consumable upgrades

Hope this is the right section.

I've had half a dozen different bikes for tet rides lately and it highlighted some of the sv's limitations, suspension brakes etc

Now i'm not one for spending money needlesly or modding for modding sake and would like to keep the sv as an sv not a gsr / streetfighter hybrid.

None of these mods will happen until they are required but was looking to generate a list of upgrades and there suggested / prefered replacements.

My technical knowledge is fairly limited so have scoured a few threads so here is the starter for 10.

Chain
Front sprocket
rear sprocket
front brakes
rear brakes
brake lines
rear suspension
front fork oil
front fork springs
exhaust

any suggestions advice appreciated, once complete i'll collate and post up in a concise form.

Thanks

[the_lone_wolf]

Brake lines : Goodridge were good for me, heard bad things about HEL
Exhaust : Choose by budget and style preference, I liked my Beowulf very much

I generally adopted the same attitude to mods as you. It's a lot easier to justify forking out for good suspension once you've been quoted something laughable by Suzuki.

See my signature for a complete list. I'm very happy with all these things on my bike. I'd not bother with replacing the chain/sprocket as an 'upgrade': The OE stuff seems to last the longest.

Originally Posted by the_lone_wolf

Brake lines : Goodridge were good for me, heard bad things about HEL
Exhaust : Choose by budget and style preference, I liked my Beowulf very much

Yep, my HEL ones were too long. Apparently they will trim them free of charge, but not much good if it's a Saturday and you want to go out on the Sunday. Also, don't use alloy fittings. Stainless or Ti. Cadnium plated at a push.

Don't use Renthal alloy sprockets unless you are a low mileage user. Always rivet the chain.

As TLW said exhausts are a matter of taste, but if I were buying one Fuel cans are great value and look nice in stainless.

[the_lone_wolf]

Originally Posted by petevtwin650

Yep, my HEL ones were too long. Apparently they will trim them free of charge, but not much good if it's a Saturday and you want to go out on the Sunday.

didn't think you used the brakes anyway matey

[Viney]

I dont get the 'upgrade' of the chain and sprockets other than if you are moving to a 520 chain with different ratios. The std chain is good enough for the Sv and will last as long as any other type as long as you look after it

Im still undecided about the rest. I can ride my SV back to back with Vernas which is standard. The brakes are just as good on hers, as they are with mine with braided hoses. The fornt suspension, other than cartridges/emulators/front end transplant, really isnt any diferent with springs/oil/preload adjusters. The rear shock is adiquate for the bike, although it goes off after 20k or so, and an aftermarket is around the same cost as a OEM shock. That said, a low milage std shock give just as good a feel!

The upgrades i would do again, if i had my choices would be
Race can
Sintered pads (Not EBC Double h's, thaey killed my discs)
Different tyres
Double bubble screen.

That is about it really.

[yorkie_chris]

Originally Posted by Kilted Ginger

Chain
Front sprocket
rear sprocket Not an upgrade, the OEM stuff is fine. Maybe change the ratios a bit
front brakes Braided lines + HH pads will sort them.
rear brakes Leave alone, just keep them serviced. Stock hose and pads are fine.
brake lines Braideds for the front. Stainless fittings!
rear suspension Stick another bikes shock in there. Or pay mental money for an aftermarket.
front fork oil
front fork springs Get a heavier spring + oil kit. Complements the improved brakes very nicely.
exhaust Beowulf.

any suggestions advice appreciated, once complete i'll collate and post up in a concise form.

Thanks

.

Chain/Front sprocket/rear sprocket

If you need new ones this is probably better kit than OEM (not that you need it o ring is fine), much cheaper, and you can collect from Broxburn to avoid postage and they'll quite happily change the rear sprocket they give you with the kit if you want to change the gearing (better acceleration, but makes motorways a bit buzzy) http://cgi.ebay.co.uk/DID-X-RING-Cha...742.m153.l1262

Rear suspension

How much do you wanna spend and do you want something that just fits or requires some cutting to make it fit? Just 'cos I know you, I suspect you want new, so it goes from an Elka (best!) or Ohlins rear shock at 5-600 notes, down to Nitron Sport at 350 odd (good comprimise I believe), then down to a Hagon shock at 250 odd which I believe is not much better than the OEM. Hyperpro do a range of shocks with progressive springs too but no idea what they cost. None of this comes from experience, just from research and reading.

front fork oil
front fork springs

Hagon, Ohlins and Hyperpro all do fork kits for about the same money, so again, just from what I've read the smart money seems to go on Hyperpro progressive springs.

exhaust

If you only want it to sound better, I can't see the point of adding a few horsepower, it's not about power the SV is it! Wait and see what I do with my bike, I can't promise anything just now, but if things just happen to work out in such a way that I can't use my fuel can you can have it and either pull out the dent or stubby (if that happens don't tell OH, 'cos it was a pressie!)

[yorkie_chris]

Personally I'd go penske rear, just because of how much range there is in penske parts, meaning you could easily set up one for another bike if you change.

Hyperpro springs... hmmm. Springs is springs. If you want decent, go for some cartridge internals.

Originally Posted by the_lone_wolf

Brake lines : Goodridge were good for me, heard bad things about HEL

i have had HEL brake lines on two of my bikes and goodridge on another - there is no difference other than the name