Safe Weight reduction

[Mdow]

Just wondering here what some people have done for SAFE weight reduction even little things cause they add up

i have a GSXR rear brake arm you can even feel its alot lighter ALUM not steel

after market pegs weight alot less the stock pegs

wondering if anybody else has done anything creative

[tripleb]

are you worried about the bike being too light or reducing weight with aftermarkets parts of some components of the bike are unsafe?

[The Buddha]

Oh yea ... I replaced all the bolts with titanium bolts, and used ultra light magnesium valve cover.
And of course I only ride on the street and weigh 300 lbs ... 3 big mac minimum ... Then I only fill up 1 gal in the tank ... lighter ...
Oh, exhaust can is a pig ...
Cool.
Buddha.

[fred]

Just wondering here what some people have done for SAFE weight reduction even little things cause they add up

Diet and exercise are usually considered pretty safe...

[nascarkeith]

Since I go 275 a skinnier rider would be a huge weight saving option.    It will be interesting to see what people say.  I know some have removed the center stand but I use mine too much for that.

[Kasumi]

Put it this way, if you had one less takeaway a week or cut down on a couple of pints here and there you would save more weight than you would if you started trying to remove/replace parts on your GS. Plus you'd save a hell of a lot more money lol. They are a simple bike, there isnt alot to them. What is there thats heavy is stuff you can't change, ie engine and chassis. Because they are made of heavy materials. If your looking to reduce weight don't bother. It would be cheaper to try and increase HP, but even then its just cheaper to upgrade. Peolpe don't buy GS's to go super quick. Thats what a supersports is for.

If you just want some trick parts then by all means go ahead i hope you got a big wallet hehe.

[the mole]

+1 Kasumi
Buddha, you forgot to mention putting 1/2 as much oil in the motor also saves weight, shaves a little weight off all those moving parts too.

[Mdow]

well yes those are obvious things

im talking about ways to reduce weight that isn't comprimising safty.  car forums people will tell you to take out bumper beams and frame suports but i would call that NOT safe weight reduction.

ya i could cut some of the frame of the bike and make it lighter but thats not what im talking about.

im mainly trying to see if there is somthing cool that i could do and save weight at the same time

[Chanse]

I had an old GSXR set up for track with all of the following plus some. And still only saved like 20 pounds. very expensive.

bored, stroked, balanced. (removes grams from rotating assembly and produces more power)
remove grab bar.
remove center stand, and kickstand if using for track with a spool lift.
replace entire body with race weight fiberglass fairings and solo seat or go naked.
swap rims with lighter weight rims. (I beleive the kat wheel is lighter do a search for which one it is though.)
remove under tail plastics & chain guard.
stockair box and filter go k&n.
polish frames and rims. (ounces)
remove factory weighted bar ends.
remove all unnecessary gauges.
remove mirrors and blinkers.
Oh and most importantly wash it... lol all that dirt counts.

I might have forgoten some things. point is weight reduction on a bike is useless unless your in competition where the miniscule difference count and money is no object..

[The Buddha]

All kat wheels are heavier, and after tires are fitted they are not even close.
Cool.
Buddha.

[Mdow]

^ darn

anybady make aftermarket wheels for the GS or i guess katanas too

[starshooter10]

you could cut the seat to a single.

clip off the tail if you never want to ride 2 up...

remove the rear pegs

remove the centerstand (keep the kick)

only need ONE mirror to be legal (at least in CA)

remove the plastics under the seat

AL sprokets

differant can (stock setup is heavy)

those are all relistic mods

[Mdow]

ALUM sprocket is a good idea

i might look at gearing it up a tooth also

[the mole]

If you want to save wheel weight, a spoked wheel with alloy rim will be lighter (and probably stronger) than stock.

[sledge]

Take a good dump before you ride.

[Kasumi]

Take a good dump before you ride.

+1

...why are you people encouraging this.. its a pointless exercise along a road that ends in nothing but wasted time, effort and money.

Now everyone stop posting suggestions because its rediculous. There is no point in this world or the next in trying to shave weight off a GS or pretty much any bike or car unless your putting it on a track and not even a trackday, were talking about professional racing where 10ths and 100ths of a second count.

[Mdow]

i do track my car SCCA autox and have gone to acouple of track days.

i would also like to start tracking my bike

and really why don't you just let me do what i want to do

[Mdow]

If you want to save wheel weight, a spoked wheel with alloy rim will be lighter (and probably stronger) than stock.

yes i know but does anyone actually make one?

[bobthebiker]

spoked wheels are actualy a big pain in the ass,  you have to constantly check that you dont have broken spokes, loose spokes, keeping them tight is a pain and they flex. something our solid alloy wheels do not. 

unless you're competing with the bike, you're wasting a LOT of time.  aluminum sprockets SUCK on the street because they wear wicked fast.

[sledge]

i do track my car SCCA autox and have gone to acouple of track days.

i would also like to start tracking my bike

and really why don't you just let me do what i want to do

How much extra performance are you expecting to gain? 

Is this excercise really going to increase the "enjoyment factor" for you? There are far more worthwhile and beneficial mods you can carry out that will improve the rideability and performance of your bike and if you are going to take it on the track there are higher priorites to address than weight-saving.