Guys,

I've taken the plunge and put a deposit down on a New Roadstar. Felt I had to do something and couldn't wait. Got offered a pretty good deal on my Triumph so chopped it in.

I'm waiting until the 1st March for delivery. We have a stange registration system in the UK where the license plate numbers are age related and change every March and September. You will get a better price when you come to sell on a March 07 bike than you would for a January 07 bike because people want the most recent registration number they can get. So it makes sense to wait a few weeks especially as our roads are covered in salt and other filth in January and February.

In the mean time I can start thinking about accessories. I'll probably ride the bike stock for a while to get a good idea of what I'd like to do but a thinking along the following lines.

1) Remove pillion pad and replace with a rack on the rear fender
2) See how I get on with the stock seat. I've head that they are better when broken in.
3) I fully expect that the pipes will be to quiet. If so I'll need to change them out. At this stage I don't need extra power or anything really very loud. Just something better sounding than stock. I like the idea of slip-ons as when the bike is 3 years old it needs to pass an MOT Test over here and it won't pass with a non road legal exhaust system. (Unless I can find a friendly MOT tester). With Slip-ons you can hopefully put the stock silencers on for the test quite easily and then change back again. I think I'm right in thinking that re-jetting is not normally required. I've found the following on the Cruiser Customising web site. Can anyone recommend any of these products ?

[url]http://www.cruisercustomizing.com/list.cfm?model_ID=37&category_ID=27&sblid=Slip_ons_for_Yamaha_Road_Star_1600_1700

4) Saddle Bags. I was thinking leather rather than hard bags and something that can be taken on and off quickly. Not Throwovers as I like the single seat look with the rear fender rack. Hopefully I want some bags that will not cost a fortune as they will not be used all the time. Again any sensibly priced suggestions would be appreciated.

That's it really for starters but would be glad of any other suggestions.

Thanks, I will post a picture when I get it.

Welcome to the exclusive R* club.

When I first read your post re age related I thought you meant the age of the rider.

Rack is good. There are a number of them on the market and even Yamaha has one.

There seems to be a lot of complaints re the stock seat but I seem to have no issues with comfort.

Those slipons are OK. Not a great sound but not loud like drag pipes.

What do you mean by the MOT test? Do they check emissions or for stock components?

With most pipes you don't need to re-jet; some minor tweaking of the PMS is usually all that is necessary.

If you like the look, you may be able to find a set of OEM saddlebags on e-Bay or the R* Riders Forum. Takes about 10-15 minutes to remove them.

Doc

As far as saddle bags.I have the Easy Brackets and love them.The bags
are attached to the easy`s and they lock on and come off real easy.As
far as bags,shop around.My set up cost me around$550.00 in all.When the
bags are off you can barely see the posts.

Welcome to the site "robinw"! Congrats on your new aquisition You will find plenty of recommendations on cool things to add-on to your bike. Enjoy!!

Thank for the replies guys.

DocShadow- The MOT is the Ministry of Transport Test. Every vehicle 3 or more years old has to go through this annual test. I think it does include emissions but it also includes noise levels as well.

Vegas Dave- I like the sound of the brackets you mentioned. Where do you get them from please ?

Just been talking to some of my mates down at the Triumph club tonight and I've been talked into considering some V&H Shortshots. Worry about the MOT in 3 years -there are always ways of getting around these things I suppose.

If you buy new pipes, just keep the stockers for when you have to do the test. (Save the hardware). It will be a pain, but that way you can have the best of both worlds.

i second the easy bracket system. i have had mine for 2 years and they are so easy to take on and off. when i got them i think they were called ghost brackets. but very easy to find on the internet, just google it.
congrats on the bike. happy riding
nick

Congrats on the Roadie Get to know the bike and see what you need for fit and comfort first. Then figure out what other things you need to improve the functionality. After you hase done that you can start seeing how fast you can max out all your credit cards buying the fun stuff Then when you have it just the way you want it you will change your mind and start all over again.

Vegas Dave you wouldn't hapen to have a pic of what the bike looks like when the bags are off i would like to see what the studs that hold the brackets on look like

hiya robin

couple of things here. highway hawk make a solo rack that uses the rear seat mounts, dead tidy and quite cheap. length 13 1/2¨ width 7¨ and curved to match the mudguard. check out your local dealer and quote part nº 662-0161. got one myself and it does the job.

now, for long trips i use throwovers, but i have adjusted the strap that normally goes over the seat to the minimum and put that part UNDER the rack, and it works a treat. the panniers i have are from a german company called `louis´, distributed by moto plus here in spain. good leather, but the buckles are not stainless. length 42cm, height 32cm, depth 22cm. model nº 10025553, and run out at around 70 euros.

i know you said you don´t want extra ponies but i give you due warning, tweaking these bikes can become an obsession, albeit a very satisfying one!