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Krazykayak75

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Discussion starter · #1 ·
Well here in Holland Michigan it's normally cold and lots of snow by this point. This year we are having unseasonably warm temps. Yesterday was 46 ( yes I rode the start to work). Today it was 45 but rainy in the evening so I didn't chance it. Tomorrow they are talking about 52 degrees. So I'm thinking a ride is in order.

Normally in the winter time I would do some after market upgrades of sorts. And not worry about it being in the shop. This year is different cause the warmer weather means I don't want the bike sitting someplace where I can't ride whenever I want.
Now I understand that the bike is new to me as of nov. so I didn't get a lot of riding time in good weather.

After market parts I have added
New light bar
Lowering kit ( this is great but I'm afraid my pipes drag on most corners )
New commander II rear tire
Echo phone/GPS mount and charger
Viking bags econoline sissy bar bag
Rear rack

Things on the list yet to get
Rear trunk ( maybe.. Not sure if I'm sold on this yet).
A batwing fairing with audio.
New hardbags
I have chrome aftermarket pipes now but I want to get black pipes
Led turn/ brake lights


So what is everyone else doing to the bikes in the off season..
 
gonna be 57 Saturday, can't wait to get another bike looking a vulcan 2000 lt and a roadliner s midnight, leaning towards vulcan since its cheaper and would leave me money to buy a batwing
 
I want black pipes too! Here in KS it's been warm too, most of our snow is melted now, it's 62 today and I can't ride because my bike is still torn apart. I didn't do anything too crazy this winter, but I'm plasti-dipping my Memphis shades batwing mounts, so they don't stick out. Also plasti-dipping the rear fender stays, trying to get the bike mostly black so the remaining chrome like the pipes really pops. I also sent my seat off to greatdaytoride, the guy that puts new foam in. Got it back haven't gotten to try it out yet, but I can't wait . Stock seat foam is hard as a rock! I'll try to post a pic once I get it back together in the next few days hopefully.

I really want t chin fairing too, just kinda pricey.



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Lowering Kit

I'd be really interested in hearing more about the lowering kit. I've been looking at the Baron lowering kit. Regarding a trunk on the roadliner. It took me a long time to make decision on that one. I ended up purchasing a Kuryakyn grantour bag and I'm waiting on the Cobra sissy bar and luggage rack to arrive. Last year I purchased the Tsukayu jumbo hardbags. Very happy with them. Now I'm looking at changing the stock seat. Want something lower but still comfortable on long rides.
 
Discussion starter · #6 ·
jumbo bags

are the jumbo bags as big or bigger than the stock bags ?
If you can post a picture or email me a picture that would be Great.

As for the lowering kit:
I use to have to stand on tip toes to be able to stand enough to back it up comfy. Now I can do it no problem. Im flat footed with no issue. Being only 5'5" this was a great upgrade..
Now the downfalls. Just riding around town I have hit the pipes a few times taking corners. Im not sure if I like to Lean more than other or what.. It will be interesting when I go to NC for 9 days in may.

I will keep you updated as to what I think.

We have alot of MI folks maybe a michigan meet up ride ?



I'd be really interested in hearing more about the lowering kit. I've been looking at the Baron lowering kit. Regarding a trunk on the roadliner. It took me a long time to make decision on that one. I ended up purchasing a Kuryakyn grantour bag and I'm waiting on the Cobra sissy bar and luggage rack to arrive. Last year I purchased the Tsukayu jumbo hardbags. Very happy with them. Now I'm looking at changing the stock seat. Want something lower but still comfortable on long rides.
 
Discussion starter · #7 ·
Well i took the tank off today in hopes of changing the spark plugs.. All I can say is wow.. This looked to be way out of my league so I put the tank back on and will take it in.

I dimmed my gauge lights and it helped so much. The glare on the windshield is still there but its almost gone.
 
Jumbo hardbags

I''m not sure how the tsukayu jumbo hardbags compare to the stock. They're 40 litre capacity each. Very good quality. The only issue I've had is getting to the rear tyre valve sometimes but I suppose that happens with any hardbags. Hope I got the photo attached ok. I also added a star medium size windshield. Had big problems with helmet buffeting. I ordered the memphis shades lowers which just arrived. Once I fit them I'll take it for a ride and see if the problem is fixed. From what I've read online it should do the job.
 

Attachments

Lowering Kit/Memphis Shades Lowers

The memphis shades lowers are on. Turned into a 2 hour job and now its raining!! With your bike lowered did you have to change the side stand? Baron have the "shorty" stand which they recommend with their lowering kit. How much did the kit lower the bike? one and three quarter inches? Do you have to lower the front as well? Sorry about all the questions.
 
Discussion starter · #11 ·
Please dont be sorry for all the questions. I didnt get a new side stand as http://www.pacificcoaststar.com/pcs/roadliner_loweringkit.htm
where I got the lowering kit didnt say I would need one. When I picked it up at the dealer they said they weren't sure if the stand would work. It does kind of. I have noticed that it doesn't lean as much while on the stand. So I might upgrade to a shorter stand.
As for lowering they dealer who installed said it was about 1 1/2. As for lowering the front I haven't done that and not sure if I am going to. I think I need more saddle time. But in Michigan this really isnt prime riding season (LOL).

Let us now how the lowers work.. I would be interested to here.
 
are the jumbo bags as big or bigger than the stock bags ?
If you can post a picture or email me a picture that would be Great.

As for the lowering kit:
I use to have to stand on tip toes to be able to stand enough to back it up comfy. Now I can do it no problem. Im flat footed with no issue. Being only 5'5" this was a great upgrade..
Now the downfalls. Just riding around town I have hit the pipes a few times taking corners. Im not sure if I like to Lean more than other or what.. It will be interesting when I go to NC for 9 days in may.

I will keep you updated as to what I think.

We have alot of MI folks maybe a michigan meet up ride ?
Great idea, i did a lot of solo riding last year, apparently the amount of people in michigan who own bikes is substantially more than the people who ride them,now Ohio folks they like to ride.
 
Goodluck!!! I wouldnt own another Vulcan!!!!
sorry to hear that, i never had a kawasaki let me down, owned kz 650, 750,1000, and a vulcan 2000 and never was dissapointed. I wouldnt own another suzuki though, c90 was a great bike, easy to maintain, but horribly underpowered with a small tank to boot, its big sisters the m109 and c109 are junk, so thats why im just concidering the roadliner and vulcan 2000.
 
60F in Cass City (Thumb) yesterday... my wife asked me if we were going to get anymore snow!!! She is originally from England so I guess this weather is what she was used to. Not much snow there. She lived on north coastline of Wales when I met her.. It was wet,cold, & windy there too.

A MI gathering sounds like a great idea... keep me posted on that..
 
Discussion starter · #18 · (Edited)
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