New guy...Mods?

[trill gear head]

Hi guys, I just got a 2000 Marauder 800cc and my birthday is right around the corner. I'm trying to figure out what I can and should do to the bike as far as mods. I was thinking the Engine case guards made by suzuki, does anybody know if they are adequate compared to the aftermarket?

Besides that, what are some must have mods?

[Trigger1985]

It just guards the engine, not the pegs, bars, controls, just the engine. It looks pretty good though, and you can put highway pegs on it, but if your looking for something to protect more of the bike, look elsewhere. I have one and I like it, it's not obtrusive and doesn't change to width of the bike, so you can till get it in narrow areas.

I have an 08 M50, so I don't know if all of this will apply, but the debaffle/fibrosleeve is great for making it actually sound like a cruiser instead of a weedwacker, or aftermarket pipes are an option, though the carb may need adjustment I hear. I like my Iso-grips, and bags if you plan on taking trips.

[trill gear head]

Originally Posted by Trigger1985

It just guards the engine, not the pegs, bars, controls, just the engine. It looks pretty good though, and you can put highway pegs on it, but if your looking for something to protect more of the bike, look elsewhere. I have one and I like it, it's not obtrusive and doesn't change to width of the bike, so you can till get it in narrow areas.

I have an 08 M50, so I don't know if all of this will apply, but the debaffle/fibrosleeve is great for making it actually sound like a cruiser instead of a weedwacker, or aftermarket pipes are an option, though the carb may need adjustment I hear. I like my Iso-grips, and bags if you plan on taking trips.

I forgot to mention that it already has Vance & Hanes exhaust on it. As for the engine guards, I was looking more for it to protect the body, engine and side of the bike. I'm not really worried about the pegs because those can be replaced and so can the pipes for a relatively small cost. I just don't want them to affect the turning so I have to worried about scrapping them all the time.

[DaveAlvarado]

I have the MC Enterprises crash bar and the stock pegs touch down before the bar does, so you won't scrape the bar unless you keep leaning after your pegs scrape.

[Pinhead78]

I have the Cobra Highway Bars, and I think they look pretty good on the bike. They stick out about an inch or two past my feet while rested on the pegs. I could put highway pegs on them if I wanted, but I kinda like the look of them as is.

[trill gear head]

I think I've settled for the OEM crash bar. Other than that what else is a must on these bikes?

[russd]

I just did my first 100 + mile ride the seat has to go . If you are planing any long rides get a new one

[Trigger1985]

Try the Lumpectomy before spending hundreds of dollars on a new seat, unless of course, you hate look of the seat. The seat does get more comfortable, but I end up sitting a bit more forward because of the tailbone bump. I plan on doing mine and replacing the foam with memory foam and closed cell.

[diamond_jim]

If you ever decide to do the lumpectomy, I recommend you try something. Take the cover and foam off, place a thin piece of high density foam, maybe an inch thick at the most, and take the bike out for a 30 minute ride. You may very well surprised at how well it feels. I actually rode mine for about 6-8 weeks with just the plastic seat pan. My butt never got numb like it did with all that stock padding. I've got thin, dense foam on mine now and couldn't be happier. If you find out you don't like it, at least you'll get a better feel of how much firmness/softness you need and maybe have a better mod outcome.

Here's some pics of mine before the new paint job.

[trill gear head]

what are my seat options? whatever it is it has to have a %%%%% seat cause my girl will want rides sometimes. which seats give the most comfort to both the rider and the passenger, or at least the passenger lol.

[Trigger1985]

I hear the dual touring seats made by Mustang and Corbin care pretty good, you could always try this (may not make it past some work filters, but no offensive images)

[DroopyDroors]

Originally Posted by Trigger1985

I hear the dual touring seats made by Mustang and Corbin care pretty good, you could always try this (may not make it past some work filters, but no offensive images)

thats so funny!!!

[trill gear head]

Originally Posted by Trigger1985

I hear the dual touring seats made by Mustang and Corbin care pretty good, you could always try this (may not make it past some work filters, but no offensive images)

I bookmarked it. I might give that a try once I get more confident and let my girl ride with me. lol It seems to me though that this might make the female rider have an orgasm during riding and potentially fall off.

[geeker]

Originally Posted by diamond_jim

If you ever decide to do the lumpectomy, I recommend you try something. Take the cover and foam off, place a thin piece of high density foam, maybe an inch thick at the most, and take the bike out for a 30 minute ride. You may very well surprised at how well it feels. I actually rode mine for about 6-8 weeks with just the plastic seat pan. My butt never got numb like it did with all that stock padding. I've got thin, dense foam on mine now and couldn't be happier. If you find out you don't like it, at least you'll get a better feel of how much firmness/softness you need and maybe have a better mod outcome.

Here's some pics of mine before the new paint job.

Attachment 14677Attachment 14678

interesting how that looks exactly like a horse saddle and when I used to ride horses I never got sore or numbness even after 2 hours of riding.

i'm just chicken to modify the seat and ruin the LE seat... maybe this will be a winter project when i'm not using the bike everyday.

from DJ's bike;
http://www.motorcycle-journal.com/fo...s-s4020041.jpg

[diamond_jim]

Originally Posted by geeker

interesting how that looks exactly like a horse saddle and when I used to ride horses I never got sore or numbness even after 2 hours of riding.

i'm just chicken to modify the seat and ruin the LE seat... maybe this will be a winter project when i'm not using the bike everyday.

from DJ's bike;
http://www.motorcycle-journal.com/fo...s-s4020041.jpg

That's exactly what I'm talking about, Geeker. See, you've spent some time on a saddle and know what I mean. Everybody seems to quickly jump to the "more padding" camp when they get numbness from the stock seat. For me, my seat makes it feels like I'm riding more in the bike than on the bike. Twisties, braking and big bumps feel much more secure. A piece of 1/4" polyester padding placed between the cover and the foam does amazing wonders for hiding imperfections when reshaping the stock seat foam. That's one of the tricks upholsters use to make stuff look so good.

[geeker]

DJ, I just wish I had the courage to mod the seat right now.
(especially since it took me 2 weeks to figure out how to change my VW Jetta brake pads)

[mbgraham2000]

I would look at safety enhancements:

Air horn
Brighter head light and perhaps a light bar
A windshield (I find the breeze at 75 mph makes me cranky -- some people don't consider a windshield a safety enhancement though)
Increase your rearward visibility by converting the rear turn signals to run, brake, turn.

My forward lights are so bright that people have to adjust there rear view mirrors when I pull up behind them at a light. I still get the occasional person pulling out in front of me though. That is when I get to use the air horn.

I have done these enhancements, they help but don't take the place of a MSF course and defensive driving.

[diamond_jim]

Originally Posted by geeker

DJ, I just wish I had the courage to mod the seat right now.
(especially since it took me 2 weeks to figure out how to change my VW Jetta brake pads)

Here you go...

[dr death]

Originally Posted by trill gear head

what are my seat options? whatever it is it has to have a %%%%% seat cause my girl will want rides sometimes. which seats give the most comfort to both the rider and the passenger, or at least the passenger lol.

i go on 200 mile trips with the stock seat and dont have a problem.just get the grasshopper limited driver backrest and it scoots you up in the seat and the lump problem disappears.
i am 5'8",220 and just saved myself 300+ on the new seat that i wont need.

[dr death]

Suzuki