So I wrapped up my project this weekend. I had 41t gearing and the lightweight flywheel installed last weekend. This weekend I put on the Rapidbike Racing module (Thanks Jarel & Yaman!!!), MWR HE Filter, Phil's cored cans, and some other pointless cosmetic mods.
The 41t sprocket and lightweight flywheel were a really nice mod. Installed with parts I was just over $1K (this also included an oil & filter change). Unfortunately I can't tell what made a bigger impact on the bike. The bike definitely accelerates faster and was, generally, more well behaved both in town and during aggressive riding.
The Rapidbike module is a solid piece of kit. The wiring harness is very, very nicely made. It is labeled well and basically ..... proof. The only fear on the install would be not getting the injector harness cannon plug installed properly (this is clearly cautioned in the directions) but if you use some slip joint pliers you can be sure to get it to click in properly. Total install for this was about 2 hours. Very simple and straightforward. You will need a second set of hands to help route the wiring harness. I snaked mine between the radiator and front cylinder. It was a trick getting it though without tearing up the radiator. There is not a lot of room to fit the connectors, etc. through there. Be very careful and take your time when pulling the harness through. With a little effort you can get all the plugs to lay nice and look totally OEM when your finished. Very impressed. And as a side note I am running the RB software on my Mac using VMware running XP. Worked like a champ.
MWR HE filter? I can't say much beyond what has already been said. I covered my throttle bodies and just muscled that devil in. Took maybe 30 minutes with lifting the tank.
Phils cans took about 1 hour to install. Pretty simply stuff to fit a set of slip ons. I used a car jack to hold the cans in place as I got all the bolts/nuts started. I had mine coated all black. They look really nice (IMHO).
Riding Impressions?? In a word: KICKASS. I only put about 70 miles on Sunday but I can actually maintain speed limits in town without feeling like I'm riding a bucking bronco. It runs SO much smoother. Instead of feeling like an explosive 2-stroke power band the bike feels much more linear with power delivery. It is a whole new experience riding it now and getting used to how predicable the throttle is. I can't wait to put more miles on it so the RB learns more. Before all this I would drive in 3rd gear and at times cruise at around 3K-4K RPM. When opening the throttle the bike would shutter and protest until it gained RPM. Now it is a very refined and even pull. I can't say enough about how smooth and easy the bike is to ride now. I purposefully got off the highway yesterday to cruise through town and was amazed at how civilized the bike was.
The sounds from Phil's cans is completely off the hook. It runs cooler and the starter seems to spin the bike over faster. They are loud but you *feel* the sound more than hear it. It is SO much fun and so very sick. Totally addicting. The neighbors, I am sure, aren't impressed. Hehe.
I have no plans on dyno'ing the bike so power isn't known. I'm happy to have it run properly. I know it's making a metric .... ton more power but honestly I don't need the extra power. I just wanted a prettier shape to the curve. Wheelies are now "how high do you want to go? Just twist the throttle a littler further" whereas before I'd wait for the hit at 8K and be wondering or guessing WTF is gonna happen next. lol.
So all in I am at about $2400 and it feels like I have a new bike again. I set out to do this project to get the most gain and increase in dynamic response I could for the money. I weighed Akra exhaust, Rotobox wheels, etc, etc. But in the end I settled on this path and I'd say I am quite pleased with my set up for the money I spent. I must be getting old and stingy...
The 41t sprocket and lightweight flywheel were a really nice mod. Installed with parts I was just over $1K (this also included an oil & filter change). Unfortunately I can't tell what made a bigger impact on the bike. The bike definitely accelerates faster and was, generally, more well behaved both in town and during aggressive riding.
The Rapidbike module is a solid piece of kit. The wiring harness is very, very nicely made. It is labeled well and basically ..... proof. The only fear on the install would be not getting the injector harness cannon plug installed properly (this is clearly cautioned in the directions) but if you use some slip joint pliers you can be sure to get it to click in properly. Total install for this was about 2 hours. Very simple and straightforward. You will need a second set of hands to help route the wiring harness. I snaked mine between the radiator and front cylinder. It was a trick getting it though without tearing up the radiator. There is not a lot of room to fit the connectors, etc. through there. Be very careful and take your time when pulling the harness through. With a little effort you can get all the plugs to lay nice and look totally OEM when your finished. Very impressed. And as a side note I am running the RB software on my Mac using VMware running XP. Worked like a champ.
MWR HE filter? I can't say much beyond what has already been said. I covered my throttle bodies and just muscled that devil in. Took maybe 30 minutes with lifting the tank.
Phils cans took about 1 hour to install. Pretty simply stuff to fit a set of slip ons. I used a car jack to hold the cans in place as I got all the bolts/nuts started. I had mine coated all black. They look really nice (IMHO).
Riding Impressions?? In a word: KICKASS. I only put about 70 miles on Sunday but I can actually maintain speed limits in town without feeling like I'm riding a bucking bronco. It runs SO much smoother. Instead of feeling like an explosive 2-stroke power band the bike feels much more linear with power delivery. It is a whole new experience riding it now and getting used to how predicable the throttle is. I can't wait to put more miles on it so the RB learns more. Before all this I would drive in 3rd gear and at times cruise at around 3K-4K RPM. When opening the throttle the bike would shutter and protest until it gained RPM. Now it is a very refined and even pull. I can't say enough about how smooth and easy the bike is to ride now. I purposefully got off the highway yesterday to cruise through town and was amazed at how civilized the bike was.
The sounds from Phil's cans is completely off the hook. It runs cooler and the starter seems to spin the bike over faster. They are loud but you *feel* the sound more than hear it. It is SO much fun and so very sick. Totally addicting. The neighbors, I am sure, aren't impressed. Hehe.
I have no plans on dyno'ing the bike so power isn't known. I'm happy to have it run properly. I know it's making a metric .... ton more power but honestly I don't need the extra power. I just wanted a prettier shape to the curve. Wheelies are now "how high do you want to go? Just twist the throttle a littler further" whereas before I'd wait for the hit at 8K and be wondering or guessing WTF is gonna happen next. lol.
So all in I am at about $2400 and it feels like I have a new bike again. I set out to do this project to get the most gain and increase in dynamic response I could for the money. I weighed Akra exhaust, Rotobox wheels, etc, etc. But in the end I settled on this path and I'd say I am quite pleased with my set up for the money I spent. I must be getting old and stingy...
