Touring MODs

Any idea for some good MODs i can do to make my bike slightly better for touring? iv got a cruise control flap which helps take the pressure off my wrists a bit on a two hour stint. What MODs have you guys made to your bikes?

Very little. Double bubble screen. Velcro-backed clock on the top yoke. Sports tourer tyres.

I'm not really a tourer, but have done a few longish journeys and will do the Germany trip this year. I'll just chuck some panniers over it and get going - I think it's an outstanding sports tourer out of the box.

I am trying to think of a way to mount my car sat nav on the instrument panel somewhere, but have yet to come up with a good solution. Tankbag map pocket is no-go (too low to look at safely) - I would really love to house it under the screen, with the instruments.

Depending on the type / make of SatNav you have , SteveCat may be worth a chat as I believe he has his mounted within the screen bubble fairing thingumy.
There's some pictures in another thread somewhere when another member here abouts was thinking the same as you.
Sorry you'll need to conduct yer own search to find it tho . . . . I is getting to and bone idle to find it for you

headoned wrote:Any idea for some good MODs i can do to make my bike slightly better for touring?

In spite of mine being a constant source of irritation, I still believe a Scottoiler is a good idea. Look at the touring kit version if you plan to do many miles.

Soft luggage is great for occasional trips away. I bit the bullet and bought a top box, and for me it was the best choice. Tank Bag is good to have as well

Depending on what kind of mods you want to do, you might want to look at the suspension (if it not already been changed)

When I got the bike I had absolutely no idea where I was going, so for me a SatNav was a must, we've had some not
so fun moments, but for the most part I wouldn't have seen nearly as much without it (I can't get on with maps in the tank bag). I'm able to make Tourguides for the Zumo and have used this a few times when Touring about, at designated points the prepared audio is played and optionally a picture is displayed - find it brilliant when in touristy mode.

weasley wrote:I am trying to think of a way to mount my car sat nav on the instrument panel somewhere, but have yet to come up with a good solution.

Think you're limited with your mounting options - can you maybe get a Ram Mount for your TT Go? Did you give any more consideration to using your Smart Phone? The mounting pouch I posted up nearly 2 years seems to have given way to smart phone holders.
The So Easy Rider site. Might be an option.

There are a few concerns about various mount options.

1. Cost. I want to do it as cheaply as possible! I rarely tour so can't or won't justify a large expense. Getting an app for my phone is £30 minimum, which doesn't sound a lot but I already have 3 satnavs in the house so a bit needless! RAM mounts look good but aren't cheap and don't offer the mounting solution i need because...

2. TomTom GO 710 - it uses a powered mount which the unit clips to. If you affix the mount to the bike, the satnav unit itself is unsupported and jiggles around on the mount, causing connection issues across the connectors from the mount to the unit - this manifests itself in really scratchy sound through the headphones (and possible electrickery issues in the unit itself). I really want to be able to mount the unit itself directly to something, and pug the mount into the back to enable power and headphone use. I have a s/h mount which I have dismantled to remove the suction cup and just leave the electronics and connectors in place.

3. Location. I want the unit with the instruments, not on the bars or tank. The only place it feels safe to put it is right by the speedo/rev counter.

I might sound cheap, but it's as much a challenge to solve as a cost to avoid. If the worst comes to the worst I can do what I do now and simply bung the satnav in my bumbag, plug the headphones in and just listen to the directions.

I too have gone for the Top Box - Givi, other on here have Nonfango.

Might be able to do some pictures / comparisons at the up and coming Wee Mac for you as I think WildKatWolf Fiona has Nonfango carrier, Stevecat and I have Givi with slightly different boxes.

Furbull posted up about soft luggage set (on Ghostbikes recently for £60) - I've purchased a set for my annual / bi-annual big big tour. Tank bag and Top box normally suffice for weekends away for me.

Is a big dod of velcro an option for your Sat Nav - Weasley??

Spare visor / carrier.
puncture repair kit / mini compressor and/or compressed co2 capsule thingmyjigs.
Mobile phone (not locked to carrier if going abroad) , suitable sim card for where you'll be / worldwide one. / Charger / emergency charger.

Cheers
Rosco

Rosco wrote:Is a big dod of velcro an option for your Sat Nav - Weasley??

EXACTLY where my head is at right now!

i have my sat nav mounted on the mirror bolt just remove one of the bolts holding the mirror drilled the sat nav mount put a extended bolt thought the sat nav arm & bolted back to the run the wires thought the yolk down by the tank under the seat & plugged in the battery i forget how te mirrors are bolted on the cat
as mine,s on the kwak now hope this give,s you a idea
pete

Bluetac!

Hein Gerike (how do you spell that???) do a really neat range of tank bags in various sizes with a zip on 'pouch' for a satnav, it has a outlet for a power lead etc etc. I use the bag all the time as my jackbit bag
(ask a northerner if you don't know what jackbit is.....) and have no probs with it at all. The pouch accepts car satnavs easily. I also use the Scala Rider FM headset/ intercom so I can listen to a bit of radio 4 on the way and take any phone calls. It's also useful to plug my phone into for short term google map use, long term is hopeless, although I have unlimited data useage, it absolutely KILLS the battery...the little speakers in the bash hat are surprisingly good.One more thing, the Loobman chain oiler is a surprisingly good bit of kit for next to nothing, I can really recommend it. I also carry a tubeless tyre repair and inflation kit with me, it fits easily into a spare corner under the seat. What's it like to use???? not a clue, to tell you the truth I've always called the RAC.........

conyermud wrote:(ask a northerner if you don't know what jackbit is.....)

What's a Jackbit?

My BlackBird came with a Nonfango rack and to be honest, if I was buying a rack now I'd go for something else like givi or one of the others.

Nonfango went bust ages ago, so can be hard to get replecment bits, took me two years of scouring ebay to get a replacement top box for the Bird
It's nice and sturdy but if I want to take the seat cowl off it's a MASSIVE task, but I don't know if the rack for the Thundercat is the same


I have a Garmin and mounted it at the headstock using a Telferizer,
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Deffo worth the £30 I paid for it, that was on the FireBalde, not got around to buying a new one for the BlackBird yet.

What's a Jackbit?

Seconded!!