Story by Peter Martin.
"After many years of racing, I have a few ideas on what to do to a Motorcycle so that it handles properly, is easier to control and more enjoyable to ride. Enjoy my comments..."

So much will depend on what you ride, where you ride and how agressive you are on the bike. Let's face it, in the risk nervous world we live in, you are already a hero because you ride a Motorcycle, so let's help make it easier.

First, the first step is not increasing the Motor's performance, the most adjustable part of a motorcycle is the rider. As 4 Time World Superbike Champion Carl Foggarty's Telemetry Engineer told me, "Our whole job is to make the rider comfortable on the bike, if the rider is comfortable he is confident and in control, he will be faster and more focussed."

It worked for Carl, so where do you start...

1. COMFORT AND CONTROL:
If there were only three things I could do to a bike, this would be my list:

1. Lightech adjustable rear sets - get feet in the right position for comfort or ballance and control.

2. Slipper Clutch, make braking and corner entry less complicated, faster and more controlled.

3. Beringer Brake Master Cylinder - know what the tyre is doing under braking so you feel comfortable on the brakes.

2. RIDABILITY:
Set the bike up, make the bike fit you:

Fit Lightech Clip-ons that can be adjusted to fit YOUR BODY and riding position.

Fit Lightech Adjustable Rear sets so you can get YOUR FEET in the right position.

Move the Control levers, so you can get YOUR HANDS in the right position for Clutch and Braking.

Get the suspension set up for YOUR weight, riding style and where YOU ride.

If you need fast gear shifts, put an SP Quickshifter on the bike.

Change anything that takes your awareness or attention when you ride.

3. UN-SPRUNG WEIGHT:
Un-sprung weight is the enemy of good handling, lighten everything under the springs:

PVM Forged Aluminium Wheels - stronger, lighter PVM to improve handling.

Lighter Sprockets, sprocket carriers and chain.

Lighter Bolts, especially the large ones, consider Titanium, it's lighter but wears with use.

Beringer Brake Discs and Calipers for lighter weight and much better braking.

Fit lighter brackets, clamps, hoses and parts under the Suspension Springs.

4. MOTOR:


Maximise what is there already and only tune to enhance the way you ride.

Unless you have unlimited track and Dyno time, let others do the Development. Find out what parts others are fitting to your Model and do the same. You will save a fortune this way.

Bolt on Accessories are usually better and are certainly less costly than custom made parts.

If you significantly increase Horsepower, you must strengthen the rest of the motor to cope.

Ensure constant air flow from entry, air box, intake, compression chamber, exit flow and exhaust.

Fit parts including a compatable Exhaust system, ECU and Filters to enhance air flow.

Lighten the Flwheel so RPM can increase faster.

Learn to do your own basic Servicing, get a 'friendly' professional to do the important work.

Sportsbike and Ducationly are Distributors of Motorcycle Accessories and will gladly take orders and provide assistance regarding the parts and accessories we sell. Sportsbike and Ducationly do not offer a Workshop Service and are not qualified to answer technical questions.