Best MOD for the money
Moderator
MotoGP
Joined: Jul 2007
Posts: 5,221
From: Gettysburg, Pa
Wasn't this topic just discussed?
Read this thread for some tips.
Read this thread for some tips.
Senior Member
SuperBike
Joined: Aug 2005
Posts: 1,864
From: Fort Wayne, IN
Honestly, I think the best "mod for the money" is to bolster the ground circuit between the battery and r/r. That costs about $5 and can save a lot of headaches later.
For those who are handy, there are some tweaks you can do suspension-wise that will help. A 6mm shim between the rear shock upper mount and the frame helps with the stock shock. Up front if you know how to disassemble the valving you can remove the float shims and switch to 5w fluid. Both of these make only a very small dent into the VTR's suspension problems. I only mention them because they are pretty cheap and are at least a step in the right direction.
For those who are handy, there are some tweaks you can do suspension-wise that will help. A 6mm shim between the rear shock upper mount and the frame helps with the stock shock. Up front if you know how to disassemble the valving you can remove the float shims and switch to 5w fluid. Both of these make only a very small dent into the VTR's suspension problems. I only mention them because they are pretty cheap and are at least a step in the right direction.
Out of my mind, back in 5
MotoGP
Joined: Nov 2006
Posts: 6,109
From: Skurup, Sweden
Honestly, I think the best "mod for the money" is to bolster the ground circuit between the battery and r/r. That costs about $5 and can save a lot of headaches later.
For those who are handy, there are some tweaks you can do suspension-wise that will help. A 6mm shim between the rear shock upper mount and the frame helps with the stock shock. Up front if you know how to disassemble the valving you can remove the float shims and switch to 5w fluid. Both of these make only a very small dent into the VTR's suspension problems. I only mention them because they are pretty cheap and are at least a step in the right direction.
For those who are handy, there are some tweaks you can do suspension-wise that will help. A 6mm shim between the rear shock upper mount and the frame helps with the stock shock. Up front if you know how to disassemble the valving you can remove the float shims and switch to 5w fluid. Both of these make only a very small dent into the VTR's suspension problems. I only mention them because they are pretty cheap and are at least a step in the right direction.
But the best mods in terms of what you get out of it, is suspension, then brakes...
Senior Member
Superstock
Joined: Apr 2013
Posts: 466
From: SF Bay Area
IMHO frame sliders are the best mod for the money. Right around $100 and 10 minuets worth of work can save you quite abit in a garage knock over or that day when the bike goes down while moving. Just my .02, aside from that I would agree that riding lessons or protective gear is the best investment out there.
Senior Member
SuperBike
Joined: Jul 2011
Posts: 1,461
From: South of Live Free or Die & North of Family Guy
As for the intended Mod's for the bike itself, I have to agree with HRCA#1 first, these are two separate questions... IMO for the handling question the suspension mods mentioned by Jamie would count first.
For the power mod, depending on your riding style, if your chain is in good condition, you can swap the front sprocket from 16 to 15 and you will get better acceleration and more effective gearing for as little as $15
Senior Member
MotoGP
Joined: Jul 2007
Posts: 5,066
From: NYC
Anyone can answer right?
Best mod (singular) is to fix your RR before you get stranded. (immobile bike negates every other mod)
Beyond that its the front forks. You have no biz trying to make more power if you cant keep the bike on the road.
I swear by adding an inch of 30wt fork oil and 1 inch spacers if you want to stay under $10 and feel improvement. Better springs are 100% worth it even to me.
Jamie says use 5wt, which confuses me but he has forgotten more about suspension than most of us will ever know so hit him up for whatever you need, but fix those bottoming forks before anything.
Makes it feel like a new bike.
Best mod (singular) is to fix your RR before you get stranded. (immobile bike negates every other mod)
Beyond that its the front forks. You have no biz trying to make more power if you cant keep the bike on the road.
I swear by adding an inch of 30wt fork oil and 1 inch spacers if you want to stay under $10 and feel improvement. Better springs are 100% worth it even to me.
Jamie says use 5wt, which confuses me but he has forgotten more about suspension than most of us will ever know so hit him up for whatever you need, but fix those bottoming forks before anything.
Makes it feel like a new bike.
Senior Member
SuperBike
Joined: Mar 2012
Posts: 1,544
From: New South Wales Australia
Lightened flywheel.
Just thought that I would throw this one in as it benefits useable performance and if you are splitting hairs it reduces weight.
Any weight reduction helps suspension I think.
I have one and love it.
Just thought that I would throw this one in as it benefits useable performance and if you are splitting hairs it reduces weight.
Any weight reduction helps suspension I think.
I have one and love it.
Senior Member
MotoGP
Joined: Jul 2007
Posts: 5,066
From: NYC
Comedo, no offense but that advice stinks, cuz what bothers him the most may be lack of strobe neon under the bike.
Also, based on the wording of the thread, he wants specific advice. Whatever you want is more on the extremely general side.
Also, based on the wording of the thread, he wants specific advice. Whatever you want is more on the extremely general side.
Senior Member
SuperSport
Joined: Nov 2007
Posts: 807
From: Hamilton, Ontario, Canada
Dear smokinjoe73,
DEVAL's first post was made in late August 2012. He mentioned riding 250 km. that day. He's reached a point by which he should know his bike and he's had lots of time to read this forum. Wolverine suggested a very helpful thread for DEVAL to review.
He's been given a number of very helpful suggestions. Lack of information isn't a problem. It's up to him to determine his priorities. I doubt that strobe lights would be near the top of DEVAL's list in any case because he's asking for suggestions regarding "power and handling".
We haven't been told how he rides, where he rides or why he rides. We haven't been told how much he wants to spend. We haven't been told whether he wants to do these things himself or have a shop do it. We haven't been told what motivated him to consider any modifications at all. A stock Firestorm/Superhawk is a sound motorcycle.
You race and you ride in New York City. You have my utmost respect and you have provided excellent advice but your priorities may not be DEVAL's.
It should go without saying that basic maintenance reaps big benefits. Fresh tires, fresh plugs, aligned wheels, properly adjusted controls, good chain and sprockets, brake calipers that don't stick, clean air filter, proper tire pressures, etc. all matter.
The point of my comment was that it is up to DEVAL to decide whether any modification he plans to do to his bike is worth the time and money.
DEVAL's first post was made in late August 2012. He mentioned riding 250 km. that day. He's reached a point by which he should know his bike and he's had lots of time to read this forum. Wolverine suggested a very helpful thread for DEVAL to review.
He's been given a number of very helpful suggestions. Lack of information isn't a problem. It's up to him to determine his priorities. I doubt that strobe lights would be near the top of DEVAL's list in any case because he's asking for suggestions regarding "power and handling".
We haven't been told how he rides, where he rides or why he rides. We haven't been told how much he wants to spend. We haven't been told whether he wants to do these things himself or have a shop do it. We haven't been told what motivated him to consider any modifications at all. A stock Firestorm/Superhawk is a sound motorcycle.
You race and you ride in New York City. You have my utmost respect and you have provided excellent advice but your priorities may not be DEVAL's.
It should go without saying that basic maintenance reaps big benefits. Fresh tires, fresh plugs, aligned wheels, properly adjusted controls, good chain and sprockets, brake calipers that don't stick, clean air filter, proper tire pressures, etc. all matter.
The point of my comment was that it is up to DEVAL to decide whether any modification he plans to do to his bike is worth the time and money.
Senior Member
SuperBike
Joined: Jul 2011
Posts: 1,461
From: South of Live Free or Die & North of Family Guy
DEVAL, as you see there is allot of fuss around here, but we haven't seen any feedback from you yet... Perhaps you can give us more specifics to what you really looking to do.
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blacksheep
Modifications - Performance
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Jul 31, 2007 09:39 AM
