GS 500 Mods

[brandon930]

Hello Everyone.  First post here!  Love the site.  Has great info on it.  So I just got my first bike, and yes you guessed it its an 06' GS 500 Black/White.  I love it!  I wanted a gixxer 600 but took the advice from the mature riders and went with a "beginner bike." I couldnt be happier.  I am a 21 year old male 6'2" 210 pounds. The bike is a lil small for me but I love it anyway.   I always wear full gear....helmet, jacket, gloves, jeans, closed toe shoes.  If you have any advice for me or any small mods I could add on I would appreciate it.  The one thing I would love to do to the bike is to put a solo seat cap on it, but cant seem to find one anywhere.  Anyone know where I can buy one? Thank you much!

Brandon

[tussey]

some people have done seat mods. I'm not sure if they changed this on the 06's but people always say to rejet. It will make a world of difference. Someone back me up? yes no?

[aaronstj]

Correct jetting makes a huge difference.  As for other functional mods, the suspension is a must, too.  Replacing the bars is fairly popular, and cheap if you can get your hands on Srinath bars.

For cosmetic mods, the first things to do are chop the fender and replace the turn signals.  Pablo's site is a good place to look.

[GeeP]

Welcome!  Good choice on the GS.  The Baby G is much more forgiving of errors than a gixxer ever thought of being.

No one produces a solo seat cap for any model GS at the moment.  I've been toying with the idea for the E model but haven't had the time.

My only advice would be to take the MSF course if you haven't already and get some proper motorcycle pants, preferably leather.  On average asphalt denim lasts about 6-10 feet, far less than a 55MPH slide.  Leather on the other hand will show little to no visible damage after the same slide.  Well worth the money.   

[yamahonkawazuki]

i think JamesG was toying around with the idea (forum member)

[starwalt]

i think JamesG was toying around with the idea (forum member)

He sold his operation to dgyver prior to shipping out to the sandbox -- but he is back now.  BTW JamesG -- Glad you are back Stateside and thank you for your service. 

[jackiei26]

I luv my 05 except for the stock exhaust.  It sounds like a glorified moped...can't stand it!  Will definitely change it before next season.

[annguyen1981]

Welcome!  And definitely take the MSF course.  It'll teach you stuff that'll save your behind MANY times.

BTW JamesG -- Glad you are back Stateside and thank you for your service. 

+1


Thank you for protecting our country!

[LimaXray]

Get a lunchbox filter and do a rejet, it will run better, sound better, and you'll get a little bit more power... best of all you can do it all for ~$60

I'd also recommend the 15 tooth front sprocket.  You can get one from the dealer for ~$25 and it's super easy to put in.  It will give you a more aggressive gearing and makes the bike a little quicker.  You could get a 14 tooth for even more aggressive gearing.

I'm 6'6" and find the bike comfortable and have been told I don't look too goofy riding it.  I might recommend different handle bars though.  SM2/Srianth bars seem to be the top picks for the GS, but I got myself a set of clubmans because they are dirt cheap and I find them more comfortable than the stockers.

[jackiei26]

thank you - I will definitely put that into consideration .  However, the filter only lists to 2002 and the Jet kit thread states jetting for a 2001.  Will it work for an 05?

[nick_villan]

yes it will, im going to have runing this weekend a full racing exahust and my filter with the jet kit

[LimaXray]

yup, take a look at my sig, it's what I have in my '05 and I couldn't be happier 

[jackiei26]

thanks Lima!!!!!

[brandon930]

Thank you everyone!  I appreciate all of the suggestions!  Keep um' coming!

[blue05twin]

already mentioned but for performance mods
exhaust ( jardine makes one )
front springs ( racetec or progressive )
rear shock swap to katana shock
K&N lunchbox filter
Change the front sprocket
re-jet ( can order the jets you need from www.sudco.com )
steel braided brake lines ( you can get those in your choice of colors )
Change foot pegs

Look mods
Rim tape ( www.tapeworks.com )
handle bars ( sm2's or you could wait till Sinrath makes some new ones )
cut the rear fender
Controversial ( spelling is wrong ) intergrated tail lights ( www.clearalternatives.com )
Or buell turn signals ( they looked really nice
Front screen can order zero gravity
Change your hand grips
Install a 98+kat rear 4.5" rear rim ( allows you move up in rear tire size's )
Several companies now make new undertails for the 04+ GS's most are oversea's companies but might be worth it if you like how they look.

Thats all I can think of for now.  Grats on getting the GS it's a great bike.  Wish I could keep mine 

[Alphamazing]

Install a 98+kat rear 4.5" rear rim ( allows you move up in rear tire size's )

I'd consider this a performance mod, as it allows you to safely use a wider variety of stickier tires. Not just for looks, stickier tires handle better in pretty much all conditions.

[brandon930]

Thanks again for all the useful information.  I definitely want to put the filter on and rejet the bike. Fender Eliminator is a must as well! Sprocket sounds like it would be good too...

[blue05twin]

I know but I was being lazy work was a real bit*h today.  And on top of that dealing with two different dealers for the 750's.  Getting 3 of them for 9800 OTD and mine's from a different dealer for 10700

[nick_villan]

ya but woulnd u lose hp, by putting a biger tire

[scratch]

You wouldn't lose hp, but you could go faster for any given gear.  Not to be confused with quicker.  It wont be quicker off the line.  But, you do not lose any hp.