This thread has been prompted by another kicking around about improving your bikes performance through reduced reciprocating mass which involved putting lightweight tyres etc on your bike.
Personally I'd rather have good stiff-walled tyres on my bike so thought I'd share what I did to my bike (and my old CBR250) to significantly increase performance through an improved power to weight ratio. Which is basically what Honda has done with the 300 as its the same weight as the 250.
But if you want to make it even better read on...
Change the stock muffler for an aftermarket item, preferably carbon fiber. This will be your single biggest gain (up to 5kg of weight shed)
Change the lead acid battery for a Lithium Ion. I have a Shorai. (just under 2kg lighter)
Remove the pillion peg brackets on both sides and hang the muffler off an aluminium hanger. Mines a Yoshi. (just under 1kg )
Change the clunky steel handle bars for some trick aluminium ones from the likes of Woodcraft or Vortex. I have both, the vortex are a bit low for the 250's tho, they hit the top of the fairing. (1.4kg)
Remove the fairing mounted mirrors (You can get aluminium 'CBR' embossed blanks to cover the mounting holes) and fit an aluminium bar-end mirror instead. This is legal in New Zealand, not sure about other countries and this wont be to everyone's liking anyways. (half a kg)
Change the indicators to little ones. There's heaps of them out there to chose from. (half a Kg)
Fit an aluminium tail tidy and do away with that horrible steel rear sub frame piece. Numerous threads around about the different ones available. (half Kg)
Remove the tool kit under the pillion seat. The tools in there have the same consistency of cheese and wont be of much use to you on the side of the road anyways. The rear shock tool is handy though. (over half a kg)
Remove the pillion grab rails. Does make the back of the bike look a bit odd tho. Still lookin for something trick to fill the gap. (any one got any ideas??) They weigh just under a kg even tho they are made from aluminium.
So.... you can see all this adds up to over 10kg (22lb) in weight reduction and you definitely notice it when you crack the throttle wide open. Note that apart from the muffler, all these items sit high on the bike and by lightening or removing them you make an already nimble handling bike even more so!
You notice it just wheeling the bike in and out of the garage.
Ive had my bike on the scales. Full of gas ready to ride it comes in at 150kg (330lbs).
If anyone wants any links or further info just holler.
I am spending a little money to get the weight off, going to Pirelli 11.1 pound tire, oem tire is 16 pounds, using light weight rear sprocket with TI sprocket bolts and nuts, taking over 2 pounds off the chain, will change exhaust and battery. also went to a drilled 14 tooth front sprocket and 33 tooth light weight rear one. trying to drop that RPM at 70 mph and up my mpg.
