Wow, this is gettin good, I gotta make some popcorn, pour another glass of Benchmark Old # 8, and watch this thread...
I have a chopped down factory muffler (-6"), no other engine mods, a fenda extenda from Murphs, two self done valve inspections with one major shim swap, self done, air filter replacement, and plug replacement (saved the oems as they were perfect), and I get normaly 43 mpg, cranking the biotch, got 42 mpg hauling my trailer down and back to Silverdammit, and actually got 49 mpg 2 up run in to RWTW a couple years ago, fully loaded, and hit 150+ mph during that ride... no raditor damage (thank you Murph) and my bike is silver first year edition... no problemo....
Spend all the money you want, it won't matter untill you realize that spending those bucks on anything but gas and tires, and oil and filter changes don't mean squat.. but hey, its your money... and funny thing, you can spend $5k on a suspension system, and some silly bastich on a stock bike may blow you off... that's priceless... like they say on the commercials..
I've been passed by chopped sportsrters on back roads.... doesn't mean squat to me. They lived there, and drove that road daily.. I had to wonder what was coming around the next turn.
Jim,
I just love it when someone pops in, with 3 days under their belt here, and procedes to open a can of whoopass on everyone... don't you?
When I get the bike will see if I can attach it without a screen.
That says it in a nutshell...
Sweet.
This bike sounds better and better every day 
. Great news on the fuel tank not having to be removed for any maintenance. And also for not having to do TB synching. Spark plugs are cheap enough I don't mind swapping them with every valve check, which I might check at 15K just to have a base line, and go from there.
Hey folks, want to tell you about the mods I'm doing, in case you have opinions (negative ones are welcome too 
). First of all, I'm 5'10", 31" inseam, and 160# fully dressed, but with no gear. Oh, and will always ride this bike solo. I'm going to wait on the seat, until I use the bike for a few hundred miles, and see if it's an issue for me. If I can almost flatfoot, that'd be fine. Had a low seat once, but never again. I'm kind of in-between, but a lower seat not only significantly decreases comfort, but also bends my knees more, and cause pain. Since I ride solo, solid flatfooting is not essential, although with a top-heavy (and simply heavy) bike, you want to be as close to that as possible. If I have to change the seat, my choices are Sargent (if it allows the same or better reach, meaning not too wide at the front), Liam, and other weird seat name that escapes me now.
o that. Love the clean wind in my face feel of sportbikes, and hope to experience that on a sport-tourer for the first time.
very much to all for your great help. Hope you enjoyed your weekend.
.
First off, any service to the top end requires removing the fuel tank, it takes 3 minutes to do, and not doing it.... well, its just plain stupid not to.
Its clear, you have never even sat on this bike, and truely believe you can stop on a hill or offcambre turn/stop, and hold this bike up.. I caution you sincerely, I have said this since 7/7/2007 when I bought mine, some people do NOT fit this bike, and never will.... they will try to make it fit, and spend a bunch of money changing it, lowering links, lowered seating wieierd bar configs, and in a year sell it off, all because it just doesn't fit your body.. I'm trying to disuade you from buying this bike, for the first time in my history here, simply because it is not gonna fit you, combined with the fact you are so adament on owning one, without realizing it doesn't fit you're stature, or appearent disire.
You have written an annex to an encyclopedia as to what you intend to do to this bike, ONCE YOU BUY IT...really?
I'll go on record again, saying this bike isn't for everyone, in fact, it does require certain body dimensions to preclude outragiously costly results, both from dumping, and from control factors.. please make sure you ride one before you invest that much money...please.
It ain't for everyone.
Yeah, its a really cool bike, but when its laying on its side in a toll booth, with you under it, its all moot... and quite embarrasing..., no, very embarrasing.
On a lighter note, I believe I surpassed you encyclopedic post in longevity with this one, not that it was my intent, but hey, you said positive or negative responses would be taken well.
Happy holidays.
