what to start out with for mods
Thread Starter
Member
Squid
Joined: Jul 2006
Posts: 44
what to start out with for mods
so i got about 700 miles on my bike my first bike ever. I want to start moding it since im getting pretty confodent in my riding what should i start with for mods i have no clue were to start at.
Administrator
World Champion
Joined: Dec 2004
Posts: 105,287
From: Fulton, MO
Actually, start with an MSF course. That'll keep you alive on the street and solidify the basics.
THEN do the track school. Track school/track days can be expensive, BTW...and addictive! Consider the following:
- gas to get there
- rental of a Uhaul trailer if you don't have a truck
- race tires (track day rule #1 - don't ride street tires at the track)
- leathers, back protector, boots
- cost of admission
Yuppers, the wife has gotten on my *** in the past for doing too many track days in a year. I'm about limited to 2-4 now otherwise I can't stand the bitchin'.
THEN do the track school. Track school/track days can be expensive, BTW...and addictive! Consider the following:
- gas to get there
- rental of a Uhaul trailer if you don't have a truck
- race tires (track day rule #1 - don't ride street tires at the track)
- leathers, back protector, boots
- cost of admission
Yuppers, the wife has gotten on my *** in the past for doing too many track days in a year. I'm about limited to 2-4 now otherwise I can't stand the bitchin'.
Thread Starter
Member
Squid
Joined: Jul 2006
Posts: 44
any actual bike mods i already got leathers i still need to get boots tho ill get them soon enough i prolly wont ever go to a track for the fact theres not one close to me and i dont really like to race all that mutch.
Hmm?
SuperBike
Joined: Oct 2004
Posts: 2,069
From: San Gabriel Valley
The track is not about racing. It's about familiarizing yourself with your motorcycle in a place free of cops, road debris (usually), wildlife, and traffic coming the other way. The great thing about a track is that you will see the same turns, time and again, over and over. Practice makes perfect.
And if you have not taken the MSF class, as Greg suggested, do so.
If you must modify the bike, I would start with the suspension - especially if you are far out of the range (as I am). Other than that, I would probably go with an exhaust system and jetting. The Superhawk sounds amazing with a good set of pipes.
And if you have not taken the MSF class, as Greg suggested, do so.
If you must modify the bike, I would start with the suspension - especially if you are far out of the range (as I am). Other than that, I would probably go with an exhaust system and jetting. The Superhawk sounds amazing with a good set of pipes.
Thread Starter
Member
Squid
Joined: Jul 2006
Posts: 44
well so far the guy who had it before me had it jetted, k&n air filter, and two brother echaust put on it im thinking of going with suspension first but not totally sure. But im for sure going to go to the class when i dont no for sure as soon as i get around to driving down to it and asking about it i cant find there number any were
Hmm?
SuperBike
Joined: Oct 2004
Posts: 2,069
From: San Gabriel Valley
Originally Posted by bobneto20
well so far the guy who had it before me had it jetted, k&n air filter, and two brother echaust put on it im thinking of going with suspension first but not totally sure. But im for sure going to go to the class when i dont no for sure as soon as i get around to driving down to it and asking about it i cant find there number any were
Moderator
MotoGP
Joined: Dec 2004
Posts: 2,553
From: South Texas
Originally Posted by bobneto20
well so far the guy who had it before me had it jetted, k&n air filter, and two brother echaust put on it im thinking of going with suspension first but not totally sure. But im for sure going to go to the class when i dont no for sure as soon as i get around to driving down to it and asking about it i cant find there number any were
Mods for you should be gear and any classes you can take. Plus lots and lots of safe riding. Always remember: your invisible on the street; even when they look directly at you! WORD.
Senior Member
Superstock
Joined: May 2006
Posts: 284
From: New Jersey USA
Get Nick Inatch's book Sportbike Riding Techniques!!! Read it, pratice what he teaches!!
Next the brakes can be upgraded to the RC51 system or whatever you chose. The fork springs need to go and a nice shock should do it.
The lesson isn't how to make it go it's how to make it stop!! So you can live to ride another day.
Good luck
Next the brakes can be upgraded to the RC51 system or whatever you chose. The fork springs need to go and a nice shock should do it.
The lesson isn't how to make it go it's how to make it stop!! So you can live to ride another day.
Good luck
El Cheapo
Back Marker
Back Marker
Joined: Jun 2006
Posts: 202
From: NW of Philly.
What's your available budget for mods on your bike?
IMO, the suspesions would make the most improvement of the ride quality of any bike. With properly adjusted/set up suspesion, the bike would be able to accelerate, brake and corner better. But high performance supension and proper setup cost money, probably more than most people can afford.
As to brakes, OEM brakes are not that bad, unless you are constantly slowing yourself from triple digit speed to 30 mph corner speed in 60 ft. Brakes are something that you can control yourself on the fly, learn to use the stock brakes.. or not to use brake at all.. if you could be that smooth.
If you are on a budget and can not afford trackdays every month, try and find a empty parking lot somewhere that's safe and practice touching down your peg feelers at speed under 30 mph without dropping the bike on the ground. Speed will come once you're smooth on the bike, any of us could probably go triple digit speed in a straight line, the difference is how much speed you carry with you in the corners.
IMO, the suspesions would make the most improvement of the ride quality of any bike. With properly adjusted/set up suspesion, the bike would be able to accelerate, brake and corner better. But high performance supension and proper setup cost money, probably more than most people can afford.
As to brakes, OEM brakes are not that bad, unless you are constantly slowing yourself from triple digit speed to 30 mph corner speed in 60 ft. Brakes are something that you can control yourself on the fly, learn to use the stock brakes.. or not to use brake at all.. if you could be that smooth.
If you are on a budget and can not afford trackdays every month, try and find a empty parking lot somewhere that's safe and practice touching down your peg feelers at speed under 30 mph without dropping the bike on the ground. Speed will come once you're smooth on the bike, any of us could probably go triple digit speed in a straight line, the difference is how much speed you carry with you in the corners.
Senior Member
Back Marker
Joined: Jul 2006
Posts: 138
From: Downtown Kansas City, MO.
Get Sonic Springs or Race Tech springs for your forks, tuned to your body weight. Sonic Springs has pretty much the best customer service on the planet. And they are cheaper than Race Tech, and just as good.
Get good tires. Metzler M-1's are good and cheaper now that they came out with M-3's.
And the brakes are pretty wooden. Dang. Wooden.
Get good tires. Metzler M-1's are good and cheaper now that they came out with M-3's.
And the brakes are pretty wooden. Dang. Wooden.
Thread Starter
Member
Squid
Joined: Jul 2006
Posts: 44
Originally Posted by marmaladeboy
Jeez. Is it really that hard to do a search for information on the MSF class? Here's a hint. TRY GOOGLE.
Hmm?
SuperBike
Joined: Oct 2004
Posts: 2,069
From: San Gabriel Valley
Originally Posted by bobneto20
it say right in there that i no were it is but cant find the number so i must have reaserched to find the adress dont yea think hmm maybe.
There is a phone number on their website.
Apparently you can turn on a computer so you can't be a total idiot, but your spelling and grammar are proving otherwise.
Thread Starter
Member
Squid
Joined: Jul 2006
Posts: 44
Originally Posted by marmaladeboy
http://www.msf-usa.org/
There is a phone number on their website.
Apparently you can turn on a computer so you can't be a total idiot, but your spelling and grammar are proving otherwise.
There is a phone number on their website.
Apparently you can turn on a computer so you can't be a total idiot, but your spelling and grammar are proving otherwise.
ok thanks for the info on that but its not on there what a suprise theres one in lacrosse,wi the city next to me but i cant find the number for it and i no were it is couse a freind of mine just went there and did it at the begining of the summer.
Member
Squid
Joined: Mar 2005
Posts: 60
From: Morrison Colorado
Originally Posted by denmah
first mod on a SH... well PIPES! its a vtwin! let her thump!
-stiffer springs(or dial those puppies all the way hard and it still wont be enough) in the forks if your over 165lbs after that the superhawk will be good enough for you in the handling department for a while.
-buy a manual if you plan on doing maintenance on your own
-buy a carb sync. tool
-next pipes of course
-think about a jet kit I used the dyno jet
-don't bother with a K&N
-leave the air box alone
-don't replace the brakes until they need it i bought EBC pads and it was a two finger deal after much better than the stock pads!!!
their is a start use the search function their is a lot of great info and people on this forum to help you with anything you need.
Just for the record on the motorcycle safety course all three of my buddies who I got into motorcycles all took the motorcycle safety course and all three have dropped their bikes. On the day he bought the bike he dropped it and then crashed on the street about 3 weeks after, the other coming around a corner ON COLD TIRES and lost the back end 2 weeks after he bought it and finally the third dropped it in a wal-mart parking lot one week after purchase. despite this it still is a good idea. Just use common sense when you ride!!!
Senior Member
Superstock
Joined: Apr 2005
Posts: 281
From: Denver, CO
Jeese, it's his first bike. Stock suspension is fine for him. He needs the MSF course for sure. This is the WRONG first bike to get btw. Bike is already way too modded anyway.
MSF Course MSF Course MSF Course MSF Course.
Then maybe a double-bubble windscreen and a 15-tooth sprocket.
MSF Course MSF Course MSF Course MSF Course.
Then maybe a double-bubble windscreen and a 15-tooth sprocket.
Thread
Thread Starter
Forum
Replies
Last Post
