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What's a must?

6684 Views 24 Replies 16 Participants Last post by  VegaR3
Hey guys! So I have a brand new R3, and I've been reading around and noticed that a lot of individuals have changed a couple things, so my question is what is a must when getting a new R3?

This is what I was told, could someone put clarity on these? Also if what I'm saying isn't mentioned below, please put your input on what you feel needed to be done!

1. Tires - Apparently the tires that it comes with are pretty crappy? Mine has stock everything. If you recommend changing this out, what do i need to know when looking for new tires?

2. Lights - a buddy of mine told me that the heads lights should be changed, to HID (not sure what that even stands for) but he mentions the stock lights are crappy and low in comparison.

3. Turn signals - the unsightly pertruding signals on the front and the back were recommended that i swap this out, to what?

4. Exhaust - I noticed when my buddy was driving my bike ahead of me, it was pretty difficult to hear him. I've seen a lot of you swapping out the exhausts, what do you think? Any recommendations? I heard of a yoshi.


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For appearance the Vagabond fender eliminator. Its not my favorite design but its all we have until TST releases theirs. The Yoshimura looks the best IMO but its a bunch of pieces and people are cursing it. The price is too high also.

For performance and practical gains for $
Braided brake lines would be a first for me, at least for the front. Just got the front and back for $100. Makes a real difference in braking which to me is the bikes weakest attribute.




Exhaust sounds nice but its not the best bang for your buck early upgrade. It looks good but power gains in many cases are almost non existent.

In changing your front signals you are almost certainly going to lose running lights. Most people are going with TST Flushmounts.

What I have been checking out for indicator replacement:

Lightech FRE908
http://www.ebay.com/itm/271442025174?_trksid=p2060353.m1438.l2649&ssPageName=STRK:MEBIDX:IT
Lightech FRE909
http://www.ebay.com/itm/400687810410?_trksid=p2060353.m1438.l2649&ssPageName=STRK:MEBIDX:IT

Firefly Lightech knockoffs with white running lights, and rear brake lights integrated
These keep running lights. $40-$50 a pair.
Front
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1Q4WKdyjBgw
http://www.ebay.com/itm/301537248705?_trksid=p2060353.m1438.l2649&ssPageName=STRK:MEBIDX:IT
Rear w/ Brake
http://www.ebay.com/itm/301079699236?_trksid=p2060353.m1438.l2649&ssPageName=STRK:MEBIDX:IT

Barracuda Futura 2
http://www.ebay.com/itm/400684297992?_trksid=p2060353.m1438.l2649&ssPageName=STRK:MEBIDX:IT
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0XofZy0eDYs
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rejgN1t2v0U

Lightech FRE906
http://www.ebay.com/itm/271826413754?_trksid=p2060353.m1438.l2649&ssPageName=STRK:MEBIDX:IT

Lightech FRE907
http://www.ebay.com/itm/251561070718?_trksid=p2055119.m1438.l2649&ssPageName=STRK:MEBIDX:IT
Genuine Yamaha 2015 MT09 FZ09 LED Blinkers
http://www.ebay.com/itm/301581819314?_trksid=p2060353.m1438.l2649&ssPageName=STRK:MEBIDX:IT
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fpu-QAbOxX0

Genuine Yamaha LED Plus
Front Running Light and Rear brake light indicators.
Good looking and quality but at a steep price. @$140 Pair
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=tcJ8rI-mPk4
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=DjJJiqV0FdI
http://www.yamaha-motor.eu/eu/search/index.aspx?q=LED+Flashers+Plus
http://atv-services.myshopify.com/products/yamaha-genuine-part-ymeflb2r0000?variant=3993772867
http://www.yamaha-motor.eu/eu/produ...ccessories&partcode=YME-FLB2R-00-00&year=2015

Flushmounts
http://tstindustries.com/LED-Front-...ent=description&utm_campaign=2015_YT_PRODUCTS
http://www.ebay.com/itm/32183192036...49&var=510766245569&ssPageName=STRK:MEBIDX:IT
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=89j...7XoG3OXFo&annotation_id=annotation_3802596605
TST Halo Flushmounts not coming until 2016 has running light. I just gave up on waiting for these. I actually prefer to have some kind of stalk protruding out.
https://tstindustries.com/HALO-1-Flushmount-Signals-2015-R3.html

You will need a new flash relay to prevent quick blinking signals
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fORoeUcRUHE

If you go with small stalks you may need these spacer adapters for a perfect fit.
http://www.motodynamic.com/yamaha-t...rket-stalk-type-indicators-front-or-rear.html
http://www.ebay.com/itm/391183104124?_trksid=p2060353.m1438.l2649&ssPageName=STRK:MEBIDX:IT

Brake light modulator
http://www.vizi-tec.com/supabrake-2/
http://www.ebay.com/itm/262044001608?_trksid=p2060353.m2749.l2649&ssPageName=STRK:MEBIDX:IT
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rh3VxPjSrWU

Some interesting angular rears that I kinda liked.
http://japan.webike.net/products/22052737.html
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Good idea, ill have to look into this, because i noticed that the breaks arent as solid as i would like them to be which causes me needing to downshift and get off the throttle a lot sooner than i would like to, could just be me though.
Good idea, ill have to look into this, because i noticed that the breaks arent as solid as i would like them to be which causes me needing to downshift and get off the throttle a lot sooner than i would like to, could just be me though.
They will break in and get better around 500-600 miles. They are still just adequate.
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The only "MUST" in my opinion is to ho e your skills. Any teaining you take tracels with you to every bike you will ever ride. Next is tires. Get rid of the bias ply junk the hike comes with. Everything else is just asthetics.
The tires are fine for daily commuting/riding. Unless you plan on taking it to track days I don't see the point in replacing them before they are worn.
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Only you can determine the question about tires. If you're like me and not dragging your knee at every corner, the stock tires are fine. I don't plan on changing until these wear out. I don't mind the stock exhaust, but if a killer deal comes along, I may be enticed to switch. The only thing I recommend doing ASAP is getting rid of the whale tail. (I was actually self conscious about riding around with that monster on the rear). I got the Vagabond eliminator for mine and am very pleased with it. $65.
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1. Tires are decent for commuting. I did take them out to the canyons and didn't like them that much. If you don't ride hard (knee dragging, on the edge of the tire type riding) then the stickers may be fine for you. Some people like them som don't.

2. I commute in the dark either early mornings or nights and I have no prob with the lights.

3. Turn signals are ugly but work. You can get some for $25 at CG.

4. Swapping the exhaust if you are into a different sounding bike is going to run you around $400+. Not worth it for me as unwound rather spend that on brakes and suspension, but to each their own.
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what is a must when getting a new R3?

1- Comprehensive insurance.


2- Read the owners manual forward, backwards and inside out before starting the bike.


3- Full set of well fitting riding gear from head to toe.


4- Rider training, rider training, rider training.
Qualified riding instructors,
Safety courses, rider training days, Novice track days with full coaching.
Even an experienced Shadow at the very least.
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I have no desire to be that guy.

However I would strongly strongly strongly recommend investing in some very good gear including jacket helmet and gloves at the very least then perhaps boots.

Just learning to ride your chances of going down are pretty good so anything you can do to protect yourself would be great.
I too was ready to get rid of the front turn signals in exchange of the flush mounts.

But on second thought, thinking that I shouldn't sacrifice safety in the name of cosmetics. The other day I made a left turn with signals on, and an oncoming car barely even saw me. I can't imagine that the flush mounts are very visible, especially in daylight.

Hopefully the stock signals will offer better visibility, even if they look ungainly.
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You make a very good point!
I really like the baracuda! The flush light has a sleek design to it, but I am concerned about visibility. The baracuda on the other hand, might be a sell.
To address a couple concerns: I did take a rider's safety course, but it is not a bad idea to take up a novice course either! I'm going to look into that perhaps sometime this upcoming year. In addition, I did invest a good amount into a helmet, jacket, and gloves. Though it was mentioned, I did not invest into boots quite yet, I'm going to visit a place near me to look into this further.
1- Comprehensive insurance.


2- Read the owners manual forward, backwards and inside out before starting the bike.


3- Full set of well fitting riding gear from head to toe.


4- Rider training, rider training, rider training.
Qualified riding instructors,
Safety courses, rider training days, Novice track days with full coaching.
Even an experienced Shadow at the very least.

Got the comprehensive, I learned from a friend's mistake.
The owners manual is something that I definitely plan on reading, good tip.
How do you feel about boots/pants?

I took a rider training course before i did anything, well worth it and great bang for my buck. I've a buddy who's experienced, and shadows me, but I definitely want to look into the novice track with full coaching, that sounds exciting and very informative.
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I really like the baracuda! The flush light has a sleek design to it, but I am concerned about visibility. The baracuda on the other hand, might be a sell.
I added another version that has running lights. I am with you on visibility. If I am going to change my lights I dont want to reduce visibility.
I wouldn't get the flush mount turn signals in the front unless you replace your side view mirrors with the mirrors that have a blinker on them. It'll make it harder for people in front of you to realize what way you are turning, etc.
I wouldn't get the flush mount turn signals in the front unless you replace your side view mirrors with the mirrors that have a blinker on them. It'll make it harder for people in front of you to realize what way you are turning, etc.
I bought some flush mounts yesterday hastily but have already thought better of it. They will be going back. People have almost run into me too many times, losing those giant orange running lights is not very appealing in SoCal traffic and endless intersections.
I have the Flush Mount TST turn signals and yes I was concerned they did not have running lights. The front of the bike in the dark with no engine running is dark with no running lights. I have no problems in traffic turning with the flush mounts. I am too waiting for the Halo-1 TST light with the running lights. And there tail eliminator one day it will be here.
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