Best mods for a newbiee

[Tazman]

Hi,

I was wondering if you peeps could give me some advice. I am picking up a sv650s K3 in a couple off weeks (well a mate is anyway) and doing my test the week after. I have been adviced that the sv is a great bike to start with and I like the look of it.

Basically I have about £1000 to spend on modifications and about the same on kit can I please have some advice on the best of both for my money :?

Many thanks

[Red ones]

Spend some on Advanced Lessons!

[Johnsilver]

My tip would be to check the TPS (throttle position sensor) adjustment. Correcting it made a huge difference to urban driveability for me, and carries the added bonus of costing nowt. Details via FAQs and Howto button on main site.

[Valman]

Fender Extender is a good buy if your an all weather rider, crash bungs to prevent major damage when you go down, lower fairings make the bike look much better, nice end can to make it sound much better and a Scottoiler so you don't have to bother lubing the chain would all be at the top of the list. A hugger is nice at keeping some of the bike shiny, undertray and seat cowl for cosmetics are nice as well.

If you're fairly tall then a double bubble screen is handy, and if you weigh more than 11st then you probably want the suspension looked at. That should be within your £1000 budget.

As for gear, have a look at magazines like Ride and see what's being recommended as you should be able to get decent kit for £1000.

I would recommend advanced lessons too and obviously make sure you have good security for the bike as well.

[fizzwheel]

Agree with Valman

However, you might be better off holding some of that money back waiting till you have got used to the bike and then getting the front forks sorted out, springs, oil etc.. to make it handle better also, Braided front brake lines and uprated pads to make it stop better.

As for Kit, I dont think you can go wrong with a Shoei Lid, I've got alpinestars kit which I find spot on

Hope this helps

[wheelnut]

Put the £1000 in a high interest account, with easy access. Then You will be able to buy a new fairing and levers when you drop it the first time.

[northwind]

Don't do anythin till you know what you like and dislike about the bike... Personally I reckon there's no better investment on the SV than fork springs and oil, but you might well find that the bike suits you fine as stock so it makes no sense to plan to change anything yet... rear fender remover of some sort would be a popular choice as well, and a loud can.

And yeah, I'd spend some of it on "software upgrades", advanced training of some sort- I just signed up for the IAM, and I'll be looking at others this year too.

[Ceri JC]

Best value for money mods I've done so far:

Fender Extender (£20) - I've still had electrical faults, but I'm sure I'd of had more, had it not been fitted. Thankfully haven't had the "firing on one cylinder" problem. I don't reckon it looks particularly ugly, either. Still might get it sprayed at some point, but I'm not massively fussed.

Double Bubble screen (£38) - I'm 6'2" and it makes the ride a lot more comfy on motorways. Looks the mutt's nutts too. Only thing I'd advise is as with anything that cuts windblast, watch your speedo the first few times you go out after fitting it! (I kept on doing a ton, thinking I was doing 85)

I'll probably do the TRE and TPS mods before summer is under way properly.

[BillyC]

I guess I'd do the following, more or less in this order, if I were to start from scratch today, with a £1000 extra to spend:

- Fender extender ~£20
- Scottoiler (pays for itself) £65
- Tyres ~£180
- WD40 ~£5 for a trade can

- Fork springs and oil ~£80
- Set up suspension £0

- Rear tidy ~£45
- Exhaust ~£170
- Air filter ~£40
- Yoshi tune ~£40
- Braided brake hoses ~£60
- Hugger ~£160

[diamond]

Thats just given me a good list to start work on as well. THANKS :D

[Ed]

Spend some on Advanced Lessons!

Tazman - you will never regret the £85 it costs to join the IAM. You do observed rides with a trained observer, s/he will give you feedback on how you're doing - they will teach you how to ride the bike properly, not simply how to pass the DAS test. And there's a sea of difference. It really is worth it. After the first £85 the rides/debriefs are free - you might want to buy some petrol for the observer but their time and skill is free. When you're ready you'll take the IAM test. Visit the IAM's website now - here (http://www.iam.org.uk)

Ed

[Mike1234]

Advanced training, advanced training and then some more advanced training.

[Spiderman]

A decent can so the traffic has some hope of hearing you comming. The stock is just so quiet it scares me.

The advanced training is also worth more than almost any mod to your bike will be as its a md to you. No matter what bike you have in the future...you'll always takes your training and experiences with you.

Good luck deciding and enjoy your bike :D

[Stef]

My list (in order of importance) :

- Learn to ride (advance lessons)
- Fork springs and oil
- TRE and TPS mod
- fender eliminator
- braided hoses and EBC HH pads
- K&N air filter
- Race can
- perhaps : GSXR or ZX-R rear shock

After that : any cosmetic surgery you like

[Mervin]

Even if it's garaged, get some decent security.

£300 on an alarm

£200 on ground anchor, chain and padlock.

£50 cover

There's no point in paying good money to make it look more inviting to a would be thief if it's not bolted down!

[rictus01]

I guess I'd do the following, more or less in this order, if I were to start from scratch today, with a £1000 extra to spend:


- crash bungs
- Fork springs and oil ~£80
- Fender extender ~£20
- Scottoiler (pays for itself) £65
- Tyres ~£180
- WD40 ~£5 for a trade can

- Set up suspension £0

- Rear tidy ~£45
- Exhaust ~£170
- Air filter ~£40
- Yoshi tune ~£40
- Braided brake hoses ~£60
- Hugger ~£160
about right Billy.

O and advanced training is great, but you'll benifit more if you can ride the bike properly, so make it handle as it should, by doing the front springs, then get some miles under your belt, a bit of handling skill and confidence ( it's a bit hard thinking of road position, when you are still worried about keeping it upright :shock: ), then take a crack at the advanced training.

Cheers Mark.

[Stef]

Oh. I forgot a very important, cheap mod : some quality aftermarket grips to get of those numb fingers.

The blue ones are mine :

http://ariete.eroom.it/layout/layout.eroom?MENU=0H3&SUBMENU=0H8&TINDEX=0H38d&ITEM=PRODUCT&LAYOUT=harris#MENU3SUBMENU8TINDEX909