I'm looking for some things to do to my bike cosmetically and of performance wise. Anyone have an ideas that are not listed in my signature?

Barbacks will do more for your ride than any aftermarket pipe 

Noob question. What the heck do bar backs do? Allow you to sit up further?

Quote from: Higgins13 on September 29, 2012, 05:55:07 AM
Noob question. What the heck do bar backs do? Allow you to sit up further?

Yes...a more upright relaxed riding position 

Thanks for suggestion but not something I'm interested in. Why are you not a fan of exhaust?

Quote from: Higgins13 on September 29, 2012, 06:05:57 AM
Thanks for suggestion but not something I'm interested in. Why are you not a fan of exhaust?

If I want a bike to go faster or have more power, I buy a bike that goes faster or has more power, adding a pipe a K&N and proper jetting will give you the most performance for your buck and a better sounding bike. And I admit modding your bike is a blast..I totally understand anything anybody might want to do to personalize ones ride  But dollar for dollar buying a bike with more CC's has always been a more cost effective route to performance. But the main reason for me is all the attention you get from all the wrong people, Law Enforcement for one. I do long day rides, loud pipes get old really quick under that circumstance..for me anyway. I have been riding street since 1973 and have yet to talk to a LEO while riding a motorcycle, quiet pipes may be part of that? I'm either really good at riding or I suck at it 
And for the record I have 2 bikes with slip-ons, both only slightly louder than stock, a Yosi TRC on my GSX650F and a Staintune on my DL650 and in both cases it wasn't for performance, the GSX was too quiet and the muffler looked like a chrome cannon, and the V-Strom sounded more like a Pod Racer than a proper V-Twin...so my statement above can really only be pointed at obnoxiously loud bikes/pipes.

Maybe...put your bike on a Chassis Dyno and find out how good your jetting is?? I had my Fuel Maps altered at the same time so I gained some HP/Torque all across the board as well. EFI Frigging RoCkS!! 

(I am currently eliminating any bike with a carburetor from my garage) 

Stevo's '08 Suzuki GSX650F



Stevo's '05 Suzuki V-Strom 650

I'd like a GSXR one day but as I am still a young male getting hammered by insurance and it would be a more then double increase. this dose not make it a better bang for buck in my situation. I also get twice as good fuel mileage out of my 500 then a GSXR 600....besides I'm still faster then almost all cars and most non SS bikes.

Quote from: Higgins13 on September 29, 2012, 05:55:07 AM
Noob question. What the heck do bar backs do? Allow you to sit up further?

Put on a set of Suburban Machinery #2 bars....gives nice position and better speed and economy due to lower wind drag!  Looks kinda cool too!

Cookie

By the looks of your sig you've done quite a bit ... how much money do you have to blow?  I'd say from a "performance" perspective your pretty much done except maybe messing with your suspension.

It's surprising you haven't upgraded suspension with stiffer fork springs and/or shock because the general consensus around here says they are the most worthwhile upgrades.

That being said, there are a number of mods left out there that I would do to protect my investment...
Consider frame sliders for the obvious reasons.  How about forward indicator mirrors to make your intent to turn more visible? Along with it, led indicator reminder on the dash so a forgotten signal doesn't create a hazard out in front?

Other ideas:
Need a 12v plugin or USB mount? Aftermarket pegs? More comfortable seat? Gear indicator? Bigger rear rim and tire? Adjustable levers? Throttle lock/cruise control?
... The list goes on.  Just check out the wiki page for more mod ideas there... Most even include full guides to do them on your own.

- Bboy

Quote from: fraze11 on September 29, 2012, 08:08:06 PM
By the looks of your sig you've done quite a bit ... how much money do you have to blow?  I'd say from a "performance" perspective your pretty much done except maybe messing with your suspension.

My budget is limited ish. In total I would say I have spent about 800 on my mods. I think it's a reasonable price compared to what it could of cost. A suspension swap seems quiet difficult to me...

Quote from: BockinBboy on September 29, 2012, 08:51:21 PM
It's surprising you haven't upgraded suspension with stiffer fork springs and/or shock because the general consensus around here says they are the most worthwhile upgrades.

That being said, there are a number of mods left out there that I would do to protect my investment...
Consider frame sliders for the obvious reasons.  How about forward indicator mirrors to make your intent to turn more visible? Along with it, led indicator reminder on the dash so a forgotten signal doesn't create a hazard out in front?

Other ideas:
Need a 12v plugin or USB mount? Aftermarket pegs? More comfortable seat? Gear indicator? Bigger rear rim and tire? Adjustable levers? Throttle lock/cruise control?
... The list goes on.  Just check out the wiki page for more mod ideas there... Most even include full guides to do them on your own.

- Bboy

I would love to get frame sliders and adjustable levers but I'm afraid of doing work that would require "hacking" sub as putting holes in fairing. In the case of levers I can not find a nicely priced set to fit my bike. I do not want to have to do any modding to make them fit. Same goes for digital speedometer, gearing etc. I'm afraid of installation.

It's really not something to be afraid of... Suspension upgrades are very simple. Shock is a quick swap and doesn't require disassembly of anything but a few bolts.  Most it would take anyone to do is two hours with the wrong tools.  Half hour max with the right tools. 

Front spring replacement is simple as well. Unbolt the handlebars to move them slightly out of the way to open the forks.  Swap springs and things out. Change oil if you want or don't. Close her back up. Tighten the handlebars back on.

Search for T- Rex frame sliders. They make some sliders for these bikes that don't require cutting of the fairing. There area couple small quirks about them but they are solid and look decent.

Also, look at R&G exhaust protectors to fit around it and protect it from a drop.

Unfortunately, adjustable levers that fit these bikes are pretty expensive unless you change a few things and replace the clutch relay along with them.

Edit: Just thought of another easy mod you might bite on.  A member sells custom color gauge overlays for <$15 dollars.  Contact fordhammer in his thread in the for sale section.

- Bboy

Muffler guards: about $90 for a pair. You can use one but 2 look better
Frame Sliders: $80. Really simple to drill the hole. Full instructions included.
Levers: I use LSL at about $125 each
Bar Ends: Also R&G and about $50 a set
Denali Fog Lights: Expensive but really great.
Carbon fiber rear hugger: no longer available
Front fender carbon fiber fender extender: about $25
Harley fork reflectors: $13 a pair
Custom Seat from Germany: about $300
SW Motec mirror extenders: necessary. I forget the price.
Zero Gravity sport touring windshield: about $75
Smoked turn signal lenses: About $90 for all 4
Smoked LED tail light: About $70
Custom Stainless Steel Chain Guard with GS500 cut in it: $30 plus postage (I sell them!)
Sonic Springs: 0.85's $80 I think

Today on the ferry ride towards the end of out day long ride:

Reach adjustable brake levers are only $20 each in Australia.  They are interchangeable with the Bandit (I have a Bandit and have interchanged the levers). 

After researching, because my wife may end up learning on my GS500 and she has small hands, you can make the stock clutch lever sort of reach adjustable.  The solution I found was to add a spacer in between the lever where the cable joins it and the and the stop of the lever housing.  Methods are either a slotted piece of rubber of varying thickness (to adjust the reach) or a cable tie of varying size (to adjust the reach).  You have to ensure you adjust the clutch very carefully though using this method, it is easy to not have it engage fully or completely disengage.

Quote from: Higgins13 on September 29, 2012, 08:59:52 PM

Quote from: fraze11 on September 29, 2012, 08:08:06 PM
By the looks of your sig you've done quite a bit ... how much money do you have to blow?  I'd say from a "performance" perspective your pretty much done except maybe messing with your suspension.

A suspension swap seems quiet difficult to me...

You'd be suprised at how easy 'difficult looking things' can be.  I spent more time changing my signals than I did swapping my shock (30min with the right tools is an accurate estimate).  The front is a little more work, but again, not difficult and you'll get more intimate with how your bike works which is handy.

front springs. the single best thing that can be done for the bike. Sure the forks are under-damped, thats life, invest in gold valves if you want, you'll never know the difference on the street. maybe throw in some fresh, heavier oil.

Changing front springs is a 20 minute job if you do it the lazy way. I went progressives, got them for 68 bucks shipped.
all it took:

Unbolt handle bars, move off the triple.
unscrew a fork cap
slide out all the crap inside that fork
slide in the new spring
put the cap back on
repeat for other side
put handle bars back on

done - go ride and enjoy