We'll forgive you for not having carbon fiber wheels, aftermarket suspension and a nice stretch since those require lots of green. But don't let a tight budget fool you into thinking you're stuck with a bone-stock bike because we're going to show you some budget basics that look great and won't break the bank.
Over the next few months we'll take a 2009 Suzuki GSX-R1000 and add a host of basic bolt-ons that all proper streetbikes should have. Whether you have a 250, 600 or a literbike, this is how you make your bike better without going broke.
Kicking things off is a smoked windscreen and a tidier tail. Thankfully, the current GSX-R1K is blessed with integrated blinkers in the rearview mirrors as well as the tail section, so flushmounts aren't necessary and cleaning up the rear end is a simple fender eliminator swap away.
A Hotbodies Racing Dual Radius smoked windscreen was called in to cut the wind, and thanks to its one-inch taller than stock design it will create a larger pocket of still air for the rider to tuck inside.
BEFORE
The stock screen was...
BEFORE
The stock screen was cool, but the Hotbodies Dual Radius smoked unit looks much better and the extra inch of height will help cut some windblast.
AFTER
Hotbodies Racing Dual...
The OEM screen was a quality piece with the Suzuki logo and light-smoke finish, but the dark smoke of our Hotbodies unit fits this black beast much better. Our Dual Radius shield is DOT certified and made from pressure and vacuum formed modified acrylic for an optically correct finish that's still flexible in the event of a mishap.
Installation was straightforward and took roughly 25 minutes. After removing the windscreen bolts and the mirrors we moved the threaded rubber grommets from the stock screen to the Hotbodies unit and finished the install.
To tighten up the tail we decided there was no better company to utilize than Suzuki itself. So a trip to the Suzuki Aftermarket Accessories site netted us a black powdercoated license plate bracket.
BEFORE
How's that for a transformation?...
BEFORE
How's that for a transformation? In less than 45 minutes this rear end went from big to beautiful. The plate light and rear reflector keep it legal as well.
AFTER
Suzuki Accessories...
Using a dab of silicone keeps...
Using a dab of silicone keeps the plastic washers in place to make installation easier. If not, getting them to sit flush can be a major pain when gravity is working against you.
Don't forget to move the threaded...
Don't forget to move the threaded rubber grommets from the stock screen to the new one.
The hanger eliminates the massive OEM mud flap without any cutting or drilling. The fact that it's straight from the big S means it retains the stock license plate light and rear reflector to keep it legal. Forget any flashing blue and red surprises in your mirrors-this one's all good.
Installation was a cinch and roughly 45 minutes later the rear of our Gixxer looked much more acceptable.
Although this is just the first installment, we can already see a marked difference between stock and these inexpensive yet effective mods.
Next Month: The finishing touches on an '04 ZX-10R.