust or is it useless/harmful?

When I got my K&N Drop-in Filter last year, the notice said that the carb needed to be tuned to accept it.. and I hadn't done it back then.. any help on the topic??

Thanks!!

Jetting or tuning anything other than stock is good IMO

Quote from: SuzukiCrazy on March 02, 2013, 02:07:57 PM
Hey guys, thanks for the info and suggestions!! I will definitely look into those! I am probably going to stick with my regular tire size though, as a swap is out of my skill-set at this point, and I wouldn't want to screw it up.. Gonna get some good tires (Ordered Pirelli Sport Demons) And see how that goes..

My bike is actually in pretty good shape overall, I just want to push it further, make it more... Perfect Shaped to my desires..

Speaking of which, any suggestions on changing brake-light? I think it's the one part of the bike I'm not crazy about.. it clashes with the super modern, race inspired fairing..

Quote from: wayne242 on March 02, 2013, 10:19:51 AM
Like how your planning maintenance first, take care of the bike and it will take care of you. Abuse it and it will bite back(yes even a gs500 packs a bite).

I know exactly what you mean, and that's what I loved about the GS right off the bat, it's a no BS bike.. It feels like it will take care of you in any situation, as long as you respect it.

I will post pictures once summer is here..(Yeah i live in frozen country..) and once I figure out how to post pictures on the forum

I'll keep you guys posted!

Where you at? I live in MN. Wonder if your frozen country is colder than mine.

Quote from: SuzukiCrazy on March 02, 2013, 02:28:19 PM
so my question becomes this:

Is it still useful/smart to do the re-jetting even without changing the exhaust or is it useless/harmful?

When I got my K&N Drop-in Filter last year, the notice said that the carb needed to be tuned to accept it.. and I hadn't done it back then.. any help on the topic??

Yes, it is recommend to rejet the bike even when it's stock because of how lean the bike came from the factory.

Your K&N Drop-In should've came with a restrictor. The instructions especially mentioned putting on the restrictor unless the bike was tuned to accept more air input. (In the GS's case, definitely not). Your bike is running especially lean now with the addition air input the filter is providing!

I would refer to this guide when considering different jet sizes.:
http://wiki.gstwins.com/index.php?n=Upgrades.Rejetting

You can see the "perfect" rejet for a completely stock bike.

Yeah it did come with a restrictor, but I would like to rejet the carb to be able to use it without the restrictor So what's the best way to get this 20/62.5/140 settings? rip my carb apart & do it myself or buy dynajet or other?? Is there a difference? 
Sorry if I sound like a newbie.. It's cuz I am, I have no idea how carbs work, and this is my first project. (I'm definitely not a mechanic, this is kinda my learning project..)

I live in QC, Canada.. Montreal Actually, so I'm not sure how much colder it is than MN.. Pretty sure it's a lot more humid.. so more snow

Thank you guys for all the help!

While a bigger rear tire would look nice it might have been a bit overkill for the engine. I think you'll find the Sport Demons accomplish much the same thing while keeping your bike stock. People swear by those tires- which is why I bought them as well 

Quote from: IAmSpartacus on March 02, 2013, 08:15:54 PM
While a bigger rear tire would look nice it might have been a bit overkill for the engine. I think you'll find the Sport Demons accomplish much the same thing while keeping your bike stock. People swear by those tires- which is why I bought them as well 

Awesome! I was recommended those by a friend, and still wasn't 100% convinced.. Thanks for your comment, feel better about them now Can't wait to install them and try them out!

ive owned 5 gs'/ one of which was owned twice by me. first time went down one tooth in front, second time one more tooth. she was VERY happy.  the gixxer wedge can i put on it helped too and the lunchbox. wont ever outrun a litre bike, but who cares. before mom passed away, i had plans to paint my 97, john deere green. with yellow wheels. had jd decals made up for it. just so i could outrun a car, then meet up with them asking how it felt to be passed by a john deere. but that got shelved for a while. enjoy all that is gs. enjoy gstwins ive been here since may 2003. enjoyed every minute.
Aaron

Quote from: yamahonkawazuki on March 02, 2013, 10:22:50 PM
i had plans to paint my 97, john deere green. with yellow wheels. had jd decals made up for it. just so i could outrun a car, then meet up with them asking how it felt to be passed by a john deere.

LOL That would have been awesome! I would love to pull that on some of the young ricers who try to provoke me into a race up here when I'm just cruising around, minding my own business!! LOL

Thanks for the welcome, I'm looking forward for the snow to melt so I can take her out and start working on her.. Her name is Falcon btw, I will eventually start a new thread with the Falcon Project as a header to keep you guys posted.

Any feedback on how to proceed for my re-jetting (for a noob like me)?? should I just go with a preset jet kit (Dynojet) or buy my own jets and try to do it myself?

Any help is appreciated, as you guys are probably a lot more experienced than I am with this..

Quote from: SuzukiCrazy on March 02, 2013, 08:04:55 PM
Yeah it did come with a restrictor, but I would like to rejet the carb to be able to use it without the restrictor So what's the best way to get this 20/62.5/140 settings? rip my carb apart & do it myself or buy dynajet or other?? Is there a difference? 
Sorry if I sound like a newbie.. It's cuz I am, I have no idea how carbs work, and this is my first project. (I'm definitely not a mechanic, this is kinda my learning project..)

I live in QC, Canada.. Montreal Actually, so I'm not sure how much colder it is than MN.. Pretty sure it's a lot more humid.. so more snow

Thank you guys for all the help!

a cheap exhaust mod is similar to what i did on my gs. bought a set of gsxr 1000 wedge cans without the centre muffler. just ones one of them for this. gives it a more throaty exhaust note

Quote from: yamahonkawazuki on March 03, 2013, 09:34:22 PM
a cheap exhaust mod is similar to what i did on my gs. bought a set of gsxr 1000 wedge cans without the centre muffler. just ones one of them for this. gives it a more throaty exhaust note

That sounds like a great idea! And it looks awesome! I have a few follow-up Questions:
1) Did you keep the other one, and can I buy it off you?
2) Did it fit directly or is there cutting  and welding involved?

Legally speaking it's a standard exhaust, so I can't get in trouble for it.. hopefully, this might be the solution I was looking for.. Thanks!! now it all depends how advanced the work is to make it fit, and if I can find one..

If you use something from a bike other than your GS and it doesn't pass sound or emissions regulations, I don't think they will care that it's an OEM Suzuki part.

Quote from: SAFE-T on March 04, 2013, 04:54:02 PM
If you use something from a bike other than your GS and it doesn't pass sound or emissions regulations, I don't think they will care that it's an OEM Suzuki part.

I Agree, but I will have paid 100$ instead of 4-500$ for the part, and it's way less noticeable than a Yoshimura or Vance&Hines with Logos and all on it.. I'm more confident that I can pull it off with no issues.. The only people who will be able to spot it at first glance will be GS500 owners.. and what are the chances..

I think it's worth trying if the part fits easily enough and I can find the part for cheap..

Quote from: SuzukiCrazy on March 03, 2013, 07:23:10 PM
Any feedback on how to proceed for my re-jetting (for a noob like me)?? should I just go with a preset jet kit (Dynojet) or buy my own jets and try to do it myself?

Any help is appreciated, as you guys are probably a lot more experienced than I am with this..

Hmmm, a few ideas on the rejet. this also has a few questions. err 1 question, mods. which if any are/will be done, then check with either the buddha ( admin here) or adidasguy? its EASY to do it yourself. see if you buy the dynojet kit, youre buying what youd get if you did it yourself. same jets everything. NOW, the mixture screw. sometimes it has a brass plug covering it.

Thanks yamahonkawazuki!! I think I'm getting the hang of how it works, from reading the forum and the how-tos and you guys's comments Now the only issue is trying to find a GSXR Can, and make it fit.. How did that work? was it hard to make it fit? are the pipes very different? is there a lot of welding invovled? Once I know if that is going to work out or not, then I can order the proper jets for my rejetting