View Full Version : Mods for a Noob
Hi all,
Have just had my test date confrmed as October 7th and will be picking up my new SV650Sport on the following friday. I was just wondering what are the recommended mods to do first? I was thinking crash bungs and a tail tidy. I take it that these are easy to install (although I have no experience of car or bike maintenance, I am a graduate engineer).
I have been recently reading some of the threads about tires, and lots of people have been putting down the standard tires, are they that bad? I will be riding my bike in both sun and rain so will the tyres be ok for a noob in the rain or would I really benefit from some new tyres such as avon storms?
Im sure that a new exhaust will be recommended in the replies, however im a little reluctant to get one straight away as I think they may be expensive(?) and the only effect they will have is a change of noise(?)
Anyway, fire away with the suggestions....:smt071
Alpinestarhero
20-08-08, 08:16 AM
Crash bungs definatly. Not saying you will crash, but if you even drop the bike while moving it about or it gets blown off the side-stand, they'll save you sufering damage to e.g. levers.
An exhaust is a good mod, and they dont have to be expensive - I have a Fuel oval stainless steel exhaust on my SV, with a removable baffle...cost about £130 (ok, that still seems like a fair old wack).
Don't worry about tyres yet - your new, so you wont know the differance between one tyre over another. Just put the miles in on the standard tyres, and if you start to feel they are sliding about or whatever, then think about changing.
Tail tidy is a very nice idea :D
Will you be riding in winter?
7 October - so you take the new style test then?
I'd go for bungs first as they are low cost but could save you a fortune as and when (not an if) you drop it. I don't mean to be offensive but everyone drops the bike at some stage. You might consider upgrading the fork springs and oil as well.
fizzwheel
20-08-08, 08:31 AM
Bungs, Tailtidy, Exhaust and save the rest for petrol !!!
Exhaust isnt expensive, a Fuel or a Carbon Can Company can is gonig to be around £110 ish and thats what I'd go for.
Theres nothing IMHO majorly wrong with the standard tyres, Leave them on and use them and wear them out and then replace them with something else.
Will you be riding in winter?
Yes, but probably not as much, and not when its snowing :D
7 October - so you take the new style test then?
Yeah, looks like it. Although after looking on the web at what the new test entails, im not so sure why people think it will be that much harder? The only difference is the "assualt course :rolleyes:" that you have to do before going out on the road.
Are there any recommended make of crash bungs? and places to buy them?
Thanks for all the advice so far :smt038
Alpinestarhero
20-08-08, 08:49 AM
Well consider heated grips, but its probably best to see how cold your hands get first.
(I use a cunning combo of heated grips and handlebar muffs. I dont use my winter gloves now)
R&G crash bungs are generally quite good
Nobbylad
20-08-08, 09:03 AM
When I modded my bike (new in July this year) I went for mods that would offer better protection or improve saftey/longevity of the bike over anything that was merely cosmetic (which I will do when I have more spare cash).
So, I got the R&G crash bungs as they bolt straight on with no cutting of the plastics. There are a few reviews/differences of opinion on the R&G bungs vs. Motosliders etc, however I decided that if I have a big off, the crash bungs probably wont save too much anyway and a simple slip/drop of the bike, the R&G ones should easily cope.
Stebel Nautilus air horn - £25, easy to fit and lets people know you're there....plus the stock horn was a) crap sounding and b) often didn't work after 15 mins riding - apparently it gets hot (it is right behind the radiator) and stops working
Airflow/double bubble screen - I commute to Mancheser everyday M58, M6, M62, M602 so thought this would help with keeping the wind off. It's OK but has ended up being more cosmetic than useful in my opinion (I have a black K8 SV650S and the screen is black)
Fender extender - again, lots of commute (in all weather) so helps keep the crap of the radiator/front pipe etc.
Scottoiler - because high miles, crap weather + lack of time to properly de-grease/re-lube the chain all the time
Chewie's mirror spacers - to help me see past my elbows (although they didn't help massively, but any improvement is some improvement I guess).
Got some cheap paddock stands (front and rear) from Busters (£35 for both delivered) to make cleaning and general maintenance easier.
Future mods will be a Rentec sports rack and I'll go for an exhaust when the stock one fails or I have £150 lying around that I can't spend on anything else.
Fender extender - again, lots of commute (in all weather) so helps keep the crap of the radiator/front pipe etc.
Any reccomended makes/places to buy? Also has anyone got a picture of what one of these looks like on a bike? (Not to sure exactly what they are)
Scottoiler - because high miles, crap weather + lack of time to properly de-grease/re-lube the chain all the time
Forgot to mention I will be getting one of these. Ooops.
Pete_58
20-08-08, 09:18 AM
http://cgi.ebay.co.uk/SUZUKI-SV650-99-02-fender-extender_W0QQitemZ110278635027QQcmdZViewItem?hash= item110278635027&_trkparms=72%3A1089%7C39%3A1%7C66%3A2%7C65%3A12%7C 240%3A1318&_trksid=p3286.c0.m14
This is for a curvy, but you get the idea. It fixes to the rear part of the front fender. Stops water and crap spraying up and sitting in the plug hole, which can cause your bike to misfire.
Good Luck for your test.
If you must start modding, and god knows why people bother, then start with the practical stuff. As a new rider you *will* drop it, so fit some crash bungs. Unless you hate your rear shock, fit a hugger. Any other changes, if worth doing, would be internal to either the engine or suspension, so won't show up.
Or you could go the whole hog and fit carbon this and anodised that - throw the contents of the Busters catalogue at it and see what sticks.
Nobbylad
20-08-08, 10:22 AM
Any reccomended makes/places to buy? Also has anyone got a picture of what one of these looks like on a bike? (Not to sure exactly what they are).
Not great pics, but might help you. The fender extender is an extension to your mudguard on the front which you drill/screw onto the rear of the stock mudguard to make it a few inches longer.
http://i11.photobucket.com/albums/a161/nobbylad/DSCF1979-1.jpg
http://i11.photobucket.com/albums/a161/nobbylad/DSCF1975-1.jpg
I got most of my bits from SAMMYSV650 on here, he works for www.demonbikesonline.co.uk (http://www.demonbikesonline.co.uk) and was giving discounts to .org'ers (check out his 'What do you want' thread).
Dangerous Dave
20-08-08, 12:07 PM
A louder exhaust, a fender extender, and some crash bungs to start off with. The first for safety, the second to keep the bike going in all weather, and the third... well you never know.
The Dunlop D220's will be ok for a rider learning the SV, ride to your limits don't try to find the bikes.
jans1971
20-08-08, 05:13 PM
[quote=alpinestarhero;1600383]Well consider heated grips, but its probably best to see how cold your hands get first.
(I use a cunning combo of heated grips and handlebar muffs. I dont use my winter gloves now)
man or a mouse ;)
andyharding
20-08-08, 06:55 PM
If you must start modding, and god knows why people bother, then start with the practical stuff.
Modding is the way forward. I use my bike for pleasure riding and track riding. If i didn't make any mods then the experience would be totaly different.
For example my mods have been
Tyres, Michelin Pilot Sports. As they hold me to the tarmac in every weather on every road/track.
Exhaust. More HP. Faster lap times.
Belly Pan. Cause they look good and help aerodynamics. (so im told. and thats a good enough excuse to get one.)
DB Screen . Better Aerodynamics.
Performance Filters. Better mid range power. hence quicker bike.
Brakes. Braided hoses and ebc sintered HH Pads. If your going fast you need to stop fast.
Aftermarker Shocks. The difference it makes is unreal.
Fair enough if you are using the bike to go 2 miles to work and back (as a few people are doing nowadays) then dont bother modding but if you ride for the sheer fun and enjoyment then it has to be done.
fastdruid
20-08-08, 07:17 PM
+1 on crash bungs. While despite what some people will tell you it's not a given that you will drop it there is still a good chance of it. Odds are if you're going to you'll drop it at 0-5mph and crash bungs will save it from being expensive. Might want to also get the swingarm bobbins and fork protectors too.
Get a tank shield, you will scratch your tank without one and if it's a new bike that's gutting.
You may also want to get some of the clear plastic film and cover the rear tail plastics and tank sides, that way you prevent them from being scratched. In hindsight I'd have done this and my heel plates too.
Replace the brake pins with stainless ones[1]. Get a fender extender.
Druid
[1] Not sure about the newer bikes but I wish I'd had this advice when I bought my y2k.
Nobbylad
20-08-08, 08:18 PM
+1 on the tank protector.
I also have swingarm bobbins and after some fork protectors.
I'm still not sure how an aftermarket can will make you safer, other than being louder. In my experience, any driver that isn't aware you're there probably has their radio/phone on so they wouldn't hear the can until you were eye level with them anwyay!
+1 for chewies mirror spacers. They make it much easier to see and not get squashed by impatient cars.
+1 Tank protector, crash bungs (I like my motosliders)
and another +1 for paddock stands. Makes oiling the chain much easier, and they can be had very cheap.
Replace the rear seat with a seat tail cowl so no-one badgers you for lifts/backies.
A top box is a must if using bike for anything other than weekend pootling, so you can do a modicum of shopping, put your work clothes in it, have somewhere to leave helmet when walking round town...
First thing i got for my 2000 SV were the fender extender and rear hugger to protect the delicates from the weather, big ole crash bungs for the body work, paddock stand bobbins and a belly pan for looks. Next on my list are smaller (but brighter) indicators since my panels are cracked and dont need them made worse.
Nobbylad
21-08-08, 02:40 PM
+1 for chewies mirror spacers. They make it much easier to see and not get squashed by impatient cars.
+1 Tank protector, crash bungs (I like my motosliders)
Thing with the motosliders is you need to cut the fairing, he's got a fully faired sport by the sounds of it
Don't know whether this is just my bike, but when I looked at stuff to add - Fenda extenda and a hugger specifically to protect from stuff being kicked up from the road...
I found, when looking at the bike it already has plastic guards already mounted infront of them all, which seem to be working anyway..
Dangerous Dave
21-08-08, 04:23 PM
A fender extender is a must if you are going to be using the bike all year round or in bad weather, what Suzuki offer isn't enough.
fastdruid
21-08-08, 04:29 PM
A fender extender is a must if you are going to be using the bike all year round or in bad weather, what Suzuki offer isn't enough.
I wouldn't go so far as to say it's a must but without it you will take all the paint off the front of the engine and there is a chance the front cylinder may cut out in the extreme wet.
I had one issue in 3 years of using my SV all year round (~14k/year) and that was my own fault due to not putting the front cap on properly.
Druid
Dangerous Dave
21-08-08, 04:45 PM
I have had no issues either, been riding SV's since 1999 in all weathers. However, in my experience with working on SV's it seems the Pointys for some unknown reason more susceptible to the front cylinder going down.
Thing with the motosliders is you need to cut the fairing, he's got a fully faired sport by the sounds of it
Correct
Do the R&G bungs not require the fairing/lowers to be cut? Can anyone post a link to these bungs that dont require the fairing to be cut please. Also, are swingarm bobins and fork protectors the things that are used with paddock stands? (or more likely have i got that completely wrong? :)) Can anyone post links to good swingarm bobins and fork protectors. Cheers.
fizzwheel
11-09-08, 02:46 PM
Do the R&G bungs not require the fairing/lowers to be cut? Can anyone post a link to these bungs that dont require the fairing to be cut please.
Look on the R & G Website, R & G are the only bungs that dont require the lowers to be cut.
DanAbnormal
11-09-08, 03:07 PM
You could improve the chassis, suspension and engine. Or just buy a good bike to start with. Just kidding by the way.
Fenda Extenda
Race can
Crash bungs
Nothing else should matter. :D
Nobbylad
11-09-08, 03:09 PM
Do the R&G bungs not require the fairing/lowers to be cut? Can anyone post a link to these bungs that dont require the fairing to be cut please. Also, are swingarm bobins and fork protectors the things that are used with paddock stands? (or more likely have i got that completely wrong? :)) Can anyone post links to good swingarm bobins and fork protectors. Cheers.
I've got R&G bungs and swing arm protectors/cotton reels (and yes they work with a paddock stand with hooks, although most paddock stands come with swingarm holders as standard and the hooks for the swingarm protectors/cotton reels are about a tenner).
The R&G bungs took about 15mins to fit and the swingarm protectors/cotton reels screw straight into a hole on the swingarm so 2min job to fit. PM SammySV650 for a discounted price on the R&G stuff as well as other bits and pieces, v. good to deal with.
EDIT: On my K8, fully faired
I've got R&G bungs and swing arm protectors/cotton reels (and yes they work with a paddock stand with hooks, although most paddock stands come with swingarm holders as standard and the hooks for the swingarm protectors/cotton reels are about a tenner).
The R&G bungs took about 15mins to fit and the swingarm protectors/cotton reels screw straight into a hole on the swingarm so 2min job to fit. PM SammySV650 for a discounted price on the R&G stuff as well as other bits and pieces, v. good to deal with.
EDIT: On my K8, fully faired
Cheers
You could improve the chassis, suspension and engine. Or just buy a good bike to start with. Just kidding by the way.
You're not though, are you.
DanAbnormal
11-09-08, 04:33 PM
You're not though, are you.
No. I thought I would be polite though. ;)
Dangerous Dave
11-09-08, 04:41 PM
R&G crash bungs are generally quite good
Yes, on any bike other than an SV!
R&G are the only bungs that dont require the lowers to be cut.
Unfortunately this is true....
http://www.rg-racing.com/images/products/large/img203.jpg
http://www.rg-racing.com/images/products/large/img203_3.jpg
http://www.rg-racing.com/images/products/large/img203_4.jpg
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