Galapagos Posted June 11, 2011 #1 Posted June 11, 2011 What are the best non factory improvements you have made to your bike? Better performance, lighting or anything that makes a bike better. MoS
Sylvester Posted June 11, 2011 #2 Posted June 11, 2011 Not in the proper order but here you go: PCW Racing clutch upgrade Throttle Boss II on both left and right grips passing lights all LED other lighting leveling links from Diamond R Ponch's gauge kit in place of cassette player Baron mini tach Kuryakin grips and highway pegs Diamond R third brake light (LED) JC Whitney LED reflectors in lieu of stock reflectors Gerbing heated jacket and gloves leather seats with gel pads under the skins There is more but I can't think right now.
awsmsrv Posted June 11, 2011 #3 Posted June 11, 2011 (edited) Off the top of my head -- ----- Replacements ----- LEDs for turn signals, running lights, brakes Stebel Compact Nautilus Air Horn Avon Venom Tires Chrome levers (no more aluminum oxidation on my gloves) Clearview Shield with vent Diamond R Leveling Links Diamond R Fork Wind Deflectors Knobbed Saddlebag Bolts (no tools needed to remove bags) Nylon Wing Nuts under riders seat (no tools needed to remove seat) ----- Add-Ons ----- Fairing Turn Signals - LED Mirror Turn Signals - LED Auxiliary Brakes - LED Strips (behind saddlebags on chrome piece) Headlight Modulator Brake Light Modulator Fork Air Balance Kit Lighted Switch for Passing Lamps (installed next to left front speaker) Diamond R Backrest Powerlet Socket (behind driver's seat on left) Trunk LED Strips (to light it up inside in the dark) American Flag on trunk rack Crampbusters on both grips (when going long distance) Venture Rider Gremlin Bell ----- Other ----- Carbon_One Lift Adapter Scala Rider Q2 Gerbing Heated Gloves Might be some other stuff I forgot. Edited June 13, 2011 by awsmsrv
Galapagos Posted June 12, 2011 Author #4 Posted June 12, 2011 Kuryakin hiway pegs Backrest Headlamp mudulator Brakelight modulator Heated seat Foam grips I would like to add the LED light strips next. Those easy to install? Shade Tree also make a great looking storage bag that fits in the saddlebad lids. Where did you get your air fork balance kit? Thanks, MoS
awsmsrv Posted June 12, 2011 #5 Posted June 12, 2011 I don't remember where I got it, but, I'm not even sure it's available any longer.
Dave77459 Posted June 13, 2011 #7 Posted June 13, 2011 What are the best non factory improvements you have made to your bike? Better performance, lighting or anything that makes a bike better. MoS There can only be one best, and if you are limiting it to non-factory, I'd have to say it was the trailer hitch made by Ponch. Pulling a trailer made both my long trips last year possible. I have a lot of other improvements, but there is only one best. Dave
Darren Posted June 13, 2011 #8 Posted June 13, 2011 Best ones I've made ( to date), after-market 13" shield, I trimmed to 10" to see over. Fabbed bracket arms to lower the back end, and took out the tape deck and integrated a GPS! OH LED's, mirrors, pipes, filters, risers, speakers, FM transmitor, ( no wires for mp3's, also keeps the volume control working)...
awsmsrv Posted June 13, 2011 #9 Posted June 13, 2011 There can only be one best, ... but there is only one best. Dave Thus concludes our grammar lesson today. You're right, of course. Those I listed are my better ones. The trunk rack I have is OEM, so, I didn't mention that in my list because the OP said, "non-factory".
Eck Posted June 13, 2011 #10 Posted June 13, 2011 The best mod I ever did was my "Eck-Stend-A-Grips" A lot of you newer members have not seen them but many of the others have. Dont know of another bike that has (4) hand grips where (2) of them are adjustable for those long interstate rides..
bknsaddle Posted June 13, 2011 #11 Posted June 13, 2011 I really like the idea of added grips! How/What/Where does one get a set of those?
Eck Posted June 13, 2011 #12 Posted June 13, 2011 I really like the idea of added grips! How/What/Where does one get a set of those? You wont find them in a package at your local bike shop...I made them. I am only furmilar with 2nd gen handle bar ends and or Goldwing 1800 handle bar ends to adapt these added grips. Note: If anyone plans to try to make a set as I did, you must remember that the grips can only be used on the interstate and must be in the folded (closed) position at all times when riding in city and or on back roads. Also, the bike can never be "muscelled" using the added grips. They are made of cheap pot metal and will snap right off" under moderate pressure. I have had mine now for about 5 years and they were mounted on my 05 Venture and are now mounted my G-wing. On a 2nd gen you will need (2) 26mm allen head bolts (2) Bicycle foam grips (2) drum set adjusters found at local music stores and some blue locktight.. Goldwing 1800s are a little bit more difficult and challenging.. Need someone who can spot weld...in (3) small places on each grip...
Galapagos Posted June 13, 2011 Author #13 Posted June 13, 2011 Anybody have the Kuyakyn switch that makes the rear lights, brake lights and turn signals all work? I had them on the Harley and they were great. They were plug ins though. The Yammie type are wire ins . Also where can I get beehive red rear lenses?
Galapagos Posted June 13, 2011 Author #14 Posted June 13, 2011 You wont find them in a package at your local bike shop...I made them. I am only furmilar with 2nd gen handle bar ends and or Goldwing 1800 handle bar ends to adapt these added grips. Note: If anyone plans to try to make a set as I did, you must remember that the grips can only be used on the interstate and must be in the folded (closed) position at all times when riding in city and or on back roads. Also, the bike can never be "muscelled" using the added grips. They are made of cheap pot metal and will snap right off" under moderate pressure. I have had mine now for about 5 years and they were mounted on my 05 Venture and are now mounted my G-wing. On a 2nd gen you will need (2) 26mm allen head bolts (2) Bicycle foam grips (2) drum set adjusters found at local music stores and some blue locktight.. Goldwing 1800s are a little bit more difficult and challenging.. Need someone who can spot weld...in (3) small places on each grip... Snap off? Yikes!
Eck Posted June 13, 2011 #15 Posted June 13, 2011 Snap off? Yikes! ONLY ..if you yank on them with "moderate" force.... Like I said, I have had them on two bikes for the past 5 years and never had a problem with them, because "I know" what to do with them.. They are ONLY used to steer the bike ..on the interstate...PERIOD....
Freebird Posted June 14, 2011 #17 Posted June 14, 2011 I love all the changes that I made but I've said it before and I haven't changed my mind. If I could have made only two changes, they would be: Driver's backrest KuryAkyn highway pegs A lot of the other additions and changes are nice but those two make the difference between me being able to ride 50 miles or 1000 miles.
JerryT Posted June 14, 2011 #18 Posted June 14, 2011 Anybody have the Kuyakyn switch that makes the rear lights, brake lights and turn signals all work? I had them on the Harley and they were great. They were plug ins though. The Yammie type are wire ins . Also where can I get beehive red rear lenses? Yes Kuryakyn DOES make a RTB controller that is plug and play. Part # 4613. Shows working for 1600 roadie and others. They do not show this for the second gen RSV, but it will work and has been on mine for last 2 years. Lots of threads on this, like adding the 100 led tail light from www.customdynamics.com and led blinkers. Let me know if I can help.
GaryZ Posted June 14, 2011 #19 Posted June 14, 2011 What are the best non factory improvements you have made to your bike? Better performance, lighting or anything that makes a bike better. MoS Progressive Fork Springs 1300 engine with Vmax cams Driving Lights ($20 @ Wal-Mart)
FuzzyRSTD Posted June 15, 2011 #20 Posted June 15, 2011 The best improvement to my ride. Mmmmm, would have to be the 12 bucks I spent to join this bunch of bike nuts and bolts and screwballs and have a ball doing it myself. Life is like a Venture, glad I can ride along. Fuzzy
dunsonaventure Posted June 15, 2011 #22 Posted June 15, 2011 It check them out.would have to be a tie between Rick Butler seat mod and Steve Wagners Radiator cover. Love them both and both on Member venders. And for whoever ask the question about Kuryakyns brake and turn signal all in one. yes I did it and it is a plug and play.
Galapagos Posted June 15, 2011 Author #23 Posted June 15, 2011 The best improvement to my ride. Mmmmm, would have to be the 12 bucks I spent to join this bunch of bike nuts and bolts and screwballs and have a ball doing it myself. Life is like a Venture, glad I can ride along. Fuzzy I agree!
winston66 Posted June 15, 2011 #24 Posted June 15, 2011 :12101:About 15 months ago I fell over a 1996 Royal Star. It was on the notice board at the local shops, One look at the photo and I regressed mentally about 40 years to my first ride , A 1950's triumph tiger 100. It was a 500cc.twin with a rigid rear end. Well to cut a long story short. The Po. let me test ride the RS .I only lasted about 5 minutes before the cash came out. What a blast, so solid and smooth only 65000 klm on the clock, about 40000 miles in your language. Well the improvments are. Bearded windscreen(black bottom half) from National windscreens, USA. Final rear gear and pumpkin swap for V Max Ratio. Iginition module swap for the dyna 3000 New rear tyre dunlop 404 New front rotors and R1 caliper upgrade with braded ss lines and sintered HH pads. A set of throw over soft saddle bags (beer and munchie carriers). Then I got the ride like a pro videos and did a lot of practice. Can only say what great machines these are' I only wish that I could get my mitts on a late model one and afford to buy it, that would be my idea of heaven I am totally happy with this machine. They are very rare over here and even with its age it gets a lot of notice and favourable comments. :cool10: :bighug:
straycatt Posted June 16, 2011 #25 Posted June 16, 2011 Best performance improvement......R1/R6 front brake conversion. Best comfort improvement............Drivers backrest. Most useful improvement..............Trailer hitch/cargo trailer.
Recommended Posts
Create an account or sign in to comment
You need to be a member in order to leave a comment
Create an account
Sign up for a new account in our community. It's easy!
Register a new accountSign in
Already have an account? Sign in here.
Sign In Now