My own take on "
Rock the Casbah" by the Clash. And the song that kept going through my head as we were discussing installing the crash bars on the Versys.
Sometime before Christmas we ordered a
T-Rex Racing skid plate and
SW Motech Crash Bars for my Versys 300x. While the skid plate arrived right away, the crash bars didn't arrive until a week or so ago. Last Saturday after coffee, we finally got around to installing them.
Luckily,
Troubadour did an oil change for me a few days prior. I've now got 1,000 miles (1,609 km) on it and was a wee overdue for the first oil change.
Please note before you continue reading that the skid plate and crash bars are the cleanest part of the bike. It hasn't had a bath since.......ever. No spa days in sight either since it is still winter.
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| (T-Rex Racing Skid Plate) |
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| (Alternate view of T-Rex Racing skid plate) |
It was fairly easy to install - 3 brackets and a few bolts all provided. The brackets weren't labelled and there were no paper instructions, but there was a video online that we referenced. The lower plastic cover on one side was removed for the oil change, so there wasn't as much prep work. The skid plate also uses existing mounting points and they provide new bolts.
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| (Prior to install, nice exposed exhaust and oil filter) |
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| (With skid plate installed) |
See.....cleanest part of the bike........
Next up were the crash bars. Two pieces and a little bag of install necessities. I must say that I was impressed with how well packaged these were when they arrived. Inside the box everything was double wrapped in bubble wrap and taped closed. No way were they even going to get a scratch before arriving.
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| (SW Motech Crash Bars for Versys 300x) |
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| (All the bolts, nuts and washers required for install) |
Luckily the bars came with paper instructions. The hardest part was breaking loose the main engine bolt. Even the impact driver didn't want to loosen it. Luckily Troubadour finally muscled it loose and from there it wasn't hard at all. Unscrew this, take out old bolt, add a spacer and new bolt/washer..... rinse, repeat.....
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| (A dirty Versys 300x before the install) |
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| (SW Motech Crash Bars installed) |
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| (Left side before) |
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| (Left side crash bar installed) |
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| (Right side prior to install) |
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| (Right side after install) |
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| (Skid Plate and Crash Bars installed) |
And, I couldn't forget to thank my mechanic and handyman extraordinaire.......he prefers scones. This time it was cardamon with crystallized ginger and dates. Yumm.
Now I just need another nice day to get out and ride. Alas, it is still winter.
- Au Revoir
" Winter is the season in which people try to keep the house as warm as it was in the summer, when they complained about the heat." - Author Unknown
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The ol' Versys is starting to look serious there, Trobairitz--lookin' good... ;-)
ReplyDeleteIt isn't the most aesthetically pleasing bike (in my opinion) so I'll take the compliment. I think it helps it look a bit more appropriate for the task.
DeleteLooks like a pretty good bodywork protection.
ReplyDeleteHow is the job hunting going? Or maybe better wait until the bike gets tested more.
We chose it over the Kawi ones because of the way it covers the plastic and the OEM ones had a bar across the front for the accessory lights to be mounted, but looked a little odd.
DeleteJob hunting is still that - hunting. I have one resume out but I am waiting to hear back. Trying to be choosy. Unfortunately there are a lot of part time jobs out there. I'l be at the office until the end of February unless I find something prior.
Nice, now you're ready to get really serious...
ReplyDeleteJust try and keep the paint on those crash bars please :)
Will do, or at least that is my goal. Install but never need!!
DeleteYou have been getting down and dirty haven't you?
ReplyDeleteLooks good, summer is just around the corner for you guys now so I'll be waiting for your riding posts!
Yeah we did a few pretty good gravel rides last year that covered it in dust because it was so dry and hot and then we put all new baseboards and trim in the house and the bike was in the garage with the table saw so it had a nice layer of sawdust on it too.
DeleteWe are hoping to get out riding more this year.
"Rock the Crash Bars" - very good.
ReplyDeleteThese seem sensible accessories if you're hitting the trails…..but that bike does need a wash!
What is funny is the song came on the radio while we were installing the crash bars. Freaky timing.
DeleteI will give it a bath at some point. Maybe just a nice ride in the rain.....
I too, like the post's title. The additions look good...
ReplyDeleteI was hoping the title wouldn't sound like I'd crashed. The additions seem to suit it so far.
DeleteNice farkles Brandy and very practical. Fitting them means that you will never need to use them :-) . Not cleaning the bike gives you instant cred. In our village (think Deliverance), anyone who cleans their 4x4 more than once a year is labelled a poseur. Any chance of you visiting NZ - those scones look fantastic!
ReplyDeleteThanks Geoff. Lets hope they are never needed.
DeleteI don't want the bike to look like a garage queen so at least it looks like it has been ridden. And Brad took it out yesterday while I was working and the skid plate is not longer the cleanest thing on the bike. I think he found a few puddles. Even has mud splashed on the crash bars. Oh the things he does for me. :-)
I wish we could come to NZ soon. I think it is on the top of the bucket list. If I thought the scones would get there without getting stale I'd mail some to you.
I'm with Geoff: I prefer to call them divine protection bars.... useful for somewhere to attach your Denalli D4 floodlights.No Feta cheese this time?
ReplyDeleteDivine protection are is a good term. I have crappy night vision so extra lights would be good, better to just not ride at night though.
DeleteNo feta.... something tells me it wouldn't go well in the scones, although it might compliment the dates......savory scones?
I like the look of those crash bars - effective without being obtrusive. Good choice.
ReplyDeleteThank you. I like unobtrusive.
DeleteNow, how do I get this song out of my head? With all the protection, where will you be headed?
ReplyDeleteBrandy, I like, that you don't care for the cleaning part, too. Yay, I am not the only one guilty of neglecting the bike ;-)
Sorry, not sorry, for the ear worm. At least it is a good song.
DeleteGlad I am not the only one with poor bike washing habits. I used to get crap for my chain on the Gladius, that poor thing was dry and dirty - but it never gave me any trouble.
Brandy the 300x looks great with its new additions!
ReplyDeleteI'm with you...my GS really does not get washed. I think I still have bugs on it from our June trip in Colorado. 😲
Thanks Lynne. Glad someone else doesn't really wash their bike too often. Think of all that dirt and bugs as street cred.
DeleteExactly! 😁
DeleteGreat post Brandy. Like the others said, now I can't get that tune out of my head.
ReplyDeleteI also realised, reading this, that I never checked the oil on the tiger all last year. Something I must do when I get home!
Love the scones!
I figured most people knew that tune. Time to check the oil when you get home, just in case. The scones were tasty. I made another batch yesterday - lemon blueberry this time.
DeleteAre you sure you can't post them abroad? Be nice to have home-made scones.... ;)
DeleteI could try......but I can't guarantee the shape they'd be in. :-)
Delete