Aftermarket parts and accessories give you the ability to customize your machine. Almost anything you don’t like about your stock setup can be swapped out. Your GS500 is a starter bike, which means you may not have the money for a full custom job. Even cheap motorcycle aftermarket parts can greatly improve the performance, looks, and feel of your bike. Here are a few of the top Suzuki GS500 aftermarket parts and accessories:
Performance Air Filters
A high-flow air filter is an excellent addition to any machine. Extra oxygen makes your engine fire harder by adjusting your fuel/air mixture. For an entry-level bike such as your GS500, this is a cheap way to increase your horsepower. Even better, this is a simple installation that takes almost no time. There are many highly-rated brands out there, but K&N and Hiflofiltro are two of the top manufacturers.
Aftermarket Tires
For motorcycles, acceleration and speed show up where the rubber literally meets the road. You can’t find a racer out there without a seriously good set of tires. The OE models, on the other hand, are typically chosen with price in mind, not well-designed treads. Aftermarket tires give you the opportunity to improve your effective torque, handling, and comfort in one go. Pirelli, Metzeler, Dunlop, and Michelin are just a few of the companies making high-quality rubber for your bike.
Braided Steel Brake Lines
There’s no point in increasing your horsepower and acceleration if you can’t stop. Stock brake lines are made from rubber, which flexes as the brake fluid travels through it. This makes for a slower, less progressive stop when you apply the brakes. Steel is obviously much stiffer than rubber, so there’s almost no flex, which makes for increased stopping power.
Grips
Not every aftermarket mod has to crank up your performance. Motorcycle fatigue can make the difference between enjoying your ride and wishing you were back home. A set of gel grips can greatly reduce felt vibration, keeping your forearms from feeling like mush. If you still hop on your Suzuki in the winter, heated grips prevent your hands from freezing in the icy wind. Warmer fingers respond faster, so you’re safer as well as more comfortable.
Sprockets
Ask an experienced biker for advice on aftermarket parts and they generally suggest new sprockets. Adjusting the number of teeth on your sprockets reduces highway revs, making for less noise and vibration when you’re cruising at high speeds. The front sprocket is an easy installation and, depending on your setup, that may be the only one you need to replace. Even if you do need to switch the rear sprocket, it’s within the ability of most mechanics, even DIY ones.
There are plenty of other parts that could have made this list such as exhaust systems, brake pads, and rear sets. How much you want to change is really a question of preference and budget. The internet has the best prices on motorcycle equipment, so use it to find anything from GS500 aftermarket accessories to Honda Z50 OEM parts on sale.