Hi, having had some great advice from my initial post above what gear to buy including hand protectors etc I thought I would be bold enough to ask another...

I have noticed you guys mod your bikes, and love talking about it. My bike is totally standard. I use it for a long daily commute, in all weathers, and at the moment do no trailing or off roading. So my question is, what mods can I do to it with commuting in mind? I dont want to mod it for mods sake (plus im not rich) but I am interesting in ways i can mod it with regrds to MPG, rider comfort, less vibration, protection from elements with regrds to fairings etc, anything that will aid my commute, help extend the life of the bike and make it even more of a blinding work horse.

I really am a novice, so please, be as basic as you like!!

hi and welcome, the first thing that springs to mind is a scottoiler type thingy mucho important for commuting, anyone else?

Well:
-oiltemperature gauge RR10;
-handlebarrisers 20 or 30mm;
-upgrade suspension(I got Hyperpro's f&b);
-handguards(Touratech with spoilers);
-centrestand;
-wider footpegs(Touratech).

These are some mods that'll give you a better ride. Things like exhaust, alu bashplates, alu panniers and such, you don't really need for commuting, I think?
Greetz and succes, Hans.

P.s.: take a look on my smugmug-site for piccies of most of the mods on my Tenere.

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XT rules! Make the world beautiful, get a tattoo. Nick Curran R.I.P. '77-'12

XT660Z Tenere '08 http://dallastx.smugmug.com

visit: www.hank3.com

SRV: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=NU0MF8pwktg

I had a scottoiler fitted from new as well as hand guards and deflectors. The next purchase before winter sets in will be heated grips and a taller screen.

Performance wise I've fitted stainless cans, DNA stage 3 filters and stage 3 kev fuel mod. Cars being able to hear me when I filter through traffic is important (so i'd argue the case of the louder cans) and the improvement in performance with the filters/fuel mod has been welcome. The biggest improvement has been replacing the standard tyres with bt45 road tyres. They don't look as good but the improvement in handling and road holding has been huge.

What sort of effect did the uprated suspention have?

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Suspension upgrade will get you a better ride, that is: better handling, more control, no diving front, smoother, more comfortable when riding with luggage and/or pillion. Try some twisty (mountain)roads and you'll have a ball!!
Greetz, Hans.

__________________
XT rules! Make the world beautiful, get a tattoo. Nick Curran R.I.P. '77-'12

XT660Z Tenere '08 http://dallastx.smugmug.com

visit: www.hank3.com

SRV: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=NU0MF8pwktg

As a daily commuter I appreciate my:

- heated grips (not only in winter but also during rain)
- handguards/spoilers
- scottoiler... (still on but don't use it anymore: too messy)
- Xenon headlight (big + when days shorten)
- and ofcourse.... the amazing WindCOMB (reduces turbulence)

HJ

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Riding the Mad Mule !! ... no more... went orange...