Mods for touring

Alright I have searched this sight and really havent found much info on this. There is lots of info on making your bike fast and adding extended swingarms and such.

I am looking for info on making your bike more friendly for long rides.
What are some mods that you guys have done and what do you think of them?

I am looking to set up my kz1000 ltd for the road and just looking for some ideas for what to add to it.
I am thinking about a new seat. Any suggestions?
Maybe some floorboards.
Bags are definitely on my list.


As of now I do have a luggage rack and sissy bar on it.

www.saddlemen.com/store/index.php?main_page=index&cPath=172_310
I have been looking at this seat. It looks like it would be comfy. Especially for 2up riding. Anyone have one like it or have any comments?
They say it is for the kz1000 j/r does anyone know if it will fit just fine on the ltd(k).

Something like this from the Factor?

Looks like you already have highway pegs on it. Keep those and forget about the floorboards. You will want a throttle lock too (cruise control). More lights are always nice so you stick out like a sore thumb to all those drivers who are falling asleep on the road. A windshield will keep the wind from wearing you out. A radio will be nice. You can also look into things like better shocks (maybe air shocks), hard luggage, heated seat, heated grips. There is lots you can do. Go ride a new Goldwing and see what features you like then copy them to your bike

I had that seat or one that looked just like it on a cb750. It was very comfortable just very ugly when riding by yourself.
Tom

i might try to get highway pegs that are somehow adjustable. mine just dont quite sit in the right place.
It has a windshield. I think i will just use my mp3 player instead of trying to rig up a radio.
I dont know if i really like hardbags but definitely will be getting some soft ones.

does anyone actually have any of these things?
anyone have there bike set up for touring?

The mods on my bike right now make it a good weekend tourer, but not in the Goldwing category.

My 650 has a Slipstreamer windshield, some "plastic leather" saddlebags, highway pegs mounted to the case savers, and an adjustable padded sissy bar that can move forward for the driver or back for the passenger. It slides inside the luggage rack. One tooth up on the countershaft sprocket lets the engine spin a bit slower.

I wish I had a more comfortable seat, the stock one sucks. The seat, & handlebar to footpeg relationship, & cut down the wind somehow can make all the difference in the world.

i have that stuff minus the saddlebags and sprocket change. those will be my next 2 addons for the short term. gonna find me a cup holder too.
i have a throttle lock but it just isnt on at the moment.

i am kinda on the hunt for the most comfortable seat i can find.

if i could find some hard bags that where in good shape and didnt look to ugly i wouldnt mind them as well.

i am also thinking about the possibility of pulling a trailer in the future. the kz1000 should have the power to pull it.

There are a few hard bag vendors out there, search the web. I think they are too pricey for an old bike like mine so I cheaped out with the fake leather stuff. This brand comes to mind right now. They look good from here

www.mutazu.com/

My KZ550 LTD, yes 550 has a Vetter fairing with lowers, trunk and also saddlebags. It's a very comfy bike for touring around or just commuting. 54 mpg don't hurt to much. I will tell you one thing about saddlebags, if you plan to tour, first time you get caught in a good rain you will change your mind about leather saddlebags. They are NOT weatherproof. My hard bags lock and also have a locking mechanism that allows you to remove them from the bike and carry them like a suitcase. The fairing has a radio built in to it but to be honest it's not much more than a glorified digital clock. For one thing I like to hear the bike and what's going on around me. You also have to play the radio so loud I feel I am annoying my neighbors or just the general public wherever I ride. I think your idea for an ipod or other mp3 player is a better choice. The earbuds for my ipod have a very easy to operate sliding volume control on them. Unless you are going to mount it to the handlebars that's a nice feature to me. When touring it's nice to have lots of weather proof storage. It's also nice to be able to change your riding position so I would keep the highway pegs you have or find a pair that allow you to mount them in a way that allows a comfortable change of position for your feet/legs. A good item to have also is some sort of drink holder. Remember if you get one that mounts to your handlebars, your drink is sitting out there in the hot sun. After a couple hours a sip of hot whatever might not be what you are expecting. Don't forget that another good storage point is yourself. I don't know if you believe in riding gear but I use a textile type riding jacket (FirstGear Kilimanjaro) that has lots of pockets. It also has a deep pocket inside with access holes to carry a Camelback type water bladder with tube and mouthpiece. Fill it with ice and water and it not only keeps you hydrated but cool as well. Another handy device to have is a tank bag with a map pocket on top.

Wow! Sorry for being so long winded. You can probably tell I like to tour. I love my KZ's because I can rely on them to get me there and back again. Maybe not as fast as new bikes, but certainly with a hell of a lot more class and character.

Almost forgot, check ebay for hard saddlebags. I just bought a set of vintage Shoei bags for my 1000 for $35.00. They are a little scuffed but I plan to paint them to match the bikes color anyway. They came with universal mounting hardware.

I put lower bars and a sport windshield on my KZ1000MKII when I used to ride. The low bars get you kind of sitting not directly square on your rear. This combined with a relatively flat seat, and moving around on the seat. I'd ride for a while with legs up on the caseguards, then a while with legs on the passenger pegs, hang off a little to one side or the other, stand up slightly. Anything to move around a little helped. Don't need bags or a luggage rack, just pack all the crap on the seat behind you. This doubles as a backrest, lean on the luggage. :laugh: Line bags with trash bags and voila' instant water proof. The tankbag worked great, but I constantly worried about the paint and waxed every day. Seats that sit you in one position like those buckets are no good for long days. Maybe great for short rides, but you'll regret having to be planted in one place for several hours. Another mistake is using goofy handgrips like foam grips. They feel soft, but the extra effort to hold the slippery things is terrible after a while. Another is on hot days riding without a jacket. Who wants to ride with a leather jacket in 110 degree weather? People looked at me and several even commented. Didn't bother me, get a mesh jacket. Riding all day with that heat beating on your skin can get you physically sick, not to mention red.
So I really didn't do all that much. It's more in getting used to riding long distance, and trying to minimize rear end pain through moving around than the motorcycle. A larger stabil motorcycle is mandatory for long rides. Yes 550 or smaller can do it, but I'd say 900cc or larger for trips. Anyone who's driven a little 4 cylinder Toyota any distance can probably understand as I made this mistake one time only. This is pack for one of my 10,000 mile trips. Sorry for the ramble and polaroid picture. The 4 corners USA tour, each corner required a picture for proof of visit and a gas receipt. No digital cameras then.