Best Bang for your Buck Modifications?

[sgtbilldoor]

I've decided to spend some money adding some mods to my '01 Katana 600, but I don't know too much about all the various mods available (tried searching online but didn't find what I was looking for).
This is my bike right now:


What I have right now: Tinted windshield, Yoshi exhaust, fishbulb turn signals.

What I plan to buy already: Some decals to make it look more interesting, as well as potentially cover up some of the scratches.



What I don't know about:

• Do underbody light kits look any good on motorcycles or just tacky?
• My lights aren't very bright right now, I'd like to get better ones (LED? Halogen? I dunno anything about this either)
• Adding a new faceplate (is that what it's called? Where all the gauges are) seems to be pretty inexpensive and would make the bike look nicer. Any you guys recommend for a yellow bike like mine?
• Is adding reflective tape to the wheels/decals/fairing expensive/attractive? What do you think I should do with my bike?
• Are there other relatively inexpensive mods I can do to my bike?
• I'm going to surf around for a way to find out if my tires need replacing yet, if they do is there anything you recommend?
• Brakes/suspension/carbs/whatever-else-that-makes-the-bike-run, are there any relatively inexpensive ugprades I can do?
• What's an ignition advancer? Expensive? Useful?

Thanks a lot guys, I know some of my questions are naive, but I figured you guys would be experts on the whole "I want my bike to look/run well but I'm not made of money" with how much activity these forums get.

[tnez21]

highly recommend the 5 degree advancer...about $55 from CP shipped. it will greatly improve your throttle response.

[GSXF]

My lights aren't very bright right now, I'd like to get better ones (LED? Halogen? I dunno anything about this either)

Try:

Nokya 9006 HB4 7000K White Headlight Fog Halogen Bulb (they are on ebay for around $20)

I have them on my Kat and it's made a huge difference. Make sure you get the stage 1 (70W) type, NOT the stage II else it might melt the wires.

You should also check out CP's site for top 10 most important upgrade to the Kat

http://www.motorcycleanchor.com/katana/upgr/KatanaUpgrades.html

[Enjay386]

I'd recommend getting some touch up paint to patch up that yellow on your side fairing. To answer some of your questions: I think the reflective rim tape looks great - obviously I would get yellow. It only takes a few minutes to put on and it's very simple - do it in warmer temperatures. Underbody light kits look good in my opinion but I would save that for last since it's really only something you see during night riding. As for tires I bought mine off of www.ronayers.com, they came within a week and they had the lowest price that I could find. Other mods that I personally would make would be a rear seat cowl, lots on ebay of the racerback version, and I always think rims on a bike look great but that's pretty expensive. Good luck and post pictures when you're done!

[mreedohio]

88-89 GSXR 750 Cams hands down best mod for like $300-$350 brand new from Suzuki

[arsenic]

Mike, I'm REALLY glad that someone realized that is a very good, very simple modification. IMO the Katana engine is WAY under powered, that fixes a lot of the problems.

[mreedohio]

one ride with them installed and im a huge believer now in them as a must on any katana.

[loudnlow7484]

one ride with them installed and im a huge believer now in them as a must on any katana.

Does it wheelie?
Do you now need a 180 series back tire?
Is it better than swapping in a GSXR3800RRXX motor?



Really, I want to know how all your mods worked out for you! I've been awaiting a write up since you picked your bike back up. Throw me a friggin bone!

[arsenic]

I think you need K&N pods to REALLY make it shine

[loudnlow7484]

I think you need K&N pods to REALLY make it shine

Nah, forget K&N, I rocks me some UNI foam sock filters! All the flatspots, half the price!

[BradsKat]

NOS, don't forget the NOS! Mad wheelies on NOS..... I think I might change my name here to 180NOS.

Oh, and in my experience the easiest way to add 20hp to your Kat is to wear an iPod and crank out some rockin tunes

[mreedohio]

Does it wheelie?
Do you now need a 180 series back tire?
Is it better than swapping in a GSXR3800RRXX motor?



Really, I want to know how all your mods worked out for you! I've been awaiting a write up since you picked your bike back up. Throw me a friggin bone!

where can i find this engine at? been searching ebay and can't find one.

but thom is the one to talk to about the write up he basicly built the bike and i just funded it for the most part.

[loudnlow7484]

where can i find this engine at? been searching ebay and can't find one.

but thom is the one to talk to about the write up he basicly built the bike and i just funded it for the most part.

I want to hear how it rides...... I understand how it all goes together, I just don't know about the results. I'm not expecting to hear that the 600 motor now turns out roughly 200hp and wheels it up in 5th, but I'd like to know what kind of power improvement you've gotten out of it.

[arsenic]

Nah, forget K&N, I rocks me some UNI foam sock filters! All the flatspots, half the price!

now that's thinking

[mreedohio]

I want to hear how it rides...... I understand how it all goes together, I just don't know about the results. I'm not expecting to hear that the 600 motor now turns out roughly 200hp and wheels it up in 5th, but I'd like to know what kind of power improvement you've gotten out of it.

the cams are a night and day difference between stock cams and the shift kit is a must also, i havent missed a shift yet in between 1st and 2nd. I was supposed to call the dyno place today but i got busy and didnt get around to it. I'm interested as well as a few other members to see how much of a gain cams being. I didnt put it on the dyno before i did all this but it should give us an idea how much they put out.