GS500 - Track bike?

[Ichy]

Would a GS500 make a viable track bike? I appreciate it won't keep up with most bikes but the aim is to get a bit of experience and have a bit of fun.

The bike itself has sat in my garage for some time now so initial cost is almost nothing, maybe new tyres. I have a trailer so it doesn't have to be kept road legal.
What modifications should be considered and what do I need to do to prepare it?

Am I just wasting my time and selling would be a better option?
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[G]

They do race them in 500 series.

Personally, for trackdays I prefer having at least a sports 600 - I've ridden RS250s, 64hp SV650 etc, but I always find it a little frustrating.
Though some nice post-trackday banter about how I was lapping Snetterton at the same pace as litre bikes.

However, I would find myself being held up a lot - it meant I really tried hard in some bits, but in other bits was continually frustrated.
Once you get down to 100hp, I find skills makes more of a difference.

Have a look at what your bike is worth and what mods you'd want to do - if you can get something like an early R1, or SRAD for the same price, I'd definitely go with the sports bike.

Otherwise, if your bike isn't worth much and you can get it in an ok state for a little bit of money, might as well go for it.
I would EXPECT to be looking at - fork springs and possibly a revalve, replacement rear shock (maybe can bodge in one from another bike), braided hoses if you don't have them and decent pads. Consider down gearing a little, but they're not that high geared anyway.
Definitely some ok rubber.

As I say, if you have a look at the series that races them, should be plenty of details around.

[MarkJ]

You'd be fine on a trackday with a 500, but as G says you may end up being frustrated, although as you're wanting 'a bit of experience' I assume you've not done a/many trackday(s) before? If so you'd be fine in novice.

If it were me I'd probably just put some decent springs in the forks and get a decent shock then leave it at that.

[G]

Yea, to be fair - my first track day I was happily going past a lot of riders around the outside of Corams at Snetteron on a KR1S.
Leant it to an MZ-racing friend for the last sesion and he comes back with "nice bike, but the tyres are shagged". Hadn't really realised as relatively, I was still going past people.

To be fair, the skill levels in novice at least are so variable that you probably won't find the bike too much of a hinderance.
I have found I do get a bit annoyed if I'm trying to push the limits of a bike with a particularly bad suspension - for instance racing a stock c90 with dirt tyres on tarmac (push JUST too much and the front suspension tries to fold in to another dimension, meaning you are wanting to get really close to that limit, but always worried when you go past it.) - however suspect a 500 will be a bit better than that .

[Blue_SV650S]

Viable - yes

A good choice - no
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[Joeb46]

The gs500 is eligable to compete in the thundersport 500s but no one has raced one yet. i was going to get one and try it as a wet weather bike.

its got less power more weight and generally a softer setup than either the er5 or cb500.

to make a worth while track bike it would cost a fair bit.

try cb500racing.co.uk for the race plastics, may need some modification to fit like i did with mine.

cheers
Joe
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[G]

Not sure why you'd bother with plastics for a play-track bike .
Sure, it's not that aerodynamic, but then even if it was, it's not like it's going to be getting to serious speeds that quickly anyway.

[Blue_SV650S]

Trackdays aren't cheap ... I can't see the logic in getting a 'cheap' trackbike that will probably be so lame you won't enjoy yourself.

I am a true fan of the old steel frame CBR600s as trackbikes. A pretty decent example with a few spares can be found for ~£1k mark ...
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[Joeb46]

as you said G the plastics might not be essential but the site has links to companies which make rear sets and exhaust systems.

both of which are important as ground clearance is a big issue as you get faster on this type of bike.
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[Gazdaman]

Good god don't.

I've ridden a GS500 on track:

https://www.gaz-racing.co.uk/images/trackday_296.JPG

They're just horrible, they handle horribly, the quality of them is utterly shocking, they have very little power, and they make it in such a boring way and I found them to be very unstable at speed.

And the riding position is too upright.

I have spent a while on gs500 forums, and they're good when you change the suspension. SV650 rear shocks fit, as do RGV250 USD front end. But once you've done all that sort of stuff you've spent enough money to get you something good in the first place.

If you were looking for a 500 race bike, than fair enough. But for trackdays I'd get a cheap sports 400/600. Like an FZR or something like that if budget's an issue.

You would quickly regret a GS500.

If you've got one already and you want to do a trackday, then by all means, bust it out. You've got nothing to lose, some of the most fun I've had on track was on crap bikes. But it's not a serious option in any way really. If it's in stock form you'll find the suspension very wallowy, and the tyres probably won't be up to much.

Hope that helps in some way.

Gaz

[Ichy]

Thanks guys, in the main pretty useful advice.

Just to be clear. The bike is one I brought for £200 a couple of years ago. Stripped it all down and put back together. Its then sat there and done nothing but 2 miles to the MOT station.

It's worth about £350 at the moment, I could probably sell it and maybe double up the money but what am I likely to get for £600-£700? Yes I could spend more but what's the point if the bike only gets used 4-5 times a year? Should I develop an interest in it then I'll consider buying a new road bike and using my CBR.

I've done some track days over the years but I consider myself a complete beginner. I have no aspiration to take up racing, I just want to go to a local track and ride for the hell of it.
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[Gazdaman]

You've got nothing to lose. I'd look at at least prodding the suspension. An SV650 rear shock is cheap enough, and maybe some heavier oil in the forks. (And stiffer springs if you can get them)

Then maybe a decent set of tyres and HH pads.

Or do it on the cheap and change absolutely nothing.

I'd probably chose your tracks carefully, something small and twisty. Like Lydden Hill would be ideal, or Llandow in South Wales although trackdays are fairly few and far between there.

Maybe the two GS500s I've ridden have both been crappy which is definitely more than possible.

Even after all that it'll still be worth the same, if not a little bit more (the SV shock jacks the rear up a bit, steering will be quicker and it'll suit non-midgets a bit better).

So why not, give it a go, as long as you're not looking for a serious track bike.

Gaz

[Ichy]

Thanks Gaz. The two nearest tracks are Oulton park and Darley Moor. Rear shock was upgraded(?) to one off a GX600f and I've started looking for a complete front end to stick on there. At worst I have a couple of sets of springs that I can try out.

I'll have to see what tyres I can find for it.
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[G]

The thing is though, if you then ended up spending £300 sorting it out, for £1k (£300+selling for £700) you've actually got some reasonable options.
Ok, both these are actually a bit more, but:
https://belfast.gumtree.com/belfast/12/71789012.html
https://kent.gumtree.com/kent/33/73314533.html

Err, ok one's in belfast looking at the URL! R6 is a really good bike as stock for track riding. ZX6 isn't bad and considering you get spare wheels and other stuff in that one, not a bad deal at all!

[Ichy]

Sorry G didn't explain myself well. I think the bike would sell for £350, to be fair I have no idea. I would double this up to £700, no more. As a minimum I reckon a set of tyres, pads, and fork springs will set me back £250? Am I missing something? Is there some other cost that I hadn't though of?



Ummm, think I'll take a look around ebay / gumtree, see what's out there.
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[G]

Ah, I see.

I'm not sure I would bother for the moment, then.

I'd be tempted to just make sure everything looks ok, maybe look at some cheap part worns, then do a trackday and see if you like it.

[Blue_SV650S]

'You can't polish a turd'


I wouldn't waste any money on trying to enhance the GS, either ride it as it is or flog it and buy something more appropriate! ... you are throwing good money after bad if you 'did up' the GS with a view to making it into a 'better' trackbike ...

well that is my

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[Gazdaman]

Any MOT'd GS is worth about £5-600. More depending on condition. I think there are definitely better options than using it. And I certainly wouldn't be looking to spend any money on your GS to make it more suitable.

I'd either use it as-is, with nothing more than a service.

Or sell it and get something capable. Rather than spending money track-prepping a turd.

An early model ZX6r, an FZR, an early CBR, all would be infinitely better, and all there or thereabouts on the money front.

You might save yourself some dosh, but you might find that track time on a more suitable bike is more enjoyable and the bug might bite. Whereas you might do it on the GS and think, well this is shite, and be put off forever more.

In your position, I'd sell the GS and get something else with the money. They still sell really well as commuter bikes (and not so well as track bikes weirdly).

Gaz

[MarkJ]

If you're wanting prices for track bikes, I sold my 92 CBR 600 with spare wets on wheels for £620:
https://www.bikechatforums.com/viewtopic.php?t=182510

[Ichy]

You've convinced me, I might be going to Oulton Park next week and then its going on Ebay.
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[Joeb46]

got some bridgestone bt090s with a trackday left in them. free to a good home if you can collect them.
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[Ichy]

Many thanks for the offer, really appreciated. PM on its way.
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