[Enduro Doctor]

Howdy,
I'm an old Yamaha enduro restoration specialist with a 2009 Wee that is used for my street bike.

I have been trying to sort through all the choices for outfitting my Wee for travel.

I have spent the past weeks searching the forum, but ended up with more questions than answers.

Here's what think that I need:

In order to pick a skid plate, I need to pick a set of crash bars first.
Crash Bars
It seems that the best choice will be one that has the best combination of features in this order:
1. Coverage (do they protect the cowling in addition to the engine)
2. Strength (thick wall, diameter of tube, material)
3. Mounting (mounts to frame, not engine)
4. Cost (also, where is the cheapest place to buy them)

Skid Plate
Best combination of features:
1. Coverage
2. Strength (thickness, material)
3. Mounting (srong mounting points)
4. Cost

Rear Storage
The top case can be anything I strap to the rack.
The hard cases seem like they are more waterproof and can also provide some protection in a fall. But the soft case/dry bag would be lighter (but how to carry them low?)
Features:
1. Size
2. Mounting (low and forward)
3. Material
4. Cost

Seat
I have read about so many seats, but it seems like no one has tried more than two or three (the stock one and one other). I am talking about solo riding, so I am looking for only my comfort for long duration.
It looks like I need the sheepskiin pad in addition to whatever I get.

Windshield
I read the buffeting thread, but still no winner.... other than the Malstad brackets.
It seems like you need more coverage than the stock wind shield.

Radiator shield
Do you need one?



Other items...
Mirror extenders
Tank Bag (medium to large with map window)
FenderExtender
Hand Guards
Heated Grips
Tires (I have the stock Trail Wings with about 3K miles)


I have adjustable lowering links and the Suzuki centerstand.
I am over 55, male, 180 lbs, 5' 10", about 31" inseam


Please help!

 

[johnnail]

all that is subjective. It's a matter of personal taste. I like SW-Motec crashbars and skid plate, but much prefer soft luggage. HATE top cases. See? the next guy will not agree with my choices. I have setup 3 dl650s. two with Givi bars. I prefer the motec stuff

 

[Enduro Doctor]

Thanks for your input!
I am hoping folks who have tried this stuff will make some recommendations.

 

[jokermtb]

I've read on this site of people's Stroms falling over, and even with crash bars, they still break the vulnerable front turnsignals. I use the Pat Walsh Designs crash bars [it's an integrated skid plate/crash bar system [my PWD setup has the optional highway pegs too] - not a two piece like most other brands], and had a driveway tipover, and they DO prevent the turnsignals from getting smashed. Actually, the bars are no worse for wear, other than a little concrete caused scuff.

Affordable, very well made, and designed in the USA!

www.patwalshdesigns.com

 

[ShankStrom]

Nice looking seat. Which one is that?
And, how does it feel/ride?

ShankStrom

 

[nelson177]

Hey jokermtg. Great looking bike! How tough are the Pat Walsh bars and skidplate to install?? Very interested in their products.....not much of a mechanic.

 

[jokermtb]

Nelson - It was very straightforward to install the PWD skid/crash unit. The supplied instructions had good photos, and were written by someone who actually uses English as a primary language! I'm certainly not a gearhead mechanic type, but with basic tools - sockets, torque wrench, allen head sockets, anyone can do it.

The hardest part of the job is getting the threadlock that Suzuki applies at the factory to break free - primarily at the main engine mount bolt nut, and the kickstand bolts - Greywolf threw out a trick where you use the hot end of a soldering iron, park the hot tip on the bolt head for a few minutes or more, and the differential expansion causes the threadlock to give up it's mega-grip.

ShankStrom - - it's a Rick Mayer custom. When I got it, I was in a bit of a panic because I'm not used to the bucket-ish type of seat. It kinda mashed my nutz a bit, until I used a 4"x4" block of wood and a tie down to break down the foam in the nose so my junk had more room to roam - kinda an accelerated break-in on the seat! And, it does truly take at least 1000 miles to break in to where you think "wow, this IS a comfortable seat." It's hard to wait for that. It's a firm seat, but not like sitting on a plank - very supportive and comfy. I've gone on some long rides without any seat pain, where before, I'da been squirmin in pain lookin for an excuse to take a break. I like it a lot now. Rick Mayer has Vstrom deals every so often, so you may get lucky.

 

[Enduro Doctor]

Well, after a whirlwind tour of every adventure part I could find, I decided on a few of the main brands and decided to fabricate some of my own.




Givi Bars.... you probably didn't recognize it when you were installing them, but there are several frame bolts that are too short and also too weak.
If you think stainless is stronger, you might want to do some reasearch on that.... because they are not. I used 12.9 bolts and had to find ones that were longer in order to engage all the threads.

These come with the Givi bars....

I chased all the threads with a tap.
I would not use a 'thread chaser'.

 

[Enduro Doctor]

I made some panniers to match the Nelson Rigg saddlebags...

 

[Enduro Doctor]

I made my own radiator guard...

 

[Enduro Doctor]

Did the same for a shelf...

 

[Enduro Doctor]

I also chose the following:

Madstad brackets for the windscreen...

EnduroGuardian skid plate (Yann and his product are top notch!)

Sargent seat...

Richland Rick fork brace....

Suzuki hand guards....


I made my own top of the luggage rack box...


I made my own highway pegs and Derlin frame sliders with cutouts for the Givi bars...

 

[tytek]

Nice work! Your mods look top notch when finished.

 

[Enduro Doctor]

I removed all my original plastic and installed used/scratched/dented stuff.


The tank was also dented, but just barely.

Since everything was mostly red, I painted all the other parts red metalic also.


The graphics were bad, so I made my own with white reflective tape.

All loaded up and headed for a two week trip to Oklahoma, Texas, New Mexico, Colorado....

 

[chicago]

Motech guards, Sargent seat, madstad bracket. givi e21 for everyday use, e41's for extended, like the givi trekker though, Hyde racing skid plate (polymer..fine for intended use), 14 tooth sprocket, oxford heated grips, twin horns from Murphs. occasionally I use a wolfman tankbag. Pretty happy with the setup. I use the bike for hard surface roads. Not a fan of top cases.
Stock shield, larger shields caused more buffeting for me. Slight tilt the madstad provides makes a big difference. 5-9 165. 60yrs.

 

[Enduro Doctor]

Here are some more "in process" photos that I forgot to post....

I had to remake this bolt for the Suzuki handguards.... the metal was so weak, it was about to break.

That's about it for a while......