Bike mods for beginners: Difference between revisions

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* [[I want to get some new grips|Gel grips]] - Reduce vibration from the bars; notice that doesn't say 'eliminate'.

* [[I want to change my gearing|15 ~~Tooth~~ front sprocket]] - Reduces cruising rpm and makes the bike more useful overall.

* [[I want to change my gearing|15 tooth front sprocket]] - Reduces cruising rpm and makes the bike more useful overall.

==Mods you should avoid until you know what you're doing==

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* [[Suspension]] - This is the performance mod that will provide the most benefit. Start with Sonic springs in the right rate for you, along with new fork oil. For the rear, check the reviews of various shocks that people have used on the 250. If you have the funds, an aftermarket shock such as Works Performance or Hagon (bolt-on) or Fox (modification sometimes required) will be a big improvement.

* [[Brakes]] - if your bike is over four years old, it's time for new brake lines, anyway. You might as well make them stainless steel. They give better feel and performance for the same amount of money. There's nothing terribly wrong with the stock pads, but upgrading to an aftermarket set of HH pads will give you better stopping power. Be advised that putting on new pads and stainless lines necessitates practicing quick stops, otherwise you WILL lock up the front in an emergency. Practice, practice, practice.

* [[Brakes]] - If your bike is over four years old, it's time for new brake lines, anyway. You might as well make them stainless steel. They give better feel and performance for the same amount of money. There's nothing terribly wrong with the stock pads, but upgrading to an aftermarket set of HH pads will give you better stopping power. Be advised that putting on new pads and stainless lines necessitates practicing quick stops, otherwise you WILL lock up the front in an emergency. Practice, practice, practice.

It's really hard to tell if what you did is ''better'' when you don't have a baseline for comparison. For instance, there is a tendency for new riders to make their suspension too stiff. It might be all right for that Saturday morning jaunt through the woods, but if you take off for Peoria one day, you may find that your body hurts more than what you'd like it to.

This is why it's important to first ride for a while and get a feel for what the bike (and you) can do. Figure out what works well, what feels a little off, and where it's not performing well. Then you can reasonably address the issues.

@@ Line 39: / Line 39: @@
 * [[I want to get some new grips|Gel grips]] - Reduce vibration from the bars; notice that doesn't say 'eliminate'.
-* [[I want to change my gearing|15 Tooth front sprocket]] - Reduces cruising rpm and makes the bike more useful overall.
+* [[I want to change my gearing|15 tooth front sprocket]] - Reduces cruising rpm and makes the bike more useful overall.
 ==Mods you should avoid until you know what you're doing==
@@ Line 55: / Line 55: @@
 * [[Suspension]] - This is the performance mod that will provide the most benefit. Start with Sonic springs in the right rate for you, along with new fork oil. For the rear, check the reviews of various shocks that people have used on the 250. If you have the funds, an aftermarket shock such as Works Performance or Hagon (bolt-on) or Fox (modification sometimes required) will be a big improvement.
-* [[Brakes]] - if your bike is over four years old, it's time for new brake lines, anyway. You might as well make them stainless steel. They give better feel and performance for the same amount of money. There's nothing terribly wrong with the stock pads, but upgrading to an aftermarket set of HH pads will give you better stopping power. Be advised that putting on new pads and stainless lines necessitates practicing quick stops, otherwise you WILL lock up the front in an emergency. Practice, practice, practice.
+* [[Brakes]] - If your bike is over four years old, it's time for new brake lines, anyway. You might as well make them stainless steel. They give better feel and performance for the same amount of money. There's nothing terribly wrong with the stock pads, but upgrading to an aftermarket set of HH pads will give you better stopping power. Be advised that putting on new pads and stainless lines necessitates practicing quick stops, otherwise you WILL lock up the front in an emergency. Practice, practice, practice.
 It's really hard to tell if what you did is ''better'' when you don't have a baseline for comparison. For instance, there is a tendency for new riders to make their suspension too stiff. It might be all right for that Saturday morning jaunt through the woods, but if you take off for Peoria one day, you may find that your body hurts more than what you'd like it to.
 This is why it's important to first ride for a while and get a feel for what the bike (and you) can do. Figure out what works well, what feels a little off, and where it's not performing well. Then you can reasonably address the issues.