Moments of absolute relief and comfort from a mod/service?

Yeti365
Posts
255
Joined
9/11/2018
Location
Chula Vista, CA US
2/14/2019 9:02pm
Have you ever used an aftermarket part or a company's service that the first time you rode your bike, you broke down into absolute bliss from the great decision you just made?

I recall two moments with my Yamaha:

When I decided to switch from RC High bars to a Windham with +10mm spacers.

The second was when I got my revalved internals back from Enzo racing over a year ago.

Just how much pain it took out of my back and how great everything felt. It was literally a mind blowing experience, like having a whole new bike.

I guess to summarize, the best thing you've ever done to your bike to make it a better ride, or that made the bike react positively in a completely new way?
4
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Matt Fisher
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3947
Joined
4/1/2008
Location
Visalia, CA US
Fantasy
1084th
2/14/2019 10:18pm Edited Date/Time 2/14/2019 10:18pm
Having the suspension done on my 13 YZ450 by my friend/top local suspension guy. If felt really good until I came up short on a long table top- then it felt amazing. Every bike I've ridden ever since then (19 KX450, 19 YZ450, 18 KTM350, 18.5 KTM450FE, etc) feels merely okay or pretty good in comparison as far as the suspension is concerned.
2/15/2019 12:40am
Stage 1 Hot Cam inlet only in my 03 WR250F. Moved the power down and just so much more usable in the bush. Better than the open exhaust

The Shop

2/15/2019 12:57am
I’m probably in the minority here but I’ve never experienced any real set up change bangers. Biggest different was probably going from Dunlop’s to michelin star crossed 5 intermediates.
2
Indy mxer
Posts
1632
Joined
6/15/2010
Location
Linton, IN US
2/15/2019 2:20am
Having FC make my air forks work on my 16 KXF 450. Went from horrible to really good.
OtotheB178
Posts
151
Joined
3/8/2009
Location
Bristol GB
2/15/2019 2:28am
9oz FWW on a Yam 250 2t.......never feared a flat hard packed corner again (get alot of these in UK amateur racing), hooked up so much better.
2
lukemoto
Posts
256
Joined
8/8/2018
Location
Mukwonago, WI US
2/15/2019 3:55am
Changing carb slide/needle on my 250sx made the engine so much more linear feeling. not at all on/off feeling powerband anymore
1
kb228
Posts
6161
Joined
1/31/2018
Location
Mansfield, OH US
2/15/2019 3:56am
The first time i had parts at a local shop vapor blasted. Pictures online look incredible but having the part in your hand is really cool.

Close second was getting my bike sprung for my weight and my ecu remapped from tokyo mods.
cody41
Posts
518
Joined
4/25/2013
Location
Miami, FL US
2/15/2019 4:21am Edited Date/Time 2/15/2019 4:21am
A full exhaust on my two strokes, every time.
BobKerr
Posts
911
Joined
11/3/2017
Location
Nowheresville, TN US
2/15/2019 4:23am Edited Date/Time 2/15/2019 4:24am
I grew up riding CR250's, and the stock suspension was always inadequate. I think the fifth CR250 I owned I finally decided to spend some money and send it off to Factory Connection. Holy smokes. I couldn't believe how well it soaked up the bumps. Unfortunately I only got to ride it about 3 times before it got stolen.
Carrie998
Posts
15
Joined
10/19/2016
Location
Vincennes, IN US
2/15/2019 4:26am
I had JM Racing re-valve and spring my suspension after riding with the stock stuff for about a year and it was amazing! I couldn't believe how much better it handled, but it shouldn't be a surprise as I am not your typical 180lbs rider. (tipping the scales at 240) I've always wanted to try a different offset on the bars but never really knew what to try first and hate to spend the money on something and end up not liking it. I'm just a tight a#$ I guess.
downard254
Posts
4054
Joined
12/10/2012
Location
Bremen, OH US
2/15/2019 5:19am
Fork revalve. Went from not being able to ride the bike across a bumpy farm field due to arm pump onset, to riding a track for a day. (To be fair, the bike had been revalved for someone else, and they must not have liked fork movement)
GrapeApe
Posts
6939
Joined
6/7/2010
Location
Mc Kinney, TX US
Fantasy
806th
2/15/2019 6:16am
I was about to throw my '90 YZ125 in a dumpster until I discovered the Race Tech linkage shifter. Glorious.
AJ565
Posts
2075
Joined
3/12/2012
Location
San Antonio, TX US
2/15/2019 6:32am
Cone valve forks on my KTM
This.

Also proper jetting on my 250 riding back to back at the track from stock to correct.
c0ncEpT
Posts
1264
Joined
5/13/2015
Location
Harrison Twp., MI US
2/15/2019 6:37am
Getting the suspension revalved, set up, and sprung for my weight on my 2016 YZ250F.

Had a serious harshness over small chop that made me super uncomfortable. After getting the forks and shock back it was buttery smooth.
opyguy
Posts
567
Joined
8/22/2016
Location
Boston, MA US
2/15/2019 6:43am
lukemoto wrote:
Changing carb slide/needle on my 250sx made the engine so much more linear feeling. not at all on/off feeling powerband anymore
what needle you switch to?
lukemoto
Posts
256
Joined
8/8/2018
Location
Mukwonago, WI US
2/15/2019 6:56am
JD blue needle third clip
2/15/2019 7:19am
'96 YZ 250 full Noleen motor work. Sent them the whole engine, porting, head mod, power valve, clutch, transmission, cases, crankshaft balance, tbe works, ran thei pipe and silencer combo. Unbeleivable.
observeroffacts
Posts
1012
Joined
9/16/2017
Location
Lake Owens, MO US
Fantasy
3671st
2/15/2019 7:54am
I’m probably in the minority here but I’ve never experienced any real set up change bangers. Biggest different was probably going from Dunlop’s to michelin star...
I’m probably in the minority here but I’ve never experienced any real set up change bangers. Biggest different was probably going from Dunlop’s to michelin star crossed 5 intermediates.
Rekluse Exp 3 is the only time I’ve experienced a remarkable change in how I rode. Not even 2k worth of suspension work made me feel a lot better. Different, sure, but not night and day better. Likely because stock suspension is pretty darn good with the right springs..
2/15/2019 8:01am
Cone valve forks on my KTM
+1. I've only got a single ride on them so far, but even as a C rider I noticed the difference immediately.
erik_94COBRA
Posts
948
Joined
7/21/2016
Location
Houston-ish, TX US
2/15/2019 9:44am
Enzo revalve as well. Surprised how damn good it was on the first attempt and for the price (~$500). Kicked myself in the ass for waiting so long.
Zerofear66
Posts
869
Joined
4/27/2017
Location
Anaheim, CA US
2/15/2019 10:16am


Putting 2019 YZ450 lower fork tubes with lugs and spacers on my 2016 YZ450.
Completely different motorcycle.
I actually love the bike now.
1
DJB
Posts
95
Joined
9/5/2018
Location
Phoenix, AZ US
2/15/2019 10:18am
Had a 74’ Honda MT125 “Elsinore” that I wished was a CR125. I purchased a ‘Cycle Products West’ shock move up kit and used CR Showas. I have had a dozen dirt bikes since those days and endlessly modified each. Nothing I have done has come close to matching the improvement to my ol MT125. ....Yea I’m old.
1
ML512
Posts
15421
Joined
12/28/2008
Location
Wildomar, CA US
Fantasy
36th
2/15/2019 10:33am
A Vortex ignition that Chad from XPR setup for me was amazing...Jamie from Twisted as well. A properly tuned one is pretty shocking to use.

Oh and ARC clutch levers so my short fingers can reach them. It’s amazing how much easier it is to control the bike when you’re not over-reaching for a brake and or clutch lever.
3
2/15/2019 10:52am
Factory Connection suspension on my mx bikes has always been night and day better than stock. Installing a Lectron carb on my CR250 woods bike was also a revelation.
MXD
Posts
2650
Joined
4/1/2008
Location
MA US
2/15/2019 10:56am Edited Date/Time 2/15/2019 10:57am
I would say suspension but that's an unfair comparison IMO. The stock suspension wasn't designed to work for someone my size (225) so of course that was a big difference.

Other than that, I would say the Rekluse Core EXP and the Kawasaki hand held tuner. Tuning the ECU made a HUGE difference.
casper
Posts
557
Joined
4/1/2008
Location
San Diego, CA US
2/15/2019 11:00am
Rekluse Exp 3 is the only time I’ve experienced a remarkable change in how I rode. Not even 2k worth of suspension work made me feel...
Rekluse Exp 3 is the only time I’ve experienced a remarkable change in how I rode. Not even 2k worth of suspension work made me feel a lot better. Different, sure, but not night and day better. Likely because stock suspension is pretty darn good with the right springs..
Exactly the same experience for me. Rekluse was the biggest change, even more than going from stock suspension to Ohlins on my KTM.
1
Falcon
Posts
10034
Joined
11/16/2011
Location
Menifee, CA US
Fantasy
765th
2/15/2019 11:01am
Enzo revalve, for sure. I had a set on my '01 YZ125 that was my first set of revalved suspension. I had them all adjusted to the correct sag and everything felt "better," but then I had a panic moment that would have been a crash on stock suspension. It was a slight overjump on a small step-up double with a 90-degree right hand turn, complete with braking bumps. I overshot and landed in the bumps, on the front wheel, on the brakes slightly. On any other day, it would have been a quick trip over the bars. I was even starting to look at the spot where I was going to hit the ground, but then something magical happened: nothing. The bike just kept on rolling. Love me some Enzo!

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