I installed the V-stream shield & mirror extenders today. The shield was a no-brainer on install but I'm sorry to report it's almost as unattractive as the stock screen. Almost, I said. Ok, it's taller by 2+ inches and about 2 " wider so I'm guessing it'll block the wind better @ speed but pretty it ain't. And I ordered a dark tint, which matches the all black paint, but I thought I ordered the light tint. It's just sinister looking now. I honestly would've preferred the lighter tint but I ain't sending it back.
The mirror extenders came w/no instructions. They looked simple enough to install but it took me a bit to figure out how to get the dang things on. They look well made but make the mirrors now stick out like antennae. They really do add to the rear view tho. I can actually see what's behind me now. This is a good thing.
Perhaps most significantly, I ordered a tool kit for the bike (cuz when I bought my bike used, there was no kit) & was able to adjust the suspension, most importantly the rear suspension, w/the spanner. I like a comfy ride so I backed all the suspension settings off, WAY off, front & rear & surprisingly, the bike now offers a far more comfy ride. Amazing how some simple suspension adjustments can change the nature of the bike. I took it out for a short ride, stopping to make additional adjustments as I saw fit & I can now actually feel the tires working w/the suspension as it went over the road. I went from a truly stiff ride to a Cadillac-comfy ride. It's darn near transformational, especially in comparison to my ride in the rain last week, where I was near scared to death cuz I couldn't feel what the tires or suspension was doing.
The owner's manual is a bit out of whack tho; it offers advice for suspension tuning but contradicts itself, offering the same advice to both tighten and lessen various adjustments. Something got lost in the translation, I'm guessing. In one spot, it said the compression adjustment screws could be found at the bottom of both fork legs. Well, I only found one adjustment screw, at the bottom of the right leg & nothing on the left. If there's another, somebody has to give me a hint where it is.
Overall, I'd say today's work was a success. Even the Sargent seat, which I've yet to become enamored with, felt better w/the new suspension set up so we'll see if my tush can readjust to it.
The Murph's bar risers, Driven Grips & Throttlemeister go on tomorrow, I hope. I had wanted to put them on today but I'm guessing all the associated hardware is 'loctited' on and I couldn't budge them. A buddy is gonna help me out w/heat & some extra torque tomorrow & we'll do the rest of the install, along with some new reflective silver wheel tape.
I also looked @ the Kappa bags vs. my Cortech set-up and think I may just stick w/the Cortech. The Kappas are bigger and offer more security, which is why I bought them, but I think for my general purposes, the Cortech bags may prove to be a better fit overall for my needs. The Kappas may be going up for sale shortly.
G'night folks.
Lee
The mirror extenders came w/no instructions. They looked simple enough to install but it took me a bit to figure out how to get the dang things on. They look well made but make the mirrors now stick out like antennae. They really do add to the rear view tho. I can actually see what's behind me now. This is a good thing.
Perhaps most significantly, I ordered a tool kit for the bike (cuz when I bought my bike used, there was no kit) & was able to adjust the suspension, most importantly the rear suspension, w/the spanner. I like a comfy ride so I backed all the suspension settings off, WAY off, front & rear & surprisingly, the bike now offers a far more comfy ride. Amazing how some simple suspension adjustments can change the nature of the bike. I took it out for a short ride, stopping to make additional adjustments as I saw fit & I can now actually feel the tires working w/the suspension as it went over the road. I went from a truly stiff ride to a Cadillac-comfy ride. It's darn near transformational, especially in comparison to my ride in the rain last week, where I was near scared to death cuz I couldn't feel what the tires or suspension was doing.
The owner's manual is a bit out of whack tho; it offers advice for suspension tuning but contradicts itself, offering the same advice to both tighten and lessen various adjustments. Something got lost in the translation, I'm guessing. In one spot, it said the compression adjustment screws could be found at the bottom of both fork legs. Well, I only found one adjustment screw, at the bottom of the right leg & nothing on the left. If there's another, somebody has to give me a hint where it is.
Overall, I'd say today's work was a success. Even the Sargent seat, which I've yet to become enamored with, felt better w/the new suspension set up so we'll see if my tush can readjust to it.
The Murph's bar risers, Driven Grips & Throttlemeister go on tomorrow, I hope. I had wanted to put them on today but I'm guessing all the associated hardware is 'loctited' on and I couldn't budge them. A buddy is gonna help me out w/heat & some extra torque tomorrow & we'll do the rest of the install, along with some new reflective silver wheel tape.
I also looked @ the Kappa bags vs. my Cortech set-up and think I may just stick w/the Cortech. The Kappas are bigger and offer more security, which is why I bought them, but I think for my general purposes, the Cortech bags may prove to be a better fit overall for my needs. The Kappas may be going up for sale shortly.
G'night folks.
Lee