Suzuki GSX650F Forum - www.GSX650F.biz

Hello all you GSXers!!

New to this forum and super glad I found it! I just got my '08 GSX650f (black) yesterday, my 50th B-day, it's my first bike and I'm totally stoked!!!!

I've searched the forum for the few questions I have and while I found some answers(thanks to all) I still have a few other questions.

Here are the mods I want to do right away:

1. Change the headlight to something brighter. I'm confused if I want to just change the bulb or install a HID kit.
a. If I install a HID kit, is there a "how to" on the forum?
b. Do I just want to change the low beam?(I think I do). Can I buy a kit for just the low beams? If so, is there a recommended kit out there?
c. If I change both, will I be able to use the "flash" button?

2. Frame sliders - is there a good working link to the cheapest set available?

3. Remove decals??? Don't know if I want to do this but I think it would look cool and clean. If I do it, what would you recommend to removing the residual adhesive without hurting the paint? Are there other decals available instead?

4. I've ordered the center stand already

Apologies if these questions have been answered a jillion times already on here.

Now I must tell you that I live at the foot of the Rockies and some of the best riding in the country is only 5 miles away. You're jealous, I know you are, you can admit it.....

Answers for Question

1: Some people go the HID route, some people invest in brighter bulbs then OEM. Here are 2 people who bought brighter bulbs.
viewtopic.php?f=1&t=3720

If you want to go the HID route. I suggest getting the 6000K kit, its the whitest kit out there with the most illuminiation. I dont know where you're from but Pilot Xenon is a very good brand. Retails for 100,- Euro for a motorcycle kit. I would suggest against getting a HID set for you High beam. HID always needs a few seconds to come up to temperature.

2: R&G makes a set for our 650 I believe. There is also another brand sold on eBay, both retail for about $150.

Thanks Kadett for the input and help

Hi, I'm 45 and its my first bike too. and it is FUN! I've heard that if you try to remove the decals, the one on the gas tank is under the clear coat so you cant remove it without messing up the paint.
from what I've seen, frame sliders arent that expensive, it seems to to be the install that cost bucks. If you can do it your self (I can not) dont cheap out on the parts!

Hey Groovydogg - thanks! I've decided I like the decals, which is good given what you said about the clear coat, they will stay - no matter how I feel about them. .

yeah, it's a fun, fun bike, I just need it to warm up and SOON!

I removed all decals (and fairing as I bought a damaged bike) but no problem removing the decals on the tank.
The ones on the swing arm (with the "do not drive with empty tires" warning) are very hard to remove.
Just park the bike in the sun to warm up, WD40 also works.
http://www.streetfire.net/video/debadge ... _22344.htm

And for the light I just buy some good ones like:
http://www.philips.co.uk/c/headlights/34921/cat/#

http://www.motorcyclelightbulbs.net/suz ... s-c-90_740
I have a different headlight so H4 for me.

Good stuff...Thanks 650

http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/H1-H3-H4 ... ccessories

H7 Xenon HID. I recommend a 5000k bulb. it emits the most usable light. 6000 has that import clear-blue look, but really, you're going to make your high beam and lil parking lamps on the sides of the headlight assembly look Yellow with a hotter (bluer) bulb.

I can't really recommend it in your hi-beam if you use the "flash" button often. it isn't bright until it warms up. takes about 20 seconds or so to get hot and bright. while it won't matter for low beam, that's on day and night, ect, it will be a safety issue for You particularly. Get a silverstar or a phillips extreme put in the high beam if you feel it's lacking, but really reading up on it and then aiming your stock bulb correctly will solve a LOT of lighting issues.

That kit is handy because it's got two of everthing already. you don't have to sweat some chinese warrantee if you have a spare of everything on hand if the ballast or a bulb dies in a year or two or something. I'm likely going to order one for spring, along with my new tires.

Thanks Voided! yeah, I've decided not to change the High Beam and to only change the low. But $36.00's!!! Can that be right? that beats everything I've seen by 2/3's. A great deal, thanks for the link.

And I've re-aimed both stocks bulbs but it's been too freakin' cold here to test if it's any better.

Hi pete and welcome.
Just change the low beam ,with the high beam on it's pretty good any way.

hi all, I bought both hi and low beam bulbs a while ago. I couldnt change them because at the time I was having an electrical problem that wasnt gettging fixed right. It turned out to be a faulty regulator. now I want to change the bulbs but forget what the shop guy told me. so my question...anything special i need to know? I know to keep the bulbs clean but anything else??
thanx

Groovy-D, I would think that if you bought the right size bulbs they should fit right in.

When I changed out my bulbs I just did new bulbs on the low beam. I went with the super blue and think they made a difference. As for the center stand, you really only have one choice and that’s from Suzuki. It’s a great idea; that was the very first thing I put on mine. Installs kinda rough just for a center stand, you have to take the exhaust off and get the springs on. Keep in mind with the center stand if you plan on changing out your exhaust there aren’t very many that come with the center stand stop. The Leo Vince does and that’s what I went with, and I couldn’t be happier, but the yosh and 2 bros do not. Frame sliders are one that people will go back and forth on, think about the whole point of what frame sliders do. It protects your bike if you tip it over, your left with just scratches and hopefully nothing worse. A cheap knock off from china is not going to help, if anything makes it worse. Do your research on what they are made of and spend the money as a couple hundred for frame sliders is better then new fairings or worse. Not sure what color bike you have but seems like you already decided you like the decals. IMO black is the only one that looks good without. Hope I helped.

BigJay - thanks for the advice. I didn't even think about the center stand stop for an exhaust mod. Thanks! I did get the center stand installed this weekend. Didn't take the exhaust off, just reversed the direction of the bolt as suggested on this forum and used a dab of locktite.

I also ordered the HD kit that Voided pointed me to. Hasn't arrived yet, will update(and probably scream for help ) when I install.

Probably the best thing I've come across with having a center stand is when getting gas you dont have to try to hold your bike up straight to fill the tank up all the way. I think out of all the guys I ride with I'm the only one that has one and I cant tell you how many times someone's bike has ended up on the ground because of how they parked it on a hill, one little wind and down it goes.