Modifying for individual intended use.

[Daytripper]

Finding out quick that buying mods add up! Since I am not by any means wealthy, I am trying to be objective when deciding to buy the various mods or not. Do I really need this mod? What are the downsides to it? What will it add, and take away? I don't plan on long trips, so a lot of rack space isn't really required. I do like to have space for using it as a grocery getter, and will do some exploring in the back country from time to time so will want to have a place to carry certain things, if I get a flat, or break down and have to spend the night.

Things I would like to carry when exploring trails and such.
A way to have my phone on the bars and set up to use something like Backcountry Navigator. A small light weight tent and sleeping bag on the rare occasion when i do stay out. Tire tools to change a flat, including a small rechargeable air compressor, spare tube etc. Extra food and water.

For 90% of my use, around town I want to have enough carrying capacity to go to the store and fill up 2 or 3 grocery bags. I don't want to haul a big box around when I don't need it. I think I want a windshield, but not 100% sold on that. It gets cold up here in Alaska!

My setup so far, pretty modest, and some makeshift stuff too.. Got rid of the rack bar and bought an $16 seat off Amazon which I built a small box to mount the seat on a small hinged cover which could hold something under it although not sure what. New better mirrors. Phone charger, small tach. Added an accessory bar to hold my cell phone and possibly a windshield.




Collapsible totes, the bottom one bolted to the rack and the top one can be just a lid, or expanded as well.

 

[Chinjab]

That tote system is rather clever

 

[Daytripper]

That tote system is rather clever

Thanks! With both of them up I could almost do a small Costco run.. Except we don't have a Costco here...

 

[Daytripper]

So I am thinking no for buying a center over the engine rack. I just got these dry bags the other day, come in a bunch of colors and sizes including yellow and a single bungee holds it firmly in place without a rack. Plenty big to carry a raincoat, rain pants, extra clothing layers for warmth and gloves and is water proof. Also got a small dry bag that can hold my camera in should I need it and it can be kept empty under the rear seat in case it is needed.

 

[Daytripper]

With that little rear seat I may get a pair of foot pegs for a passenger. It would be cramped and for short distances only. Riding 2 up on a motorcycle this size would be a pain for me no matter how big the seat is IMO.

 

[m in sc]

id skip the center rack, your current setup looks good TBH.

 

[dmonkey]

The center rack is good for preventing scratches and scuffs to the plastic "spine" cover from cargo and throwing a leg over, if you care about that, but it adds to the complexity of removing the body panels or accessing the battery for when you may need to do that.

 

[Daytripper]

The center rack is good for preventing scratches and scuffs to the plastic "spine" cover from cargo and throwing a leg over, if you care about that, but it adds to the complexity of removing the body panels or accessing the battery for when you may need to do that.

Scratches are concern for sure right now that it is brand new, but when I look around at all my other stuff that was new at one time, it all has scratches from use. And I suppose my bike stopped being mint when I sawed that bar handle off the back of the rack. Hated to do that, but my hind end thanks me every time I ride now!

 

[Shoot870p]

I’m in the same camp as m in sc.

 

[Daytripper]

I finished installing a windshield I ordered when I first got my new Trail. I was concerned it was going to be too big, but definitely NOT too big! It probably doesn't do much, maybe helps with aerodynamics slightly. Feels just as windy to me tho.. It was kinda a b@#ch to install. I first tried it on the accessory bar but the bar couldn't hold it steady, so had to make room on the handlebar itself and now it feels solid. I was on the fence about a windshield to begin with but this one doesn't stick up high enough to get in the way trail riding so it will stay.

 

[AZ7000']

The center rack is good for preventing scratches and scuffs to the plastic "spine" cover from cargo and throwing a leg over

 

[SneakyDingo]

The center rack is good for preventing scratches and scuffs to the plastic "spine" cover from cargo and throwing a leg over, if you care about that, but it adds to the complexity of removing the body panels or accessing the battery for when you may need to do that.

This is the main reason I leave mine on, but also have an electric screwdriver with the right sized bits to remove it very quickly and easily.

I'll also add that while it stops the major scuffs from kicking it accidentally over and over, dust and grit gets under the battery cover mount and will wear through the paint, but that normally sits under a bolthead so no one sees it normally. But overall, me being the vain person I am, I am perfectly ok with it and wish the stock bike came with a cover there. I've also hugged bags of dog food with my legs there on the way back from the store after running out of space.

 

[SaltineAmerican]

So I am thinking no for buying a center over the engine rack. I just got these dry bags the other day, come in a bunch of colors and sizes including yellow and a single bungee holds it firmly in place without a rack. Plenty big to carry a raincoat, rain pants, extra clothing layers for warmth and gloves and is water proof. Also got a small dry bag that can hold my camera in should I need it and it can be kept empty under the rear seat in case it is needed.



View attachment 9750View attachment 9751

Great idea on the dry bags but I'd splurge for the ROK Straps ROK Straps ROK-10031 Black/Orange 18" - 60" Motorcycle/ATV Adjustable Stretch StrapROK Straps ROK-10031 Black/Orange 18" - 60" Mot… Opens in a new tab

You don't want to lose your dry bags flying down the road at 45mph

 

[Daytripper]

Great idea on the dry bags but I'd splurge for the ROK Straps ROK Straps ROK-10031 Black/Orange 18" - 60" Motorcycle/ATV Adjustable Stretch StrapROK Straps ROK-10031 Black/Orange 18" - 60" Mot… Opens in a new tab

You don't want to lose your dry bags flying down the road at 45mph

Agreed. I tested it out holding the dry bag on with a bungee and it sat there fine on the open road, but on a rough trail probably not. I ordered these straps for the purpose of holding the bag onto the spine but they haven't made it here yet. https://www.amazon.com/dp/B0D2TD59VK?ref=ppx_yo2ov_dt_b_product_details&th=1

 

[Milano.B]

I finished installing a windshield I ordered when I first got my new Trail. I was concerned it was going to be too big, but definitely NOT too big! It probably doesn't do much, maybe helps with aerodynamics slightly. Feels just as windy to me tho.. It was kinda a b@#ch to install. I first tried it on the accessory bar but the bar couldn't hold it steady, so had to make room on the handlebar itself and now it feels solid. I was on the fence about a windshield to begin with but this one doesn't stick up high enough to get in the way trail riding so it will stay.

View attachment 9762View attachment 9763

Nice windshield. I have similar. Any shake at 'warp' speed?
I have seen some pic where the bar holding it is next to the handlebar clamp.
I custom made a GPS mount next to the windshield so it is easy to see it.

If you are venturing OffRoad, a barkbuster is recommended.

 

[Daytripper]

Nice windshield. I have similar. Any shake at 'warp' speed?
I have seen some pic where the bar holding it is next to the handlebar clamp.
I custom made a GPS mount next to the windshield so it is easy to see it.

If you are venturing OffRoad, a barkbuster is recommended.

I had the opportunity to give that windshield the acid test on its first trip out. The road to town from my house runs along a cliff on one side and a fjord on the other and when the wind is blowing it really gets funneled. It was probably blowing at least 30mph and gusting more and I was heading straight into it going 35 myself. The shield didn't move or even shake too much.

The mounting was tricky, to the point where I was going to give up but kept at it until I found the best place. The accessory bar couldn't handle it, too much rotation. The handlebars there didn't seem to be enough room but after sliding the accessory bar as far down as I could, and loosening up the brake lever mount I was just able to fit it in.

The hand guards are something I am planning, if for no other reason then a lot of my riding is cold, down into the lower 40's and even upper 30's late in the season and keeping warm hands will be nice.

 

[Daytripper]

Thinking about ordering a spare set of tires as mail is so slow getting here, I could end up waiting half the riding season for tires to get here!
This has me wondering what to get based on my own uses and needs for this bike. This is my first motorcycle in 20 years and I just love riding it. So far I mostly just take it into the small town I live near which I hadn't really considered as a major use before I got it. . The road to town is asphalt and 35mph limit with hardly any traffic and this has been 95% of my riding. I know I am going to get out there and find new trails and explore logging, mining roads eventually but that hasn't happened yet. I don't like to ride long distances on highway, so will haul the bike if I have to ride it over 20 miles to get where I want to off road. I don't really like riding in mud that much, and mostly it is very rocky/gravely here anyway. I also love the fuel economy I am getting on stock tires, the last fill up I got 127mpg. The 2 prior were around 120.

So what should I be ordering, and where are the best places to order? Do I need some sort of mild knobby tire, or will the stock street tires do me? (questions I am asking myself)) On the occasional off road riding I have done, it has mostly been fine with the tires it came with. I did feel it slide a little while climbing a hill on wet grass, but was pretty manageable. I also like how the bike behaves in a twisting road where I can lean into it and feel confident. I don't know how knobbies behave on asphalt. This sounds like I am trying to talk myself into the stock tires, and maybe I am, but most people on here seem to agree to ditch the stock tires for something that works better off road unless you never go off the pavement.

Are there any tires I should be looking at? Keep in mind I am 69 now and my days of aggressive riding are over with. I just want to putt around while off road. If I stick with the factory tires will I be missing out?

 

[BaldRider]

The stock tires don't really like mud at all. I avoid it whenever possible but its one of those things where sometimes it is just there. Rock/gravel/hardpack doesn't really need a more aggressive tire but rubber preference is almost as debatable as the oil you use. I've got two sets of knobbier ones waiting to be spooned on and I will be buying a couple sets of Michelin City Extras to try out, as well.

Might be worth having a second set of wheels you can just throw on when you know you're going to go somewhere that requires a more aggressive tire and use the stock tires for everything else.

 

[dmonkey]

There have been times when the stock tires have been listed as backordered for months, so I think it's more than reasonable to buy tires to keep on hand. Yes they have a shelf life, but if you store them properly (temp controlled, not exposed to UV light, not squished) then it lessens the concern there especially as tubed tires.

There's a great deal of tire info in https://hondatrail125.com/index.php?threads/tires-megathread.732/
Really it's going to come down to your personal preferences and riding conditions. Unless they become damaged, you will likely get 3,000+ miles out of the stock IRC GP-5 rear tire in terms of wear life. The front may go for over 20k... I'd say get some miles over various terrain on them to see how you feel about them.

 

[Daytripper]

The stock tires don't really like mud at all. I avoid it whenever possible but its one of those things where sometimes it is just there. Rock/gravel/hardpack doesn't really need a more aggressive tire but rubber preference is almost as debatable as the oil you use. I've got two sets of knobbier ones waiting to be spooned on and I will be buying a couple sets of Michelin City Extras to try out, as well.

Might be worth having a second set of wheels you can just throw on when you know you're going to go somewhere that requires a more aggressive tire and use the stock tires for everything else.

I like that idea of having a different tread on hand for times where I know I am mostly going to be going off road. My plan for this bike has always been to take it on our yearly RV camping trips in the Yukon and there is likely to be a lot of different riding conditions, sand and mud etc, and not a lot of pavement. Around home being a grocery getter I can always put back on the street tires.

There have been times when the stock tires have been listed as backordered for months, so I think it's more than reasonable to buy tires to keep on hand. Yes they have a shelf life, but if you store them properly (temp controlled, not exposed to UV light, not squished) then it lessens the concern there especially as tubed tires.

There's a great deal of tire info in https://hondatrail125.com/index.php?threads/tires-megathread.732/
Really it's going to come down to your personal preferences and riding conditions. Unless they become damaged, you will likely get 3,000+ miles out of the stock IRC GP-5 rear tire in terms of wear life. The front may go for over 20k... I'd say get some miles over various terrain on them to see how you feel about them.

I have started the kiddie end of the deep dive into the mega tire thread. Already hearing a lot of of the Shinko SR241 and it looks like it is not too aggressive to function as a dual sport (if that is a term that even applies to the Trail) type tire. I have been almost ready to pull the pin on these but need to look into potential clearance issues on the front fender. Not really wanting if I can avoid it to raise the fender and then move the horn.

Thanks guys for your input.