View Full Version : What is the most essential mod for the SV?
Damoulianos Marios
02-05-05, 10:11 PM
What do you think is the most important/essential mod an SV user should do to his bike? Just the first thing he should do, the thing that the factory should churn the bike out with.
Maybe this poll has been done before but I'm curious...
To be honest it depends on the owner of the bike, what they prefer, what they need depending on their riding style etc.
For me first thing I'd do to a new bike, probably before even riding it is a full set of R&G crash protection.. bungs, fork protectors, can protector etc etc.. I have crashed a mint R6 before and it is damaging to your wallet!! Anything to reduce damage costs is worth being the first on the "to buy" list in my opinion.
Next up is a fruitier exhaust and double bubble screen.. then it's whatever takes my fancy from there on..
To be honest it depends on the owner of the bike, what they prefer, what they need depending on their riding style etc.
For me first thing I'd do to a new bike, probably before even riding it is a full set of R&G crash protection.. bungs, fork protectors, can protector etc etc.. I have crashed a mint R6 before and it is damaging to your wallet!! Anything to reduce damage costs is worth being the first on the "to buy" list in my opinion.
Next up is a fruitier exhaust and double bubble screen.. then it's whatever takes my fancy from there on..
pretty much the same.... crash bungs first... if I had my time again Id put them on... save a lot of grief fixing the SV....
then can... then probably the scottoiler... then the fork springs...
Biker Biggles
02-05-05, 11:14 PM
Yep crash bungs for me and I like to put on a hugger and fender extenda.Why dont manufacturers put decent weather and crash protection on as standard?Oh and the most important mod of all,the nut that holds the twistgrip :wink:
Tyres anything other than stock
everything else is down to personal prefrence.
Things i wouldnt do again.
SS braided lines but uprated pads are a must
Undertray, back of the bike gets filthy
Things i would do
Tyres
Double bubble - Powers bronze still has the best 'bubble' imo (ive has 3 different screens)
Crash bungs good ones
northwind
02-05-05, 11:21 PM
Heated grips :)
Nah, I'd put crash bungs on first, not because they're essential but because I'd feel such a chimp if I crashed it on day one when i could've had them on. Then I think I'd do the front springs, then cam swap if it were a carbed bike, then rear shock of some sort. That's all assuming nothing glaringly poor in the basic setup, ie OEM tyres.
carelesschucca
02-05-05, 11:49 PM
bigger back sprocket go to 46 tooth!!!
so much better...
What do you think is the most important/essential mod an SV user should do to his bike? Just the first thing he should do, the thing that the factory should churn the bike out with.
Maybe this poll has been done before but I'm curious...
essential:
mirrors that you can see out of without contorting your body, maybe not for everybody, but it was the first thing I did, and a common complaint.
essential for a high milage rider:
scottoiler
essential for a 4 season rider:
heated grips, motard tires
most important mod: :evil:
Valentine 1
Ceri JC
03-05-05, 09:31 AM
If you're ever going out in the rain (or if you live in Britain, where a dry Sunday run can soon become a slog through near-flood conditions), a fender extender. Under £20, even a real mechanical numpty can fit it in half an hour.
Suzuki really should extend the stock front fender.
weegaz22
03-05-05, 10:43 AM
id say its getting rid of that abortion that suzuki call a number plate holder, bike looks a lot better without it, then a can
Balky001
03-05-05, 11:58 AM
It's a tough question. I'd have liked stronger brakes, better suspension and hugger fitted as standard but then you'd drive up the price. I voted for crash bungs as they can save a fortune and as the SV is aimed primarily at the less experienced rider and to those who ride year round in all weather so I think they should be standard. But anyone with a bike more than a couple of years old or who rides in all weather might appreciate better made nuts and bolts and maybe a steel thread in the oil sump (yes, I'm one of the many to cross thread mine! :roll:
RenamedMonkey
03-05-05, 11:58 AM
Tyres first, then suspension. After you realise what confidence that can give you, you can begin to upgrade the bikes power, etc.
Damoulianos Marios
03-05-05, 12:54 PM
Things i wouldnt do again.
SS braided lines but uprated pads are a must
What's the problem with braided brake lines? I'm thinking about doing this mod...
If you havn't already got one, a paddock stand is a must have.
SVeeedy Gonzales
03-05-05, 01:06 PM
Fender extender :D Truly *essential* (at least if you plan on riding in the wet)
Things i wouldnt do again.
SS braided lines but uprated pads are a must
What's the problem with braided brake lines? I'm thinking about doing this mod...
The difference just isnt worth the effort or cost. Everyone will say oh yeah much better, but they aint. Its all in the mind. Bleed your current system with new fluid, makes sure that all the seals are good and that the calipers are in top notch condition and put in so good fast raod pads, and thats all you need. This is only my opinion, but you did ask ;)
northwind
03-05-05, 05:27 PM
Personally I found braided hoses gave a good upgrade on new fluid etc, but then I suspect my original lines were a bit tired- there seemed to be an awful lot of squish.
Why are people still not just doing the grease fixes for their front plugs? Fender extender's no more essential than an SV650.org sticker. I've got one on mine since it helps keep the bike a wee bit cleaner, but it's not the solution for Wet Plug (because it's more expensive than a tube of non-conductive grease, uglier than a tube of non-conductive grease, and less effective than a tube of non-conductive grease. Also harder to fit than a bit of grease.)
I'm gunna do braided lines next on mine.
After the waveys, carbone lorraines, new fluid and full spit and polish of the calipers the brakes are good but still have to much lever travel and compliance.
If I pull the lever you can visibly see a small amount of flex in the lines. It's not a buldge (don't worry it's not dangerous), but you can see a small amount of movement.
Either which way, the brakes still have too much compliance and lever travel, so braided's are next to go on.
After I rode my SV home the first time, I didn't ride it again until I'd fitted my Zorstec. It's not a race can but you've just got to feel/hear that V-twin beat :D
chazzyb
03-05-05, 06:42 PM
As has been suggested before, rider training. :D
Is your Zorstec baffled then Burner?
Is your Zorstec baffled then Burner?
Nope, but it's not marked in anyway either. So passed MOT no probs.
http://usera.imagecave.com/burnerboy/zorstec.jpg
Tony_BLY
04-05-05, 07:35 AM
Fenda-extenda ... definitely. What's the point of having your engine re-tuned if you're only riding off one-pot?
How loud is the Zorstec then? My Scorpion is about the same length as yours but has a baffle in, and its pretty loud as is.
Reason I ask is because I was thinking of changing the baffled tube for a normal perforated one for hopefully a bit of extra go and response (and more bassy noise), when I repack the can.
Thing is, as much as I love a good bit of noise, I'd prefer it to sound "nice" rather than just loud. I don't want to attract too much attention to myself see.....
Sorry to derail the thread. I'll make up for it by saying the most essential mod for the SV is: A bloody good service. It's shocking the amount of people that ride about on bikes which would benefit much more from some proper maintainance than a £1000 titanium system...
Spend money on keeping whats allready there working well, rather than spending a bunch to improve one aspect, and have the rest of the bike ride like a shonky dog.
Thats just my tuppence worth.
Dan.
drumwrecker
05-05-05, 09:16 AM
I took the question to mean mods on factory spec. i.e. things that aren't just bolt on.
Why aren't all bike supplied with adjustable seat, handlebars and footrests. Can you imagine buying a car with a fixed driving position and had to buy all sorts of gizmos to enable you to drive the car in comfort.
And what about an adjustable power output to charge mobile phones or run a GPS system etc?
And what about an adjustable power output to charge mobile phones
A mate of mine rigged up a cigarette lighter socket from the battery to under the pillion seat on his YZF Thunder Ace, works a treat for charging mobiles... 8)
Halonic
05-05-05, 09:32 AM
R&Gs were the first thing on the Little Red Naked once the mud and crap left by the previous owner had been cleaned off.
It came with sub-thousand mile BT-20s so already sorted there.
Then it was an Abba stand (like a paddock stand but for lazy mortals like me)
after that its fender extender (still outstanding from M&P) and the BMF should see a scottoiler, screen and hopefully a cheap hugger and better mirrors
End can can wait till christmas
But R&Gs first, cant afford to replace much if my ability/reality ratio corrects itself
Fenda-extenda ... definitely. What's the point of having your engine re-tuned if you're only riding off one-pot?
this is interesting me, because i ride all weathers...
does the water spray up onto the HT lead and short it out????
these fender extenders are 15 quid from bandit mania.
anybody got pics of one fitted??????????
On the pointy new shape it has to be an undertray tidys the back end up really nice.
northwind
05-05-05, 05:03 PM
Fenda-extenda ... definitely. What's the point of having your engine re-tuned if you're only riding off one-pot?
this is interesting me, because i ride all weathers...
does the water spray up onto the HT lead and short it out????
these fender extenders are 15 quid from bandit mania.
anybody got pics of one fitted??????????
Don't seem to have any pics that show it well... But seriously, it's not needed. Most folks can fix it just by applying the cap more carefully, but you should be able to get a total fix just using either grease around the cap, or nonconductive grease at the plug. Stops the plugs from rusting up too.
I've got one fitted anyway just to help keep the bike clean and protect the radiator... But it's far from essential.
Gotta be a fender extender to start with :riding:
Peter Henry
05-05-05, 09:49 PM
Randy..I cant believe anyone would feel so strongly about the Sv's mirrors! Man you dont know your born.Now that little beauty of mine really has the crappest one's known to man! You have to do a kind of chicken wing flap to be able to view through them under your arms! If you ever have a pillion,(not normally suggested on a Ducati!) all you get is passenger knee cap close ups!
Mind you based on the Italian mentality...what's behind you dont matter! :lol: 8)
Plasma Bob
06-05-05, 03:04 PM
wiv out a doubt....mi scorpion can :lol:
wheelnut
07-05-05, 07:34 PM
New Tyres and Shell Optimax
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