Taking an almost perfect motorcycle and making it even better is not a task for the weak of heart. It is not like starting with a blank canvas, it is more like walking on a springy diving board and taking a big leap. When I first saw Bean it was love at first sight. When I brought Bean home I could not get enough miles in because there were not enough hours in my day. And as the days went by, the miles started to pour in, I started to think about things that would make Bean fit me, not just anybody, me.
Modifications or mods is a highly subjective subject, as no two people see or feel the same way. What works for me may work for you or not. Below I will start listing the things I have done and how I feel about them as far as the cost/benefit/utility/real-world usage, has worked or is working for me.
The evergrowing list of things…
I will try to put this list in the order that I did things or the order that they should be approached. It is a bit of a hierarchy, understanding that, this list and how it applies to you will depend on how you use your ride.
With Bean, my main goal is getting away from the cry of the madding crowd. We go to the trails/fire roads and backcountry whenever we can. The thing is it is usually a long road to get there. So let’s start there, Bean is a ’21 RNine T Scrambler with the 719 options list included which makes her a very capable ride. Having said that, one must consider the compromise that is being made.
She is not a full-on road queen like maybe an RT or some of the other bikes out there. So at freeway speeds, you get a lot of wind in your face. She is not a GS/GSA hard-core adventure bike. She is not equipped with the bags and brackets that will take you into the wilds of Alaska or Africa. However, she doesn’t weigh 800 pounds (363 kg) either.
For me and my needs what the Bean is: good looking, a major talking point everywhere we go. Nimble, riding in the crowded city, piece of cake, twisty roads, a delight. Capable, yup, on every front. Fun, in spades. Two up, no worries. Keep up with the other cool cats and kitties, yup, usually out in the front. Off-road trailblazing, of course, we are on course.
So let’s get to it, what, and why, starting kind of at the top…