From near stock GT to near perfect GT!

[SteveV]

I have recently upgraded my GT1000 (T) from near stock (except for Termi’s), having ridden around 25 000k, to another GT1000 (T) with some desired upgrades. Having ridden so many km’s with stock components I believe I can offer some real insight into the transformation these mods make, for a spirited road rider on a GT.

OHLIN front forks: Although the Marzocchi forks were effective on smooth predictable roads, their harshness over uneven bitumen resulted in jarring and bounce that spoilt the ride over long distances and became very tiring. The OLINs certainly solved this issue, providing all the performance of the original forks, plus some, but importantly with the comfort of a more compliant suspension set up. With only 1 or 2 clicks from base, the suspension gives confidence and comfort, a real pleasure. If OHLINs aren’t an option for you, then any upgrade of the original forks should make the bike an all day rider.

SACHs rear shocks: These too are a great improvement over the stock GT offerings. The extra adjustments provide a more taunt rear and were very noticeable by my wife when riding two up. It has taken all the harshness out of the rear on uneven roads and my wife happily commented that she could now see herself ‘touring’ with me. Music to the ears, less driving, more riding. I can only imagine what OHLINs on the back would do!!

BITUBO TM steering dampener: WOW. This is the mod that I believe has transformed the bike. No more head shakes and during fast long sweepers, no more oscillation and vagueness. Although not as quick to steer in the tight stuff, it offers predictable smooth steering. Even with a setting of almost no resistance, the movement of the shaft through the dampener has transformed the bike into a confidence inspiring ride. As an affordable mod, this is my #1 suggestion. (Although the WASP Top Mount dampener is no longer available, any dampener will improve your ride considerably)

Surprisingly, the new bike has the stock 15 tooth front sprocket. I had changed to a 14tooth sprocket on my original GT soon after having purchased it as from reading many posts here, it seemed mandatory! Although I haven’t made my mind up completely, I have found the standard sprocket offers a different riding experience which I have really enjoyed. Perhaps not as easy to live with in carparks and city traffic, on the open road and in the hills, it seems to allow the bike to gallop rather than sprint, offering a longer torque curve and less fuss in the tight stuff. It also helps keep the front wheel from being around my ears. A very surprising development, but still in two minds.

DART fly screen: Great product. Quality. Offers about 3/4 as much wind protection as the touring screen, but looks a thousand times better. Good option if being a parachute tires you out.

Sorry about the war & peace and I suspect most have tuned out by now, but I thought these offerings may assist those road riders who, with limited funds, might want insight that these basic performance mods may make to their GT. Cheers.

[JCPakBikes]

Looks great. Suspension upgrade are really needed on these bikes
FYI
The WASP TMSD is still available through jcpakbikes.com
We took over from Greg late last year
For the GT

For the Sport


Cheers

Originally Posted by SteveV

I have recently upgraded my GT1000 (T) from near stock (except for Termi’s), having ridden around 25 000k, to another GT1000 (T) with some desired upgrades. Having ridden so many km’s with stock components I believe I can offer some real insight into the transformation these mods make, for a spirited road rider on a GT.

OHLIN front forks: Although the Marzocchi forks were effective on smooth predictable roads, their harshness over uneven bitumen resulted in jarring and bounce that spoilt the ride over long distances and became very tiring. The OLINs certainly solved this issue, providing all the performance of the original forks, plus some, but importantly with the comfort of a more compliant suspension set up. With only 1 or 2 clicks from base, the suspension gives confidence and comfort, a real pleasure. If OHLINs aren’t an option for you, then any upgrade of the original forks should make the bike an all day rider.

SACHs rear shocks: These too are a great improvement over the stock GT offerings. The extra adjustments provide a more taunt rear and were very noticeable by my wife when riding two up. It has taken all the harshness out of the rear on uneven roads and my wife happily commented that she could now see herself ‘touring’ with me. Music to the ears, less driving, more riding. I can only imagine what OHLINs on the back would do!!

BITUBO TM steering dampener: WOW. This is the mod that I believe has transformed the bike. No more head shakes and during fast long sweepers, no more oscillation and vagueness. Although not as quick to steer in the tight stuff, it offers predictable smooth steering. Even with a setting of almost no resistance, the movement of the shaft through the dampener has transformed the bike into a confidence inspiring ride. As an affordable mod, this is my #1 suggestion. (Although the WASP Top Mount dampener is no longer available, any dampener will improve your ride considerably)

Surprisingly, the new bike has the stock 15 tooth front sprocket. I had changed to a 14tooth sprocket on my original GT soon after having purchased it as from reading many posts here, it seemed mandatory! Although I haven’t made my mind up completely, I have found the standard sprocket offers a different riding experience which I have really enjoyed. Perhaps not as easy to live with in carparks and city traffic, on the open road and in the hills, it seems to allow the bike to gallop rather than sprint, offering a longer torque curve and less fuss in the tight stuff. It also helps keep the front wheel from being around my ears. A very surprising development, but still in two minds.

DART fly screen: Great product. Quality. Offers about 3/4 as much wind protection as the touring screen, but looks a thousand times better. Good option if being a parachute tires you out.

Sorry about the war & peace and I suspect most have tuned out by now, but I thought these offerings may assist those road riders who, with limited funds, might want insight that these basic performance mods may make to their GT. Cheers.

[SteveV]

[QUOTE=JCPakBikes;1256535]Looks great. Suspension upgrade are really needed on these bikes
FYI
The WASP TMSD is still available through jcpakbikes.com
We took over from Greg late last year
For the GT

You're a legend on this site JC. Wish I had known about the TMSD earlier as I tried to get one about 18 months ago. Way to go.

[spyvito]

Very nice write up. Many have suggested fitting the alloy wheels from a PS or Sport as a cost effective upgrade (yes, I know BST CF would be best). Those can be found for around $600/set usually.

[FareWarning]

Good write up.. dig the ohlins up front..

[SteveV]

Originally Posted by spyvito

Very nice write up. Many have suggested fitting the alloy wheels from a PS or Sport as a cost effective upgrade (yes, I know BST CF would be best). Those can be found for around $600/set usually.

The alloys are definitely on the wish list Spyv, but having spent so much already, I'll leave the 'one who must be obeyed' time to absorb my latest acquisition!
One question with the alloys though. I love the deep chrome look of the steel rims (match the guards) and I know that alloys can be polished up, but would the polished alloys have the same lustre as the chrome and is it something that would have to be repolished regularly? Anyone had experience with this?

[GreyDuck]

Bike's looking good Steve,
I got rid of my chromed rims last year for a set of Alpinas.
Whilst they are not as pretty as the chrome(my opinion)
The change in the handling more than makes up for the looks.
The strong Aus$ also helped, & JC from pak bikes was great to deal with.

[SteveV]

Originally Posted by GreyDuck

Bike's looking good Steve,
I got rid of my chromed rims last year for a set of Alpinas.
Whilst they are not as pretty as the chrome(my opinion)
The change in the handling more than makes up for the looks.
The strong Aus$ also helped, & JC from pak bikes was great to deal with.

Thanks GD. I can imagine the lighter rims help the bike to stay cranked over when accelerating hard out of corners as I'm sure it is the weight of the steel rims under centrifugal force bringing the bike up more than some. The steering dampener I've found has helped to address this as well. Can only dream of alpinas at the moment and no doubt that by the time I can afford it, the OZ$ will be back to half US. There's always next years tax return I suppose!

[Cracker]

Suspension and damper make these bikes a hell of a good ride, pity it didn't come out standard.

I do a lot of track riding in various capacities where you hammer the brakes. Its a real honest pleasure to ride a GT on the road at a good pace without using the brakes, only the engine and feel the front grip in a corner and feel the bike work its way around. Of course that technique is not fool proof and I have gone meathead fast a few times and made it thanks to a "good set up" and maybe a disabled subconsous panic button.

Why piss around, get a WASP performance kit to get the full experience.

[Bon1000]

Nice looking GT Steve. Still deciding what options to add after running up about a 16 months on my GT here in sunny so. cal. Have termis and race ECU, Napolean bar end mirror, and that is all. Does feel a bit jumpy to me on our lovely freeways at times. Looking at TMSD options to start, glad to see the WASP TMSD is still an option, though it looks best installed on the SC's i think. That right side arm stand out a bit, at least in the pics. I have seen. Still maybe the best looking option.