mmm... mods

[rwalterk]

Even though certain people around here keep getting new bikes like they're candy in a vending machine,    I'm going to resist the temptation and put off getting a new one for a minimum of 12 months (probably longer).  My bike's still plenty fast though and will be faster after I get my butt to a good school.   

In the meantime I need to do some mods to make myself feel better and make the bike a little better at the track.

The list so far (in order):

1.  Steering damper, Hyperpro ~$410
2.  520 conversion = new chain + alloy sprockets (chain replacement is coming soon anyway), ~$200
3.  Galfer wave rotors for unsprung weight reduction, ~$500

Any other suggestions, especially to reduce weight?  The brakes are more than good after I put those EBC HH pads on them.

[pshaw118]

Do the sprockets.

Speaking of a good school, I've been thinking that I want to do Keith Code's superbike school.  I could use a buddy and some help loading my bike.  *hint hint

[rwalterk]

f*** loading the bikes... I'd rather use theirs!  The price difference is less than me paying for another set of tires.

[pshaw118]

hmmm....  riding fast enough to put wear on your tires.... interesting concept.

[Beefmaster_Mark]

Oh man any time you can use a rental bike at the track, DO IT.  So much better to crash a rental than yours!      

[JC]

hmmm....  riding fast enough to put wear on your tires.... interesting concept.

ROFL   

[DBegginer]

Marchesni wheels much lighter that stock ones

[rwalterk]

Marchesni wheels much lighter that stock ones

LOL first of all, you're insane!     I can't blow thousands on wheels.  Tasty though.  Mmm... magnesium.

Second, how you been man?  Come out for a ride!

[aprilmaybe]

As far as making it lighter, there isn't too much that will keep it streetable and affordable...Wheels, rearsets and a full titanium exhaust will all lighten both the bike and your bank account.

My choices would be...
SS brake lines-- they made a huge difference with the F4i.
Suspension work--send the forks off to race tech and an upgraded shock in the back.
Damper-- I'm not pushing hard enough for one but I think it would be a good choice for you.

As far as the school, I really want to do Code's soon. I might be able to make October but the beggining of next year is more likely. Keep in mind if you want to ride your own bike the spots sell out fast.

[pshaw118]

All of those mods are fine and dandy, but don't forget that losing weight on the wheels means that you're losing unsprung weight.  Not sure about bikes, but 1 pound of unsprung weight on a car equals 3 pounds of ...  regular weight?  Anyhoo, if those wheels weigh 5lbs less than stock, that's 30lbs you're knocking off!  Totally worth it!  Ray, you know you want to buy them.  Do it!

[wlk12]

Usually my first suggestion is to lose 20 lb of body fat, but I guess that won't work for you

Bill K.

[JC]

I've lost 30 lbs in the last 2 months.   I'd be a rock star!

[rwalterk]

I'm mostly concerned about reducing unsprung weight (Bill, lol).

* Wheels and exhaust are out for sure.  Too much dough.  
* Rearsets... probably too pricey for the benefit.  
* I might go with rotors.  Galfer claims a 4 lb weight saving (unsprung!) for their wave rotors over stock ones, but damn they are pricey ($500 vs. $200 for stock).

[John]

I haven't ridden with you so I maybe speaking out of my ass. But I say you forget about the mods and just hit as many trackdays as you can. Some questions to ask:

Are you hitting every apex correctly?
Do you think you hitting maximum corner speed?
Do you think you are braking as hard and late as you could be?
Can you get on the gas earlier than you currently are?

Passing traffic brings a whole new set of considerations. How do you feel about late braking someone and subsequently taking a different line to compensate? How about the other way around, how good at you at gauging the rider in front of you so you can take it down a notch and then bring it up again so you can pass at the beginning of a straight? What about taking a different line altogether to pass in the turn?

Twist of the wrist goes so far as to say you shouldn't even upgrade tires until you're comfortable spinning up your current ones in the turns.

If I was looking to get faster, I'd be looking at more trackdays (schools if possible) and getting some bodywork (on that note, stripping out non-essential street parts and getting an aftermarket fairing stay/sub-frame will lighten things up too). You know tires and general maintenance costs will go up when you're consistently wringing your bike. There are guys in the A groups running pretty stock bikes.

Not to bust your balls, but just taking a different approach. There's nothing wrong for wanting goodies for the newness or bling factor, but if all out speed is your game, I would take the practice makes perfect approach.

[rwalterk]

Balls not busted.   

Mostly this is because after riding Cammie's race bike at Buttonwillow I was a little jealous - I could brake later, flick it faster, etc. (except for almost flying off thanks to the freshly waxed tank ).  For the first time, my bike felt heavy. 

Regarding my riding skills, there's never any question about having room for improvement - I'm definitely hitting the cal. superbike school this fall.  I'm sure I'll be faster after the school even without any mods at all. 

Couldn't give a sh** about the bling factor.  It'd be nice to improve the bike's handling a little bit and do some mods on my aging bike though.