98ILVTR

I am looking into setting money aside for some mods. I already have Jardine Slip-ons, along with a set a new Bridgestone BT021 Tires. I got some SBS brake pads to put on as well, and I already installed stainless steel brake lines. I also have rear turn signals, and flush mount front turn signals.

So, next on my list would be the more expensive items:

1. Racetech Fork Springs or Emulators
2. Harris Rearsets
3. Penske Rear Shock
4. Harris Clip-ons
5. I don't know

I have already synced the carbs, and have the bike running great. I don't know what else I could do to it. So I am looking to see what everyone else's top 5 mods would be.

usmc7051

Depends on what you like I guess.

Performance wise I would go ahead and get a K&N Filter or a Jet kit.

Looks wise I would get a Lower Fairing.

nuhawk

1) Front Brakes & Stainless Lines
2) Front Suspension
3) Rear Suspension
4) Double Bubble
5) Sargent Seat

98ILVTR

I can check two more things off my list as done: I have a Puig Double Bubble and a Corbin Seat.

hawxter996

skip the k&n

hawxter996

1...3 then 2

mikstr

1) Helibars
2) front brakes: highly recommend a Nissin radial MC (ZX-6R or GSX-R) and 900RR/SP-1/9293F4i calipers with good pads (Vesrah?)
3) jet kit
4) Race-Tech fork kit and fork brace
5) rear shock and shim
6) sprockets: -1/+2

comedo

These are all good suggestions but did you ever think of modding yourself? By that I mean putting some cash aside for a track day or advanced rider training.

98ILVTR

I have started setting money aside for that as well.

But, I want to get the suspension at least finished before I do that.

CentralCoaster

The suspension work will be more worthwhile if you are actually a good enough rider to take advantage of it. Coming from the cager world, I would never suggest spending a dime before going to the track, unless it's on safety equipment or maintenance.

cliby

I don't remember how long you've been riding or past experiences.

But I agree with the rear shock. And I know it sounds like a dead horse, but before doing anything more be sure you have good boots, gloves and protective gear that fits well and really spend the rest on some track days/schools - or if that doesn't sound fun even the MSF experienced course. I just saw that Lee Parks is opening more Advanced riding clinics too - great workshop. You'll be way further ahead

nuhawk

I appreciate what you guys are saying about the safety schools but it really is about safety when you feel like your driving around on a half-controlled brick. The bike has to work first. Then adequate gear to get through a MSF course ride, six months and take the advanced.

98ILVTR

I have been through the regular MSF course, and the advanced. I have been riding for 3 years now as well. I have ridden several bikes, but most recently the RSV Mille and Superhawk. I would say I can ride well, but I always feel there is stuff I can fix in my riding. Thats endless, IMO. I can ride well, and I ride at my own pace; its not about keeping up with people, its feeling comfortable.

I love to learn, and thats why I just hang here and read most of the time.

trinc

upgrade the suspension & brakes. (you could send your forks to greg & have him rebuild them )

SBS pads ? i tried the latest 'sport' version. lets just say i quickly found a set of F4i calipers and bought a set of vesrah RJL pads... ( i'm running a 900rr 5/8" m/c ).

then hit the track ! once you start dragging the pegs get some rearsets.
don't forget quality leather, back protector, radar & mount : )

tim

inderocker

My top 5 mods are...
1. Exhaust
2. Suspension
3. Seat
4. CCT's
5. Brakes

Hotbrakes

Trackdays

Tweety

Ok... priorities are simple... Gear, knowledge then bike...

Doesn't matter if you are riding the worlds best bike if you aren't a half decent rider... And all your riding skills don't mean squat when you do go down... And I'm not saying you will go down (see other thread) I'm saying be prepared to do go down...

But once that is said... For mods on the bike... My priorities are the same...

1. Suspension (Front first, but don't forget the rear)
2. Brakes
3. Reliability (ie CCT, R/R)
4. Light (The stock headlight sux for night riding, get a relay kit or a HID)
5. The rest...

98ILVTR

I am always prepared to go down. I wear my GX Sport Jacket with my Tourmaster Pants and Setup Boots whenever I ride. I still have the stock R/R on my SH, and luckily it hasn't caused problems, but I do need to upgrade it.

Riding skills is definently something I am working on..

mikstr

Riding gear? Who needs it? I see the Harley folks riding around in tank tops, shorts and sandals all the time (the only reason they wear helmets is because the laws here force them to). Surely they know what they`re doing, after all, they ride Harleys, not them stinking rice rockets....

lazn

My first was a R/R (because the stocker failed) then CCT's since I didn't want the stockers to fail, then exhaust, (since I got it cheap) then rear lights (since exhaust removed stock blinkers), next will be forks (since I almost have everything for that) then shock I guess.

CentralCoaster

On mine I've got larger front rotors, Yamaha R1 r/r, CCTs, frame sliders, exhaust. Most of that was done by the previous owner.

Hawkrider

Doug, Bill is right. A good rider can "ride around" the bike; suit the riding style to the bike and still go ****** fast. I was at a track day once and this dude on a VTR just FLEW by me. I followed him for a little bit...okay about 4 turns...before I just couldn't hang any more. His bike was all over the place, but damn was he fast! I talked to him later and found that his bike was completely stock, except for exhaust IIRC. FWIW, I'm no slouch on the track - not fastest or slowest, but certainly hold my own.

Um, yeah...back on topic now...

Suspension first, then as many mods that reduce weight as you can afford. Diet and lose a few pounds yourself. Take some of the ice cream money and put it towards track tires and tire warmers.

avramd

Well personally I would say that before you did your turn signals, you should have done a relay kit for the headlight. Easier, cheaper, and much more effective ultimately to your riding.

The only mods I've done so far personally are TPS adjustment shimming my needles, and the headlamp relay kit - so obviously they are in my "top 5" ;-)

Crashrat

I always fix safety issues (tires, pads, fluids), then address reliability problems (CCT, RR), brakes (SS lines, RC51 / GSXR upgrades), suspension (RT springs, fork transplant, shock, weight reduction) and engine performance in that order. I also suggest actually RIDING the bike in place of advanced training, at least until you’re comfortable.

‘seems to me that good riders become great with some track time, but shitty riders stay shitty. This is just personal observation divorced from any actually experience, mind you.

R.

lazn

Crashrat has it spot on. The brake upgrade that came with my new forks was probably more important, if not as "sexy" as the forks themselves.

Safety, reliability, brakes, suspension, engine, looks. in that order.

Remember some things (like good bright lights and blinkers) are safety and not looks, but otherwise that is the "right" order to do things in.

CentralCoaster

And for blinkers, I'd recommend something that can actually be seen from oncoming traffic, and something that has a 3rd wire to keep the signal light illuminated when it's not flashing.

I had some worthless flushmounts that could only be seen from the side. It didn't take more than 2 oncoming cars trying to run me over at 4-way stops while i was turning left to convince me to fix it.

I found the stock headlight to be dangerously dim. A brighter off-road bulb is the easiest way to fix that, but I did the relay upgrade also, so I've got it as good as it gets without going to HID.

superchickencornermonster

-1. You gotta see that engine, Devil Dog!

Forde

my top five mods for a standard hawk

pipes
tinted db screen
stainless lines
lower fairing
tail tidy/small indies

that makes it into a nice bike

so go ahead and get any of the above that you dont have

i would get shock and springs before a k and n or jet kit and leave the rearsets to last.

JoedresVTR

I say scrap the lower fairing. Keep her half naked like she was intended to be. It sets her apart from the rest of the clothed bitches.

nath981

top 5 mods? totally subjective decisions. those concerned with appearance will never upgrade suspension, but will spend their money on bling. Those concerned with performance will spend on engine upgrades, and so forth. There's such a diversity of values it's difficult to say.

My values are diff from most. I've gone through 2 sets of leathers and two cordura suits sliding down the road and i don't care that I look like a dork in 90 degree weather covered from head to toe. The reason I look different is exactly that almost no one I know or see dons ATGATT.

i'm not interested in cruising or in seeing how fast the bike can go...... except for the occasional blast to see if the bike will pull max rpm in 6th, ha ha, and it does. I am interested in twisties, carving and leaning while minimizing risks/potential hazards. Street riding is inherently dangerous, so risk cannot be eliminated, it's merely part of the deal.

Continually improving riding skills including city survival skills, carving expertise, interstate or rural riding, rain, debris, braking, etc., books have written on these.

the point is that personal values determine what the top 5 mods you choose. I go with safety considerations/inspections, grippy tires, good suspension(springs match weight and riding preferences), SS lines/good pads/brakes, ergonomics(comfortable and relaxed riding position), clearance(raised pegs), etc.