I think my fixes, in order of bang for the buck, were:
* Remus Powercone and the related tune - snatch went away, nice sound and burbling overrun. I got deep into TuneECU, software, the cable, etc. Used it once. It was the motivating reason to fit a headlight switch (with
relays, et al) since I thought I'd be tuning regularly and wanted the lights off to avoid draining the battery. What a doos. It's in my bag of once-off goodies if anyone wants it.
* Upgrade to YTZ14S battery - all my hot start issues went away. The battery I removed still drives many bench devices, like drills, etc. It's a CCA thing, not a failure issue.
* Remote function-button modification - No more leaning over the bars to change menus
* Front and rear suspension - 9.5 N/mm front, 150 N/mm rear with a sparkly Ohlin's and a remote preload adjuster. It hurt to give up PaulVFR. glorious billet machined adjuster knob which should go to a deserving home, if
anyone can make a case for it. My OEM shock is all of 1500 miles old and looks brand new, again, if anyone is interested. Some say a new spring can save the day, but I went the $650 route and regret nothing. While doing
this upgrade I encountered a fool by the name of smaug who suggested I was scamming the forum. I sold the 'OEM' Ohlin's shock he was referencing (to shut him up) and kept the modified (by Ohlins) unit I'd offered at a
MUCH lower price. My gain, as it has been superb and finally cost me $300, for a unit massaged by the finest suspension people in the business. I made some great friends at Ohlin's-USA while modifying a BMW unit (sadly,
a BMW guy bought a unit from BMW that was not correct, and they refused a return), but I had checked the specs and it worked for me, with help from Ohlin's, to suit my Tiger. It was actually a MUCH better solution as it has
an integral gas reservoir, so no space lost behind the shock mount. See, the good shall prosper.
* Screen lift off the cowl - I did a custom job and it was a game changer. No more buffeting, period.
* Sport dual-light pod. I rarely ride at night (never) but hated the one-eyed look. I initially fitted a pair of H4 dual-filament bulbs to give me a pair of low and high beams, just to stop the bike looking like a stroke victim! I
cured that but it did not actually do much for night riding. Again, not that I cared, but I found that the new heat load started burning the lens. False economy trumped, I bought a Sport headlight, did some wiring, and never looked back.
* CRG bar-end mirrors - got rid of the praying mantis look and can see WAY more than the OEM 'big' mirrors. Kept bar-end weights, see my How To.
Cosmetically, I feel there were some easy and effective upgrades:
* Slim hand guards - the Triumph OEM units are Teutonic, to be polite. They'd look good on a Panzer tank.
* Handlebar (Pro-Taper, cut and sectioned, to expand an ATV rise), bar riser (1-3/4"), levers and grips - Maybe this should be #1, as it made the bike prettier and nicer to ride.
* Billet brake reservoir.
* LOTS of RAM-mount balls for my phone, GoPro, GPS - sorry, that's the phone now.
The list goes on, now that I think about it... engine guards, chain guard, LED indicators and electronic flasher, etc. I think I'm about halfway down my list! Did I mention a garage door opener embedded in my light switch cluster that uses the button on top to trigger my door using a Flash-2-Pass system?
So, when a pair of Georgia bike cops (on Harleys) pull up alongside and ask you how you like it and give you a thumbs up, I'd guess it's all worth it. A rap-chap and his buddies had me grabbing for my CZ until I realized that they were not nasty. In Buford, Georgia, on South Lee Street, they gave me a big thumbs up and shouted that my ride was 'cool'. I agree!
