taller seat, bar risers, lower the pegs?

what would be the best options for beefing up the suspension?

thanks!!

Get some stiffer sonic springs for the front.  I'm 6'1" 240.  I used .95kg/mm rate springs with 15w oil.  Very pleased with them.  Rides so much better.

You could also get a longer, stiffer rear shock.  I currently have a 97? (not sure exact year) gsxr 750 rear shock with remote reservoir.  It raises the rear about 1.5-2 inches higher.  I like the height better, but it's definitely a stiffer ride, probably stiffer than I would generally like for casual commuting but I'm fine with it.  I can't really use my side stand with the added height, it leans really far over.  I've just been using the center stand.

One mod I would like to do is find a better gel seat.  Adidasguy found a guy on ebay that re-upholsters seats and adds gel inserts.  I might do that at some point.

Quote from: wdfwguy on September 28, 2013, 11:37:42 AM
taller seat, bar risers, lower the pegs?

what would be the best options for beefing up the suspension?

thanks!!

Sit in a BMW gs1150

Just saw these on ebay, I've never heard of people using riser links before (lots of people use lowering links) but sounds like a cool idea.  Would give about an inch of lift.

http://www.ebay.com/itm/Suzuki-GS500-GS500E-GS500F-Jack-Up-Kit-Suspension-Links-/330587861046?pt=UK_Motorcycle_Parts_13&hash=item4cf8927036

I was 6' 2 I/2" tall and about 230# when I bought my first GS and have been up to 255# and back down to 235# in the 14 years since.  I've always been very comfortable on a GS500.  I've used bar risers and stiffer front springs most of my 180k GS miles.  I did my last 400-500 mile Interstate days travelling on a GS about 9 years ago at age 72 and was comfortable enough.

How big and tall are you?  Big and tall means different things to different people.  And what is your inseam, although I've been 6-2 or so most of my adult life I only have a 30" inseam so perhaps my legs aren't cramped as much as those of a rider 6-2 who is longer limbed and shorter in the middle.

Here's a pic of one of our GS riders who enjoyed his GS500 for a year or two before he moved on to a taller bike, most would agree he is big and tall I think:

Ive used burkhartcycles custom links to raise my bike an inch, worked very good. In addition to the links I added a katana600 shock I which gave me about a 2 inch raise and a much stiffer tooshy. That plus the .90 front springs was perfect for me. 5'10'' 210 lbs with gear.

I'm a big and tall guy, about 230lbs, 240 at least with gear. All I needed was .90 sonic springs with 15w oil and a katana 600 rear shock. Just eliminating that squat when you get on the bike basically raises it by a couple inches (without actually raising it). Those were the best two things that I did, they were worth their weight in gold.

Before I could sit with my feet flat on the ground with my knees bent (pretty much on the bump stops front and rear). Now I can just barely sit flat-footed with maybe a 1/2" squat with me on it. I also have a larger rear tire, but that only makes a tiny difference to rear seat height. It's even ridable for my +300lb 6'3" brother.

im 6' was 289# when i parked the GS, progressive front springs but went heavyer on the fork oil, had a stock shock but now have a 900RR rear shock, had to massage the swing arm just a smidge so it didnt bind against the shock on rebound. plenty of spring for weight, lots of adjust for dampening.  but i liked things more track oriented so i have bandit 400 rear wheel and clamp on's below top plate , now, i think once im ready to resussitate her ill go with the stock 89 clipons sitting in a box.

eh Blue ... just askin ... how'd you link up the eyebolt type 900rr .. to the clevis type gs500? ... not hacking at you .. interested!! .. change out the whole pivot assembly?

i'm happy with my Katana shock .. just only ever noticed clevis type shock swaps on here being mentioned as possible!?

I'm not overly tall (5'10"), but I did find that installing GSXR rearsets with the adapter plates helped me stretch my legs out a bit more. My pegs are now closer to the passenger pegs, which is where I used to rest my feet on the highway anyway. I also have clubman bars with 2" risers that also help. They throw the bars forward, but raise them enough so I'm not hunched over too much. It feels more like a 600 sport bike now, but it's comfy enough for a 5 hour ride down to Bike Week (could also be my cinder block butt). An SV650 or Katana rear shock, as mentioned, would help raise the seat height and stiffen the rear suspension, and are easy to swap. You may also look into adding more material to the seat to be more comfy and raise yourself away from the pegs a bit.

And I'm also interested to hear about this 900 RR rear shock...

Forgive me, your right,  it was a 600RR shock like http://www.ebay.com/itm/2003-06-CBR600RR-Rear-Shock-Assembly-/350888803750?pt=Motorcycles_Parts_Accessories&hash=item51b29a3da6&vxp=mtr

The only thing i had to do if i recall, was massage the crotch of the swingarm closest to the base of the spring, only needed a few MM of clearence.  i dont recall having to do anything with the res chamber, it just cleared everything.  ill have to clear some weeds and get a pic of it for you

lol ... cool bro ... i was just thinking of it as... woooooo.. a shock off a 900! .. thats gotta be 'stronger' than a 600 ... and its RED! .. which is faster! ... 

but also would have been interesting as another alternative available... changed linkages etc .. i think we will all live though .. even though its not from a 900 .. 

I wear a 36 inseam and use footpegs lowered 1 3/4 inch from a company in Oregon called Knight Design. 

http://www.knightdesignllc.com/index_files/Suzuki_GS500_FP.htm

Much better position, 1 3/4 inch may not seem like much, but on a bent leg it's quite a bit.  The quality is excellent and shipping was fast.

Quote from: gsJack on September 29, 2013, 02:33:35 PM

How big and tall are you?  Big and tall means different things to different people.

6'5", 280 and a 34" inseam

I'm just thinking of a GS500 as an inexpensive bike to ride for a few months until I find what I really want (a v-strom or triumph tiger, probably)

I took my MSF course a few weeks ago and I'd love to have a bike to practice on

Quote from: Wagoneer on September 30, 2013, 03:05:08 AM
All I needed was .90 sonic springs with 15w oil and a katana 600 rear shock. Just eliminating that squat when you get on the bike basically raises it by a couple inches (without actually raising it). Those were the best two things that I did, they were worth their weight in gold.

is that a pretty simple swap?

Direct swap.

http://wiki.gstwins.com/index.php?n=Upgrades.RearShock#katana

- Bboy

Slipperymongoose  on this site also has a YT video of doing the katana swap 

Quote from: Jaybull on September 30, 2013, 11:30:59 PM
I wear a 36 inseam and use footpegs lowered 1 3/4 inch from a company in Oregon called Knight Design. 

http://www.knightdesignllc.com/index_files/Suzuki_GS500_FP.htm

Much better position, 1 3/4 inch may not seem like much, but on a bent leg it's quite a bit.  The quality is excellent and shipping was fast.

I've used the same Knight Design pegs for almost two years - in fact the photos on their website are actually of my bike.  I was uncomfortable enough before buying the lowered pegs that I was on the verge of trading off the GS for something more comfortable, but these pegs made a tremendous difference.  I can ride for hours without any knee pain.  I also have bar risers and Sonic fork springs, and the combination of the pegs, risers and springs make the bike very comfortable.