wordsmith

I'm looking at these now - appreciably cheaper than other options, but I wouldn't believe inferior in any way.

Thanks for the reply, duhs. Your final words suggest that you find the Road 5s a little 'hard'. I liked the PRs because they softened-up the ride somewhat after the OE Dunlops. Can you comment on that?

It seems that these ROAD 5s have replaced the earlier Pilot Road (PR) 4s in Michelin's line-up. Pity, as I like the PRs very much. Anybody here with experience of the ROAD 5s, and if so care to share observations? Thank you...

Sounds very positive, and the bike looks great!

Coming through your way early June, riding to Cooktown and back...

Yep, if it is bothering you too much definitely worth a try @ $25.

Whereabouts are you in the 'topics', Stealthy? I'm in SE Q'ld and echo your being able to happily ride around screen-less - but I leave it on. Although mine is NOT a GT, I did find that a so-called double-bubble aftermarket screen, nicely-made and pretty solid, from China (about $44) made quite some difference to the air-flow when I fitted it to replace the OE screen which so many folks here detest - although I did it mainly for appearance reasons, not performance. I don't know if a GT version is yet out, but worth looking? And are you sure that your helmet is not contributing to the noise factor? Best...

Fixing annoying noise is far easier (and cheaper) than fixing other screen issues: just buy and use a good quality - preferably custom-made - ear-plugs. I wouldn't ride without them. On the very rare occasions that I forget to put 'em in before riding off I always (a) wonder how anyone can ride without ear-protection and (b) immediately turn around for home and and plug 'em in!

Surely you means more betterer...😉

Absolutely no disrespect here, Shah, but it sounds to me - and I have been there, done that - that you are finding both options somewhat intimidating, given the intended mode of usage. Commuting to and from in city traffic with feet up-and-down like a bride's nightie would not be my idea of enjoyable riding - but it's your choice! The GS would, in this comparison, be the poorer choice due to it greater bulk and weight, IMHO.

Having owned a number of GSs - great bikes, although quite heavy and bulky - I say you'd have great difficulty flat-footing one.

Please do not use any form of hard scraper to remove the tank-top sticker - it's put on with Kryptonite. On an earlier Tracer I found the best way to remove the sticker was to simply heat it up with a hair-dryer, then scrape away with a thumb-nail, the sticker coming off in small bits. Tedious work, but while it ruins the thumb-nail (which will re-grow) it avoids ruining the tank, which would not!

This... $1.75.

I don't have one, others may, but an in-line fuse costing about $5 may not be a bad idea!

Same here: battery direct for pump/ compressor. Behind-screen leads for 12v voltmeter and 2 x DRL LEDs.

You'll need to remove the front rhs fairing to access two fuse blocks, but that's an easy job as it's secured by three 'quick-fastener' screws which come out (and go back in) very quickly and easily. The manual has pix somewhere. God alone know why the various fuses are scattered all over this bike!

I agree - very handy! On other bikes I have used pencil cases of the soft, plastic, zip-up variety as were once used in schools by students before screens and keyboards took over. Usually on-sale at school term start-up time, for around $1 each - or less. These - as would the one above - make removal of the contents from the tube very easy, and stop tools, etc., from rattling around.

Thanks, norcal. As a non-gun owner I've never seen one of these, hence my question. What are the dimensions, I wonder. I do have a very small/ compact PELICAN-style box, waterproof, that might suit if I wanted to go that route - which at present I don't, but one never knows!

I'd like to see a pic of this item as I couldn't even guess what it may look like! Thanks.

4 litre capacity - tick: some degree of water-resistance according to the vendor - tick. But pretty expensive at USD$120 plus shipping - I guess it depends on how much one wants something like this. A cheap top-box of much larger volume (if wanted/ needed) may be a better option.

I'd be very surprised if it was not possible to utilise that generous amount of space at the rear of the bike, above the crane-like strut that carries the tail-light assembly and below the rear lamp cluster - see pic below. There's a good vertical 4"/ 10cm clearance there, and a good length of PVC plumbing tube or pipe could readily be secured across the bike, with plenty of room inside for some basic stuff. Or you could buy one of those canvas or leather tool-rolls so beloved of H-D riders and use that.

Excellent pix, tex! Keep 'em coming.

Given that summer has not yet given way for autumn, as it should have done weeks ago, and the continuing oppressive hot and humid days, your night-rides make a lot of sense, John!

That's an exceptionally neat job, captfire - nicely done! Can you now fit the OE hard panniers without the relocated pumpkins getting in the way? I'd like to know please. And - how did you cut the 1/8th ally plate?