Newbie in VA - Motorcycle-Journal Forums

vicsM50 · 07-12-2007, 11:58 AM

Hey there, I'm a first time rider (took MSF Course) and I bought my Black 07 M50 about a month ago. I already have 750 miles on it cause I've been using it to commute on nice weather days which is mostly highway. I plan on modifying my bike little by little starting with exhaust, floorboards and OEM windshield. Here's a couple of questions:

Is the Vance and Hines straightshot as loud as the Cobra exhaust? I'm looking for a noticeable change in tone but overpowering.

I keep reading and hearing that the Suzuki OEM windshield beats all aftermarket ones...what is your opinion?

Last question..Can someone provide me a link to a tutorial to eliminate the rear license plate and turn signals?

Thanks for any help you guys can provide.

Rickb1415 · 07-12-2007, 01:52 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by vicsM50

Hey there, I'm a first time rider (took MSF Course) and I bought my Black 07 M50 about a month ago. I already have 750 miles on it cause I've been using it to commute on nice weather days which is mostly highway. I plan on modifying my bike little by little starting with exhaust, floorboards and OEM windshield. Here's a couple of questions:

Is the Vance and Hines straightshot as loud as the Cobra exhaust? I'm looking for a noticeable change in tone but overpowering.

I keep reading and hearing that the Suzuki OEM windshield beats all aftermarket ones...what is your opinion?

Last question..Can someone provide me a link to a tutorial to eliminate the rear license plate and turn signals?

Thanks for any help you guys can provide.

Most changes will be a matter of preference.. i personally lke the hellcat over the OEM not to mention its cheaper.. I just posted a thread with pics of it.

Exhaust I have Straightshots, and love them... i however have never been next to another M50 with Cobras so couldnt really give ya an answer on that one.

I also took off the rear turn signals and put on flush mounts. Some like them, some dont. Theres a number of ways to change the rear turns sigs so check into which you would rather do.

srt03 · 07-12-2007, 02:21 PM

Welcome to the board!! Can't really help on the questions though. I debaffled my pipes and think they sound pretty good. Not bad for being free.

d_m50 · 07-12-2007, 03:39 PM

Welcome! Nice to see another Northern Virginian.

digitalbroccoli · 07-12-2007, 05:32 PM

Vic, welcome aboard. The rear end is going to depend on what you plan on doing. I swapped in an integrated LED setup fro customdynamics.com, which put the amber LED's into the main taillight. I then simply cut off everything underneath the light, and relocated the plate to the left side. Much cleaner, and I get a ton of compliments on the rear set up.

IF you have question on how to do it, I'd be happy to give you a hand, just throw me a PM.

Memphis shades windshield > OEm suzi windshield. Definately. Lots of choices, lots of mounting options, and lots of colors.

THe pipes are a personal choice thing. Head over to volusiariders.com, in the pipes forum, and they've got a bunch of sound clips of the pipes installed. Same motor, same sound with ours as with the C50/volusia.

robertc729 · 07-12-2007, 05:38 PM

devilboy26 · 07-12-2007, 08:57 PM

I have both the Memphis Shades versions and actaually prefer the smaller one.Exhaust I havent changed yet.
shown is the smaller one ... both make a huge difference in deflecting the wind off your body! Also check your tire pressure B4 every ride....
It make a HUGE difference.

DaveAlvarado · 07-12-2007, 10:02 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by digitalbroccoli

THe pipes are a personal choice thing. Head over to volusiariders.com, in the pipes forum, and they've got a bunch of sound clips of the pipes installed. Same motor, same sound with ours as with the C50/volusia.

Here's a link for the lazy. About the 4th or 5th post down has a bunch of links to soundclips.

VolusiaRiders.com :: View topic - Which aftermarket pipes sound the best?

SNAFU · 07-13-2007, 12:03 AM

Vic!

DR-Z125L · 07-13-2007, 02:51 AM

cvillechopper · 07-13-2007, 07:00 AM

Welcome. If you make it to the C'ville area drop me a PM. I know some great roads in the area and will be getting a ride together later this month or early Aug.

Nico · 07-14-2007, 11:11 AM

from NoVA. I have the Memphis shades hellcat on mine and I like it a lot. It was a good deal cheaper than the OEM.

I did the tail light mod form custom dynamics as well, and cut off the housing and signals. Unless you are pretty handy with a dremmel (and I thought I was!) I'd recommend having them insert the LED board for you. It was a $100 mistake...

I did something a little different with my plate though, I used the old reflector brackets to mount the plate under the taillight at and angle. I didn't like the sideplate. I need to see if I can get some pics posted.

Good luck, ride safe. Remember you are 100% invisible around here and no one understands what a YIELD sign means...

vicsM50 · 07-15-2007, 12:38 PM

Thanks for everyone's welcome and input on my questions. I decided to go ahead and get the OEM windshield this weekend while dropping it off for service and while I was at the dealer I bought the Boulevard rider platforms. They were actually cheaper than all the aftermarket stuff I've been looking at. Anyone know if I made a mistake buying them?

A big shout to my NOVA and C'ville brothers here locally. I live in Stephens City, VA which is just south of Winchester off I81. I commute to Sterling for work. If anyone would like to set up a ride someday, drop me a line. I have no experience riding with other bikers and I would like to get a feel of how that goes.

Thank you for the link to the sound bites of exhaust notes. I really am leaning towards the Cobra slashcut or the V&H Cruzers. Still need to make up my mind on that. I was also pretty surprised to hear how nice the debaffling sounds...not bad.

Trog2233 · 07-15-2007, 01:31 PM

Hey whats up man.....i live in martinsburg,wv i ride almost every weekend.

vicsM50 · 07-15-2007, 07:26 PM

Sounds good Trog...you ride alone or with more people?

USAF_rider · 07-16-2007, 12:29 AM

We have enough M50 people in the VA/MD/DC area to have our own little rally... lets dooo eeet.

vicsM50 · 07-16-2007, 09:06 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by USAF_rider

We have enough M50 people in the VA/MD/DC area to have our own little rally... lets dooo eeet.

Sounds cool...where do we start a thread for something like this?

robertc729 · 07-16-2007, 09:11 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by vicsM50

Sounds cool...where do we start a thread for something like this?

In the events/rides section.

Nico · 07-16-2007, 02:14 PM

Stephens city to Sterling, that's a heck of a commute, but some nice roads!
I head out to Winchester and back on 7 every once and a while when I need to get an hours ride in and de-stress. (The stress usually comes back somewhere near Leesburg!)

vicsM50 · 07-16-2007, 02:47 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Nico

Stephens city to Sterling, that's a heck of a commute, but some nice roads!
I head out to Winchester and back on 7 every once and a while when I need to get an hours ride in and de-stress. (The stress usually comes back somewhere near Leesburg!)

Yeah, it takes me an hour to get to work now that school is out. When school is in I'm looking at almost 1.5 hours!!

I've only been living out here for a year since I moved from North Arlington. This is the only place I could buy a house that is worth living in (size wise) and still within my budget.

Nico..next ime you ride out, hit me up and we can ride some nice backroads out here.

07-12-2007, 11:58 AM	#1 (permalink)
vicsM50 Where Am I ? Joined: Jul 2007 Bike: 2007 Suzuki Boulevard M50 Location: Northern Virginia Posts: 26	Newbie in VA Hey there, I'm a first time rider (took MSF Course) and I bought my Black 07 M50 about a month ago. I already have 750 miles on it cause I've been using it to commute on nice weather days which is mostly highway. I plan on modifying my bike little by little starting with exhaust, floorboards and OEM windshield. Here's a couple of questions: Is the Vance and Hines straightshot as loud as the Cobra exhaust? I'm looking for a noticeable change in tone but overpowering. I keep reading and hearing that the Suzuki OEM windshield beats all aftermarket ones...what is your opinion? Last question..Can someone provide me a link to a tutorial to eliminate the rear license plate and turn signals? Thanks for any help you guys can provide. __________________ "No matter what you do, look good doing it." Last edited by vicsM50; 07-14-2007 at 11:51 PM. Reason: not getting email notification

07-12-2007, 02:21 PM	#3 (permalink)
srt03 Seat Tester Joined: Apr 2007 Bike: 2006 M50 Black Location: Redmond, Wa Posts: 66	Welcome to the board!! Can't really help on the questions though. I debaffled my pipes and think they sound pretty good. Not bad for being free. __________________ 2006 M50 Black Debaffled Sissy Bar w/rack Corbin Dual Tour Seat John's Kit's forward controls 2004 M6 GTO Flowmaster Catback w/resonator delete 8000k HID kit Predator tuner K&N CAI 318whp and 337wtq (before tune)

07-12-2007, 03:39 PM	#4 (permalink)
d_m50 Clunked into first gear Joined: Jul 2006 Bike: Kawasaki ZR750 & Suzuki M50 Location: Sterling, VA Posts: 244	Welcome! Nice to see another Northern Virginian. __________________

07-12-2007, 05:32 PM	#5 (permalink)
digitalbroccoli U.B's LoveChild Joined: Jan 2007 Bike: 06 M50 in Bluuuuuuuuue Location: Sodus, NY Posts: 1,059	Vic, welcome aboard. The rear end is going to depend on what you plan on doing. I swapped in an integrated LED setup fro customdynamics.com, which put the amber LED's into the main taillight. I then simply cut off everything underneath the light, and relocated the plate to the left side. Much cleaner, and I get a ton of compliments on the rear set up. IF you have question on how to do it, I'd be happy to give you a hand, just throw me a PM. Memphis shades windshield > OEm suzi windshield. Definately. Lots of choices, lots of mounting options, and lots of colors. THe pipes are a personal choice thing. Head over to volusiariders.com, in the pipes forum, and they've got a bunch of sound clips of the pipes installed. Same motor, same sound with ours as with the C50/volusia. __________________ 06 Blue M50 - tattoo profiler and bags, pciii, hypercharger, cruzers, drag bars, lots of other goodies. 99 black bandit - winter project. mwahahaha.

07-12-2007, 08:57 PM	#7 (permalink)
devilboy26 In Training Joined: Oct 2006 Bike: 2008 Victory Vision Tour Premium Steel Grey Location: Central Florida Posts: 147	I have both the Memphis Shades versions and actaually prefer the smaller one.Exhaust I havent changed yet. shown is the smaller one ... both make a huge difference in deflecting the wind off your body! Also check your tire pressure B4 every ride.... It make a HUGE difference. Attached Thumbnails __________________ Ride Safe with a HARD STIFF One!

07-12-2007, 05:38 PM	#6 (permalink)
robertc729 Forensic Bug Splatter Analyst Joined: Mar 2006 Bike: 05 Boulevard C50 LE, 06 S40 (wife's bike) Location: Lexington, KY Posts: 4,087

07-13-2007, 12:03 AM	#9 (permalink)
SNAFU Just Won't Go Away ! Joined: Mar 2006 Bike: '06 M50 Black Location: Winnipeg, Canada Posts: 5,006	Vic! __________________

07-13-2007, 02:51 AM	#10 (permalink)
DR-Z125L Special/Abusive Title Joined: Apr 2007 Posts: 1,364

07-13-2007, 07:00 AM	#11 (permalink)
cvillechopper Clunked into first gear Joined: Jun 2007 Bike: '07 Suzuki M50 Limited, '73 Honda CB550 Location: Charlottesville, VA Posts: 238	Welcome. If you make it to the C'ville area drop me a PM. I know some great roads in the area and will be getting a ride together later this month or early Aug. __________________ It is the mark of an educated mind to be able to entertain a thought without accepting it. Aristotle '07 Suzuki M50, Corbin Dual Tour with Backrest, Kuryakn SwingWings, 2 1/2" lowering bones, Jeff's Riser Spacers, NGK Iridium Plugs, Amsoil Synth 10w30

07-14-2007, 11:11 AM	#12 (permalink)
Nico In Training Joined: Sep 2006 Location: NoVA Posts: 134	from NoVA. I have the Memphis shades hellcat on mine and I like it a lot. It was a good deal cheaper than the OEM. I did the tail light mod form custom dynamics as well, and cut off the housing and signals. Unless you are pretty handy with a dremmel (and I thought I was!) I'd recommend having them insert the LED board for you. It was a $100 mistake... I did something a little different with my plate though, I used the old reflector brackets to mount the plate under the taillight at and angle. I didn't like the sideplate. I need to see if I can get some pics posted. Good luck, ride safe. Remember you are 100% invisible around here and no one understands what a YIELD sign means...

07-15-2007, 12:38 PM	#13 (permalink)
vicsM50 Where Am I ? Joined: Jul 2007 Bike: 2007 Suzuki Boulevard M50 Location: Northern Virginia Posts: 26	Thanks for everyone's welcome and input on my questions. I decided to go ahead and get the OEM windshield this weekend while dropping it off for service and while I was at the dealer I bought the Boulevard rider platforms. They were actually cheaper than all the aftermarket stuff I've been looking at. Anyone know if I made a mistake buying them? A big shout to my NOVA and C'ville brothers here locally. I live in Stephens City, VA which is just south of Winchester off I81. I commute to Sterling for work. If anyone would like to set up a ride someday, drop me a line. I have no experience riding with other bikers and I would like to get a feel of how that goes. Thank you for the link to the sound bites of exhaust notes. I really am leaning towards the Cobra slashcut or the V&H Cruzers. Still need to make up my mind on that. I was also pretty surprised to hear how nice the debaffling sounds...not bad. __________________ "No matter what you do, look good doing it."

07-15-2007, 01:31 PM	#14 (permalink)
Trog2233 Seat Tester Joined: Jun 2006 Bike: Silver 06 Boulevard M50 Location: Inwood, WV Posts: 54	Hey whats up man.....i live in martinsburg,wv i ride almost every weekend.

07-15-2007, 07:26 PM	#15 (permalink)
vicsM50 Where Am I ? Joined: Jul 2007 Bike: 2007 Suzuki Boulevard M50 Location: Northern Virginia Posts: 26	Sounds good Trog...you ride alone or with more people? __________________ "No matter what you do, look good doing it."

07-16-2007, 12:29 AM	#16 (permalink)
USAF_rider Seat Tester Joined: Jun 2007 Bike: 2007 Black M50 Location: Fort George G. Meade, MD Posts: 86	We have enough M50 people in the VA/MD/DC area to have our own little rally... lets dooo eeet. __________________ 2007 Boulevard M50 - Black John's Forward Controls and a tank bra... for now!

07-16-2007, 02:14 PM	#19 (permalink)
Nico In Training Joined: Sep 2006 Location: NoVA Posts: 134	Stephens city to Sterling, that's a heck of a commute, but some nice roads! I head out to Winchester and back on 7 every once and a while when I need to get an hours ride in and de-stress. (The stress usually comes back somewhere near Leesburg!)

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