Hepco & Becker does make pannier and top case racks so you can do full locking hard cases if you want to for touring/commuting. Givi used to make a full luggage set as well so possible to find that on the used market. R&G and T-Rex make crash bobbins. The Renntec engine guards for the naked GS500E actually fit under the F model fairings if you want maximum engine protection and a good spot to mount highway pegs.
Good review. Thanks- top stuff. Also have a GS500F. Love the thing. Re Luggage- GIVI make a top box rack specifically for GS500F/GS500E. Part number is the GIVI-"526F" rear mounting, then you need the "M3" plate and then you can fit any GIVI Monolock Top Box. Ventura also do a rack that fits it and they have a topbox as well that looks quite good. Shad do a kit for great big hard case panniers on the GS500. I've been using a Ventura rack and a RJays Expedition Bag but am currently setting up a GIVI topbox. Never dropped my bike fortunately. Or even come close touch wood. Wish me luck! Good skills on customising your own rack though! Yeah I think it's the tail design that doesn't lend itself so well to panniers on the GS500 but it looks like yours are a pretty good fit. Great touring and camping setup- well done,
Oh yeah- best "upgrade" I made for the bike was fitting Michelin Pilot Street Radials. OMG what a transformation from the Bridgestone Battleaxs.. If you have the old cross ply/bias ply tyres please do yourself a favour and get radials... so good!
Interesting, I was just thinking about selling my 2004 Gs500f to pick up a 2008 Bandit1250s. I think all that power would get me in trouble though, only been riding a year
Its a tough choice. If you've been riding for a year then youve probably got the experience needed to jump up to a 1200, as long as you take it easy. You'll find that you will want more power soon anyway. The important thing is to take it easy hahaha the acceleration is wild and it can go to your head. Another important thing to consider is the difficulty and cost in maintaining a 1200, it will be much more than a 500. And much trickier to work on yourself.
Hi! Very nice video. Mi dad has the same bike and I wanna start learning with it. I'm 1.85 cm tall, do you think this bike is appropriate for my height?
Nugget on one or two years great bike if you break your side mirror Sodom flash if you can fix of yourself a little bit of work and he’s got a 22.7 L tank
True! I check out another of his videos and it looks like he installed them himself. He said he drilled a hole in the fairing. So its definitely possible. It would be nice if it was designed to have them instead of having to modify the fairing yourself.
I have an 09 gs500f that ive converted to a streetfighter, im also from South Aussie, good to hear of another brother in wheels, nice content man
You can put dual sport tyres on them and go more off road places ,Route 66 panniers will fit them too
Hepco & Becker does make pannier and top case racks so you can do full locking hard cases if you want to for touring/commuting. Givi used to make a full luggage set as well so possible to find that on the used market.
R&G and T-Rex make crash bobbins.
The Renntec engine guards for the naked GS500E actually fit under the F model fairings if you want maximum engine protection and a good spot to mount highway pegs.
Good review. Thanks- top stuff. Also have a GS500F. Love the thing. Re Luggage- GIVI make a top box rack specifically for GS500F/GS500E. Part number is the GIVI-"526F" rear mounting, then you need the "M3" plate and then you can fit any GIVI Monolock Top Box. Ventura also do a rack that fits it and they have a topbox as well that looks quite good. Shad do a kit for great big hard case panniers on the GS500. I've been using a Ventura rack and a RJays Expedition Bag but am currently setting up a GIVI topbox.
Never dropped my bike fortunately. Or even come close touch wood. Wish me luck!
Good skills on customising your own rack though! Yeah I think it's the tail design that doesn't lend itself so well to panniers on the GS500 but it looks like yours are a pretty good fit. Great touring and camping setup- well done,
Oh yeah- best "upgrade" I made for the bike was fitting Michelin Pilot Street Radials. OMG what a transformation from the Bridgestone Battleaxs.. If you have the old cross ply/bias ply tyres please do yourself a favour and get radials... so good!
You can get frame sliders made by R&G racing. You need to drill a hole in the faring. It uses the motor and frame with spacers.
Interesting, I was just thinking about selling my 2004 Gs500f to pick up a 2008 Bandit1250s. I think all that power would get me in trouble though, only been riding a year
Its a tough choice. If you've been riding for a year then youve probably got the experience needed to jump up to a 1200, as long as you take it easy. You'll find that you will want more power soon anyway. The important thing is to take it easy hahaha the acceleration is wild and it can go to your head.
Another important thing to consider is the difficulty and cost in maintaining a 1200, it will be much more than a 500. And much trickier to work on yourself.
I wish you had links to all your upgrades, especially the handle bar risers. Please, hook me up!
Hi! Very nice video. Mi dad has the same bike and I wanna start learning with it. I'm 1.85 cm tall, do you think this bike is appropriate for my height?
How does she compare to a CBF600 please? I have had the 600 and loved it, and now have the chance for one of these but am a big fella.
I have used my bike for touring by bungee chord a duffle bag on the back. I get about 55 mpg on the highway and about 43 mpg in the city.
Thanks! I changed my oil and spark plugs with the fairings on. The benefit of having small hands. 😂
Nugget on one or two years great bike if you break your side mirror Sodom flash if you can fix of yourself a little bit of work and he’s got a 22.7 L tank
I fixed my flaring s with fibreglass
I heard of also doing it with plastic welding. Duct tape has worked out for me in a pinch XD
The gs500f in this video: ruclips.net/video/GxS5yZ44AHU/видео.html has fall knobs installed
True! I check out another of his videos and it looks like he installed them himself. He said he drilled a hole in the fairing. So its definitely possible. It would be nice if it was designed to have them instead of having to modify the fairing yourself.
I so regret selling mine
Mine was actually stolen at the start of 2019. I got it back. But while it was missing I realised how much I really like the bike model.
Oh yes I want to buy another one and put dual sport tyres on it
Gidday from Australia .
Sorry mate that bike has a big 20 Leters of fuel tank . and you can buy luggage racks .