As a brand new owner, I'm curious as to opinions of what I should do to it first, if anything. Anyone care to comment on what they wish they done sooner or wish they hadn't done at all? Just got a 2011 C14. Has only 600 miles on it, got it for a good price. Its stock except for bar risers and a couple of Ram mounts. Looking forward to making it mine and getting the most out of it. Thanks for any input.
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First thing to do
- Thread starter mwirrick
- Start date
ridingslow
Bicycle
Techspec tank grips. I can't live without them.
4cedars
Bicycle
Plan a 1000 mile weekend ride and decide what you personally would like to change first. I done a 2500 mile ride and dropped the pegs first, bar risers second, taller wider windscreen third and a Spencerized seat fourth. That may not be what you need or the order for you depending on how the bike fits you. Dont make a mod just because someone else makes it, make it yours! John
anthony2008
Mini Bike
i put a front fender extender on to protect the radiator and a bigger wind shield , after that better tires went to 190/55 for the rear . much better now
I agree with some of these. I personally also protected the radiator with a Cox racing radiator guard and a pyramid fender extender. There's a thread right now on the forum about a damaged radiator from something like a rock. So I believe in protecting it if possible. Other than that, I would say ride it for a while and make changes as necessary. I do not agree with the take a 1,000 mile trip though. Build up to that and see what might need changing in the short runs before worrying about the long runs. A really bad long riding trip that your suffering on, could sour you on the bike that might just need a minor change to fit you. So ride it for a while increasing lengths until your sure it's ready to go for you. Of course this is just my opinion.
I did risers 1st, and then a windshield. Then I added some of the riser wedges on top of the risers. Yesterday I put on some Grip Puppies, they were inexpensive and if I don't like them it's no big deal to take them off.
I have a Corbin seat on order. For me it's all about getting the bike comfortable for long rides- I'm looking forward to the "tourer" end of the "Sport Tourer" ride.
After I get used to that setup, we'll see where it'll go. Maybe some different pegs that are lower.
For me the bike has plenty of performance right out of the box so I'm not thinking of any kind of engine mods/reflash type of stuff. I run in Eco mode almost all the time and still have to contain my excitement when I run 2nd or 3rd gear out to 8k. Maybe an aftermarket exhaust at some point to change up the sound some.
I'll add a rear trunk, I think my wife is going to get me one for Christmas.
I'll wear out the stock tires and then look into the couple brands that are recommended here.
I'll add the radiator guard too, and possibly fender extenders for both front and rear (my wife complains the bike kicks up a lot of road debris when she's riding behind me).
Plenty of time to get it done, though the comfort stuff I've jumped on pretty quick. I don't see a need to ride on the stock seat for a year, or do a long trip and know that I'm not going to be as comfortable as if I bought a new seat now.
I have a Corbin seat on order. For me it's all about getting the bike comfortable for long rides- I'm looking forward to the "tourer" end of the "Sport Tourer" ride.
After I get used to that setup, we'll see where it'll go. Maybe some different pegs that are lower.
For me the bike has plenty of performance right out of the box so I'm not thinking of any kind of engine mods/reflash type of stuff. I run in Eco mode almost all the time and still have to contain my excitement when I run 2nd or 3rd gear out to 8k. Maybe an aftermarket exhaust at some point to change up the sound some.
I'll add a rear trunk, I think my wife is going to get me one for Christmas.
I'll wear out the stock tires and then look into the couple brands that are recommended here.
I'll add the radiator guard too, and possibly fender extenders for both front and rear (my wife complains the bike kicks up a lot of road debris when she's riding behind me).
Plenty of time to get it done, though the comfort stuff I've jumped on pretty quick. I don't see a need to ride on the stock seat for a year, or do a long trip and know that I'm not going to be as comfortable as if I bought a new seat now.
BJ_CT
Street Cruiser
+1 on what Marc said. I bought some stuff before I got the bike but I believe the very first thing I added was the radar dectector and would do it again. A couple of the farkels I bought then are still not installed. The thing I regret not getting to sooner was the seat. I'm 'testing' my 4th seat a little over a year later and I believe I've finally found change I can believe in.
Thanks for all the input, guys. Really appreciate the expertise and experience. Picked up the bike today and rode about 100 miles. First things I'm doing will be some protective stuff--fender extender, radiator protector, maybe some clear tape on the top of the cases where I seem to scuff them getting on and off the bike. The bigger challenge will be wind management and finding a comfy seat. Let the research begin / continue. Looking forward to getting to know the bike. Thanks again.
you need to buy stuff??? : :truce:
buy a fender extenda, GOOD protective gear, and put 2000 miles on it BEFORE ANY FARKLING....
you MAY think you want different bars, seat, exhaust, etc.... but you need to feel the bike, get used to it, and how it SHOULD sound for a while....
I find a few folks out there that have to buy bars, seats, and exhausts before they even ride the bike, and when they actually ride one STOCK after they ride their modified bike, they are frequently surprised that it is comfy as delivered.... :-X :rotflmao:
:truce:buy a fender extenda, GOOD protective gear, and put 2000 miles on it BEFORE ANY FARKLING....
you MAY think you want different bars, seat, exhaust, etc.... but you need to feel the bike, get used to it, and how it SHOULD sound for a while....
I find a few folks out there that have to buy bars, seats, and exhausts before they even ride the bike, and when they actually ride one STOCK after they ride their modified bike, they are frequently surprised that it is comfy as delivered.... :-X :rotflmao:
I must just be odd then, because I could tell in the showroom that the massive potato launcher and rear fender wasn't gonna work for me. Here's a pic of my Connie on day one when I bought her brand new as a left over model (9/23/10) and brought her home, you can even see the oem tire stripe. I had a Muzzys slip-on and fender eliminator put on at the dealer, sorry purists...
Oh, and by the way, she looks a little different now one year later, I have a farkle addiction... :truce:
Oh, and by the way, she looks a little different now one year later, I have a farkle addiction... :truce:
different strokes...
ride one with a stock muffler, and notice the sound....or lack there of...... :motonoises:
nice, quiet is nice..... ^-^
you can't see the Scud launcher when you are riding......unless you like to ride back & forth in front of storefront windows at the local shopping center, looking at yourself in the reflections..... : : : :rotflmao: :rotflmao: 8)
ride one with a stock muffler, and notice the sound....or lack there of...... :motonoises:
nice, quiet is nice..... ^-^
you can't see the Scud launcher when you are riding......unless you like to ride back & forth in front of storefront windows at the local shopping center, looking at yourself in the reflections..... :
: : :rotflmao: :rotflmao: 8)
I only look in the shopping mall store front windows to see if you're working the counter at the Gap MOB...
I'm totally just kidding and having fun with you Rich, sorry bro.
:truce: :beerchug:
I do agree with you though, different strokes... nothing wrong with that. It's all good, we all love the same bike so we do have that in common. I can't wait to someday have a beer with you, hope you feel the same, I love your attitude. :-*
I'm totally just kidding and having fun with you Rich, sorry bro.
I do agree with you though, different strokes... nothing wrong with that. It's all good, we all love the same bike so we do have that in common. I can't wait to someday have a beer with you, hope you feel the same, I love your attitude. :-*
razorsedge
Scooter
MAN OF BLUES said:different strokes...
ride one with a stock muffler, and notice the sound....or lack there of...... :motonoises:
nice, quiet is nice..... ^-^
you can't see the Scud launcher when you are riding......unless you like to ride back & forth in front of storefront windows at the local shopping center, looking at yourself in the reflections..... :
ROTFLMMFAO :rotflmao: :rotflmao: