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Any point in upgrading (suspension, brakes, etc) on my bike?

HappyHighwayman

HappyHighwayman

It's all in the reflexes
Joined
Apr 8, 2009
Location
San Francisco
Moto(s)
Rad Rover
Name
Jordan
I ask because the bike was incredibly good value, and I started to build it up as a middle weight sporty touring bike (extra hard luggage, LED aux headlights, LED stop/running lights, heated grips etc) and it would seem to be cheaper to customize/upgrade it than invest in a newer bike I'd have to do the same things to.

I am not a "Sporty" rider. I ride mostly for commute and pleasure. I'm mostly happy with the bike, but I'm wondering, could it "better" with upgraded suspension, brakes etc.

What would gain me the most benefit? What would be the least? Would a non-aggressive non-track rider notice the difference?
 
Worth it kinda means if its worth it $ wise? Im happy enough with most stock suspension for regular freeway and city use.
Would I personally spend $2k+ for suspensiona and brakes on an FZ6? No not at all. But Im very value oriented.
If for some reason your in love with your bike and dont have the desire to hunt for a cheap better one than do whatever your comfy with. Good suspension makes a huge difference. I just dont value it on lesser bikes that I commute with. Maybe different springs and oil but thats as far as Id go.
Personally Id sell it, get a much "better" bike for $1k more and work from there.....or keep this bike and commute the shit out of it.
 
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HappyHighwayman said:
I ask because the bike was incredibly good value, and I started to build it up as a middle weight sporty touring bike (extra hard luggage, LED aux headlights, LED stop/running lights, heated grips etc) and it would seem to be cheaper to customize/upgrade it than invest in a newer bike I'd have to do the same things to.

I am not a "Sporty" rider. I ride mostly for commute and pleasure. I'm mostly happy with the bike, but I'm wondering, could it "better" with upgraded suspension, brakes etc.

What would gain me the most benefit? What would be the least? Would a non-aggressive non-track rider notice the difference?
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With the added weight due to luggage etc my best guess is suspension may be whats required for a happy rider.
 
good point but probably not worth $2000.

I guess I've answered the question...it's better value to buy a better bike. I'm not THAT in love with the FZ6 and if money was no object I'd probably have upgraded to a BMW or Triumph at this point/
 
In the world of used motorcycles it is always much cheaper to buy a better bike than to change yours.

Most bikes come down to about the same price after a while. A nice used SV650 is $3k and a nice used super duper liter top of the line $18k bike is $4k-$6k. You'll never get that sv to be as good for real world use with your $1,700 difference.
If you want a nice quality tourer you can get a $22k BMW or ST1300 or whatever your favorite bike is for $6k.

Rough numbers but eager sellers and buyers with cash in hand set the low prices.
Pro Tip. Bring your cash in $20's and instead of $100's. It'll make the seller much more eager to get allllll those bills even though it's the same amount.
 
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See I don't own a car, never have. I've owned only bikes costing $3500 or less. I pay in Cash. Now that I commute on it year round, it's become like a car...I "need" it to be reliable, comfortable, safe, and carry a lot of stuff.

So I see something like this:

http://sfbay.craigslist.org/sfc/mcy/2841180915.html

For $12,000...but it's heavily upgraded and low mileage. With upgrade money and sold bike money I'd be nearly half way there.
 
After tires, and perhaps shorter gearing, the most effective performance upgrade I've found for any bike is a suspension upgrade. Whether it's worth it for you is another matter. It's worth it for me.
 
if your springrates are more than 10% off or so, YES you will notice a difference even when cruising. and while i agree that dumping $2k into suspension for that bike is ridiculous, springs are only about $100 and are not really hard to install properly. even paying someone to swap your shock spring isnt that expensive.
 
I wasn't really considering that one, but rather was using it as an example of a bike that's already upgraded and farkled out.

What do you think its actually worth anyway? New BMW GS800s are like $13k with minimal features.
 
I think you have to decide what shortcomings you are seeking to improve upon and then decide if they can be fixed by suspension, etc, then determine a cost and decide if you can get all that by just buying a replacement/upgrade.

Kickstand is clouding the issue, but you did choose an example which doesn't really go with the "value consumer" type tone of your original question. One or two service trips for a BMW would pay for most every upgrade for your FZ6.
 
HappyHighwayman said:
Are BMWs really that much more expensive to maintain than say a Japanese bike?>
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Funny thing is most of them are actually easier and require less work....but somehow you end up paying more if you take it to the dealer vs japanes bike dealer. It's like when you spend $80 at Whole Foods but can't figure out why when you get home with your 4 items.

Paying a private guy or doing it your self could be about the same or cheaper.
 
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Fresh fork oil (possibly higher weight) is a nice budget upgrade.

Substituting braided brake lines for the stock rubber lines another nice budget upgrade.

Not sure if your FZ6 has any suspension adjustment knobs but a little time with Dave Moss adjusting the front-rear pre-load, etc settings for your weight/riding style always a winner.
 
mototireguy said:
Fresh fork oil (possibly higher weight) is a nice budget upgrade.

Substituting braided brake lines for the stock rubber lines another nice budget upgrade.

Not sure if your FZ6 has any suspension adjustment knobs but a little time with Dave Moss adjusting the front-rear pre-load, etc settings for your weight/riding style always a winner.
Click to expand...

whatever is adjustable on the FZ it's going to be very simple so paying for such services isn't necessary. The fork oil or springs is deffinately worth checking out though.
 
Hyperpro makes affordable spring kits/fork oil replacements for my bike. It would just cost me likely as much or more to have it installed.
 
Your Fz6 is a fine bike and will do the majority of what a new BWM or Triumph will do for a fraction of the cost. Lots of inexpensive stuff you can do to upgrade your bike without breaking the bank. Too often, folks shit the bank and over upgrade their brakes and suspension when they arent even using what they have to its full potential... just my opinion.

Forks and shocks can and should be serviced every year or two depending on how much you ride. Amazing what fresh oil in the forks and shock can feel like (cheap). Without even getting into valving, get your sag set correctly for your weight. If you cant get the sag correct, might be time for some springs ($100 for each end). A bike with fresh oil and the sag set up properly will feel more precise when leaned over. A few hundred bucks.... and should be considered maintenance anyways.

Flush and properly bleed your brakes (less than $10). Will often firm up the feel at the lever and is an uber cheap "upgrade".. but is really is just proper maintenance that most ignore. If u feel thats not firm enough, or you are experiencing brake fade when riding hard after that (which I doubt)... then consider ugrading the fluid and or brake lines. I have flushed/bled more than a few friends brakes that were dead set on getting fancy brake lines only to have them very happy and satisfied with a proper service returning a firm lever. My guess is that over 50% of the folks praising the feel post install of brake lines hadnt serviced their brakes in over 24 months.. and most of the improvement is REALLY just fresh fluid and a proper bleed. Most OEM lines are very good now a days.

My guess based on the description of your riding that you could spend a few hundred dollars and have a bike that feels upgraded and leaves your bank account intact. :ride
 
^^^
+1

Gary J's suspension class (via Doc Wong) will help you understand how to set sag yourself and give the details of what the suspension adjustments do. You can also Google it.

(if you still want to spend $12k, I'll sell you a 1999 triumph........ ;-)
 
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