Triple |
09-08-2013 05:20 PM |
Added a few minor upgrades: Ryjzq (TEC) shocks, OEM center stand (bought second-hand for $50 versus $230+ retail), and a Norman Hyde rear rack / side pannier set. The Givi E21 side cases were left over from my previous bike. I have a kit to attach my Givi Monokey trunk to the rear rack, but I won't install it until I really need it. I like the way it looks as-is.
The TEC shocks are cheap but still a huge improvement over stock, even on their softest setting. They did not include an appropriately-sized spanner wrench and it looks like the pannier racks might prevent shock adjustment anyway. Clearance between the racks and shocks is super tight. Can't say for sure until I actually find the right wrench and give it a try, I suppose.
The racks themselves were a bitch to get straight (still a little crooked, actually) and build quality doesn't quite meet actual Givi standards, but they are the best set available for this model. I haven't decided yet if I'm going to mount the rear signals on the extended stalks attached to the racks; if I do, I'll have to replace the OEM tail-light assembly with a Lucas-style piece. Otherwise, the original unit will have two big, ugly holes on either side to let in water and road grime. I could just cut the stalks off and plug the holes with rubber stoppers, but I'm not really comfortable with the little LED signals buried between the two hard bags.
http://imageshack.com/a/img35/161/weon.jpg
http://imageshack.com/a/img834/807/x7k4.jpg
Last month I took a 2000+ mile round-trip to Michigan and back. I took the scenic route on the way there but had to slab it the whole way home. My ride north took me through a few of the Appalachian "musts" (Deal's Gap, Cherohala Skyway, etc), but some of the remote two- and one-lane connectors were just as good. I tried to hit some roads I'd never ridden before, but ended up in some familiar places by accident. Still a great ride overall. The bike performed flawlessly. I made the following trip in two very long days; it would have been much more comfortable taking three or four:
http://imageshack.com/a/img197/8095/f7st.jpg
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