Questions - security and after market accessories...

[chwilson0607]

Hey group,

So I've had my new SV for about a week now. I ridden a little bit just about every day since last weekend and I can definitely say ... riding is an absolute blast. Man, I wish I would have started years ago...anyway...

Two things - what's the big deal with all the aftermarket accessories/modifications available for bikes? For example, look in any motorcycle magazine and you see pages and pages of ads for performance exhaust systems. What do these exhaust pipes do for you that the stock pipes won't?

Also - other than parking in a garage, what are some of the ways to protect your motorcycle from being stolen? The dealers have info on LoJack for motorcycles (although seems kind of pricey at 800 but less than the cost of a new bike) - are there other protection methods?


Carl

[earwig]

The exhaust systems give you more power and a better sound You can use a disk-lock or chain... thats about it

[ShawnKing]

So I've had my new SV for about a week now. I ridden a little bit just about every day since last weekend and I can definitely say ... riding is an absolute blast.

LOL Amen!

Two things - what's the big deal with all the aftermarket accessories/modifications available for bikes?

Sometimes it's a matter of personalizing your bike - kind of like fuzzy dice hanging from a rearview mirror but other times it's about getting more performance out of the stock bike.

Also - other than parking in a garage, what are some of the ways to protect your motorcycle from being stolen?

Don't get off of it.

I did an interview with the folks at LoJack and they have some great tips on how to protect your bike:
http://www.lojack.com/theftfacts/securi ... e-form.cfm

It's called the "BikeSmarts Tip Sheet".

If you want to hear the interview, check it out on my web site.

[chwilson0607]

Earwig,

Better performance and better sound? As far as the sound goes, my SV seems relatively quiet compared with what I've heard out on the street. Do the different exhaust pipes make it louder? As far as performance. I suppose it would help to know something about the mechanics of the bike in order to understand how performance would be improved. The more I ride, the more I will learn ... thanks.


Carl

[chwilson0607]

Shawn,

Thanks for the links I will definitely check it out. I'd like to ride my bike up to the park and ride where I catch a bus into the city (Washington DC). I would eventually like to ride into the city on my bike but for now while I'm still new, I'm taking it easy in traffic. For the park and ride, its not far but I don't ever see any other bikes up there and I know there's lots of riders in my area - I see them all the time.

I'm just nervous that I'll get back to the parking lot one day and the bike will be gone....



Carl

[ShawnKing]

I'd like to ride my bike up to the park and ride where I catch a bus into the city (Washington DC).

Cool! I just got back from a riding trip to DC.

I would eventually like to ride into the city on my bike but for now while I'm still new, I'm taking it easy in traffic.

Excellent idea. No sense pushing yourself too far or fast out of your comfort zone.

I'm just nervous that I'll get back to the parking lot one day and the bike will be gone....

Completely understandable. All you can do is take as many security precautions as you are able to/can afford.

Enjoy riding!

[dieziege]

Two things - what's the big deal with all the aftermarket accessories/modifications available for bikes? For example, look in any motorcycle magazine and you see pages and pages of ads for performance exhaust systems. What do these exhaust pipes do for you that the stock pipes won't?

Those are usually the parts that break off most easily. If you see a nearly new bike with an aftermarket exhaust you can pretty much bet the stock exhaust had a run-in with the road. E.g. I was walking into a bookstore the other day and on the sidewalk outside was a CBR600F4i that had dealer plates (so it was less than 30-40 days old) and an aftermarket exhaust... and scrapes all over the right side fairings...

Some people just like tweaking.