Bike Modifications: What do they do and how much do you spen

Hi everyone,
Im soon to be buying a new bike (zx10) and am just working out a list of standard modifications to enhance my bike. But honestly as much as people talk about these modifications i dont know how good they are and how much they cost. So rather than calling my mechanic i thought i would ask you ksrcers for your insight.
I have already decided on a yoshi tri oal carbon pipe with a full yoshi system so thats out of the way.
So what i am looking at is:
Braided brake lines: What do they do? how much do they generally cost after labour? Worth it?
crash/crash knobs: Some people say they wouldnt live without them some say dont touch them? What should i spend? A mechanic job or do it yourself job? again worth it?
Steering Dampner: What does it do, does it have much effect, How much, and worth it?
Xenon bulbs/lamps: I know they just increase visibility and are a brighter light but what is the average cost for them, and is it a do it yourself job again or a mechanic job?
GPS system: Ive been looking at tomtoms latest rider 2nd edition, which looks awesome but does anyone know of a better one or have a tomtom that they can share they opinion on?
Finally is there a good alarm system (besides disc locks) that thieves cant hack or dismantle? I want something that will let an alarm go and notify me with a remote alarm, so if someone knocks it over or trys to steal it when im at work or home, i can try and catch them in the act. But ive been told those ones are extreamly easy to dismantle or hack.

Well thats enough to keep my bank card going for a while
Thanks everyone
- tweeddale

Hi everyone,
Im soon to be buying a new bike (zx10) and am just working out a list of standard modifications to enhance my bike. But honestly as much as people talk about these modifications i dont know how good they are and how much they cost. So rather than calling my mechanic i thought i would ask you ksrcers for your insight.
I have already decided on a yoshi tri oal carbon pipe with a full yoshi system so thats out of the way.
So what i am looking at is:
Braided brake lines: What do they do? how much do they generally cost after labour? Worth it?
crash/crash knobs: Some people say they wouldnt live without them some say dont touch them? What should i spend? A mechanic job or do it yourself job? again worth it?
Steering Dampner: What does it do, does it have much effect, How much, and worth it?
Xenon bulbs/lamps: I know they just increase visibility and are a brighter light but what is the average cost for them, and is it a do it yourself job again or a mechanic job?
GPS system: Ive been looking at tomtoms latest rider 2nd edition, which looks awesome but does anyone know of a better one or have a tomtom that they can share they opinion on?
Finally is there a good alarm system (besides disc locks) that thieves cant hack or dismantle? I want something that will let an alarm go and notify me with a remote alarm, so if someone knocks it over or trys to steal it when im at work or home, i can try and catch them in the act. But ive been told those ones are extreamly easy to dismantle or hack.

Well thats enough to keep my bank card going for a while
Thanks everyone
- tweeddale

i just typed a huge reply with lots of helpful info then the admin logged in, and i got booted... so ill try again later when they stop rooting about..

On my 05 ZX10 I have

Akra slip on - Sounds good, I like it and I got it with the bike I would buy one anyway. Bikes are meant to be noisy
Braided Brake Lines - I don't reckon they did much, The brakes are shite anyway. If your getting an 06/07 your brakes are OK.
crash's - Cheap (Not crash's the other ones), invaluable will save you $$$$$ if you drop it
Steering Damper - Cost a lot, I don't think did much, but looks race, however when the front wheel hits the deck out of a corner and you don't get the head shake it's handy
Fender Eliminator - Tidy's up the arse nicely, a must
Intergrated Brake/Blinker - looks and Tidy's up the arse
Radiator guard - Cheap, sensible - in the same category as crash's
Ventura rack - Every super tourer should have on
Clear front blinkers - Look good

I still want
Double Bubble screen - Can't get my fat head low enough cause of my fat gut.
ZX6 or 06 ZX10 master cylinder

Best modification you could do to make you look cool and go faster would be to spend as much as you can afford upgrading the nut that holds the bars!

Best modification you could do to make you look cool and go faster would be to spend as much as you can afford upgrading the nut that holds the bars!

In my case that's an older outdated nut. Upgrades are apparently no longer available.

I have
Yoshi Tri Oval Carbon fibre slip on
Matris Damper
Puig tinted double bubble
Hel Braided lines
RR frame sliders (oggys)
Single seat cowl
Attack Racing exhaust bracket (no pillion pegs)
Quick action throttle insert
Vortex adjustable rearsets.
Geelong Carbon tank protector - green
Fender eliminator
Iridium arrow blinkers

My concern is .............
if you don't know what any of these modifications do - are you going to be safe riding a standard form ZX10 ??
They do not treat newbies nicely and spit them off at the first available opportunity

My concern is .............
if you don't know what any of these modifications do - are you going to be safe riding a standard form ZX10 ??
They do not treat newbies nicely and spit them off at the first available opportunity

I've put 4500k on mine in 6 months (minus two months not riding with a broken shoulder). This bike handles very well, holds its line beautifully and inspires confidence. What is also has in great pant splattering quantities of power. Grab a handfull exiting a corner and it will step out quicker than you will imagine. This bike can and will power wheelie off the throttle in 3rd gear!


You don't mention what year..

06/07 comes with a damper standard - it needs to be wound up full to get any major effect - some have resorted to adding heavier oil to get greater effect.

Fender eliminator is a must

Not sure I'd go full system on the road - can lose a little mid range, but does gain at top end. How often will you hit top end on the road compared to how much you will use mid range? Much better sound though. If you're going whole hog on a fully system, then mapping may be required - Power Comander III.

There are a number of Timing Retard eliminators on the market. I don't fully understand all of this, but what I have gleened from various places is this... The bike has been tuned (ignition mapped) for emissions and sound levels, mainly in the gears 1-4. The sixth gear map has the restriction keeping the bike at 183mph) By using the map from 5th gear in all six gears you get more power low down and rid yourself of the speed restriction. Some versions also have a gear indicator.

If you change headlight bulbs watch power rating and heat output. Manufacturers spend as little as possible, so wiring is limited to cope with what it 'needs' to and not much more. Over rated bulbs can cause melt down. High heat output can affect the lens.

Oggies are great, come in a variety of fitments and usefulness. Try and get ones that don't require the fairing to be cut, that defeats the point of protecting your fairing!

Braided lines are great and worth the money. Expect to pay around $250 for a full set. Radial master cylinder allows the lever to move much further than standard front brakes. Those aiming at the track or hard twisties action often revert to a ZX6 master cylinder.

I've got a 1/5 turn throttle insert, and this makes opening it up a bit easier.

There's a specific ZX10R forum in the US of A, not much of a forum socially but full of useless trivia on the ZX10

Unless there's something you want to fix about your bike, why mod it at all? You'll look like a poodle if you've got a blinged-up superbike and you're getting toasted by 600s. That's just embarrassing to me. Spend the money on riding courses if it's burning that much of a hole in your pocket.

Hmm, well like Mike said; a new Tenarrr would already have a steering damper - as to what they do, well, they allow the manufacturer to use funny suspenders and get away with it. Cos it has itself an insurance "band-aid"!! LOL

For the 06/07, I would say that yeah revalving the fork brings nicer results certainly; but mostly it is the rear-end where all the changes gain the big rewards - whack a nicer shock in there, or get the OEM reworked properly, and then sort the ride-heights, and it is not too bad at all. Very pleasant and stable... However, the master cylinder needs swapping over as it lacks power. So, brake job, and a shock job - job done, and for the most part, the changes would be invisible too!!!

Hey everyone,
Yeah I already have plans to do minor modifications such as fender eliminator, bubble screen, tank pad, indicators and a seat cowl. Not sure about the ventura rack but i do need some sort of carrying rack that can hold an A3 folio for work that wont get in the way, yeah problem.
Im still not sure about the crash knobs because people have said to me they can cause a lot more damage such as bent frames etc, Is that a myth?
[quote="Strika"]Best modification you could do to make you look cool and go faster would be to spend as much as you can afford upgrading the nut that holds the bars! [/quote]
Yeah I think thats a must, but i think that will take time rather than money.
[quote="Rossi"]My concern is .............
if you don't know what any of these modifications do - are you going to be safe riding a standard form ZX10 ??
They do not treat newbies nicely and spit them off at the first available opportunity[/quote]
I do know what they do, but only from people that have never used them and magazines, I was looking for peoples opinion on the modifications, In terms of riding i started with a ZZR250 then had a Yamaha R6 then a Yamaha R1 which has about the same kick, so if I am not ready to ride a zx10 now then when?
[quote="Loz"]Unless there's something you want to fix about your bike, why mod it at all? You'll look like a poodle if you've got a blinged-up superbike and you're getting toasted by 600s. That's just embarrassing to me. Spend the money on riding courses if it's burning that much of a hole in your pocket.[/quote]
Hey i never said anything about bling, I dont think anyone will be that amazed at a steering dampner or xenon lights. Except for the exhaust, which im considering only getting a slip on now, Im only looking for ergonomic modifications im not looking into Carbon parts, neon sets or a nitrous kit! Although i do have access to carbon fibre !!! And anyway i ride because i love it not for others!

Does anyone know about alarm systems and GPS devices?

Thanks every one for your time

- Tweeddaleboy

Oh and im looking at an 05' model!

woa, sounds like you've got quite a lot of cash to burn soo..

Bling it up!!

Chances are you'll find an 05 with an aftermarket pipe, fender eliminator etc etc if you look hard enough.

I know i'd have a huge wish list like you if i was buying a new bike but realistically..... you've just spent $15k on a bike
so unless you've got another $5-10k hanging around for all your bling... just calm down and do some work slowly over a year or 2.

lets just hope you don't crash it, after you've bling'd it to hell... insurance can be a bitch when it comes to mods...

[quote="BikerBoy"]woa, sounds like you've got quite a lot of cash to burn soo..

Bling it up!!

Chances are you'll find an 05 with an aftermarket pipe, fender eliminator etc etc if you look hard enough.

I know i'd have a huge wish list like you if i was buying a new bike but realistically..... you've just spent $15k on a bike
so unless you've got another $5-10k hanging around for all your bling... just calm down and do some work slowly over a year or 2.

lets just hope you don't crash it, after you've bling'd it to hell... insurance can be a bitch when it comes to mods...[/quote]

Yeah Im hoping i find a nice one with a few things already done, I came close to one but it turned out to be stolen so fun!
This will be a project over the next two years, at the moment i have enough for the rego, insurance, transfer fees, bike and a pipe. But im planning on buying it in November so ill have a bit more by then. And Ive sold my old gear and am currently purchasing new gear. ICON Helmet, Alpinestars: MX-1 Jacket, GP gloves and supertech boots. But im putting a limit on Bike and Gear on 15k otherwise ill have no money left so im just working out what to get.
Yeah lets hope i dont crash it!

Hi everyone,
Im soon to be buying a new bike (zx10) and am just working out a list of standard modifications to enhance my bike. But honestly as much as people talk about these modifications i dont know how good they are and how much they cost. So rather than calling my mechanic i thought i would ask you ksrcers for your insight.
I have already decided on a yoshi tri oal carbon pipe with a full yoshi system so thats out of the way.
So what i am looking at is:
Braided brake lines: What do they do? how much do they generally cost after labour? Worth it?
crash/crash knobs: Some people say they wouldnt live without them some say dont touch them? What should i spend? A mechanic job or do it yourself job? again worth it?
Steering Dampner: What does it do, does it have much effect, How much, and worth it?
Xenon bulbs/lamps: I know they just increase visibility and are a brighter light but what is the average cost for them, and is it a do it yourself job again or a mechanic job?
GPS system: Ive been looking at tomtoms latest rider 2nd edition, which looks awesome but does anyone know of a better one or have a tomtom that they can share they opinion on?
Finally is there a good alarm system (besides disc locks) that thieves cant hack or dismantle? I want something that will let an alarm go and notify me with a remote alarm, so if someone knocks it over or trys to steal it when im at work or home, i can try and catch them in the act. But ive been told those ones are extreamly easy to dismantle or hack.

Well thats enough to keep my bank card going for a while
Thanks everyone
- tweeddale

i just typesd shit out and lost it..i hate this fucking pc...


ive spent $3500 on bling on my zed and still havent done half wot i want to do!!