Bikers!

So its warming up finally here in MI and I'm itching to get riding again. I've had the bike out a couple times on really nice days already. I'm getting things together to do maintenance before any serious riding for the summer. Oil change, possible coolant flush, clean/lube chain, wash/wax/polish, etc, etc!

I got a nice check from the army (most likely my last) so I'm using some of that for goodies.

So far I have coming:

new two piece Mustang seat set so the wife and I can do longer rides

sending in a set of shocks to have the springs exposed, cut 2", and powder coated (black)

used custom head light

Stage 2 upgrade next month: new needles and jets for the carburetors and drop in K&N air filters

I'm pretty excited about getting all this stuff done and getting some good rides in this year. I know there are at least a few others here with bikes, what do you have planned for this year?

As im only 16, and I bought a Honda CBR125 R in December, I have to wait until my 17th birthday to take it out on the road legally. I have my provisional license and I am in the progress of getting insurance and tax set up so that I can get out on the 20th of April. Cant wait!! Chomping it to bits!!

Just looked up that bike...man those wheels look skinny :rofl: A friend of mine recently got a Ninja 250R, we drilled some holes in the baffle end caps and it almost sounds like a "real" bike now :P

I didn't mention what I had above but I got a 2000 Suzuki Marauder 800. Its a great bike, I'm definitely a cruiser/muscle/chopper kinda guy. My last bike was a Honda Knighthawk 750 that I sold a few years back.

Right now the only things have done to my marauder are cut out the exhaust baffles, installed spacers to raise up the drag bars, and upgrade from a 15 to a 17 tooth front sprocket. All of these where pretty cheap upgrades and the worth to me when riding has far exceeded the costs. The stage 2 I am really excited about supposed to really add a punch to the bike.

Over here in the UK, if you are going to follow the law, which retstricts you to (I think) 33 BHP for 2 years, and a year restricted at 45 MPH, the only bike that you dont need an actual restrictor on is a 125. If you are that much into bikes and want to ride that badly, then it doesnt really matter if its not a 'big bike'. It doesnt make you cooler if you brake the law to ride a bigger bike, it makes you stupid. The bike looks a lot better than some bigger bikes though to be fair :P (the wheels are really thin too :P)

Heres a pic of the same bike I have:

http://img129.imageshack.us/img129/8827/6504116zc9.jpg

Probably have it for about a year and then possibly up to a 250 for the other year before I start into the IAM over here. Going to be an exciting year on a bike for the first time! Suppose to top out at 75 MPH but I have read a lot of articles of people clocking it at 85+! Not that I will be going that fast anyway, I brick myself at 50 MPH when practising! :oops: :rofl: Anyway, up the bikes! Cars suck!

I have a 2005 Harley Electraglide. I have done a little to it but this year I would like to get the trunk quick disconnect kit and new plate holder. Together thats about $400 and It will come out of my snake budget so I have a delemma. I love to ride even with a bad back (the reason I got the couch with wheels). My wife rides a sporty and I am trying to talk her into a new exhaust system so the darn thing actually sounds like a Harley...lol. Would like to do some major riding this year but it all depends on my back being able to handle it.:salute:

I'm glad there aren't any restrictions like that here in the US, 'cause a little 125 with me on it would look kinda funny (6'2", 250 lbs) :D

I sold my '98 Honda superhawk a the end of last riding season to help pay for the wife's school, and I am aching to get something to ride around this summer. The budget's tight, but I may see what we can afford right now. I wish I had the time for a fixer-upper, but that's not gonna happen any time soon :oops:. My first bike was a Suzuki bandit 400, and I have always loved all the bandits. I would have to get the 1200 though to continue with the "next bigger bike" theme - bandit 400, ninja 600, superhawk 996.

Hmmm, now how to convince the wife......:cool:

-Evan

I have a DUCATI Monster 400,,class machine,0-60mph in 4 seconds is my record yet.0-100mph in 9 seconds or something i got.

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Originally Posted by Reptile_Man

I have a DUCATI Monster 400,,class machine,0-60mph in 4 seconds is my record yet.0-100mph in 9 seconds or something i got.

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How did you time yourself doing this? :disbelief

One word... SQUID :rolleyes:

Wow...I to am glad we don't have those tight of restrictions. My first bike was the 750. Some nice bikes here for sure. Eventually I want to get another bike "just for me" that I can go all out customizing. My wife loves to ride but can't be convinced to ride on her own.

I heart Dirt Bikes, and really want to get me a nice street bike for riding around town. Im only 14, taking drivers Ed this summer. So I have to wait.

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Originally Posted by StickyStevie

How did you time yourself doing this? :disbelief

One word... SQUID :rolleyes:

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my cousin had a stop watch, and i have a timer under the clocks.

Here is our bike.. It's Great on gas LOL!

http://i15.photobucket.com/albums/a3...4E-081DEAC.jpg

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Originally Posted by DJ_86

Here is our bike.. It's Great on gas LOL!

http://i15.photobucket.com/albums/a3...4E-081DEAC.jpg

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LOL!!

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Originally Posted by Reptile_Man

my cousin had a stop watch, and i have a timer under the clocks.

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Your cousin knew when you hit 100? Or he was sitting up high on the back and timing it? LOL. Timer under the clocks is a bit more realistic!

haha,i should explain better,what we did was i went out on the bike first,and noted when i hit 60 and 100..then told my cousin and he stood in them spots and timed how long it took me to get there.thats how we did it basically.

Before I left Korea I ordered an '06 sportty. Picked her up in December. Burrr. She has almost 800 miles so far. I'll be at the 1000 mile service mark next weekend probably. The saddle bags are on order, along with the stand offs. There's alot I want to do, but time and $$$ both come into play. The next thing I want is a med. low sissy bar The HD shop wants like $450 for basic sissy bar set up so I'll need to start shopping around when I'm ready for that. Then I want to rake the front out about 7 deg and get a 6in longer triple tree. And of course the obvious hand grips and pegs upgrade. That should keep me busy for a good little while.


Hey Tek, maybe you could walk me through blowing the baffles via PM.

Any way, here she is:

https://ball-pythons.net/gallery/fil.../Picture25.jpg

I ride a kawasaki 636, and i'm in Florida so i get to ride all year!

haha, first post on the BP forums and it's about motorcycles...

I sold my 2 dirt bikes and am going to get a CBR 600

[quote]Hey Tek, maybe you could walk me through blowing the baffles via PM.[/qute]

Nice looking ride! My wife loves blue and that helped her on "letting" me get a bike last summer. :P

The baffles on my bike where not that difficult. It took a flat head screw driver, a drill with hole saw, WD40, and a couple swear words!

I don't know how your sporty is setup but if the pipes are capped/baffled right at the end it shouldn't be to hard to pry edges inward and then use the hole saw to cut out the rest. Might have to ask around or google it.

We went riding most of the afternoon yesterday, it was beautiful out and saw lots of other people riding. I can't wait until my new seat set comes in :)

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Originally Posted by Street Killer

I ride a kawasaki 636, and i'm in Florida so i get to ride all year!

haha, first post on the BP forums and it's about motorcycles...

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what year is your 636...........i have a 06 600rr, can't get away from those hondas.......love'em waaaaay too much!

Me and mine (hey, it has wheels; and you sit astride it.. it counts as a bike.. kinda..) I wish it were street legal..

http://i49.photobucket.com/albums/f2...es/meqquad.jpg

http://i49.photobucket.com/albums/f2...mes/freeek.jpg

[QUOTE=Ginevive]Me and mine (hey, it has wheels; and you sit astride it.. it counts as a bike.. kinda..) I wish it were street legal..

Well it's not quite the same, but they're fun too. We have a lot of ATV trails that can be ridden on all day with out ever seeing the same thing twice. That makes for a fun action packed day of dust in your face.

That sounds cool. We made some trails in the woods here, but I really don't like riding back there; it causes all sorts of wheel ruts, that bring in too much water, and it could have a really bad effect on the woods if it gets too damp back there.. but when it is drier out in a few months, I will definately be exploring; for now, it is just loopty-loos in the field and on the tractor access roads.. still fun.
I fear what would happen if i were on something two-wheeled; bad things involving gravity, tipping over, and broken bones I would guess. :)

TWO wheels only Gin! j/k!

We rode most of the afternoon yesterday it was so nice out. My new seats where shipped today and my spare set of shocks are going to the shop to get the springs exposed, cut 2in. and powder coated black. Bring on the goodies!

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Originally Posted by reediculous

what year is your 636...........i have a 06 600rr, can't get away from those hondas.......love'em waaaaay too much!

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it's an 04. here's a pic.
http://i22.photobucket.com/albums/b3.../zDSCN1398.jpg

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Originally Posted by Street Killer

it's an 04. here's a pic.
http://i22.photobucket.com/albums/b3.../zDSCN1398.jpg

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Fellow Honda Riders :D :rockon: :salute:

New seats where waiting for me when I got home. I opened them up and wow the description wasn't joking when it said "vintage wide"! The main seat is 16" across and the passenger is 12.5" more than enough space for our rears! I got them installed on the bike and they look great kinda fills it out some. I only took a short ride because the temps are dropping again...had to go full leathers ;) WOW what a great feel, I am loving the new seating position, comfort and lower back support the seat offers. When it warms up and we have more time the wife has to test out "her" seat and I think she'll be very happy.

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Originally Posted by TekWarren

New seats where waiting for me when I got home. I opened them up and wow the description wasn't joking when it said "vintage wide"! The main seat is 16" across and the passenger is 12.5" more than enough space for our rears! I got them installed on the bike and they look great kinda fills it out some. I only took a short ride because the temps are dropping again...had to go full leathers ;) WOW what a great feel, I am loving the new seating position, comfort and lower back support the seat offers. When it warms up and we have more time the wife has to test out "her" seat and I think she'll be very happy.

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Very nice Tek. My saddle bag supports got in yesterday, and I picked them up today after work. I went by the shop I ordered the saddle bags from. Bad news from her. The company she orders from didn't tell her they were out of stock. They ordered them, and now the shipment is stuck in customs. It would be a month before I got them. She went through the book with me and we picked out a couple more for her to order instead. She's going to comp me the difference in price (unless it's too much). Now the new ones "Should" be here in a week.

Maybe when I get around to doing my taxes, I'll get the sissy bar.

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Originally Posted by StickyStevie

Fellow Honda Riders :D :rockon: :salute:

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Theres me quoting the wrong message lol.. meant to quote the "06 600rr" message :oops:

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Originally Posted by smasharama13

Very nice Tek. My saddle bag supports got in yesterday, and I picked them up today after work. I went by the shop I ordered the saddle bags from. Bad news from her. The company she orders from didn't tell her they were out of stock. They ordered them, and now the shipment is stuck in customs. It would be a month before I got them. She went through the book with me and we picked out a couple more for her to order instead. She's going to comp me the difference in price (unless it's too much). Now the new ones "Should" be here in a week.

Maybe when I get around to doing my taxes, I'll get the sissy bar.

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I have a used custom headlight I just purchased from a guy in Canada. The deal couldn't be passed up but I will be waiting for the same thing..customs. If your wife or significant other rides with you alot they will definitely thank you. My wife's "requirement" when we where looking at bikes last year was that it have one. She LOVES to ride with me but my last bike didn't have the rest. She really likes having one now and enjoys rides even more. Hopefully it's nice this weekend so we can ride and get some pictures. Next week is spring break and I work in schools so weather permitting I'll be riding in to work like I usually do in the summer.

Finally found what appears to be the ONLY pic I took of my bike last summer when I got it. Like I tell everyone I am not off of it long enough to take pictures when its riding season LOL

Here she is in all her stock glory:

http://warrenreptiles.com/gallery/ma...serialNumber=2

I'll have to do an "after" pic in a couple weeks when the rest of the new stuff is put on. I cleaned and polished the shocks last night...just because since they will get dirty again when I install them. These are a set of stock shocks that had custom work done on them. Compare the shocks in the pic above to these and you'll understand what was done.

http://warrenreptiles.com/gallery/ma...serialNumber=2

http://warrenreptiles.com/gallery/ma...serialNumber=2

Can't wait to get these on the bike...heck can't wait to get myself back on the bike! I wish I could ship off this cold and snow to some of you who are warm all year round :P

That's a nice looking bike. I finally got my saddle bags in and installed. And a digital camera so I won't be going outside with my web-cam any more. I'll pop off a pic and post it when I get home from work. They look pretty nice and I've used the heck out of them in the couple days they've been on.

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Originally Posted by TekWarren

Finally found what appears to be the ONLY pic I took of my bike last summer when I got it. Like I tell everyone I am not off of it long enough to take pictures when its riding season LOL

Here she is in all her stock glory:

http://warrenreptiles.com/gallery/ma...serialNumber=2

I'll have to do an "after" pic in a couple weeks when the rest of the new stuff is put on. I cleaned and polished the shocks last night...just because since they will get dirty again when I install them. These are a set of stock shocks that had custom work done on them. Compare the shocks in the pic above to these and you'll understand what was done.

http://warrenreptiles.com/gallery/ma...serialNumber=2

http://warrenreptiles.com/gallery/ma...serialNumber=2

Can't wait to get these on the bike...heck can't wait to get myself back on the bike! I wish I could ship off this cold and snow to some of you who are warm all year round :P

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Who did the shock work. My wife has a sporty custom and no one makes a lowered shock for it that I can find.

Can't wait to see your bags....um...ya...haha! You know all along I've been thinking I'll never add saddle bags to my bike. I like the muscle/drag minimalistic look but have some cargo space keeps creeping into my mind. I have a canvas type bag that sits on the luggage rack I use in the summer when we ride the bike into work or go to the beach etc. I have a laptop and other tech gear I bring back and forth in a backpack that works out pretty well. Most of the weight is resting on the seat behind me so it causes no discomfort to me. I like the canvas bag as it can hold quite alot when I need it to or I can cinch it down and you can barely tell its there.

Rick...#2 (both of you are Rick's LOL) I sent the shocks to a place I was told about by other guys who run the same bike I do. SOTMC.com Sons of Thunder Metric Cruisers...You could check the site and email them to see if they would do your sporty shocks. It says on the site they do all different shocks. There is another site to I'll look it up quick...here check this site also they might do it for you or maybe they can make you a set: http://www.skullenterprises.com/shocks.html

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Originally Posted by TekWarren

Can't wait to see your bags....um...ya...haha!.

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Well despite the fact that you're a smart a$$, I still took the pics so here they are look if you want. At first I didn't want them either. The more I started riding the more of a pain it was to haul that giant "bug-out-bag" I have all over. You know the big black one from clothing and sales. It holds a ton, but it doesn't ride well on my back at 45 +. I don't even notice the saddle bags unless I'm looking at my bike.

The next thing I have to do is blow out the exhaust. I plan on working on that in a couple of weeks.


http://i78.photobucket.com/albums/j1.../SL730025a.jpg


http://i78.photobucket.com/albums/j1.../SL730026a.jpg


http://i78.photobucket.com/albums/j1.../SL730027a.jpg

Hey not bad looking at all. I may have to start looking at getting a set. I want to do some longer rides maybe even vacation trips on the bike but something like that would definitely require some storage. What are your plans for the exhaust? I mentioned above I just gutted the baffles from my stock exhaust and couldn't be happier with the sound...and cost or lack thereof. The only thing I would change on mine is to achieve more of a shotgun look having both pipes end evenly at the rear of the bike. I think this would add to the sound just a little as well. I've been looking for a used/cheaper stock exhaust to try that theory on.

Hopefully after it snows AGAIN this week it will warm up this weekend and I can put my new headlight and shocks on and post some updated pics. It better get warm soon for the ride I'm doing in a few weeks. Can't wait to have the guys help me re-jet the bike so I can run K&N air filters and squeeze a little more power out of her.

Thought I'd update here. I've got all my little add-ons done. Bike is looking sharp with the the newly exposed and cut shock springs and headlight. Its quite a bit lower and rides/handles great. Bumps are bit harsher as expected but the new seats counter much of that. I washed her up last night and tonight will clean and polish the chrome parts. Tomorrow I head out for a weekend of riding and camping out! Also having a new rear tire installed after realizing it was nearly bald :(

This weekend the guys are helping me re-jet the carbs so I can run k&n air filters and sqeeze some extra power out that baby, can't wait!

Maybe I'll take some pics tonight when I'm done cleaning :)

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Originally Posted by TekWarren

What are your plans for the exhaust? I mentioned above I just gutted the baffles from my stock exhaust and couldn't be happier with the sound...and cost or lack thereof. The only thing I would change on mine is to achieve more of a shotgun look having both pipes end evenly at the rear of the bike. I think this would add to the sound just a little as well. I've been looking for a used/cheaper stock exhaust to try that theory on.

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Sorry didn't check back here for a while.

At first I was thinking about cutting the baffles out, but I think I'll take these mufflers off and replace them. I haven't really started looking because money is a little tight right now. I'm thinking of some kind of strait drag pipe setup. I'm not going to change the headers, that's gonna involve too much, especially when it's riding season right now.

You know how it goes though. You upgrade the exhaust, you need more air. You upgrade the air, you need more fuel. I'll be doing the exhaust first, then the air and fuel at the same time. It sounds like that's what you're doing as well.

There are slip on exhaust out there of all types that you just add in place of stock mufflers. Even those don't come cheap. I've kinda gotten into a phase where I bought a few somewhat cheaper mods and then turning around and selling or trading stock parts to those who need them. I have a guy trading me fenders for the stock seats I just replaced. I'll probably have a paint shop or the auto body class where I work play with them for me.

Fun thing about bikes is it seems you can do some fairly low key upgrades and get big gains out of it. Everyone says going to K&N's and rejetting really add some pull. Keep us updated on your projects I always like checking out other rides.

Here's a pic of the bikes this last rainy Friday shortly before we headed out for the weekend:

http://warrenreptiles.com/gallery/ma...serialNumber=2

Bikes wee!
My father used to race when I was younger...younger as in like 5 and in the womb and before. I could ask him but all I remember is that it was a red honda lol
My boyfriend has two bikes. A Suzuki SV650 and a VStrom 1000. That's about the extent of my motocycle knowledge. I just know that I love going out for rides and I can't wait untill I eventually get my own.
I plan on getting a 250 Ninja *gets pelted with tomatos*

Well I did it. I cut the ends off my pipes and gutted them completely out. It was a pain too. California emissions means I had a Cat on one of the pipes.

It sounds real good now. We'll see how long it is before I get a ticket for them being too loud. I got pulled over within 2 miles after I did it too (it was for speeding, yeah right, they gave me a "warning").

I love bikes, i cant wait to get a street bike, thinkin of the CBR's but i love Kawi all the way. a friend of mine just got the CBR 1000, nice lookin bike, auto balance control and everything, i think he got the remote start to...Sry if im hijacking but when(whoever has their license) took the test, what did you have to do? like ride in a parkinlot or something or did you get followed by the intructor? live in NY btw, i dont know if its different anywhere els.

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Originally Posted by bonez

I love bikes, i cant wait to get a street bike, thinkin of the CBR's but i love Kawi all the way. a friend of mine just got the CBR 1000, nice lookin bike, auto balance control and everything, i think he got the remote start to...Sry if im hijacking but when(whoever has their license) took the test, what did you have to do? like ride in a parkinlot or something or did you get followed by the intructor? live in NY btw, i dont know if its different anywhere els.

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I got my license when I was in Tennessee. I took a written test, then drove around the outside of the parking lot and that was it. Had I got my license here in California, they make you drive through a little obstacle course. It's kinda of tuff to do depending on the bike you take the test with. Also, in CA you can get a "Motorcycle Permit" That means you don't take the riding test yet, but you can only ride by yourself and only during daylight hours. It lets you get used to the bike you are going to take the test with.

Your best bet would be to go to your local DMV, Drive License Testing Facility or what ever it's called there in NY to inquire. Most places I've been in have pamphlets and study guides that they are happy to let you have.

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Originally Posted by Nifer

I plan on getting a 250 Ninja *gets pelted with tomatos*

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Hey I give my friend crap all the time about his 250 Ninja (that's his in yellow in my previous pic) I'll tell you what though that little 250 packs a punch! With as light as it is the take off is pretty good. Not to mention the gas mileage! He rode around with a bunch of us cruiser guys last weekend and kept wondering why we had to stop for gas LOL! I think he said something like 60-70mpg! shoot I'd take one just for running back and forth to work ...but I like my ride :P

On another note I cleaned up the bike this week while I was off and took a bunch of pics this afternoon. I wanted to go out and ride for a while but it was a short trip with the high winds nearly blowing me into the wrong lane anytime I got into open areas.

Anyway here is a link to the pics, there are 3 pages:
http://warrenreptiles.com/gallery/ma...g2_itemId=1635

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Originally Posted by smasharama13

Well I did it. I cut the ends off my pipes and gutted them completely out. It was a pain too. California emissions means I had a Cat on one of the pipes.

It sounds real good now. We'll see how long it is before I get a ticket for them being too loud. I got pulled over within 2 miles after I did it too (it was for speeding, yeah right, they gave me a "warning").

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Did you really have to "cut" the end of the pipes off? When I did my "bafflectomy" there was cutting involved but it was using a hole saw inside the pip to cut the baffle supports. Then the baffle was just worked out of each pipe while none of the actual exterior pipe had to be damaged. I still have some restriction up inside the stock mufflers...not sure if I can reach those with a long drill or not...or if I should even try. With the stage 2 upgrade now done it has also added some bark and growl :)

Yeah, I really didn't have a choice about cutting the pipes. The Baffles were flared inside about 1/2 diameter bigger than the end of the pipes. The cat was the same large size as the flare.

I wish I didn't have to but it sounds good none the less.

Well as long as your happy with the outcome that's all that matters. With my baffles I had to pry the edges inward using a flat head screw driver and hammer. Best "mod" I've done until the recent stage 2 ...WEEE!

I ride all year! :rolleye2:
http://a401.ac-images.myspacecdn.com...18491400_l.jpg