Apart from the $35 for a dark tinted shield for my Arai (by far the most bang for my bucks to reduce fatigue), the PCIII because it make the ride a lot smoother especially around town. Or Crampbuster, $10.
Here's another interesting one, and I know a lot will disagree with me, but I put back the stock exhaust after I sold the 2Bros Stash exhaust (just too darn loud for me, I like a quiet bike). Since I GOT money for this mod, it is the best mod. :biggrin:
Most valuable: suspension, especially ride height adjustable shock.
Best $/value: $0.35 330 ohm resistors to eliminate the O2 sensors and their ridiculous 4-5KRPM surging.
[image: View Post]SEBSPEED, on Jul 19 2009, 09:30 PM, said:
My favorite mod is also the suspension work - springs in front and matching Ohlins shock out back.
Best bang for the buck has to be the NEP throttle lock - $15, 5min to install, no fiddling needed, it just works - and works well.
:+1: on both.
Currently running a Dan Kyle massaged RC51 front end and a Wilbers rear shock on the RCBVFR. On my first cross country trip and subsequent review to a mail list (remember those?), I rated the NEP over the then new sargent seat I also installed for the trip. Years later after buying a Bandit 1200S in Florida and riding it home, I paid out the nose for another one at a bike shop about half the way back! Number one mod for interstate/straight road drones. Don't leave home without it. :)
Probably when I put a 160 on the rear and shimmed the rear shock - suddenly it felt like my gf's Triumph TT600 in corners! and a very cost effective mod, it needed tyres anyway so the improvement was virtually free and the shims were also gratis from my local car tyre fitter...
Otherwise, probably the K&N filter that went on with a good carb fettle to match the existing Staintune, transformed the bike into a screamer.
$14 for my Throttle Rocker is probably the Bang for the Buck winner here (I am annoyed to see so many having good luck with throttle locks where my Vista Cruise installation was nothing but an annoyance which never worked properly even with constant fiddling, yadda yadda) although my BLS peg lowering blocks are probably the most enjoyable change. Sargent seat is somewhere else too.
Every mod I've done to the bike has been for riding comfort save for the top case.
I got a sweet sounding Staintune Highmount for my '99 that has been my favorite!
Best bang for the buck by far was a combo of the Quick Release pins for the rear cowl coupled with cutting the passenger section off a stock seat to make a useable trunk under the cowl.
Definately my Sargent seat.I've just ordered another one for my new ST1300.The stock seat on my ST1300 is almost as bad as the one that came on my VFR.
I'd have to say most useful is my Throttlemeister. It took me a while to decide to buy it, but I finally did and don't regret it. Nice to give the right wrist a break...and I've found that I can tighten the TM just a bit when I'm on the slab so that I don't have to fight the throttle return spring. Helps reduce fatigue over the long haul when touring.
Best bang for the buck would have to be my stem-mounted RAM system. I've got a cradle for the GPS, iPhone, and digital camera. It's great to be able to swap that stuff out.
[image: View Post]vfar, on Jul 20 2009, 02:10 PM, said:
I'd have to say most useful is my Throttlemeister. It took me a while to decide to buy it, but I finally did and don't regret it. Nice to give the right wrist a break...and I've found that I can tighten the TM just a bit when I'm on the slab so that I don't have to fight the throttle return spring. Helps reduce fatigue over the long haul when touring.
Best bang for the buck would have to be my stem-mounted RAM system. I've got a cradle for the GPS, iPhone, and digital camera. It's great to be able to swap that stuff out.
Best mod: semi-gut of the exhaust. Love that new tone. Not too loud and not too soft. Just right.
2nd best mod: -1 on the front sproket. It really changes the character of the bike.
[image: View Post]johnmark101, on Jul 19 2009, 10:16 PM, said:
Cost aside, what is the one mod you have done to your VFR that you like the best.
Which one give the most "bang for the buck.
My number one mod is the suspension upgrades, but they were also the most expensive.
Bang for the buck is probably is the 45 tooth rear sprocket, although the Sargent seat runs a close second.
Best bang for the buck? Has to be the 10 dollar throttle rocker. ZG DB windscreen a close second.
Favorite mod? Brake upgrade/delink(RC51 gear) with the Suspension upgrade(Traxxion/Penske). (They go together) (Brakes like a normal motorcycle)
It made the bike feel like a totally different and new motorcycle
Sargent Sport Skinz to replace the tired & sun-baked OEM seat cover on my 4th gen.. $70 for the cover (+ s/h) and an Arrow staple gun. Seat looks better than stock and re-upholstered cheaper than any local upholstery shop.
Well, if it's "Best bang for the buck", which I mean to be something I paid for, it will be the Symtec grip heaters I installed that I further enhanced by mounting a Low-On-Off switch on my right handlebar switch pod for it.
[image: Posted Image] Switch.jpg Here's my OEM Style Grip heater switch install I did to my 4th gen
I remember it cost me less than 20 bucks for the grip heater kit during a Bay Area International bike show, a couple of years ago. How cheap can it ever be, and the comfort it gives during chilly day rides is worth a million bucks!
Second place best is the tail light pod deletion from my bikes tail with the addition of a window at the bottom of my tailight bezel to provide license tag illumination.
[image: Posted Image] MVC-009FA.jpg
I paid TAP plastics like 2 bucks for the prismatic plastic panel as a remnant from what I think was for suspended light fixture boxes. The addtional 3 dollars for a tube of clear silicone sealant to glue it in plus the little bit ofwear and tear on my dremel to cut the opning on the tailight bezel, makes it a super bargain mod!
There are a number of mods I just love, Larry's foot peg lowering blocks, Heli Bars, Gerbings, Pilot Roads IIs, Pro-Oiler, GPS, along with a few more; but, if $ is considered, the top four are, NEP throttle lock, "Dual Star" heated grip kit, Pro Gel grips and PAIR valve block with $3.00 O2 sensor by-pass.
3) 06 OEM Windscreen - MUCH nicer than the 02 and performs better than the GIVI touring screen I had.
4) Stebel Air Horn
5) Solo Rack / Fender Elim
6) Battery Tender attached to battery
7) ZUMO 550 and mounting cradle - could'nt ride without it now.
8) 8 Spoke Rear rim - nice looking rim.
** Ohlins Rear now installed - haven't ridden much to see how good it is but I have a feeling it'll be "pretty good"
** Racetech Fork springs - same deal - no time yet to test them out.
WORST MOD so Far:
1) Powerbronze hugger - flimsy P.O.S.
2) Sargent Tank Bag - fell apart - literally the first ride, while not even OUT of my driveway.
3) Blue Sea fuse box - TOO bloody big. It works just fine - its just too big (IMHO).
[image: View Post]bobo, on Jul 20 2009, 03:04 PM, said:
Definately my Sargent seat.I've just ordered another one for my new ST1300.The stock seat on my ST1300 is almost as bad as the one that came on my VFR.
Sorry, I don't Believe you have a ST1300. It's not in your garage, and I don't see any Pic's.
1) Buell Ullysses lowered foot pegs - $40
2) wiring my garaage door opener to momentary switches mounted in the fairing - Free (since I had a spare opener that i could gut for the board)
3) mirrors with integrated turn signals & running lights - $55
4) HID Headlight conversion kit - $55
5) Smoke DB windscreen - $87
6) hard wired radar detector - $120 (detector & direct wire kit)
7) hard wired (mounted in waterproof & lockable box) GPS with traffic - $400 / detector - $60 / mount & box
8) Throttlemeister (would be higher, but longest trip so far is 100 miles:-) - $120
9) "eliminate" rear fender - free (due to factory saddlebags)
10) Green light trigger HP - $20
11) New Gel grips - $20
12) "frame sliders / bobbins" - $30
13) Cigarette lighters - $20 (for two along with wiring)
14) LED light kit in fairings & wheel wells to be seen from side at night - $60
15) Ventura Rack & bags - $500 (normal Rack & 2 bags along with sport rack & bag, and grab handle)
16) Bagster Bra & new "Rider" bag - $250
17) Speedo Healer - $115
18) GI Pro DS gear indicator - $150
19) Battery Tender - $20
20) Scala Rider Q2 multiset - $250 (although the ability to hear music / GPS / cell phone, and talk to your riding buddy = Priceless:-)
21) Honda cleaner / Polish - $3 (worth every penny)
22) GOOD quality riding gear & helmets - Cost way too much until I go down, then it will be considered cheap
23) "Freeway Blaster" horn replacement - $15
24) Do your own oil change - $45 for Honda Synthetic motor oil & K&N oil filter
25) Forgot My Cardo Scala Q2 Multiset - $250 Amazon
favorite mod - the two phases of suspension work.
Make the bike, so much closer to all that it can be.
Best bank for the buck,
Well as far as a real mod, installing the heated grips.
They made the grips more comfortable for my battered old hands and keep them warm.
Heck on a mild day they can even dry out the gloves getting them damp.
As for a purely $$$ fix, learning how to install auto H4 bulbs instead of the those fecking Honda H4h's.
more light, easier to source, more choices, reduced cost, all for two tabs and some patience.
Howdy all, I would have to say sprocket as best bang per buck, I had better not say anything about the girl thing although I'd like to. Alot of you have stated that one of your best mods
has been modifying the throttle,with a throttle lock or throttle meister or some other throttle mod. Exactly what do these things do? eddie
[image: View Post]onedowneaster, on Jul 25 2009, 01:04 PM, said:
Howdy all, I would have to say sprocket as best bang per buck, I had better not say anything about the girl thing although I'd like to. Alot of you have stated that one of your best mods
has been modifying the throttle,with a throttle lock or throttle meister or some other throttle mod. Exactly what do these things do? eddie
They're all for relieveing your hands of having to hold the throttle open for hours at a time.
One can allow you to hold the throttle open with the palm of your hand, instead of your fingers griping it.
The other can allow you to take your hand completely off the throttle without the rpm's dropping, so you can scratch your right leg.
Each one only cost a few bucks. (10 / 20).
where may I ask did you hide the Stebel. Is it the dual horn and compressor in one unit. Have one from my silver wing which fit behind the headlightin the rats nest. No such room on my 07
thanks
Had my 5G for less than a year so far... Only a handful of mods to speak of. Love the 2BR slip-on for makin' the VFR sound "proper;" but as far as improved riding experience: 1. Corbin saddle that I got for dirt cheap has made all the difference in the world. 2. A cheapy 'crampbuster' has been awesome for long slab-hauls. 3. Hard-wire set up for the GPS.
Thinking the next mods will be: Helibars; passenger backrest; hardbags; and some proper graphics (or I'll just say to hell with it and paint her flat black).
Best Mod for Twisty performance- 1/dn front sprocket, cheap and made the bike come alive for me! :fing02:
Best handling mod is not really a mod- TIRES, Pilot Powers completely transform the piggy feeling of a stock shod VFR in the twisties!
Comfort mod- Heated Gear, best of these were heated grips 1st(there always there no matter what gloves you have or what weather you get caught in) then Gerbing Jacket liner then Sargent seat, because if I'm warm I can put up with a lot more! :fing02:
Cheap mods (<$20):
Cramp buster
Throttle Lock
Headlight mod (4 high beams, instead of 2 high, 2 low)
Garage Door Opener
Favorite mods (>$20):
Datel meter
GPS
Custom Lowered pegs, made for the VFR
Heated Grips
Heated Gear
Sargent Seat
Pro-Oiler
Radars Sliders
Powerlet outlet
Fuse Panel
Other Mods:
JC Whitney trunk mounted over back seat on custom mount
Heli-bars (not tested at length to be a favorite)
Bar Risers (liked em, but swapped for Heli-Bars)
[image: View Post]Sidehack, on 27 December 2009 - 10:07 PM, said:
4) Stebel Air Horn
where may I ask did you hide the Stebel. Is it the dual horn and compressor in one unit. Have one from my silver wing which fit behind the headlightin the rats nest. No such room on my 07
thanks
I used the bracket from my original horn and crammed it right back where it was. I will try to post a pic soon, I think that there is one on here somewhere. You can also find a Stebel clone at the local Walmart type store, they're even made in Italy too. We have them here at 'Meijers' which is just like a Walmart. I do recommend supporting your local bike shop though as long as the price is the same (it is) The big boys can handle the recession better than the little bike shops.
The only new addition that I can make to this thread is my powerlet plug. I have it wired directly to the battery so that I can just plug my trickle charger in on the fly. It's fused so that no one can stick foil in it when I'm not around without causing too much damage.
Can't say these are cheap or best bang for the buck:
1. Penske 8981 shock, from Lindemann
2. Front end re-valving and springs, by Lindemann
3. Remus Titanium slip-on (not to loud, just right)
4. PC2
5. K&N filter
My bike, besides tires, ST1300 tank protector, tankslappers on tank sides is pretty much stock. I can make it do what I want it to do and it almost never rolls on straight line roads. I don't mod. much. If I can't make it do what I want it to do, I buy what will do what I want it to do as far as vehicles. That excludes the Mustang GT in the garage that will one day become a monster when it gets older. :biggrin:
Best mod. I've made is gasoline. I've scouted out places where I usually ride and don't use ethanol but very seldom now. I ride in NC and N. Ga. from here on gasoline going, and while there. It's night and day difference over political corn juice additives. :warranty: :wheel:
[image: View Post]Tightwad, on 28 December 2009 - 04:55 PM, said:
[image: View Post]Luvmyvfr, on 28 December 2009 - 03:27 PM, said:
Does replacing your 04 non abs stock rear shock with 89,000 miles with an 02 (abs) with 14,000 miles for $50 count?? :comp13:
[image: Posted Image] IMG_1623.JPG
yes, except you installed the adjuster on the wrong side...
Ha ha, yes but on purpose! :fing02: I don't ever have my passenger pegs on so, nothing on the right side to attach it too and the exhaust was in the way...it fit nicely on the left....and can be adjusted on the fly! (not that I really ever do)
+1 for tires, 180 bucks for Pilot powers over the stock Metzler's is a phenomenal difference. Not to mention that wonderful 10 dollar piece of plastic know as cramp buster.
Inner fairing neon lighting, elongated the swing arm and slammed the suspension ostrich skin seat cover. Chicks at bike night think I'm awesome. Yeah I'm kidding.
Honestly, the best money I've spent is on good boots, leathers, helmet and gloves. Once that is squared away I'd go at the suspension. Race Tech forks and rear shock of your choosing. I went with Elka. Also for a cheap bang for the buck, universal fit grip warmers and new grips. Is nice I like. If you get a slip on get a durable quiet one. I went with Staintune w/spud installed. Sounds great but not annoying.
My bike came with Staintunes & stock cans. Sold the Staintunes for $700, bought $15 in cutting discs and did the semi-gut on the stock cans. The end result being similar tone & decibel level. Also bike came with mirror extenders, and having tried it both with and without, it makes a huge difference with them on.
Currently in the process of fitting Dzus clips to the bike fairings. The goal is to remove the plastics in less than 2 minutes to do maintenance.
Best bang for the buck: Scottoiler touring model....no worries about the chain, and clean too, once its set correctly.
Honorable mention: MRA Vario Touring windscreen...with Stealth Edging added, works great.
Worst bang for the buck: Crampbuster...it did nothing its name implies. I thought it was a huge PITA...I gave it away and the person I gave it to, in turn, gave it away. Then I got a throttlemiester and everything is good.
Also gotta give a thunbs up to Metzler for the Z6...love em. Now on my third set...the Dunlop D204's my VFR came stock with however, were complete S&6%!
Probably my favorite overall is Dual Stars heated grips, very cheap at $35 and they get a lot of use
I have the ABS shock on my non-ABS 04 as well, that is a great mod, it only cost me $75. I had mine replaced under warranty and just paid the dealership the difference in price to stick the ABS shock on...
Love my PC3 and Erion pipes but they were pretty damn expensive.
sorry to say... my 02 VFR never had any mods to it. i loved it just the way it was. sure, it could use some more power, but that is something i could never afford. i put 20k on it (in 2.25 years) before i sold it. dam i miss that bike. i had no electrical problems and just had normal maintenance down to it. got 11k miles out of d220's and then put Avons on. they still looked dang good when i sold it. i can NOT wait to get the VFR and start the farkling.
I need to measure up for dzus clips without the d-rings for the left and right fairing mount points. This is b/c the holes are recessed and the d-ring will not fit in the recess, nor is the fastening portion of the clip screw long enough.
So far, i have the done 2 of the 3 on the top side of the fairings, left and right, and the 2 on the underside. I need to go back in and do a little more shaving of the plastic to get the fitment better.
For me it would be the 929 shock for $30 (the swingarm was free!), the ZG touring windscreen $80, and the 'VFRness'-type electrical enhancements done with parts I already had. Priceless!
Throttle lock (gift of a friend) added about extra miles a day to my riding stamina on a recent Europe trip. Friend bought the wrong size and he was going to throw it in the bin next town, ask if i could try it, perfect fit and the rest is history.
Then, suspension F&R and braided brake lines on galfer wavy discs. PC 3 all tied for second.
I'd say heated grips (Honda OEM) followed closely by the full luggage kit (OEM).
Warm hands and places to store lots of stuff on trips is the best thing I've spent money on for this bike.
End of thread · 72 posts recoveredWayback Machine snapshot 17 Jun 2011
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