CarKid's Bike Story

CarKid1989 wrote: Things i have learned/ little tid bits about this bike: 1) I would not recommend this bike for a new/newer rider. (lots of power, LOTS of torque, really quick response) 2) bike is super comfy. I think it was designed for me. The tank indents are right on and im comfy as a clam. 3) This bike has tons of grunt to it. 4) engine makes wonderful noises

You should hear the noises it makes with an aftermarket exhaust, wonderful doesn't begin to describe it. Mine has a leo vince highmount and sounds amazing.

CarKid1989 wrote: Things i have learned/ little tid bits about this bike: 1) I would not recommend this bike for a new/newer rider. (lots of power, LOTS of torque, really quick response)

Aren't you one?

914Driver wrote:

CarKid1989 wrote: Things i have learned/ little tid bits about this bike: 1) I would not recommend this bike for a new/newer rider. (lots of power, LOTS of torque, really quick response)

Aren't you one?

Hahah for the most part. I have some time with the Honda CB under my belt.

That comment was mostly for the timid, not responsible, nor nonmechanical type of person. If youre super tense and timid on a bike, or dont understand the basic physics of a bike, start smaller.

Make sense?

I knew what you meant, busting stones.

914Driver wrote: I knew what you meant, busting stones.

hahahaha. you would haha

its all good.

Guess i went with something bigger then the GS500 huh haha...

CarKid1989 wrote:

914Driver wrote: I knew what you meant, busting stones.

hahahaha. you would haha its all good. Guess i went with something bigger then the GS500 huh haha...

Either one is a good choice, but the SV might be the one you'll keep longer - it does just about everything better.

The SV is renowned for its' hyper-quick response, something a bit lacking with the GS-series. You'll do fine unless you sneeze in the middle of a turn.

My ex-wife learned to ride on a SV650. There were a few dings as proof that it's not the best bike to learn on (but she insisted on buying it). Great bike!!!! I miss it more than her.

If you ever plan on changing the oil on the bike let me know. I was cleaning the basement and I came across something like 8 or 10 suzki oil filters for your bike. I also have some stock stuff like tail light, levers and other odds and ends from when I turned my 2000 into a race bike.

CarKid1989 wrote:

I'm jealous of you for being on Top Gear.

I like your bike, too.

Rusnak_322 wrote: If you ever plan on changing the oil on the bike let me know. I was cleaning the basement and I came across something like 8 or 10 suzki oil filters for your bike. I also have some stock stuff like tail light, levers and other odds and ends from when I turned my 2000 into a race bike.

wow. email me what you got and how much for it. i am thinking a few filters might not be a bad thing to buy.

Im curious as to what you have and how much you want for it.

I see youre in cleveland too. where abouts?

Rusnak_322 wrote: If you ever plan on changing the oil on the bike let me know. I was cleaning the basement and I came across something like 8 or 10 suzki oil filters for your bike. I also have some stock stuff like tail light, levers and other odds and ends from when I turned my 2000 into a race bike.

I'd be interested in some of those filters too if carkid doesn't snatch em all up.

well im really close to putting about 1000 miles on the bike since i got it. Love riding it, and have had a blast with it.

One thing though that bugs me a bit is the super quiet exhaust.

So im gonna mod the factory pipe becase im too poor for a slip on.

At the bottom they discuss using a hole saw and dremel to cut out the baffle

or

this method that involves just drilling a few holes in the baffle plate.

Im researching the two but will most likely start with drilling a few holes and if thats not good enough ill get out the hole saw.

Other wise the bike has been great!

Input?

Look closely and see if your end cap can be removed. Look for small rivets or screws around the outside diameter.

If so, pull the baffle, it's probably wrapped with fiberglass. Remove the glass, put the baffle back in.

I had a Kirker one of these on my GPz-1100, it ran like crap when opened up. Sounded better, but ran like crap.

YMMV.

Do the rest of the world (and your own ears) a favor, and leave the pipe stock...

stuart in mn wrote: Do the rest of the world (and your own ears) a favor, and leave the pipe stock...

At this point you can hardly hear it. im not looking for open pipe blow your ear drums out loud, but i do want louder then stock. the drilling holes idea seems to be my best bet. You can start with a few holes and work up from there.

good choice- nice pick up... I've actually heard that the SVs were great to learn on. Good handling, good seating position, and balanced bike. Torquey engine but not sport-bike power... good power band too- more usable rpms instead of having to rev it up super high.

I think any bike can be a great bike to ride... just respect it and know what it can do. My F4i was super comfy from day one and I haven't had any problems at all. I just kept the right hand in check until I got to know the bike. It still scares me when I take her up to 15k rpms but it's so fun and sounds oh so pretty.

If you do that, won't you have to mess with the jetting?

Well i ended up cutting out the baffle tube essentially making the muffler a straight through.

Sounds great. Very satisfied with it, very torquey sounding and deep but not trashy. Has a nice growl now

Happy with the results but it took a lot of work. my cutoff wheels broke, my 10$ Harbor freight special die grinder was really down on the needed power. but i got it done. Looks stock still

When I saw the new post on the thread was yours I feared you'd crashed or the bike had been stolen...

That was the Miata....

Appleseed wrote: If you do that, won't you have to mess with the jetting?

Most of the time, anything beyond the midpipe won't have a big enough impact to require rejetting. Most of the time.

update:

picked up a giant nasty nail in the rear tire today. nail head is probably only slightly smaller then a dime. my heart sank. luckily i made it home from work no problems.

My question is as follows:

• Do i get a shop to patch the tire? (not plug)

• Do i buy a new tire (tires while im at it frt and bk)

The rear tire was a few hundred mile old when i bought the thing so its got 3000-3500 miles on it. I need a repair that will not crap out on me in different conditions or speeds or whatever.

I need your input.

Thanks

Shops won't plug MC tires. If you're almost ready for a new tire, err on the side of safety.

Cars can run on three, bikes not so well on one.

Dan

Burnout till you cord it. Post pics.

I went and bought a matching set of Bridgestone BTO16 tires. Guy cut me a pretty good deal in comparison to what two other dealers were charging so im pretty happy. Well see how they ride hopefully by mid week.