Upgrade Strategy/Cost Effective Weight Loss

[jcmjrt]

I have a 2010 M696 ABS. I chose this bike for two primary reasons - 1) I'm short and the bike can accommodate that 2) I love to ride the twisties and the bike is light and easy to turn. Having said that - lighter is better. I would like to develop a long tern strategy for parts replacements and upgrades which will yield a significantly lighter and better handling bike and I'm hoping some of you have thoughts along this line...oh and the cost effective part. I can't just buy every ti and carbon piece made as my pocket wouldn't love me...so I probably won't be getting the ti frame either. 

I already plan to 1) replace the battery with one of the new Li Ion ones. One can shave several pounds - like about 6 or so - and the batteries are only about $200. I'm not sure at this point if one brand is significantly better than another but it sure seems like an easy choice for weight loss even if it is sprung weight. 2) Tail tidy - probably Evo kit - and integrated tail light (motodynamics??) I don't know the weight loss but this is mostly for looks anyway. 3) I may very well reduce the weight on the rear rotor. I see that some companies drill them for weight savings and it's only marginally useful since it's a rear brake anyway...and unsprung weight! 4) Put on lighter weight than the original tires when they are due to change. I'm generally figuring a Pirelli but haven't gotten into particulars yet. I figure this is also fairly high up on the cost for weight savings effectiveness since the weight is both rotational and unsprung.

What item(s) would you replace or alter for cost effective weight savings?

[ducpainter]

<snip>

What item(s) would you replace or alter for cost effective weight savings?

I went on a diet.

I lost almost 30 lbs and it didn't cost a dime.

[jcmjrt]

Congratulations. Actually, I'm losing a few winter pounds myself and hoping to make it about 10. I sure wish that I could drag out my credit card and delete pounds off of me! 

[ducpainter]

To be completely honest, my thoughts are that suspension upgrades will make your bike better handling, and you a faster rider quicker than any weight loss program...

be it for you or the bike.

I guess I'm assuming that is your goal.

[jcmjrt]

To be completely honest, my thoughts are that suspension upgrades will make your bike better handling, and you a faster rider quicker than any weight loss program...

I think that suspension upgrades sound very reasonable, however, weight loss can be pretty significant for improving handling...I'd guess especially for we who are a little smaller.

What specific upgrades would you recommend? Which would you do first - front or rear?

[Howie]

Most significant benefit from weight loss is wheels.  Two problems though, $$ and not much is available in your factory 4 1/2 wheel "off the rack".  Lighter rear rotor?  Not much benefit. 

[ducpainter]

I think that suspension upgrades sound very reasonable, however, weight loss can be pretty significant for improving handling...I'd guess especially for we who are a little smaller.

What specific upgrades would you recommend? Which would you do first - front or rear?

Rear upgrades are easier, because they are typically bolt on...nothing is cheap

Depending on the fork manufacturer, front upgrades can get pricey.

Keep in mind, all upgrades cost.

My thinking is that for the minimal weight loss you can achieve with battery swaps and rear rotors the money would be much better spent on a better shock and fork valving.

What is your budget?

[Speeddog]

You have two goals, lighter and better handling.
They don't necessarily follow the same path.

I encourage you to get the suspension sorted out for *you*, as at 5'2", you're very likely below the design weight for the bike.
I know it's a bit rude to ask, but this *is* the tech section.... how much do you weigh?

Biggest gains in handling are getting the bike sprung to the rider's weight, followed by better damping components.

Beyond that, as far as reducing weight and improving handling at the same time, lighter wheels is the best route.

[BK_856er]

Exhaust is typically another area where you can shed many pounds.  Don't know abou the M696, but it's shocking how much some of the OE exhausts weigh compared to Termi or similar.  As the others have already pointed out, suspension and wheels/tires will give better return on investment than anything else (in the handling sense).  You'll go broke trying to add lightness with Ti and carbon fiber bits!

BK

[koko64]

If your battery and exhaust pipes are high on the bike, you can lower the center of gravity with light weight replacements. This aids the confidence of us shorties.

I dropped 17 1/2 pounds off my bike with Termi carbon pipes and a Li battery.

I agree light wheels are most effective, but cost a kidney.

[Raux]

Wheels (Carrozzeria could make custom 4.5" IIRC)
Suspension (1100S forks and shock are best options)
Ti/AL replacement (brake rotors/caliper bolts and axles)
Brake Rotors (wave type rotors)
Rear Sprocket (several lightweight options)
exhaust
Battery
CF everything
Ti/AL replacement on everything else

This would be the order for lightweight/handling improvements IMO.

[stopintime]

My opinion:

Tires and battery when it's time for replacement anyway - 'free'.

Start saving now and by the time your skills have developed to where weight matters, you'll be closer to having the funds for wheels. At about the same time, or a little sooner, good suspension components will be 'necessary' (springs and adjustment ASAP to get to that level)

I haven't tried it yet, but will soon - the hype says that Explosafe gas tank material stops the gas from sloshing around and stabilizes the bike a lot...  they say it makes the bike feel a lot lighter...

[Buckethead]

Wheels (Carrozzeria could make custom 4.5" IIRC)
Suspension (1100S forks and shock are best options)
Ti/AL replacement (brake rotors/caliper bolts and axles)
Brake Rotors (wave type rotors)
Rear Sprocket (several lightweight options)
exhaust
Battery
CF everything
Ti/AL replacement on everything else

This would be the order for lightweight/handling improvements IMO.

It's a good list. I'd rearrange it a bit.

Wheels (The biggest change you can make on a bike. Do some research. Forged aluminum or CF wheels make a hell of a difference in handling, but are they worth it? It's up to you.)
Suspension (Do this. Trust me. Went from factory new non-adjustable Sport Classic forks to freshly serviced 848 Superbike forks with appropriate springs. Even getting new springs/valves will make the bike feel much more planted in corners.)
Exhaust (The actual performance difference may not be that much, but the combination of weight loss and audio feedback makes it worth the trouble.)
Battery (Losing 5 lbs of mass by switching to a different chemical cell? Yeah. Worth it.)
Everything else he mentioned, in order.

[jcmjrt]

Rear upgrades are easier, because they are typically bolt on...nothing is cheap

Depending on the fork manufacturer, front upgrades can get pricey.

Keep in mind, all upgrades cost.

My thinking is that for the minimal weight loss you can achieve with battery swaps and rear rotors the money would be much better spent on a better shock and fork valving.

What is your budget?

I don't have a specific budget at the moment. I'm still riding and thinking about ergonomics and what needs to change how....and I really am trying to develop a strategy about upgrades so that I do them smartly. I'm not afraid to spend a dollar but I'd at least like to do it reasonably well informed and smartly. e.g. I wouldn't want to spend big bucks on ti bolts for the riser. I might lose the same amount of weight as going ti on rotor bolts, however, rotor bolts are unsprung weight and more significant....but maybe a ti axle or aluminum rear sprockets would lose more weight at a lower cost. The truth is that I figure ti and carbon bits are not going to dominate my bike; they are too expensive for what they bring to the game...ususally. ;0

Having said that...what would you do for a rear shock - an Ohlins, Penske, or...? And front fork....go with a new cartridge or..?

[jcmjrt]

You have two goals, lighter and better handling.
They don't necessarily follow the same path.

I encourage you to get the suspension sorted out for *you*, as at 5'2", you're very likely below the design weight for the bike.
/quote]

Lighter typically works well for me but I do understand that they aren't the same. What is the design weight rider for the bike? 160? or?