Top 5 Mods for motorcycles - Page 2

Mr Lefty · 03-02-2008, 04:56 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by OTB

1. Diet I lost 50 lbs since July; the bike rides, handles, accelerates and stops so much better without the extra avoirdupois. Looked in the mirror one day and asked myself "Self, what good is an ultralight bike if it's being ridden by a manatee?"

Cost: saved me money on groceries.....

Good word!

azoomm · 03-02-2008, 07:22 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by NeonspeedRT

Thats about the ideal list for top 5 right there.

Except I'd change the order...

Training / MSF / Trackdays
Brakes (because even when you blow a tire, you have to stop)
Tires (because you only have two...)
Suspension (better handling = better handling)
Gearing

logan1 · 03-02-2008, 09:46 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by OTB

1. Diet I lost 50 lbs since July; the bike rides, handles, accelerates and stops so much better without the extra avoirdupois. Looked in the mirror one day and asked myself "Self, what good is an ultralight bike if it's being ridden by a manatee?"

Cost: saved me money on groceries.....

Best post on this forum so far.....

jtemple · 03-02-2008, 10:04 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by OTB

1. Diet I lost 50 lbs since July; the bike rides, handles, accelerates and stops so much better without the extra avoirdupois. Looked in the mirror one day and asked myself "Self, what good is an ultralight bike if it's being ridden by a manatee?"

Cost: saved me money on groceries.....

That's a good one. I lost 110+ lbs a while back and am loving every minute of it!

Trip · 03-02-2008, 10:05 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by jtemple

That's a good one. I lost 110+ lbs a while back and am loving every minute of it!

damn man, good job on that one.

DLIT · 03-03-2008, 06:53 AM

With seat time as a given...

Tires next. Once you have good tires, you have a solid base to work with everything else.

Suspension. Try getting it tuned to your weight first. You might be surprised.

Brake pads/lines. It's amazing how good adding good pads and lines helps. No more brake fade.

Exhaust/power commander. Have your bike dyno-tuned once you get the full system and power commander combo.

Gearing. This one last because it takes time to learn your bike. Gearing gives you the advantage of quicker acceleration, but you go through gears faster and less top end. It all depends on what tracks you ride. If they have short straights, gearing should help you out. Long straights, you'll get passed by all the guys you may have passed before the beginning of the straight. I'm still content with stock gearing on my bike.

05svr650 · 03-04-2008, 07:45 AM

Training
Suspension
Tires
Brakes
Power Management

Most important should be learn what you ride and where you ride. I rode the hell outta my stock SV and put a lot of guys to shame on "real" sport bikes up at the Dragon. That's because I know what my bike is capable of and I know how far I can push it. I also have the rode memorized to where I can replay each run back in my head. Sometimes I'll spend all day just riding back and forth on a 2 mile section of rode, just so I can maximize my bikes potential in that section.

It's not what you ride, but how you ride it.

fnfalman · 03-04-2008, 08:58 PM

1. Training/Track Days
2. Wheels
3. Tires
4. Suspension
5. Exhaust/fuel mapping

I think that brakes can only be slightly improved because most factory brakes on sport bikes are awesome.

The wheels make for marked performance in acceleration, deceleration and maneuverability.

Tires...they speak for themselves.

Suspension set-up and/or replacement parts are a great way to aid overall performance of the bike.

Exhaust and fuel mapping makes for a smooth throttle response that's critical for fast riding. Not to mention great for lane splitting too. A herky-jerky throttle makes for some interesting rides during lane splitting.

And yes, losing lots of weights really help!!! I'm looking to drop another twenty pounds. I've lost 17-pounds and that really made a big difference. It's like dropping another set of stock exhaust and catalytic converter.

NONE_too_SOFT · 03-04-2008, 08:59 PM

wheels really that much a factor in performance? whats your logic?

OneSickPsycho · 03-04-2008, 10:18 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by NONE_too_SOFT

wheels really that much a factor in performance? whats your logic?

Reduction in rotational mass and unsprung weight... improves braking and accelleration due to the brakes and engine not having to work as hard... (sorta like if you put 20's on your car and don't change the brakes your car is harder to get going and harder to stop)... Not having all that weight rotating also greatly reduces gyroscopic forces improving turn-in and general manuverability... Unsprung weight allows the suspension to work better...

03-03-2008, 06:53 AM	#16
DLIT Clit Commander Join Date: Feb 2008 Location: Las Vegas Moto: 2012 Ducati 1199 Panigale S Posts: 4,189	With seat time as a given... Tires next. Once you have good tires, you have a solid base to work with everything else. Suspension. Try getting it tuned to your weight first. You might be surprised. Brake pads/lines. It's amazing how good adding good pads and lines helps. No more brake fade. Exhaust/power commander. Have your bike dyno-tuned once you get the full system and power commander combo. Gearing. This one last because it takes time to learn your bike. Gearing gives you the advantage of quicker acceleration, but you go through gears faster and less top end. It all depends on what tracks you ride. If they have short straights, gearing should help you out. Long straights, you'll get passed by all the guys you may have passed before the beginning of the straight. I'm still content with stock gearing on my bike. __________________ Dress for the crash. Not the ride.

03-04-2008, 07:45 AM	#17
05svr650 Supporting Vendor Join Date: Feb 2008 Location: Soon to be Temple, TX Moto: wide open throttle Posts: 108	Training Suspension Tires Brakes Power Management Most important should be learn what you ride and where you ride. I rode the hell outta my stock SV and put a lot of guys to shame on "real" sport bikes up at the Dragon. That's because I know what my bike is capable of and I know how far I can push it. I also have the rode memorized to where I can replay each run back in my head. Sometimes I'll spend all day just riding back and forth on a 2 mile section of rode, just so I can maximize my bikes potential in that section. It's not what you ride, but how you ride it. __________________ www.JandBcycle.com

03-04-2008, 08:58 PM	#18
fnfalman Europhile Join Date: Mar 2008 Location: SoCal Moto: Aprilia RS125, Aprilia SR50 Factory, Aprilia Tuono, BMW Rockster, KTM 990 Adventure Posts: 1,875	1. Training/Track Days 2. Wheels 3. Tires 4. Suspension 5. Exhaust/fuel mapping I think that brakes can only be slightly improved because most factory brakes on sport bikes are awesome. The wheels make for marked performance in acceleration, deceleration and maneuverability. Tires...they speak for themselves. Suspension set-up and/or replacement parts are a great way to aid overall performance of the bike. Exhaust and fuel mapping makes for a smooth throttle response that's critical for fast riding. Not to mention great for lane splitting too. A herky-jerky throttle makes for some interesting rides during lane splitting. And yes, losing lots of weights really help!!! I'm looking to drop another twenty pounds. I've lost 17-pounds and that really made a big difference. It's like dropping another set of stock exhaust and catalytic converter. __________________ *Cogito Ergo Vroom - I think therefore I ride*

03-04-2008, 08:59 PM	#19
NONE_too_SOFT Chopstix / \ Join Date: Feb 2008 Location: Akron OH Moto: 03 CBR RR Posts: 5,350	wheels really that much a factor in performance? whats your logic?