My Observations
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Tourer
Joined: Mar 2007
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My Observations
Like many of you I have been bitten by the accessory bug. We have all installed different products to our rides form chrome to pipes and cams, the list goes on and on. Some for looks, comfort and some for performance.
I thought I would share with you what I thought were my most impressive add ons to my ride. Yes, I to have installed various components but these items were in my opinion the most favorable:
1) IDS, Isolated Drive Sprocket:
This may be old news to some but I still share for those who are thinking about this upgrade. The IDS became available in late 07 to address the 5th gear transmission whine and smooth out the power delivery.I myself never thought the gear whine was bothersome but power delivery to the rear wheel could definitely be smoother, partly due to the tall 1st gear in the 07 touring bikes.
I installed this this kit myself, it was a fairly simple install. I Read alot about many problems with failed bearings in the pulley and 2 seasons later the bearing is fine.
Ride impression:
This kit works as designed. 5th gear whine is quieter but still there. mainly the IDS really smooths out the power delivery to the rear tire which makes for much more comfortable and refined ride.
2) Dunlop E3 tires:
Like many of you I have switched over to the Dunlop E3 touring tire after changing 2 OEM rears. Let me say first that if someone would of told me what to expect prior to changing to the E3's, I would of been skeptical to say the least.
Riding impression:
These tires make a big difference in the feel and ride of the motorcycle. Gone are the wiggles when following grooved pavement or tar snakes. The overall wet/dry grip is improved. The handling is real eye opener, 800 plus pound sport bike style of handling. No, your not dragging a knee into the corners, but the agility and responsiveness is greatly improved. The bike feels much lighter riding on these tires, Tread wear is excellent and will easily exceed the stock dunlops. The only downside if you you can call that, is there is some road noise with these treads, but again nothing that would stop me from using these tires.
I recently changed wheels at the beginning of the season and decicded to try the Dyna Beads. I do my own balancing via a dynamic spin balancer. I was hesitant to try these at first as some have gave them a thumbs down. 2ounces in each tire and all is fine. they rides as smooth as they did before. If you are mounting your own tires and want to try the beads, go easy on the tire lube. excess lube in the tire will cause the beads to stick together.
3)SE255 cams:
Much has been written about these cams. They work as advertised great punch down low for a heavy touring bike.
Riding Impression:
Yes, other cams will make higher numbers, but for my application they are fine. Passing now in sixth gear is now effortless as the power rolls on nicely. Having said this, I can see where others want more from a cam These cams get there quick as compared to before sometimes leaving me to wonder, whats left. I also have true duals as well, expecting the dreading torque dip. Maybe on paper, but I don't ride a dyno.
I will mention one item that I encountered with the cam install that I never came across reading all the other posts. When tightening the driven sprocket bolt the assembly would develop a tight spot when you turn it over. Loosen it off and all is good. This is what I found. The shim in behind the gear has a rather sloppy fit as the bolt goes through. this shim also rides in a recess in the cam plate. If the shim is not centered it will ride into the edge of the recess in the cam plate causing it to bind. It took a bit of fiddling to center it' but it worked fine.
4) SE Compensator:
I have experienced the occasional hot start kickback on my bike since new. Very sporadic but long term or repeated effects of this can be costly.
This install was pretty straight forward and anyone with some basic tools and a little finesse can easily accomplish this.
Tools;
other than basic you will need 2 torque wrenches, one capable of 150 plus ft.lbs. and one that will do inch pounds for smaller fasteners. 1 3/4 box wrench (optional) for holding the compensator when torquing. Primary drive locking tool. A piece 1 3/4 x 1 3/4 oak works very well. !3/16 socket and 1 3/16 for the clutch nut (left hand thread)
As some have noted the old rotor will hit the primary housing as you attempt to remove it. a quick zip with the die and you'll have it off in know time. The die grinder is going to make a mess, filings everywhere. Take the stator out as well (my grommet was leaking anyway) and then proceed to wash down the entire primary housing.
Install as per directions, very straight forward. One caution the rotor/flywheels today all use rare earth magnets which are very small, light weight and very powerful. Meaning if your not careful that rotor will slam in hard to the crank and possibly fracturing a magnet. Do yourself a favor and tap out the 2 holes for a couple of 5/16 bolts, that way you can hold the rotor easily and slide it on.
Riding impression;
The first thing I noticed was during starting, it cranks with more authority. The engagement is more positive and solid, I believe this is due to the compensator not winding open during cranking.
The primary is extremely quiet..... real quiet. my primary never made any noise to speak of before but man its totally different.
This compensator is a brute. The spring pack is huge and solid compared to the old one, and it shows. The smoothness is incredible. From shifting to winding through the gears, pulling away from a dead stop.. this thing works. Its very solid feeling and that has greatly enhanced the feel of the bike. No added vibrations, just smooth power.
I think the combo of the IDS and the SE compensator has dramatically changed my bike. The cams and the tires are great as well but these two mods really changed the ride and feel of my SG. Others may report different, but that's what this great place is all about!
If any body is sitting on the fence about any of these mods, I can tell you they have worked flawless and have been absolutely the best mods I have done to my ride.
Ride safe!
I thought I would share with you what I thought were my most impressive add ons to my ride. Yes, I to have installed various components but these items were in my opinion the most favorable:
1) IDS, Isolated Drive Sprocket:
This may be old news to some but I still share for those who are thinking about this upgrade. The IDS became available in late 07 to address the 5th gear transmission whine and smooth out the power delivery.I myself never thought the gear whine was bothersome but power delivery to the rear wheel could definitely be smoother, partly due to the tall 1st gear in the 07 touring bikes.
I installed this this kit myself, it was a fairly simple install. I Read alot about many problems with failed bearings in the pulley and 2 seasons later the bearing is fine.
Ride impression:
This kit works as designed. 5th gear whine is quieter but still there. mainly the IDS really smooths out the power delivery to the rear tire which makes for much more comfortable and refined ride.
2) Dunlop E3 tires:
Like many of you I have switched over to the Dunlop E3 touring tire after changing 2 OEM rears. Let me say first that if someone would of told me what to expect prior to changing to the E3's, I would of been skeptical to say the least.
Riding impression:
These tires make a big difference in the feel and ride of the motorcycle. Gone are the wiggles when following grooved pavement or tar snakes. The overall wet/dry grip is improved. The handling is real eye opener, 800 plus pound sport bike style of handling. No, your not dragging a knee into the corners, but the agility and responsiveness is greatly improved. The bike feels much lighter riding on these tires, Tread wear is excellent and will easily exceed the stock dunlops. The only downside if you you can call that, is there is some road noise with these treads, but again nothing that would stop me from using these tires.
I recently changed wheels at the beginning of the season and decicded to try the Dyna Beads. I do my own balancing via a dynamic spin balancer. I was hesitant to try these at first as some have gave them a thumbs down. 2ounces in each tire and all is fine. they rides as smooth as they did before. If you are mounting your own tires and want to try the beads, go easy on the tire lube. excess lube in the tire will cause the beads to stick together.
3)SE255 cams:
Much has been written about these cams. They work as advertised great punch down low for a heavy touring bike.
Riding Impression:
Yes, other cams will make higher numbers, but for my application they are fine. Passing now in sixth gear is now effortless as the power rolls on nicely. Having said this, I can see where others want more from a cam These cams get there quick as compared to before sometimes leaving me to wonder, whats left. I also have true duals as well, expecting the dreading torque dip. Maybe on paper, but I don't ride a dyno.
I will mention one item that I encountered with the cam install that I never came across reading all the other posts. When tightening the driven sprocket bolt the assembly would develop a tight spot when you turn it over. Loosen it off and all is good. This is what I found. The shim in behind the gear has a rather sloppy fit as the bolt goes through. this shim also rides in a recess in the cam plate. If the shim is not centered it will ride into the edge of the recess in the cam plate causing it to bind. It took a bit of fiddling to center it' but it worked fine.
4) SE Compensator:
I have experienced the occasional hot start kickback on my bike since new. Very sporadic but long term or repeated effects of this can be costly.
This install was pretty straight forward and anyone with some basic tools and a little finesse can easily accomplish this.
Tools;
other than basic you will need 2 torque wrenches, one capable of 150 plus ft.lbs. and one that will do inch pounds for smaller fasteners. 1 3/4 box wrench (optional) for holding the compensator when torquing. Primary drive locking tool. A piece 1 3/4 x 1 3/4 oak works very well. !3/16 socket and 1 3/16 for the clutch nut (left hand thread)
As some have noted the old rotor will hit the primary housing as you attempt to remove it. a quick zip with the die and you'll have it off in know time. The die grinder is going to make a mess, filings everywhere. Take the stator out as well (my grommet was leaking anyway) and then proceed to wash down the entire primary housing.
Install as per directions, very straight forward. One caution the rotor/flywheels today all use rare earth magnets which are very small, light weight and very powerful. Meaning if your not careful that rotor will slam in hard to the crank and possibly fracturing a magnet. Do yourself a favor and tap out the 2 holes for a couple of 5/16 bolts, that way you can hold the rotor easily and slide it on.
Riding impression;
The first thing I noticed was during starting, it cranks with more authority. The engagement is more positive and solid, I believe this is due to the compensator not winding open during cranking.
The primary is extremely quiet..... real quiet. my primary never made any noise to speak of before but man its totally different.
This compensator is a brute. The spring pack is huge and solid compared to the old one, and it shows. The smoothness is incredible. From shifting to winding through the gears, pulling away from a dead stop.. this thing works. Its very solid feeling and that has greatly enhanced the feel of the bike. No added vibrations, just smooth power.
I think the combo of the IDS and the SE compensator has dramatically changed my bike. The cams and the tires are great as well but these two mods really changed the ride and feel of my SG. Others may report different, but that's what this great place is all about!
If any body is sitting on the fence about any of these mods, I can tell you they have worked flawless and have been absolutely the best mods I have done to my ride.
Ride safe!
Road Warrior
Joined: Apr 2009
Posts: 1,258
Likes: 114
From: Jackson, Ohio
Good post!
I've ridden dirt bikes longer than I have street bikes (over 35 years on dirt, 28 on asphalt) but the most important thing to ride a dirt bike properly is having it set-up for the rider. This is especially true with suspension components.
I have applied a lot of that to setting my bike up so I am comfortable on my rides. The best thing I have done in a while on mine is to quiet it down finally; the noise was too much for me and causes additional fatigue I just don't need anymore.
I've ridden dirt bikes longer than I have street bikes (over 35 years on dirt, 28 on asphalt) but the most important thing to ride a dirt bike properly is having it set-up for the rider. This is especially true with suspension components.
I have applied a lot of that to setting my bike up so I am comfortable on my rides. The best thing I have done in a while on mine is to quiet it down finally; the noise was too much for me and causes additional fatigue I just don't need anymore.
Last edited by scj; Jul 4, 2010 at 07:54 PM.
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