Totally lost with my GS550

[leecatd8209]

SPARK. PLUG. BOOTS.

Did you know that they have a resistor in them?!

It's not perfect, but it's 100% better, and totally rideable now. I put almost 150 on the clock today.

One last question. What's the realistic operating range for a 550 as far as speed? Here in South Texas everything is a flat straight, and even the back roads have a 70mph speed limit. I take it slow, but when there's traffic I feel safer being able to blend in, than getting passed by everything. How feasible is ~80mph cruising on this thing?

[Steve]

How feasible is ~80mph cruising on this thing?

As long as you keep it under about 10,000 RPM, you'll be fine.

.

[Chuck78]

6800rpm all day long is 110% acceptable and should give you a real good & high cruising speed...

As stated, keep it below extreme rpms & you'll be fine I'd say below 8000 rpm for long hauls. But these engines are TOUGH....
Use high quality oil, and change it frequently with a good filter changed out as well, and you'll do great

And don't think that your carbs are plenty good after the resistor cap changes, unless you are doing extensive plug chops to verify jetting. ESPECIALLY the slide needle / jet needle height, the most critical adjustment after adding pods and pipe...