Went on a "spirited" ride with a friend of mine who has a little more experience riding than I do (he's done some track days).  Was going to be through some twisties (at least, as close to twisties as Chicago area Illinois has to offer) and at speeds that weren't necessarily road safe

He was riding his slightly modified 2013ish Honda CBR650 and I was on my mostly stock 1997 GS500e with bad fork seals and a worn out chain (rejet 40 pilots and 125 mains).

Started off at a mild pace as he got familiar with my level of skill and slowly upped it to see how well I could keep up.  I wasn't looking down at my speedo in turns as I was focused on lean in and throttle control and such, but at some point he said we were taking corners at ~60mph and I was right on his tail, and when we would straighten out and twist it open he would put distance on me but only by walking away.  The extra 2 cylinders and 150ccs he had did have a noticeable increase in performance, but it wasn't like it was a game changer.  He had more power for sure, but my bike was lighter and as long as I did my part keeping the engine in the power band it was doing a good job trying to keep up.  Key word is trying, but that little powerplant impressed me.

I also was able to get her up to about 100mph at some point and although she wasn't pulling very hard I could tell she could go faster.  I wasn't willing to push her any harder, even if I hadn't run out of road.

Not only was I impressed with the powerplant, I learned a lot about my own skill.  Even my friend on his CBR was pretty blown away that I was able to keep up when he tried to up his game.  I guess it just goes to show that both the GS500 is a quicker bike than anyone really gives it credit for, and rider skill, to a certain degree, means more than the bike you ride.
If I had some extra cash I'd love to pick up a leather suit and take my bike to a track and really see what it can do!  I don't know that I want to do what I did again on public roads, it was dangerous, sketchy, and not really legal, and I don't advise anyone to do it.  It was a fun day, though, and I was really interested to see what the little GStwin could do!

The little bike that could. 

This is pretty similar to what I experienced.  They might stroll away in the straights but in the turns it's all rider vs rider.  The GS gets the job done if you do your part.



Seriously, who needs a 1000cc?  In the 4 years I've been riding my biggest bike was a 1982 Suzuki GS650GL, and just this past day I pushed my GS500 harder than any bike I've ever owned and STILL haven't reached the limit of what it could do!  I'll be on sub-liters for life, a big engine isn't necessary for big fun.  The Fink has it right, it is the little bike than can!

The list of possible bikes I'll own has several entries, and none of them are over 700ccs...

Love the story and the thread. Thank you for sharing! Some people have asked me when I am gonna get a bigger bike (now that I've been riding for a few years) and I tell them that I really don't plan to... I love my GS and what it can do.

Quote from: Watcher on July 06, 2015, 09:42:55 PM
Went on a "spirited" ride with a friend of mine who has a little more experience riding than I do (he's done some track days).  Was going to be through some twisties (at least, as close to twisties as Chicago area Illinois has to offer) and at speeds that weren't necessarily road safe

He was riding his slightly modified 2013ish Honda CBR650 and I was on my mostly stock 1997 GS500e with bad fork seals and a worn out chain (rejet 40 pilots and 125 mains).

Started off at a mild pace as he got familiar with my level of skill and slowly upped it to see how well I could keep up.  I wasn't looking down at my speedo in turns as I was focused on lean in and throttle control and such, but at some point he said we were taking corners at ~60mph and I was right on his tail, and when we would straighten out and twist it open he would put distance on me but only by walking away.  The extra 2 cylinders and 150ccs he had did have a noticeable increase in performance, but it wasn't like it was a game changer.  He had more power for sure, but my bike was lighter and as long as I did my part keeping the engine in the power band it was doing a good job trying to keep up.  Key word is trying, but that little powerplant impressed me.

I also was able to get her up to about 100mph at some point and although she wasn't pulling very hard I could tell she could go faster.  I wasn't willing to push her any harder, even if I hadn't run out of road.

Not only was I impressed with the powerplant, I learned a lot about my own skill.  Even my friend on his CBR was pretty blown away that I was able to keep up when he tried to up his game.  I guess it just goes to show that both the GS500 is a quicker bike than anyone really gives it credit for, and rider skill, to a certain degree, means more than the bike you ride.
If I had some extra cash I'd love to pick up a leather suit and take my bike to a track and really see what it can do!  I don't know that I want to do what I did again on public roads, it was dangerous, sketchy, and not really legal, and I don't advise anyone to do it.  It was a fun day, though, and I was really interested to see what the little GStwin could do!

Definitely agree. I took a little ride and it never ceases to amaze me how agile the GS500 is. Can hang back and cruise or be perky through the twisties.

Where did you ride?

I went down LSD to Rt 12 into Michigan. Pretty sweet road actually.

I tend to stay off the expy when possible. Just too much going in the downtown area for me to deal with.

Looking for more roads around here that are fun.

I'm in the far south suburbs, Chicago heights area, so most of my riding is done south of the city.  This last ride happened to be on frontage roads along I55 and Rt83.

I would say changing out the stock suspension is probably the best upgrade to the GS, and really does make it feel like a new bike. Katana/R6 shock and some new front springs, and she is twice as good in the turns than from stock. Rider skill > displacement, exception being in the straights.

Quote from: Al Capwn on July 08, 2015, 09:44:00 PM
I would say changing out the stock suspension is probably the best upgrade to the GS, and really does make it feel like a new bike. Katana/R6 shock and some new front springs, and she is twice as good in the turns than from stock. Rider skill > displacement, exception being in the straights.

are there any videos on instructions of how to do this? I'd love to give it a try if it's not too expensive.

Quote from: anoopb on July 09, 2015, 07:22:14 AM

Quote from: Al Capwn on July 08, 2015, 09:44:00 PM
I would say changing out the stock suspension is probably the best upgrade to the GS, and really does make it feel like a new bike. Katana/R6 shock and some new front springs, and she is twice as good in the turns than from stock. Rider skill > displacement, exception being in the straights.

are there any videos on instructions of how to do this? I'd love to give it a try if it's not too expensive.

Indeed! https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Us5vkJ2PTYw

Rear Shock: 20-40 on e-Bay
Front Springs: ~100 from Sonic Springs

Rear shock is easy, unbolt the old one, bolt on the new one. The Katana 600 is a direct fit, other options make require tinkering.

Has anybody that weighs around 120 pounds done the rear shock swop (katana or SV)? If so how did it work for your weight?

Quote from: Watcher on July 08, 2015, 06:03:04 PM
I'm in the far south suburbs, Chicago heights area, so most of my riding is done south of the city.  This last ride happened to be on frontage roads along I55 and Rt83.

you're in the chicago area? man there sure are alot of us GS riders...

i'm still used to owning a Hyosung, very few and far in between...

Quote from: metatron on July 09, 2015, 11:21:08 AM
Has anybody that weighs around 120 pounds done the rear shock swop (katana or SV)? If so how did it work for your weight?

I'm down to ~150 and find the stock too stiff. The Kat shock hurt my back...sold it.

Quote from: metatron on July 09, 2015, 11:21:08 AM
Has anybody that weighs around 120 pounds done the rear shock swop (katana or SV)? If so how did it work for your weight?

perhaps one should probably be looking at the R6 shock at that weight...?

Quote from: Al Capwn on July 09, 2015, 07:30:16 AM

Quote from: anoopb on July 09, 2015, 07:22:14 AM

Quote from: Al Capwn on July 08, 2015, 09:44:00 PM
I would say changing out the stock suspension is probably the best upgrade to the GS, and really does make it feel like a new bike. Katana/R6 shock and some new front springs, and she is twice as good in the turns than from stock. Rider skill > displacement, exception being in the straights.

are there any videos on instructions of how to do this? I'd love to give it a try if it's not too expensive.

Indeed! https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Us5vkJ2PTYw

Rear Shock: 20-40 on e-Bay
Front Springs: ~100 from Sonic Springs

Rear shock is easy, unbolt the old one, bolt on the new one. The Katana 600 is a direct fit, other options make require tinkering.

lol. no kidding! those front springs look like a B to put in!

Why does the chain get loose when the shock is put in?

The only reason it was so hard in that video is because he admittedly had the spacers cut WAY too big. Sonic Springs come with instructions on how to install the springs, just follow them and it is easy-peasy. There should only be 1/2"-3/4" of preload, which the fork cap provides, so you won't be compressing the snot out of the springs like in the video.

If you do it without removing the forks/fork oil, this can be done in less than an hour:

Put on center stand.
Unbolt "stuff" and "things" (handlebar and fork caps, really).
Take a magnet/wire hanger and fish out old springs, washer, and spacers from the fork tube.
Place in new springs, washer, and spacer you got from Sonic Springs/Racetech/etc.
Mark a line where the spacers reach the top of the fork tube.
Cut spacers at that line.
Screw fork tube cap back on.
Tighten everything back down to spec.
Check your sag (may require a helpful friend. Pptional, if lazy it should be good 'nuff, especially compared to stock)
Go for a light test ride.
Enjoy a beer and the fact you just saved 150-200 bucks by doing it yourself. 

Quote from: Al Capwn on July 13, 2015, 10:17:12 AM
The only reason it was so hard in that video is because he admittedly had the spacers cut WAY too big. Sonic Springs come with instructions on how to install the springs, just follow them and it is easy-peasy. There should only be 1/2"-3/4" of preload, which the fork cap provides, so you won't be compressing the snot out of the springs like in the video.

If you do it without removing the forks/fork oil, this can be done in less than an hour:

Put on center stand.
Unbolt "stuff" and "things" (handlebar and fork caps, really).
Take a magnet/wire hanger and fish out old springs, washer, and spacers from the fork tube.
Place in new springs, washer, and spacer you got from Sonic Springs/Racetech/etc.
Mark a line where the spacers reach the top of the fork tube.
Cut spacers at that line.
Screw fork tube cap back on.
Tighten everything back down to spec.
Check your sag (may require a helpful friend. Pptional, if lazy it should be good 'nuff, especially compared to stock)
Go for a light test ride.
Enjoy a beer and the fact you just saved 150-200 bucks by doing it yourself. 

Thanks!

I've got a note out to Sonic Springs for the right size springs. I'm at 176lbs so i think the .80 should be fine but just wanted to confirm.

in regards to the shock, would you buy this one?

http://www.ebay.com/itm/00-Suzuki-Katana-GSX-F-600-Rear-Shock-69E-/151608922088?hash=item234c988fe8&vxp=mtr

or is that too used?

thanks!

That would be fine. The other one would be this one: http://www.ebay.com/itm/2004-04-Suzuki-Katana-GSX600-GSX-600-rear-shock-/261943231320?hash=item3cfd088358&vxp=mtr

Little cheaper since there is free shipping, and a couple years newer. However, conditions and how many miles mean more than just straight-up years. In either case, it should run you about ~35 bucks for a rear shock, give or take S&H.

I am running .80 + 15W Fork Oil, and I weigh ~180 lbs. That is the more "casual" setting, where .85 is for more "spirited" riding. Since I don't run the GS500 'round the track, I opted for a slightly softer suspension. Still MILES ahead of the stock suspension. The rear shock is also pretty stiff by comparison and makes the bike feel more "planted" with a firmer ride, rather than floating.

Quote from: Al Capwn on July 13, 2015, 01:18:44 PM
That would be fine. The other one would be this one: http://www.ebay.com/itm/2004-04-Suzuki-Katana-GSX600-GSX-600-rear-shock-/261943231320?hash=item3cfd088358&vxp=mtr

Little cheaper since there is free shipping, and a couple years newer. However, conditions and how many miles mean more than just straight-up years. In either case, it should run you about ~35 bucks for a rear shock, give or take S&H.

I am running .80 + 15W Fork Oil, and I weigh ~180 lbs. That is the more "casual" setting, where .85 is for more "spirited" riding. Since I don't run the GS500 'round the track, I opted for a slightly softer suspension. Still MILES ahead of the stock suspension. The rear shock is also pretty stiff by comparison and makes the bike feel more "planted" with a firmer ride, rather than floating.

you're right. that other one seems much better. I think i'll buy that.

as for the fork oil, should I have to replace that when i put in the new springs? the video didn't do so.

I don't know what kind of oil it's currently using. I'm more novice than intermediate I think and would like to just replace the  springs as a first attempt.

it's sounding more and more like a project i shouldn't take on since i don't know wtf i'm talking about but I definitely want to make the bike feel more "planted". Even in some very light curves, there's occasionally a feeling that the bike could just slip right out from under me. if this helps, i'm all for it.

safety first!

Well Rich from Sonic Springs scared the sh*t out of me quite well.

so i should probably replace the fork oil as well and just follow the instructions from SS. ;p

Quote
Anoop,

Well, it seems easier, but it's a really bad idea.
First, fork oil does need to be changed periodically. It degrades like any
other oil and loses it's damping properties. It also accumulates wear
metals from the internal sliders and bushings and gets really gunky.
Second, the damping that fork oil provides needs to be matched to the
springs. The stock oil, even when brand new and fresh, is too thin for the
upgraded springs and won't provide enough rebound damping.

Regardless of which method you choose you do need to have a way of
supporting the bike so that there's no weight on the front end. You can't
just take a fork cap off with the bike on the side stand. The spring
pressure will try to strip out the last thread on the fork cap and then
blow it upward, perhaps imbedding it in your forehead. Then the front
suspension will sag downward since one spring is holding twice the weight
it was a moment ago. That extra sag makes it impossible to compress the
spring enough to get the fork cap threaded back on the fork tube. And with
weight on the front end there will be no way to determine the correct
spacer length.

Taking the forks off is actually a very easy job. If you can remove and
replace the front wheel you can take the forks off, it's just a few more
bolts. We included complete instructions.

Thanks,
Rich

All his points are valid - basically, you do not want weight on the front end - and if you didn't know the springs were under load, then yes, the cap will shoot towards your face. This is made worse if the bike is under load, i.e. not off the ground at all. When I did mine, my front end was removed since it was during a rebuild. So my forks slid free in the triple clamps, thus no weight on the front end and able to get them to full extension.

Search the forums, watch that video, and most importantly read Sonic Spring's directions. Even if you did it the "long way" and removed the forks completely from the bike, you are looking at 2-3 hours tops. I replaced the oil in mine, and I would suggest you do the same. In terms of difficulty, like Rich said, if you can remove the wheel, you can remove the forks.

If you don't want to spend the time, or don't feel confident in your own abilities, you can always take it to a qualified mechanic and have them install the new springs and oil. It really is not that difficult of a job. The most challenging part of it all is finding a method to support the front end of the motorcycle while you are working on the forks, since they are not supporting your bike.