The 'best mod' for your bike

[greener]

I liked this post from a Ninja 250 forum:

Moding a bike is just an open ended invitation for you to fuck something up and have to replace it now, be stranded later, or crash. The bike works Perfectly fine in stock form for ALL levels of riding (right on up to super agressive cornering)...

This doesn't mean there's not room for improvement, just that the RIDER is the weakest link in 90%+ instances. Easiest to improve, and typically the cheapest too. Damn sure the ONLY performance mod that moves from bike to bike.

Brian

from Ninja 250 Riders Club (http://www.ninja250.org)

[afm199]

Well, it's still a flying hot water heater on wheels.

[darkie]

Provided the bike is running fine, I think the most important mods are tires and suspension.

[chrono-X]

tires definitely...i've never heard of anyone going to the track with stock tires.

[kxmike]

tires
suspension
gearing
jetting/exhaust
brakes
motor
wheels and other weight savings
in that order;)

[Jakemate]

Originally posted by kxmike
....... and other weight savings
in that order;)

Are you calling me fat again?

:laughing

I do not think I have ever tried a stock tire that I liked. That is a 'must change' for me.

I would put brakes before suspension, myself.

[VTRweasel]

track dayz

[afm199]

Neon underlights, fender eliminator and D&D slipon!

[faz]

faz

[afm199]

Originally posted by humbug612
I might believe ya if you were a WSMC stud, so i guess im gonna ignore ya..:laughing

You saying I am not a stud you old fart?:laughing :laughing

[Dre-z]

Steel braided brake lines. You can't go wrong with that mod.

[Enchanter]

I believe the point that the original poster was trying to make was that spending time and $ to become a better rider will make you faster than $ spent modifying the motorcycle.

So let's continue the discussion along those lines.

[christofu]

The best mod is upgrading the rider. I can help with that Zoom Zoom (http://ZoomZoomTrackDays.com)

On the path to upgrading the rider, the absolute, no-questions-asked best physical mod to the bike is to GET THE SUSPENSION SET UP FOR YOU. When you come to the track, Phil from Aftershocks (http://www.aftershocks-suspension.com) will do an initial setup on your bike for $20 ($50 for repeated tweakings all day). The #1 type of comment we hear after someone has Phil set up their bike for them is "OMG! The bike feels so much better, so much more stable, than it did before!"

Suspension setup is a MUST DO, even before tires (because you can't feel what's wrong with your tires if the suspension isn't working right FOR YOU).

Then, tires. I recommend Michelin Pilot Powers for street use (Power Race for people who ride the track often).

[movado_perfect]

Down here in LA, there is a more basic requirement that in my mind becomes the almighty BEST MOD. That, my friends, is the M-1 endorsement. Flame away.

[Enchanter]

Originally posted by 850
best mods for a 250 ninja are :
ohlins rear shock
ohlins forks
power commander
full yoshimura pipe
magnesium wheels
reverse gp shifting
NOS

850,

Let's stay on topic like my earlier request.
See below.

Thanks.

Originally posted by Enchanter
I believe the point that the original poster was trying to make was that spending time and $ to become a better rider will make you faster than $ spent modifying the motorcycle.

So let's continue the discussion along those lines.

[Jakemate]

:shhh

Best mod......

Insurance. Medical and otherwise.

[Sidewalk]

Originally posted by Enchanter
I believe the point that the original poster was trying to make was that spending time and $ to become a better rider will make you faster than $ spent modifying the motorcycle.

So let's continue the discussion along those lines. Guess only a few of us read it that way.

Not like I have room to talk, MSF only here (but stock bikes too).

[greener]

Originally posted by Sidewalk
Guess only a few of us read it that way.

Not like I have room to talk, MSF only here (but stock bikes too).
I've had MSF only myself, other than lots of solo riding in the twisties in a slow and analytic fashion. I'm a big believer in the 'go slow to go fast' concept. I'm riding the same roads over and over and my pace is slowly increasing; not on purpose, but as a side effect of my becoming more comfortable with the now familar corners.
Other than my own practices, I've read Twist of the Wrist II, and plan to read Profficient once I remember to order it. I'll be participating in the 6/17 Noobie Ride as well. I've put about 1,200 miles in on the bike, 90% twisties.

So Enchanter, after completeing the MSF, what is a good next step for improving the rider?

[Enchanter]

Originally posted by greener
So Enchanter, after completeing the MSF, what is a good next step for improving the rider?

Practice, practice, practice.

You are on the right track (no pun intended). Read as much as you can. Determine what your goals are and then move towards them in a methodical well thought out manner. If your goals are to increase speed/lean more, then the track is the place for you. If your goals are not related to speed, then you don't necessarily need to go to the track. Take classes where you will be observed and coached.

Ride in a manner that leaves you some extra skill to 'save it' should something go wrong. You don't want to be one of those people that say " everything was going great right up until the crash. I felt comfortable and was riding within my limits." Well, as soon as something happened that took them just past their limits, they crash. There isn't any talent riding in a perfect world, when nothing goes wrong. Hell, a monkey can operate the controls of a motorcycle. The talent comes when you are successful in handling the motorcycle when you encounter things that weren't quite what they seemed. Hold some skill in reserve for situations like this.

[Sidewalk]

Originally posted by greener
I'm riding the same roads over and over and my pace is slowly increasing; not on purpose, but as a side effect of my becoming more comfortable with the now familar corners.I have a much higher sense of enjoyment riding a new road at a fun pace then the old ones. Remembering the corners just isn't the same compared to making judgments on proper entry speed, turn in, and apex where you have never been before. You are not nearly as fast (shouldn't be at least), but so much more gratifying.

[jdmarandino]

Originally posted by Sidewalk
I have a much higher sense of enjoyment riding a new road at a fun pace then the old ones. Remembering the corners just isn't the same compared to making judgments on proper entry speed, turn in, and apex where you have never been before. You are not nearly as fast (shouldn't be at least), but so much more gratifying.
I still feel like I have cornering skills to build. I'm just now getting the real confidence to execute a committed countersteer and 'shoulder' thru a hairpin at speed. I'm also drilling in the habit of taking the safe line thru turns, with respect to the double yellow. Once I have my full range of skills and habits drilled in, I can see where hitting a new road would be great fun. I love a very technical ride, I'm one of the few snowboarders I know that likes moguls and harsh black diamond terrain. I like it due to the chops you need to handle it, and the speed at which you need to execute the maneuvers. I expect that riding a new road will give me some of that same thrill.