There’s no one in the world exactly like you is there? No, of course not, so why should your motorcycle be just like so many thousands of others that came off the same production line? Your bike should fit your height, your riding style, and all the other preferences and particulars that make you who you are.
More and more the motorcycle manufacturers have figured this out and are offering “factory customization.” But before that there was–and still is–the aftermarket. Years ago Yamaha did not put a fairing on their street bikes but Craig Vetter made fairings and owners put them on their machines.
While for some people the only limitation to what they will do to customize their bike is limited only by their wallet, for the rest of us it’s a series of choices we make based on what will truly enhance our riding experience. What are the modifications that are most likely to meet our needs?
Risers
Probably the one change that can most improve your riding experience is to install a set of risers. Risers bring your handlebars up and back, usually two to three inches, and they can make all the difference between torture and heaven. Two to three inches may not seem like a lot but that can be all it takes to turn a forward-leaning riding position–with weight constantly on your wrists–into an upright riding position that is good for all day.
Of course, risers are used more on sport-touring machines, such as the Yamaha FJR1300. If your bike is more of a cruiser, such as a Road Star Silverado, you may opt instead for a new set of handlebars that you can reach more easily without leaning forward.
Windshield
Some riders don’t want a windshield because they feel it detracts from the look of their machine. To each his own. If you care more about being warm than you do about being cool, however, a windshield is definitely in order. From almost the moment you go for your first ride you will discover that the temperature you experience riding is always 10 to 20 degrees cooler than the ambient air temperature. That’s fine in summer but in cooler weather, having something to block some of that wind is welcome.
Of course, a lot of bikes today come with windshields or fairings as stock equipment. The Royal Star Venture, for one, comes with a color-coordinated fairing as well as hard bags and other goodies. The Kawasaki Vulcan 1700 Nomad, in comparison, comes with a windshield. Opt for a Vulcan 900 Custom, however, and you have neither. No problem. Buy one and put it on. You’ll be glad you did. Just be sure to get one that is low enough so you can look over it, not through it. You’ll understand why the first time you’re riding in rain and collect raindrops on your visor. You won’t want to be looking through a second layer of plastic with its own layer of raindrops.
Saddlebags
Once again, many bikes today come with their own luggage and that’s a good thing. If your didn’t you’re going to need something to carry your stuff in. The most basic bags are nylon or imitation leather that you just through over the passenger seat. Better, but more expensive, are hard bags that need specific hardware to attach. Two things to consider when buying bags. First, you’re going to want something you can easily remove when you get to your destination, or else that you can lock securely. Soft bags are easy to remove, while hard bags generally have locks. Some hard bags lock but also remove easily. It’s up to you to figure out what will work best for you.
Second, they need to be waterproof. A change of clothes does you no good if they’re sopping wet, and papers or a laptop computer or other items you may be carrying don’t take kindly to getting wet.
Of course, there are thousands of other gadgets and fancy parts you can put on your bike, but take care of the essentials first. Nothing will serve you better over the years than these three basic modifications.
Similar Posts:
- Motorcycle Saddlebags – Which Type of Saddlebags to Select
- How To Install A Motorcycle Windshield
- Expand Your On-Road Storage With Motorcycle Luggage
- Motorcycle Panniers
- Motorcycle Windshields: Advantages and Disadvantages
