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First Mod of your new bike?

2K views 17 replies 12 participants last post by  banzai 
#1 ·
What is the first mod you should perform on your new to you bike (new or used)?

Suspension - both front and rear. If you don't know how to dial it in for your typical riding experience on street, go to someone that does. You'll be amazed at the difference of a suspension tuned for you.

Track - well duh... I'm talking about people that buy bikes for street.
 
#4 ·
6mm of shims for the rear shock along with a proper suspension adjustment. That's about $150-200?
Following that, a link pipe and ECU flash. Let's say about $300-400 for that?

The bike will be really fun to ride after those items.

Following that, perhaps a new muffler to suit your taste.
 
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#8 ·
For low speed city riding that has no chance of stressing your suspension, in a location where bikes are very common, and can honestly be said "loud pipes saves lives", I can agree with you.

For most of America however, I would disagree. Bikes in America are a minority, and due to bad publicity leads to caged vigilantes on the road. For some crazy reason while they sit in their "Prius" they think they are more skilled, and know what is best for any given situation in order to "protect" the rider by cutting them off, and swerving into them intentionally. Not to mention slamming on their brakes.

Anyone can drive a car, and almost anyone can drive a car good. Not everyone can ride a motorcycle, and not everyone can ride a motorcycle good. Wish the USA realized this.
 
#11 ·
Tires is also a very good one. I'm cheap so I'll just burn through my stock first while I get used to the bike, then get the set I want. If you are buying a used bike, obviously tread wear will bump this to #1 if it is bad enough, or if the tires are shitty enough. Point here is to be as safe and confident on the bike while "dialing" it in.

That said, chain and sprockets would be my next choice, followed by levers.

So in no particular order for the top 3 at this point would be:

1) Tuning suspension for your body weight, and riding style, environment
2) Tires (same as #1 - riding style, environment)
3) Chain/Sprockets (same as #1 - riding style)

Honorable mentions:

1) Exhaust
2) Levers
3) Chain Adjusters
4) Steel braided brake lines
5) Fender eliminator
6) Turn signals
7) Wind screen
8) Filter

Keep the mods coming, what else do you like to swap out from OEM?
 
#10 ·
I like tires or suspension. Granted Ive never actually bought suspension components for a bike either though. Dumb things here n there. Pipe. Power Commander.

A good one, depending on the bike, master cylinder, calipers and stainless steel brake lines. Those make a wallop of a difference.
 
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#15 ·
#18 ·
I start with suspension. It is a big investment and it is better to do it when you get the bike so you have the benefit of riding on good suspension for the duration of ownership. Think of it as amortizing the price over as many years as possible.

I ride country roads at a "spirited" pace and do track days so good suspension is important to me. Dropping $2K-3K on suspension is a lot, but IMHO it is well worth it from a pleasure and safety standpoint. Good tires go without saying. I am a Michelin man. I use their Pilot Powers on the road and their slicks on my racebike.

If you have not ridden a sportbike that is setup with good suspension and dialed in for the rider's weight and riding style, then it is like trying to explain sex to a virgin:)

Brake lines are next if they are of the rubber variety.
 
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