Miles Ridden: 4,850
Modifications: Windscreen, levers
This poor bike has been quite the workhorse for me this year, and I feel bad for not keeping it in tip-top trim. It wasn't until I finally got around to installing some ASV shorty levers and an RSD windscreen that the Ninja's neglected state became obvious though. And man, was this thing in need of a bath and a general once over.
It was filthy and had some bruises from my recent accident, but even more bumps rose to the surface in the days following the aforementioned bust-up. The rear brake slowly went from spongy to nonexistent, and it wasn't until I'd wasted half an hour pumping a bottle of brake fluid through it that I found a leak in the caliper. Apparently the plunger was damaged when the pipe got crunched, and it couldn't build up proper pressure for more than a few moments before leaking it right back out. Kawi was quick on the drawand sent over a replacement, so with the bike mechanically sound once again it got back to its objectionable duty of hauling me all over town.
ASV levers come in both shorty...
ASV levers come in both shorty or standard length, and both styles offer three inches of adjustments in 100 increments.
The semi-crushed Vance and Hines slip-on pipe has actually found its way back on the Ninja simply because I can't bear to ride with a stock pipe. Thankfully, Leo Vince has sent a beautiful full system as a replacement. Meanwhile, a Power Commander and AutoTune have also fallen in line for installation. If I only had the time...
RSD's collection of aftermarket...
RSD's collection of aftermarket parts has been growing steadily, and windscreens are the latest in its line of high-class mods.
OK, so a windscreen and levers may not seem like mega mods, but they have drastically changed the look from a few feet away, and they've improved the feel as well--both literally (levers) and figuratively (windscreen). They're small, easy and inexpensive improvements, but they've made me feel a little better about neglecting the ZX-10 lately.
ASV levers
$125 each
www.asvinventions.com
RSD Clarion windscreen
$118.95
www.rolandsands.com