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.
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...
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