How I’ve Spent $3,729.83 on My Yamaha R3 So Far

[ratlab]

No disrespect intended, but why not start with a bike with slightly more HP if that's what you are trying to get?

Building an entry level bike up for power, when your not racing it? I am not sure I get it. I GET modifying suspension for gobs of cash, but the motor?

There are bikes that come from the factory with 45 HP, up to 200. Suspension, of course is something that can be sorted at varying levels, depending on how much you want to invest.

The KTM RC390 is 45 HP, out of the box, leaving all that cash for Ohlins suspension upgrades....Now If I weren't born back when Moby Dick was a minnow, I might be riding one of them.
http://www.ktm.com/supersport/rc-390-2018/

and some nice bits to get you sorted for scaring tourists.
http://www.hardracing.com/15-16 Bikes/15 RC390.htm

Of course, the Best Investment I ever made to Any Bike was https://superbikeschool.com/

It made all my bikes a LOT faster. As it turns out that thing ON the seat is the most important thing to improve.

i have R3 and RC390-power is very similar.both have engine tuning,both have around 42 rwhp.both have shocks and fork kits.really fun bikes-ktm,little more torque,more vibes,easy to blow up,handles more like a racebike, and harder to ride,with short powerband,constant shifting.R3 easier to ride,easier to tune,more top end,bigger powerband,-the SV front end sounds awesome-solves brakes and suspension.i'm with chris-researching parts are a blast and the improvement you can get out of these cheaper,low tech bikes is pretty rewarding.agree about superbike school.

 

[Chris12]

No disrespect intended, but why not start with a bike with slightly more HP if that's what you are trying to get?

Building an entry level bike up for power, when your not racing it? I am not sure I get it. I GET modifying suspension for gobs of cash, but the motor?

There are bikes that come from the factory with 45 HP, up to 200. Suspension, of course is something that can be sorted at varying levels, depending on how much you want to invest.

The KTM RC390 is 45 HP, out of the box, leaving all that cash for Ohlins suspension upgrades....Now If I weren't born back when Moby Dick was a minnow, I might be riding one of them.
http://www.ktm.com/supersport/rc-390-2018/

and some nice bits to get you sorted for scaring tourists.
http://www.hardracing.com/15-16 Bikes/15 RC390.htm

Of course, the Best Investment I ever made to Any Bike was https://superbikeschool.com/

It made all my bikes a LOT faster. As it turns out that thing ON the seat is the most important thing to improve.

Thanks for the reply.

I'll start off by saying that I completely agree that the best investment I could make is in myself and my riding skills. Practicing and reading about how to ride skillfully and safely is high on my list.

I had a higher HP bike before I got this one but, but I was drawn to the lighter/smaller bikes - so here I am.

The higher HP (and better out of the box performing) KTM rc390 was first on my list, but I decided against it. They have a big problem with blowing head gaskets around the 3K mile range and that was one of the main detractors. https://www.rc390-forum.com/forum/engine-and-technical-discussion/1547-blown-gaskets-prevent.html
The KTM's also require more maintenance than the Yamaha's which swayed my decision a bit more.

The R3 was pretty quiet stock and had a huge amount of engine braking. This lead to the exhaust and the tuned ECM. Then my spontaneous purchase of the bored TB's lead to the dyne tune (the bike ran like crap after install) and the air filter.

 

[nakedape]

Make sure to declare all this upgrade value to insurance. I never thought much about it until my agent asked. Turns out you need to state the facts up front. They could deny you replacement value even if you documented with pics.

Now that you have all the farkles, do what everyone is saying and get brakes and suspension sorted. It’s not just safer, it’s more enjoyable. Cool bike ����

 

[Blankpage]

I understand people wanting to customize their machine in their own way. I generally don't sink a lot of money into it though.
If I was willing to through $3729 into motorcycling after already owning a bike I'd likely have shopped around for a clean 2nd bike.

 

[moto-rama]

Thanks for the reply.

I'll start off by saying that I completely agree that the best investment I could make is in myself and my riding skills. Practicing and reading about how to ride skillfully and safely is high on my list.

I had a higher HP bike before I got this one but, but I was drawn to the lighter/smaller bikes - so here I am.

The higher HP (and better out of the box performing) KTM rc390 was first on my list, but I decided against it. They have a big problem with blowing head gaskets around the 3K mile range and that was one of the main detractors. https://www.rc390-forum.com/forum/engine-and-technical-discussion/1547-blown-gaskets-prevent.html
The KTM's also require more maintenance than the Yamaha's which swayed my decision a bit more.

The R3 was pretty quiet stock and had a huge amount of engine braking. This lead to the exhaust and the tuned ECM. Then my spontaneous purchase of the bored TB's lead to the dyne tune (the bike ran like crap after install) and the air filter.

Didn't know about the gasket sucking. It's true with engine mods, that one thing leads to another, particularly intake and exhaust, then of course ignition/timing and well... you already know.
Since I am looking at a KTM (not a RC) right now, maybe I should research the reliability of the one I am considering. (Subarus have had head gasket failures since the 80s, but people still buy them)
Smaller bore bikes are great for learning, too. I had a V50 Monza, with 25 HP, that I frequently did track days on. Riding a bike at or near it's limits is way more satisfying than trying to tame an R1.

Still ... that thing on the seat.... I like to think I learned a lot about riding, because I rode junk (Old bikes with crap everything) for so many years. But over a weekend of real training, and then a few more actual high-perf riding schools, I made a few big leaps.

 

[Chris12]

How much hp you gain?

I just got back from BRG Racing in Pacheco. The numbers seem high, but the owner stands behind his work. Here's what KC gave me:

Dyno Graph Showing 49.6 HP / 24.6 Ft-Lbs.

Before (scaling on the Y axis is a ratio, not HP):

After (scaling on the Y axis is a ratio, not HP):

 

[Chris12]

Make sure to declare all this upgrade value to insurance. I never thought much about it until my agent asked. Turns out you need to state the facts up front. They could deny you replacement value even if you documented with pics.

Now that you have all the farkles, do what everyone is saying and get brakes and suspension sorted. It’s not just safer, it’s more enjoyable. Cool bike ����

Thanks for this

 

[ratlab]

I just got back from BRG Racing in Pacheco. The numbers seem high, but the owner stands behind his work. Here's what KC gave me:

Dyno Graph Showing 49.6 HP / 24.6 Ft-Lbs.

Before (scaling on the Y axis is a ratio, not HP):

After (scaling on the Y axis is a ratio, not HP):

impressed!

 

[Reli]

That exhaust slider is long as hell. Seems like it could flip the bike if it hit a curb, lol

 

[Strigoi]

I've had bigger, higher hp bikes, but this little r3 is so much fun. Something about being able to rip on the throttle and still be somewhat legal is great.

That's why my carb/cams/full exhaust DRZ400SM was a blast. Full throttle everywhere.

 

[SFSV650]

I've installed an SV front end on a R3 and was a huge improvent.....
also a ninja 650 rear shock...

I thought the stock SV front end and Ninja 650 shocks were irredeemable garbage; are they really an upgrade?

 

[Twistaholic]

I clicked on this thinking that was your total cost including bike and i was like yeah this dude did some Macgyver mods. Then i realized that was just the cost of mods

 

[kelsodeez]

i wish i could go back in time and tell my younger self not to waste money on modding my cars and bikes

 

[J-Boat]

I clicked on this thinking that was your total cost including bike and i was like yeah this dude did some Macgyver mods. Then i realized that was just the cost of mods

i wish i could go back in time and tell my younger self not to waste money on modding my cars and bikes

At least he said “spent” and not “invested”...

 

[jumph4x]

Detailed and diligent post but I fail to see the over-arching message.

 

[oaklandish]

I thought the stock SV front end and Ninja 650 shocks were irredeemable garbage; are they really an upgrade?

They are if you keep them on the stock bikes but adding them to a smaller bike is a nice upgrade. Also because the belief is common that those are garbage parts and usually replaced with something better, they can be found for very cheap and sometimes free. 1st gen sv and any year ninja forks will work but they're different lengths.

 

[Chris12]

That exhaust slider is long as hell. Seems like it could flip the bike if it hit a curb, lol

That thing is ridiculous, you're right. I installed it with my exhaust to protect my can from tip-overs, but I'm going to look into something that just wraps around the muffler.

That's why my carb/cams/full exhaust DRZ400SM was a blast. Full throttle everywhere.

Its fun being able to use all of a bikes power on the street and still be legal.

i wish i could go back in time and tell my younger self not to waste money on modding my cars and bikes

Me too. I can't imagine how much I've spent modding in my life.

I can say though that out of the 12 cars and bikes that I've owned - I only bought one new. I also do whatever maintenance I can myself and try to be frugal when it comes to shop work.

This helps offset the modding costs a bit, but who knows.

 

[Chris12]

Detailed and diligent post but I fail to see the over-arching message.

I think the over-arching message is similar to that of this thread in which the owner modifies a 4,000lbs. MB to go sideways

 

[Underdog]

What you should really upgrade is your mileage.

 

[Chris12]

What you should really upgrade is your mileage.

Without a doubt.

I only live 4 miles from work so the miles haven't built up that quick. I've put around 400 miles on in the past 2 months. I'm sure I'll have more opportunity in the spring/summer.