Okay, so I’ve been messing around with my RC 390 lately, trying to shed some weight off this bad boy. It’s a fun bike, but let’s be real, it could be a bit lighter on its feet. So, I decided to document my whole process, from start to finish, kinda like a diary, but for bike mods.
Stripping Down the Basics
First things first, I started by taking off the easy stuff. You know, the stuff you don’t really need unless you’re planning on taking a passenger, which I’m not.
- Rear passenger seat – gone. That’s a no-brainer.
- Passenger footpegs – outta here. Who needs ’em?
- Rear fender – took that clean off. I kinda like the look without it, gives it a more aggressive vibe.
Just doing that, I could already feel a difference. It’s not a huge change, but it’s something. And it’s free, which is always a plus.
Swapping Out Parts
Next, I started looking at parts I could swap out for lighter versions. This is where it starts to cost a bit of money, but hey, weight reduction ain’t always cheap.
- Battery – Swapped the stock one for a lithium-ion battery. Those things are way lighter, and they last longer too.
- Exhaust – I got a slip-on exhaust, which is lighter than the stock one. Plus, it sounds way cooler.
- Wheels – This was the biggest investment. I got some lightweight alloy wheels. They’re pricey, but they make a big difference in handling.
Little Things Add Up
After that, it was just about looking at the little things. Every gram counts, right?
- Mirrors – Got some smaller, lighter mirrors. They look better too, in my opinion.
- Bolts and fasteners – I replaced a bunch of the steel bolts with aluminum ones. It’s a pain, but it shaves off a few grams here and there.
The End Result
So, after all that, how much weight did I lose? Well, I managed to shave off about 20 pounds. It doesn’t sound like much, but on a bike, you can really feel it. The bike feels more nimble, easier to flick around. It’s just more fun to ride. And that’s what it’s all about, right?
It was a fun project, and I learned a lot along the way. Would I do it again? Absolutely. But maybe next time, I’ll start with a lighter bike to begin with.
