I'm just going to come right out with it - I've got money but I'm married and my wife hates my bike - so it's hard to justify spending big chunks of cash on the bike w/o having too much drama. I don't like drama and I love my wife so... :)

I think a workable strategy is to spend in smaller increments - nothing too outrageous but go for positive improvement w/ each upgrade.

So far I've concentrated on comfort, safety, and aesthetics:
============================================================
Helibar Risers
55W 6000K HIDs
MRA Double bubble screen
Frame Sliders
6000K Halogen High beam bulbs
Fuzeblock
Muzzy Fan Blade
Speedo-Healer

I'm thinking now about adding some performance mods. I've come up with the following list of items (in this order) because they seem to offer good benefits stand-alone and to augment the benefits from previous stages:

1. A set of velocity stacks - 25mm - seems to offer some good standalone gains - at $250 or so it seems like a bargain.
2. A Power Commander V - again - seems to offer some benefits even without doing a custom tune.
3. Exhaust system: Not sure if I want full or slip ons - would like the weight loss from a full but not sure if I want the low end power loss (is it significant?).
4. Probably get it tuned at this point.
5. Autotune module for Power Commander - not even sure if it's justified, but like the idea of something that adapts.

I'm thinking this winter of getting the exhaust manifold ceramic coated - I've heard this increases power and helps the bike run cooler.

So, any thoughts?

-Dennis

* Last updated by: dennisclawson on 7/1/2009 @ 7:21 PM *

Speedo-Healer

What about the Gearing ?

This would be the order I'd do it:

-Gearing
-PC5
-Exhaust and Autotune. Full system because you will not notice any loss in the low/mid compared to S/O's. Autotune at the same time since you'll have to weld on a bung for the o2 sensor. Skip the custom map. Email me and I'll send you a good one start with. The autotune will adjust it to your bike.
-25mm stacks. Bottom of the list because you'll hardly notice the change in the torque curve.

Be sure to get the O2 sensor bung welded on BEFORE you get the header thermal coated!!!!

I think Dogo has the primary performance mods listed for you. You could have some fun, notice some improvement and learn to use the PC on a stock bike. Then when you order your pipe (I'm going with full system), pick up an autotune bung at the same time. That's how I'm going. Gearing will make a huge dif and it only cost about $16 for a rear sprocket, I hear. You will be riding at higher rpm on shorter gearing so ask about noise, fuel economy and vibes before you go ahead with it....and you need to wait until your chain stretches enough or get a longer chain to go up in back.

As for the tune, I'd let autotune do it if you're looking to save $$$. A custom tune will be faster because autotune requires a lot of riding to provide input but isn't it much nicer to whip your bike's ass on the road instead of letting your tuner do it on a dyno?

Speedohealer is next on the list. I plan to install a Speedohealer at some point too but for most of the riding 9/10 of us do, it is really just a nice frill. The real use for a Speedohealer is to bypass the speed limiter on the bike but I'm not up to that quite yet. When I get there, I'll have my SH installed.

An aftermarket air filter is a popular mod but I doubt you will notice much change with the added 1 - 2 hp. I own a BMC race filter but I plan to use it only for track or occasional tests where I know the air is free of dust. I haven't heard of a single problem from using them on the street but my race filter is basically see through and I live in an urban environment.

Rook

Dramarama Anything, Anything

It takes more than a bike but...........

;)

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=UYEHDCKwIlA

* Last updated by: Rook on 7/2/2009 @ 8:24 AM *

Great song but I liked Storm Large's cover of Anything, Anything better.

I might mod the gearing after a point, but not now.

Gearing doesn't get my attention right now because:
It seems like it'll make it too easy to spin the wheels at low RPM. I live in a pretty wet climate in the winter and am not a fan of spinning the rear wheels in a wet turn.

Another thing I'm not thrilled about is losing the smoothness of the bike at speed.

Thanks for your input all!

-Dennis

* Last updated by: dennisclawson on 7/2/2009 @ 12:18 PM *

I'd bet you'd be happy with 17/43 gearing then, Dennis. That's what I'm at right now. I'm out in Grays Harbor. If you ever come down south and wanna swap bikes for a few miles, shoot me a PM.

My other mods are:
PC5 w/autotune
hindle race w/alienhead
flies out
bmc race
25mm vstacks
GiPro

Great song but I liked Storm Large's cover of Anything, Anything better.

I sure like looking at her better. Hey that was Tommy Lee at the end there. Crazy.

* Last updated by: Rook on 7/2/2009 @ 12:47 PM *

I'd bet you'd be happy with 17/43 gearing

2nd that

Might take you up on that, Dogo, thanks for the offer.

Man, this sh*t is addicting - I started off (right after purchase) thinking you modders are a bunch of crazy nuts!
"Who in their right mind would feel the need to *add* power to this thing?" I mean even in first gear I have to hold on w/ both hands because anything more that a slow gentle twitch of the throttle makes her jump so eagerly!

Well, no, I'm not bored with her - I love her to death and every ride is a smile. No, it's more like buying her a treat... I treat her well, and she treats me well... :)

Thanks again for the feedback, all, and thanks again Bill for a terrific site.

-Dennis

Man, this sh*t is addicting - I started off

Man, this sh*t is addicting - I started off wit dishit
Man, this sh*t is addicting - I started off with that shit
Man, this sh*t is addicting - I started off wit more shit is shit...
Man, this sh*t is addicting - I started off with the key fob and use a K ing size syringe.

Might take you up on that, Dogo, thanks for the offer.

Afraid I'm gonna have to take back the offer. I blew mine up yesterday!

I blew mine up yesterday!

How ?

Say it aint so DOGO!What the ....yes,HOW????????????????????????

How ?

Check that screen once you drop the pan.

Best scenario is you smacked a hole in the sump case with the flying part.

Worst case scenario is the case was taken out and if it is at the split line?

Yeah, saw the pics Dogo - really sorry to hear about it.

My 14 was out of action for about 3 months after a deer ran out in front of me - feels SO good to be back on and riding.

Good luck w/ her, hope it's not too serious.

-Dennis