[Acepryus]

Hey guys and gals. Just wanted to introduce myself... I'm 20 years old and I'm about to finish paying for my new (and my first) bike, a 2003 954RR. The bike itself as just over 3000 miles, everything is stock except the windscreen and a fender eliminator. I got it from the original owner who picked it up off the showroom floor in 04 as a leftover. He also used only Royal Purple for any fluids so that showed me how much he took care of the bike.

As I said, this is my first bike (let the objections commence) and I feel confident that if I don't put myself in a situation beyond my abilities I should be alright. A friend of mine started on a 929 and he said if you acknowledge your limits and don't push them then it hardly matters what size bike you start on.

I'm open to suggestions for mods. First off I was thinking of a pipe and later on a power commander but other than that I'm pretty much drawing a blank aside from basic cosmetic stuff. Some input would be greatly appreciated.

I am also a freelance photographer so as soon as I find a good place to do a photoshoot I'll get some shots posted up.

[Red Rider]

Before modding, buy good gear...and wear it every time you ride. Lots of discussion here on "first bikes". Just remember to control your right wrist...

[Grover130]

Welcome - You sure picked a hell of a bike for a first one!!!

[DUX]

Originally Posted by Red Rider

Before modding, buy good gear...and wear it every time you ride. Lots of discussion here on "first bikes". Just remember to control your right wrist...

Also, $35-$50 should get you into the MSF course. TAKE IT.

A more comprehensive riding school would probably be worth more in the long run than a new pipe too.

Congrats on the bike, it's a nice ride.

[Acepryus]

Well, I already have a new Icon leather jacket, Shoei lid, and I'm lookin at some Icon pants. Also, I've already attended a rider safety course and spent countless hours researching safety tips and reading horror stories to get myself prepared for life on two wheels

[scorpi810]

, take it easy for a while and get used to the bike and you will be just fine. Its sad to say but if u check out the wrecked motorcycle part of this site every once and a while it will bring u back to reality if u start getting out of line.

[Kabibrian]

Thank God for guys like you....i thought i was extreme for getting an RR 600 for my very first blip off a sports bike.....
Jus make sure as you make history you do it with top quality top guage gear jus like what am doin'
Will be owning my 1st bike in 3months cant wait........
Oh n this my 1st post......lyk anyone cares!!

[slickwill]

SS brake lines would also be a much better first mod than pipe and power commander. No need to add more power at this point.

[ldavis]

welcome to the boards.. take care of her and she'll do the same in return.. definitely invest in more riding schools. they'll teach you more than life on the streets will. sounds like you've got good gear.. just make sure you wear it. best of luck and get them pics up!!!

[Maholli]

[Acepryus]

Well, it's time for an update...

Got the bike paid off now and I've put about 25 miles on it and WOW!!! I wholeheartedly agree that a PC is not gonna be necessary for a while. I am liking the suggestion of SS lines (thanks Will) but the first thing I'm getting is a new set of tires! (Suggestions welcome) They're the original tires and they probably have another good 500 miles left on them but the rear has a plug in it which means I'm not gonna ride it again until that's replaced.

As for the 25 miles I did put on it... everything went smoothly with the exception of the several times I made an ass of myself trying to get used to the clutch (killed the bike at a few stop signs) but I pretty well got the feel of it now. The power of this thing is incredible! I only had the balls to take it to redline once and that was going from 2nd to 3rd; after getting the front wheel up a couple times while accelerating in 1st I didn't want to chance a redline shift from 1st to 2nd just yet.

As for my gear... The Icon jacket i had is just getting to small for comfort so I ordered the new Honda Project H leather and I figured why not go ahead and get a new helmet too (old one's blue and doesn't match the bike or new jacket). I've been looking at the HJC FS-10's for a while but I'm still not completely sold on the flip-down sun visor yet. Also, a pair of Icon's Recon pants are on the way.

As for the sound... It sucks. The stock exhaust sounds weak and airy. If I could get my hands on a Devil system anymore I would probably bolt that up but since they're so hard to come by, a custom underslung pipe setup will be coming soon. Unfortunately, in order to do an underslung exhaust I will need to have a custom header made; which isn't a problem (I know a guy who knows a guy...) but that brings me to my next objectionable mod: a Power Commander - God knows that this bike has more than enough power for me at the moment but with that much exhaust work I have to tune it right. Throw in some frame and swingarm sliders (just in case) and find a way to integrate those bulky turn signals and I'll be quite pleased with the way the bike looks and sounds. Also, my buddies say I should lower it too but I don't know the pro's and con's of doing that to a bike so some input would be appreciated on that matter as well.

I took a few pics last night at around midnight. They're far from photoshoot quality though; they were really just inteded for myspace but they'll give you an idea of how clean this bike really is.

[Red Rider]

Devil still lists exhausts for sale for your bike:

Exhaust Products - Honda CBR 929/954

[scorpi810]

I wouldnt lower it if I was you. lowered my 600rr 3" and hated the way it handled. I put it back to stock within 2 months. I think being lowered is what caused my front tire to wear kind of weird.

[bjay51d]

welcome and let your next mod be a decent set of tires looks like the original set on there.