What upgrades are necessary on a new bike?

Kenzie_Hanson
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Santa Monica, CA US
12/12/2019 2:57am Edited Date/Time 12/12/2019 10:23am
What are the first things you upgrade on a new bike?
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Spergen
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GB
12/12/2019 3:09am
Oils and suspension service after break in, following that just the usual matenance/service parts it requires. Until I can qualify for a national or GP, new bikes are way, way better than my dismal speed can push them. If you want to spend cash on your bike my advice would be 1 on 1 tuition from a pro. That will make your bike faster than ANY aftermarket part.

Ok I ride enduro so rad braces and moose's but assume you mean for Moto
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motox11
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Bainbridge, NY US
12/12/2019 3:28am
In terms of what's necessary, that's pretty subjective. What would be good for you to upgrade would be fine for me stock and vice versa. What I typically do is suspension and put on my handlebars and grips to make it feel at home to me. Then from there tweaking in the bike with gearing and/or mapping changes to better suit how I ride. I used to change the front brake rotor often to an oversized, but all of the bikes nowadays come with at minimum a 260mm rotor so that's less of a priority with today's new bikes.
davis224
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Cornland, IL US
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12/12/2019 3:34am
The only thing I would call close to necessary is just a different chain than the crap stock one.
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MxKing809
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Big Sand Whoops, MI US
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12/12/2019 3:40am
Valving, clutch, ecu

The Shop

Indy mxer
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Linton, IN US
12/12/2019 3:56am
For me it's always the suspension. Since I weigh 151 the springs are always too stiff for me. So I send mine off to FC before I even ride it. Then I do an FMF slip on. Kawi's are annoyingly loud with the stock muffler and it bugs the hell out of me. lol
kb228
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Mansfield, OH US
12/12/2019 4:08am
Get the controls where you want them and ride it for 10 hours. If its not blatantly obvious what needs changed you dont need anything.
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zippytech
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Bethesda, OH US
12/12/2019 4:11am
Upgrade the grease is the number one thing you should do.
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kkawboy14
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TX US
12/12/2019 4:37am
How much do you weight and how tall you are, Would be relevant to what your needs are!
mikec265
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Edinboro, PA US
12/12/2019 5:07am
An upgraded rider with lighter parts would go great on any new bike.
526
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Colgate, WI US
12/12/2019 5:09am
Fuel
motomike137
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Fenton, MI US
12/12/2019 5:30am
Not much in reality. In truth other than proper maintenance you could easily just ride the thing bone stock. Hell it might be fun to do and learn to adjust on everything as is for a while until you absolutely need to change something.
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Rupert X
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Newark, OH US
12/12/2019 6:04am
zippytech wrote:
Upgrade the grease is the number one thing you should do.
So true. Swing arm and linkage bearings often dry when new.
MotoSeat
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MURRIETA, CA US
12/12/2019 6:13am
A fresh new MotoSeat. That you can get right now on a 25% discount for our Christmas special.
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danman
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Readstown, WI US
12/12/2019 6:15am
upgrade?
For me, it's the little things because I'm not that fast, but enjoy riding.

Seat cover! I like the gripper seats so my ass stays planted where I want it.
graphics. - I like my bikes to be different, but simple
Controls - handlebars, levers, grips, and even footpegs
If you're going to race/ride a lot,
I'd definitely look into revalving the suspension.
Ecu, exhaust, and engine work would be next.


Maintenance wise. re-grease everything.
Tuzzo123
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Saginaw, MI US
12/12/2019 6:21am
Skid plate if it doesn't come with one! I've seen people's brand new engine cases broken by an errant rock. Cheap insurance
12/12/2019 6:43am
Hour Meter, suspension, and exhaust (spark arrestor).

Ive been sticking with stock bars and pegs lately. No issues.
zippytech
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Bethesda, OH US
12/12/2019 7:11am Edited Date/Time 12/12/2019 7:12am
Rupert X wrote:
So true. Swing arm and linkage bearings often dry when new. [img]https://p.vitalmx.com/photos/forums/2019/12/12/390870/s1200_3B736D0B_5100_4B35_BB2C_FE6C43B33E45.jpg[/img]
So true. Swing arm and linkage bearings often dry when new.
Nothing like some laps around the pony
kb228
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Mansfield, OH US
12/12/2019 7:27am
MotoSeat wrote:
A fresh new MotoSeat. That you can get right now on a 25% discount for our Christmas special.
Kindof a cheesy way of plugging your product, but moto seat covers are freakin nice.
1
Moto520
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Schaumburg, IL US
12/12/2019 7:32am Edited Date/Time 12/12/2019 9:39am
It's very bike-dependent. Honda's, for example, have crappy chains that i replace immediately. Yamaha/ KTM...stock chains are good. Pick a bike and we will go over what it needs!

1) Handlebars
2) set ergos up (ie taller seat for me)
3) aluminum throttle tube with roller bearing. I like the feel over plastic and my throttle needs to move freely
4) grips
5) stiffer clutch springs
6) chain (certain brands have shitty stock chains)
7) suspension spring rate to your weight
8) graphics/ numbers
9) skid plate with full coverage
10) radiator braces
FWYT
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San Diego, CA US
12/12/2019 8:10am Edited Date/Time 12/12/2019 9:06am
Diet and exercise.
Set sag, play with clickers and fork oil level.
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Andy7
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Venado Tuerto AR
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1292nd
12/12/2019 8:51am
Radiator braces, skid plate, grips, oiled air filter, fluids level check and greasing every bearing.
captmoto
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Rancho Cucamonga, CA US
12/12/2019 9:02am
Grease everything, re-oil the air filter, check bar mounts before I ride, and suspension, at least springs since I weigh 251+. I tinker as I get some hours. I put ASV levers because Husky brake levers are fragile and cost $37.
I have since added, in order,
Full suspension by Race Tech
2 stroke air cage and air holes
Bills Pipes full system
Tokyo Mods map (bust)
Twisted Designs re-map (excellent)
mattyhamz2
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So Cal, CA US
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12/12/2019 9:20am
Grease everything!!
Re-oil Air Filter
Adjust levers to your preferred settings
Ride it for 10 or so hours to learn what you like and dislike about the suspension
Send suspension to preferred tuner to be setup for you
Ride Ride Ride!!!!
If necessary a pipe with a s/a just in case you need one.
1
Phillip_Lamb
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ORANGEVALE, CA US
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12/12/2019 9:32am
depends on if you feel it needs anything after breaking it in.

but typically

Bars, levers, grips, muffler, graphics and suspension valving are my go to's
1
fcr
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Monkeys Eyebrow YE
12/12/2019 9:39am
Fit it to yourself first, suspension after you have ridden it for awhile to see what needs to change. Then it is personal preference. I asked this question many years ago on one of the first message boards(can't remember the name). I was raked over the coals, I wanted basically what I just said. I had been away from Mx for many years and figured I would get a straight answer. Ha... I was a Rube!
MxProdigy17
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Location
Brick, NJ US
12/12/2019 9:52am
Suspension
WC Radiator Braces
WC Clutch Perch
WC Start Device
Graphics
Seat
Race.
TeamGreen
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Thru-out, CA US
12/12/2019 10:23am
mattyhamz2 wrote:
Grease everything!! Re-oil Air Filter Adjust levers to your preferred settings Ride it for 10 or so hours to learn what you like and dislike about...
Grease everything!!
Re-oil Air Filter
Adjust levers to your preferred settings
Ride it for 10 or so hours to learn what you like and dislike about the suspension
Send suspension to preferred tuner to be setup for you
Ride Ride Ride!!!!
If necessary a pipe with a s/a just in case you need one.
Yup

Add an hour meter if your bike didn’t come with one.
1

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