First modification to your new bike

Scooter
Posts
106
Joined
11/2/2011
Location
Healdsburg, CA US
Edited Date/Time 1/27/2012 2:09pm
What's the first modification you guys do to your brand new bike? Suspension, Exhaust........
|
peelout
Posts
17873
Joined
1/6/2011
Location
Ogden, UT US
11/3/2011 8:54am
cut my fenders for sik grabs
JOHN CHOATE
Posts
2023
Joined
9/18/2008
Location
Dallas, NC US
11/3/2011 8:54am
I don't guess it's considered a mod, but I always set my sag and double check that the air filter is oiled and check assorted nuts and bolts. My firtst MOD is usually my preferred handlebar bend.
FLmxer
Posts
6938
Joined
8/16/2006
Location
SouthWest, FL US
Fantasy
905th
11/3/2011 8:56am
Suspension revalve and set up for me to start and also some bars and rad guardes. Then maybe exhaust system.
lumpy790
Posts
9284
Joined
9/18/2007
Location
York, SC US
11/3/2011 8:56am
agree with you John plus......grease suspension & steering head bearings. Next would be gearing and install a good chain.

The Shop

Scooter
Posts
106
Joined
11/2/2011
Location
Healdsburg, CA US
11/3/2011 8:56am
Ziggy from Factory Connection sold me on having my Suspension done before anything, makes a huge difference haivng your Suspension dialed in specifically for you.
yota
Posts
1430
Joined
6/23/2008
Location
Crystal River, FL US
11/3/2011 8:59am
sand tires S12 front/MX31 rear
Cygnus
Posts
14849
Joined
8/15/2006
Location
Hanover, CO US
11/3/2011 9:01am Edited Date/Time 11/3/2011 9:06am
Gold chain. The stock sprockets ARe usually pretty good quality. The chains seen to be made of taffy. So I always make them throw in a good quality chain. Then bring it home and grease all the bearings.
JOHN CHOATE
Posts
2023
Joined
9/18/2008
Location
Dallas, NC US
11/3/2011 9:02am Edited Date/Time 11/3/2011 9:03am
lumpy790 wrote:
agree with you John plus......grease suspension & steering head bearings. Next would be gearing and install a good chain.
Agreed, I do that as well. Reference to Scooter, late models Yamahas have really good suspension so I didn't do mine until several other mods had been completed.
Hut
Posts
10286
Joined
4/27/2010
Location
WA US
11/3/2011 9:02am
A properly dialed suspension will cut lap times more than any exhaust ever could imho but I am 220LB so first thing for me is springs/revalve.
Hallzilla
Posts
939
Joined
1/21/2011
Location
Langtown, CA US
11/3/2011 9:04am
Scooter wrote:
What's the first modification you guys do to your brand new bike? Suspension, Exhaust........
Depending on your speed and the bike, If your a true intermediate then suspension would be a good start. But since your asking this question I'm thinking your not. All the new 450's are pretty much race ready. Save your money for TIRES. Single best thing you can do to the bike is keep new shoes on it. Dial in the sag and clickers. If your buying a 250f, then you probably will need a pipe for it. But pipes are pricey. I usually invest in a good set of foot pegs and the radiator braces, and if your buying a Jap bike, then throw that chain away and buy a good gold series chain and mount that with the stock sprockets, These sprockets are as good or better than aftermarket, unless you buy a MSR steel sprocket, which can last years !
Bry745
Posts
167
Joined
7/14/2010
Location
Greenville, WI US
11/3/2011 9:08am Edited Date/Time 11/3/2011 9:19am
Scooter
Posts
106
Joined
11/2/2011
Location
Healdsburg, CA US
11/3/2011 9:09am
Whether you are a true intermediate or not, don't you think proper Suspension settings according to your ability, body weight, etc. would be a good thing? The ability to have more control of your bike would in theory increase safety as well.
FastEddy
Posts
13364
Joined
8/3/2008
Location
., FL US
Fantasy
944th
11/3/2011 9:10am
Scooter wrote:
What's the first modification you guys do to your brand new bike? Suspension, Exhaust........
Change out the stock bars.
mcopsey
Posts
452
Joined
4/1/2008
Location
US
11/3/2011 9:13am
Scooter wrote:
Whether you are a true intermediate or not, don't you think proper Suspension settings according to your ability, body weight, etc. would be a good thing...
Whether you are a true intermediate or not, don't you think proper Suspension settings according to your ability, body weight, etc. would be a good thing? The ability to have more control of your bike would in theory increase safety as well.
Can you just come out and say you work for FC now?
Scooter
Posts
106
Joined
11/2/2011
Location
Healdsburg, CA US
11/3/2011 9:15am
Even though I'm a Noob, I know better than to try some kind of sneaky marketing here. No, I do not have any affiliation with FC. But yes I absolutely believe in having your Suspension dialed in, whomever does the work for you.
Hallzilla
Posts
939
Joined
1/21/2011
Location
Langtown, CA US
11/3/2011 9:16am Edited Date/Time 11/3/2011 9:33am
Scooter wrote:
Whether you are a true intermediate or not, don't you think proper Suspension settings according to your ability, body weight, etc. would be a good thing...
Whether you are a true intermediate or not, don't you think proper Suspension settings according to your ability, body weight, etc. would be a good thing? The ability to have more control of your bike would in theory increase safety as well.
yes i do, thats why i said SET THE SAG AND DIAL IN THE CLICKERS. Take the bike out break it in, set the sag, dial in the comp. and rebound. If your more than 190 and have some speed then you will need springs etc. Or if your rich unlike me then buy everything for it, and we'll call you Factory scooter.
Cygnus
Posts
14849
Joined
8/15/2006
Location
Hanover, CO US
11/3/2011 9:16am
Second for me is Fasst co Flexx bars. I will never own another bike without these handlebars!
11/3/2011 9:29am
suspension first and formost. I will go for a ride on stock sticks for about 15 laps at cruise speed just to "break things in" then its straight to Reynard's.

While thats there, wait on Renthal Twinwall RC high, Renthal mounts, +10 higher, if the gearing is ok imo, just an o-ring chain (I ride hondas, they come with good sprockets), and oversized rotor kit to come in from BTO. Whiles all tore apart, take everything else apart and lube with Bel Ray waterproof. Might or might not grab a yosh for it.... who am I kidding, gotta have some ti trickery on your mx weaponry, Sunline levers and pegs, One Ind for some backgrounds after my kids pick my number.

Then, when I get it back from Reynard, go moto it up and tweak from there.
lumpy790
Posts
9284
Joined
9/18/2007
Location
York, SC US
11/3/2011 9:32am Edited Date/Time 11/3/2011 9:35am
As for suspension...... I start with a Suspension Service - Change out the stock fish oil for Golden Spectro suspension fluids..... Add springs as needed for riders weight.......start adjusting clickers to get it working the best with stock valving. If I am not happy with the suspension after this .....then I go with a revalve.

And of coarse .....full Moto Hose colored hoses & custom graphics....before anything else LOL
NP301
Posts
2673
Joined
1/19/2010
Location
Keene, NH US
11/3/2011 9:35am
Scooter wrote:
What's the first modification you guys do to your brand new bike? Suspension, Exhaust........
Suspension. You can have a great motor. But if your bike doesn't work right, it does not matter.
11/3/2011 9:36am
Scooter wrote:
Whether you are a true intermediate or not, don't you think proper Suspension settings according to your ability, body weight, etc. would be a good thing...
Whether you are a true intermediate or not, don't you think proper Suspension settings according to your ability, body weight, etc. would be a good thing? The ability to have more control of your bike would in theory increase safety as well.
Hallzilla wrote:
yes i do, thats why i said SET THE SAG AND DIAL IN THE CLICKERS. Take the bike out break it in, set the sag, dial...
yes i do, thats why i said SET THE SAG AND DIAL IN THE CLICKERS. Take the bike out break it in, set the sag, dial in the comp. and rebound. If your more than 190 and have some speed then you will need springs etc. Or if your rich unlike me then buy everything for it, and we'll call you Factory scooter.
some can run stock springs and valving, some cant. I cant. While I am no longer a fast Inter, I am for SURE a fatter slow vet! Plus, at 6' 4", 240~260 depending on dinner last night (dont ask) I cant ride on stock suspension. I can kind of cruise, but there will for sure be some pucker moments.

If you are a 170 pound inter, most springs will work for you as they come. Most forget though, that springs are more for bike attitude (ride height) and where the suspension rides in the travel. The valving is where the magic happens up front, and out back.

Im lucky enough that my weight and speed translates into something very close to Robbies faster speed but lower weight. I have a different oil height, and go 1 step up on springs on both ends, but the valving he runs works for me with the clickers 1 or 2 back on the forks and the oil height 10~30cc higher. Out back, I run his settings and love it.
Racer111
Posts
2767
Joined
5/23/2009
Location
Concord, NC US
11/3/2011 9:47am
1) Bars
2) Grease the bike (factory does a crappy job)
3) Suspension tune
4) Hoses
5) Nuts and Bolts
6)Exhaust
Titan1
Posts
8622
Joined
2/3/2010
Location
Lehi, UT US
11/3/2011 9:47am
The part that breaks first is my first modication.

(seriously though, it will be suspension)
Rooster
Posts
4430
Joined
4/1/2008
Location
Edmonton CA
11/3/2011 9:59am
I buy them in the crate and tear them apart from there to grease everything properly.

The it's ergonomic stuff like setting the bars and levers

Set the sag and check the spring rates

I usually replace the chain and sprockets and keep the OEM for when I sell it. Sometimes the plastic too.
bauman117
Posts
354
Joined
5/27/2008
Location
Riverside, CA US
11/3/2011 10:00am
peelout wrote:
cut my fenders for sik grabs
first remove the warning stickers..Silly
Kryan5
Posts
792
Joined
2/17/2011
Location
Etters, PA US
11/3/2011 10:05am
Racer111 wrote:
1) Bars
2) Grease the bike (factory does a crappy job)
3) Suspension tune
4) Hoses
5) Nuts and Bolts
6)Exhaust
This, but I would say the nuting, bolting, and greasing first because its not expense and is a must. After that i would say bars, suspension, exhaust, and chain in no particular order.
njracer46
Posts
711
Joined
3/20/2011
Location
NJ US
11/3/2011 10:05am Edited Date/Time 11/3/2011 10:16am
Strip it all down to get everything powder coated black, Full ti bolt kit, cool trick little anodized trinkets, wheelie bar, full roll cage....



Nahh but seriously,

Number plate back rounds, couple no toil filters, And set my sag

If it isn't broke, why fix it.
stillwelding
Posts
3192
Joined
1/22/2007
Location
Santa Clarita, CA US
11/3/2011 10:12am
Scooter wrote:
Ziggy from Factory Connection sold me on having my Suspension done before anything, makes a huge difference haivng your Suspension dialed in specifically for you.
Why'd you ask then?
Scooter
Posts
106
Joined
11/2/2011
Location
Healdsburg, CA US
11/3/2011 10:14am
Scooter wrote:
Ziggy from Factory Connection sold me on having my Suspension done before anything, makes a huge difference haivng your Suspension dialed in specifically for you.
Why'd you ask then?
I wasn't necessarily asking....just getting a feel for what the masses here do first.

Post a reply to: First modification to your new bike

The Latest