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Two times a noob

7K views 38 replies 4 participants last post by  KratomBoss 
#1 ·
Hello all,

I am not only a new owner of a 2003 z1000, but a first time motorcycle owner. I am trying to learn as much as I can so bear with me. After purchasing this new Zed, I explored these forums a bit and discovered that I am very glad with my purchase. It may not be an ideal starter bike, but it is (in my opinion) a generally awesome machine.
My 03 z1000 black and red, and has been down once(right side). It has just a bit over 28k miles on it. I sent it on back to the dealership to have some things addressed with it. It is not stock, and came with an integrated tail, aftermarket levers, as well as what I assume to be LED front turn signals. The exhaust appears to be stock, but gutted perhaps. It is LOUD. I love it.
As far as riding in general goes, I plan on scheduling my MSF basic riding course soon in order to get my endorsement. I have shogun frame-sliders ordered, and have dropped some money on a jacket, helmet, and gloves. My boots arent the best but will have to do. I also am looking to get proper riding pants but am not able to right now. I have downloaded the 03 z1000 owner's manual PDF.
I have gotten into riding because of friends. They are all into super sports, and have been a wealth of information for me to draw from as I need. I intend on learning my machine, and how it differs from theirs in order to best ascertain any differences in technical riding aspects as I begin learning to ride.

Any input for general comfort/quality of life modifications as well as simply practical ones are appreciated. The bike doesnt look so hot right now, due to some cosmetic damage. I don't mind the cosmetic damage so much at the moment. I would also love input on any popular performance mods, although I likely won't be focusing on them much.
I will not complain at any bits of knowledge from you all, and will appreciate it greatly.
 
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#4 ·
Welcome to the Z and riding in general. Be careful out there. Most 2wheel wipeouts happen in your 12 o’clock so lookout for the phone blind cagers, and expect the worst in cross traffic. Much of survival on the street is pure luck, but practice your hard braking. It can save your life. Quick downshifts help to keep the rear from locking/sliding and front brake is 75% of your stopping power. Keep your tires, brakes and oil fresh and have fun!
 
#5 ·
My MSF basic rider course is scheduled for the 14th-16th. I expect the Z back from the shop tomorrow. I have a lot of experience to draw from and intend to utilize it in order to prevent getting dead. I would like to think I am going about this decently. I look forward to getting barend mirrors as well as a more comfy seat depending on how I feel about the stock one over time. I am very excited.
 
#6 ·
That’s cool have you ridden dirt or anything before? I found the required “safety” course here in TX somewhat of a joke, but I just went along. Instructor was an idiot. We don’t have helmet laws here, and be pulled up on his bike(Harley) at the cone course not wearing a helmet. I could have rode circles around this dipsht. Did the hard stop in the box test on their Honda rebel like he probably has never seen.. he said “umm maybe don’t come in so hot next time but that’s good..” it’s an easy pass I dont think anyone actually fails it. This chick kept stalling it and fell over at least twice that I saw, and she passed. No fkg way she should be on the street but there you go that’s our outsourced system.
 
#7 ·
I've never ridden dirt. The extent of my riding experience is on the back of a 636 going far too fast. The folks I am going to be riding with ultimately dislike Harleys (putting it lightly). However, due to the known quality instruction at the local Harley dealership's Basic Riding Course, I will be attending classes there, because that is what they have suggested. It is three days, and seems to be pretty thorough. I know that you can fail, also. It is over the course of three days. I intend on dedicating actual time practicing before going full hooligan. I get the bike back tomorrow and starting to learn basics in the neighborhood. It has different types of turns and a giant straight, with low traffic volume. All I've done is get moving by releasing the clutch and applying just a tad of throttle to walk the bike around.
 
#8 ·
There are some courses given here by the local moonlighting bike cops. I signed my son up for that one when he took his class M at 15. Those guys were top notch professionals. Never seen a full fairing bagger worked with such agility and grace.
Be safe and don’t be afraid of it. Fear and respect are two different things, and it sounds like you want to ride, so that’s really all you need. Good luck!
 
#9 ·
Here's my Zed. I am still waiting on my riding course, but my friend had me doing figure eights and shifting in a large parking lot. Unfortunately he went down hard the other night and is caught up in the local trauma center. I went through the maintainence manual and pieced together the exhaust situation. I believe it is stock and gutted. The muffler caps appear to be riveted back on. As for the pipes...well...its a little obvious.
 

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#10 ·
My son also has a black red 2003. Love the bike. His has 45k and climbing. Muzzy exhaust etc. Here's what we have found. the stock rear shock is pretty bad. His was almost seized, so ,for now we replaced it with a
a low mile replacement stocker. Apparently they can be revalved. Radiator shrouds are almost impossible to find used. If you have any hand cramps try Grip Puppies. Cheap and they work.
He replaced his Corbin seat for stock. He likes it better. It's been reliable except we've been having some heat related issues. Don't know for sure if we fixed it. Hasn't been hot enough to find out. The bike is a hoot on twisties. it can easily keep up with the sporty guys, in way more comfort. It's just a great all around bike. Enjoy yours.

Mad
 
#11 ·
I can't wait to get on it after this weekend. I am not sure at all how to go about getting a full exhaust. I can't seem to find them anyway and will likely be asking a very reputable shop in my area. As far as the seat goes, I will be holding off on a new one until I am sure I dislike the stock one. I also intend on waiting to get tank pads. I have decided on getting round Barend mirrors, a phone mount, maybe a radiator guard if it is advised by my friend and mechanic of choice. I am going to be paying attention to the vibrations too. I see many folks complain about them. If they become an issue I will address it. The Puig windscreens are on closeout sale on Revzilla right now, so I ordered one even though I wanted to wait to be sure. I think whoever did the Catdelete on this zed didn't get it tuned after. Its slower than it is supposed to be stock.
Enough of my rambling. I intend on doing some heavy modifications to this in the future as I become more confident as a rider, and can afford to get it tuned right after. I am not opposed to getting the parts now due to availability issues I seem to be seeing.
 
#14 ·
Manufacturers top speed means nothing as does your friend's attempts to match it. Different conditions , different gearing, hell, different continents. Look at the spark plugs. If they are really white you're running lean and should add a Power Commander or have the ECU flashed. For real results, have a shop do a Dyno run. That's the only way to really know what's going on.

Mad
 
#18 ·
Update: Gel grips helped a lot. I only feel vibes when I am gripping too hard. Its a nice reminder. Will be habit soon. Nextly, I want some tank pads but will either need to get my dinged up tank fixed, or find an OEM black one. I got the frame sliders and barend mirrors on. CRG lanesplitters with the rhinomoto barend adapter. I see tanks are usually priced somewhere over $1100. Getting the current one fixed would be about half that, but that won't make it look good. Not sure what to do here. My buddy went down on his 06 636, but I doubt I will get a chance to go for his suspension, so that sucks. This bike is such a blast to ride. Mine pops a TON on deceleration. I love it but hope that isnt an issue.
 
#22 ·
I deleted the marketplace thread. It has no replies and I don't need some of the things I was looking for anymore. I am planning on doing the Airbox mod, K&N filter. I am also going to be in the market for some complete 05/06 636 front ends for the swap. The below picture looks a bit silly right? A company that canceled my slider order ended up sending them out anyway at a much later date, so I got them by surprise in the mail. They are long, but will serve the purpose of protecting the new akra cans.
 

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#23 ·
Yeah, I am going to continuously update this. Deal with it. I haven't put the akra cans on, pretty soon I am going to be switching to some Michelin Road 5s and go 180/55 in the rear. I've been riding in the rain every day. I will simultaneously do my chain/sprocket. The ones that came on the bike are rough, and I would rather do both at once. I will be doing the 05/06 636 fork swap. A couple people riding my bike said it "scared them" or was "sketchy". I got it checked out and my 145lb *** was bottoming out my forks riding non-aggressively. Figured its worth doing the swap instead of the rebuild. Going to go with steel braided lines, and 08-11 zx10r calipers.
 
#25 ·
You keep updating, we’ll keep reading <img src="http://www.z1000forum.com/forum/images/smilies/smile.gif" border="0" alt="" title=":)" class="inlineimg" />
Noted.

Going with the red 08 forks. Found a seller that is beating the fleabay price by $50 or so, with cheaper shipping. There's a local place where they will make steel braided lines for you on the spot for a decent price. After this whole front end conversion, I figure I will do airbox, k&n filter, steering damper, deal with my ugly fairings and tank, etc. Only trouble I've had is finding a compatible exhaust/mid-pipe. I am worried I will have to get custom work done. So until I figure that out, the akra slips may just have to wait.
 
#26 ·
Nobody makes a slip on for the stock head pipes anymore? My son has a full Muzzy system. Loud as hell. Probably needs a repack. I have a stock exhaust if you need one....
His forks are stock, he weighs 165. I weigh 210 and neither of us bottom the forks. But it for sure could use some cartridge inserts. But we are experienced at riding bikes with crap suspension.


Mad
 
#27 ·
I was looking to see if Akrapovic had a header for the Gen 1 that was meant for their slip-on line. Doesn't seem to be the case. I believe now I will go with the arrow header and get the arrow mid-pipe modified to stock size in order to accommodate my new slip-ons. The akra cans were designed for stock pipes. It is what it is.

Tomorrow AM I am getting my new tires mounted. Went with Road 5s. I've been riding in the rain every day. I am also having the slip-ons thrown on. I suspect that I am running lean because of the cat being removed, so hopefully it wont be too noticable of a bottom end loss/ temperature change. Either way I will be getting a K&N filter and be doing the airbox mod and getting it flashed and tuned. The local place around here doesnt require a Power Commander. Hopefully tonight I can get the baffles out of the slip-ons.

Anyway, that's all I got for now. I appreciate all the input. If anyone knows where I can get Akra pipes that will work with the cans I posted above PLEASE let me know. I've searched extensively and found nothing. I am open to other solutions as well.
 
#28 ·
Akra slip-ons are going on today as well as the new tires. Each metal baffle only required 15 seconds of time and a 3mm hex key to remove. I also had no Idea the stock exhaust had a gasket...my akrapovic slip-on line is meant for stock exhaust and I actually think I was wrong about it not working on the Arrow system. So that's awesome. Going to be debating putting in an order for the Arrow header and mid-pipe with K&M filter now.
 
#29 · (Edited)
Forgive my rambling. ALL input welcome. Even salty old man input.

I was initially debating between pod filters and K&N filter. I was also unsure as to whether or not I should do the Airbox mod. A couple of people that are generally knowledgeable suggested going with the Sprint P08 filter. I have also heard mixed things about the airbox mod, and can't seem to get decent information. ANY input on this is welcome.

On the front end swap:
The forks are rebuilt, I was quoted over $200 for Spiegler lines, and will likely go local for them. Otherwise my Renthal Street Ultra Lows are showing up tomorrow, and I have the Rhinomoto barend adapters we can move my mirrors right over. My EBC HH Sintered pads showed up today.

On the Akra slip-ons:

The mechanic butt-dynoed the bike, and said he felt more torque. I believe the bike runs some warmer now. I shed a decent amount of weight on this, and lost a lot of volume, but it sounds so much nicer. Of course, we will see how it changes with the future mods. I disagree about the torque, I think it is less. I could be wrong. I am a new rider and may have just gotten used to it.

Future mods:

I plan on not implementing the filter/airbox stuff until I have the Arrow Header and Mid-pipe as well, then will likely do Airbox mod/Sprint filter and the arrow header/mid-pipe at once. Then go for a flash/tune. I am debating having the secondaries disabled. Lastly, I need the rear spacer information to swap a zx10r wheel to my back end. If I find it, I will do that in addition to a shock swap.

Next, I plan on finding the most cost effective solution for undenting my tank, and aesthetically squaring away my bike. Likely using Ti fasteners to replace the disgusting ones. After that, I will probably chill out before the crefit card companies send assassins. The only other thing I would consider is getting my seat reupholstered because my current one is a bit ugly.

Pics below are my bike, my girlfriend's, some of my friends.
 

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#31 ·
Progress report:

WALL OF TEXT WARNING (with pics)

Attached is the most recent image.
Wednesday or Thursday is when I am expecting a pair of knock-off Pazzo levers to come in. They are the exact same look as my current ones, except they weren't wrecked in. I bought the ones for the 08 zx6r to match the new master cylinder. As far as the MC goes, it got rebuilt, and we are going to make a custom bracket to get the resivoir placed correctly. My guy dun goofed on the lines, which luckily isn't a hold-up. He ordered stock length not accounting for The Renthal Street Ultra Lows are wider than anticipated, but I will include an image of the short lines to show that the color matches well. We ended up having to go with 320mm rotors. The forks are freshly rebuilt and look awesome. I got barend adaptors to slap the CRG mirrors right on. EBC HH Pads are going in the front and back, along with a rear braided line as well as dual custom lines in the front. The stock rear lines were very tight due to the akra slip-ons. For the sake of it going on the record, the oil was changed,and we are going with some fancy Motul DOT4 brake fluid, the forks are newly rebuilt. Today the handlebars and levers were angled to my liking. My old pads that the bike came with were rusted and basically had nothing left. The seat was reupholstered, a new Z3 x-ring 525 steel chain as well as JT hardened steel sprockets in the front and back were put on. The alignment was adjusted. I also have LED headlights on the way.

For performance, I am going to get an Arrow header and mid-pipe, sprint filter, airbox mod, flash and tune. I am going to see if the rear shock is worthwhile or not, as well as a steering damper. I am totally undecided. On those. If I did, there's a nearby place that will professionally set it up.

In the distant future, I intend on buying the best chinese fairing kit I can find, and using titanium fasteners for it, as well as my windscreen. Black or red obviously. I also am going to have my tank dents fixed, and have the tank redone. I also need a new kickstand. My radiator guard is ugly. I will just replace these things. I want tank pads as well.

tldr; Got some stuff, getting some stuff, planning more stuff, here's images
 

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#32 ·
Update:

I've got an 09 zx6r shock about to be dropped in. Should be a vast improvement. My front feels locked in, but the back does not. Afterwards there's a local öhlins certified place I am going to have it all set up. I got a Sprint filter on the way. I am going to hang on to it until I have my Arrow header come in, and then I will have them black ceramic coated inside and out. I will then put the header on but not mod the airbox or do the filter until I get my ECU flash lined up. I am paranoid about being too lean.
 
#33 ·
Furthermore, I intend on having my OEM tank dents popped out. Its a shame they are so rare these days. Then, have it stripped and repainted to Match a new set of plastics, that will be clear ceramic coated for longevity. I want to do things right and have them stay that way. If I end up figuring out the zx10r wheel swap, I will coat them as well. Getting the tank squared away will let me justify tank pads. My radiator is super ugly but doesnt seem to impact anything. I will just wait before I replace it. Meanwhile I can't find any cool radiator screens, and the OEM sceen is too expensive. Nextly, before the new fairings go on, I am going to have a custom license plate bracket made that is more conducive to hooliganism on closed courses in Mexico. Right now if I bounce too hard, my plate hits my rear hugger, so that is why I got it cracked. I am on the fence about a steering damper. We will see how it is with the new shock being in and configured professionally.
 
#34 ·
Welp. Got hit by another bike recently. I stayed up. Nobody was injured but one of the Akras got smashed. Right now its temporarily fitted back on. We are finding out from Akra if there's a sleeve we can use that matches. I found a new can in europe for 500 euro plus shipping (ouch). I will likely go single exit with a full Muzzy system. I can't just chop these Akras, unfortunately. I figure if I get the Muzzy system for 800 bucks, I would save between the header, custom midpipe and labor of transitioning to single exit using one akra.

Positive note: I got the zx9r shock in, at factory settings. I don't get pogoed while cornering now, but it doesnt feel too settled in either. Going to fix that and deal with the exhaust.
 

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#35 ·
Looks like I missed a full Muzzy system for sale on a different forum. Damn. Looks like I am out of options except Arrow. I will likely spend the 1200 on the full Arrow system.

I did the airbox mod out of boredom. I also have a pump problem. Having that dealt with, and switching to Engine Ice. Going to ECU flash right after getting that exhaust ceramic coated and installed. Local dude is very reputable.

I am also still planning on replacing the plastics, undenting the tank, getting tank pads.

First thing is first. Exhaust.
 
#36 ·
A Muzzy full system is on the way, and should come by friday. I am going to clean them off, and send them out for a supposedly high end coating. They are a little ugly, but will look great in black. As for the can, it doesn't bother me too much, and if another one appears I can get that one. I am glad to finally get a full system. I have been using the gutted stock cans since an Akra got smashed. Its been loud.

I am also going to be sure to do an oil change, and get a new clutch before I get a reflash. Otherwise, I just want to swap the light for an LED.

Hopefully another motorcycle doesn't hit me and smash the Muzzy exhaust..... my thermostat was messed up, and my bike is super lean right now I believe. It was getting too hot, and quickly. Removing the thermostat has kept the temp in check. I will probably get another one after the reflash.
 
#37 ·
Before and after pics of the Muzzy system.
 

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