[sachiwilson]

As some of you know, I like to try Iron Butt rides, and long distance (LD) stuff in general. I've set up my Honda 599 -- which is an excellent little bike, but not commonly used as an LD bike because it's naked. But I like naked bikes so this is the right choice for me.

I learned a lot in 2007 about what works and doesn't work on long distance rides. I also found out the hard way that there were some weaknesses in the wiring for the electric jacket and lights. So this year I redid the wiring and the gear to improve on last year's arrangement.

I use two Garmins on my bike - a Zumo, which I use for the maps, and a 2610, which I use for data about the ride, such as overall average speed. I reinstalled the Garmins as they were -- they did a good job last year. I've also reinstalled the rheostat for the Warm N Safe jacket liner at the same place. My big problem was how to mount all the stuff for the new Philips HID auxiliary lights. Last year I had a HID low beam (I used the stock Halogen high beam) and two Hella FF50 H4 auxiliary lights. The HID headlight was so bright that the Hellas, good as they are, were almost washed out. I like a lot of light, so this year I decided to go with HID bulbs in both the high and low headlight beam, plus two Philips HID auxiliary lights from Farklemaster. I also bought a couple of yellow bulb Motolight fog lights for those times when I have to ride through dense fog. The Motolights bolt to the brake calipers, and the Philips lights themselves bolted easily to a crossbar I made. But having a naked bike, I had no obvious place to mount the igniters for the HIDs! I finally came up with an, um, interesting mount that bolted to the sides of the headlight arms.

I alsoo improved my lighting from the rear. I have a Givi V46 top case and E41 side cases, and a company called AdMore Lighting makes LED lighting that fits into the reflectors for each. I've installed the wires for the V46 and I'm still fussing with the wiring for the E41 cases. I also have not yet wired in the Datel voltmeter, but I know what to do so it's only a matter of time until I get it hooked up.

I also installed the Stebel Nautilus horn I've had sitting around for the last year. They are so loud even I can hear them! (I'm almost completely deaf without my implant.)

Here's a few pics for your enjoyment. In the first pic, you can see the general layout of the lights and the igniters. The Motolights are at the bottom, bolted to the brake calipers. The Philips HIDs are above them on the square bar (which I made).

Here you can see the Nautilus horn and my crappy looking wiring. There really was no decent way to run those wires!

Another view of the front of the bike.

Here you can see, from left to right, the rheostat for the Warm N Safe vest, the Zumo, the box with the Datel voltmeter and light switches, and the 2610.

And now for a bit of storage! If you look closely you can see the ScottOiler behind the license plate too.

 

[The_AirHawk]

Did goin' to the HID's help a lot with freein'-up some spare electrons to run all your other stuff?

I've been thinking about installing HID's on my FZ6 quite a bit lately - but there are so fargin' many dealers of Chinese Junk (no pun intended) out there..............

It's really getting to be quite a pain to find something "quality" in an HID light - most of these re-sellers are in it for the Riceboy "Hey lookit me an my Funky Purple HID's - YO!" who buy it only 'cuz it "looks bichin' " - not because they actually want to SEE where they're going and reduce the alternator load.

Feh.

 

[sachiwilson]

Yes, one of the reasons I went to HIDs was to save some amps. I can run the headlight and both HIDs, and have enough juice left over for my electric vest. I'd like electric grips too, but I don't think I have enough electricity. That's about the only problem with the 599 for me - the alternator isn't powerful enough to run everything I'd want!

PM me if you want some options for HIDs.

 

[tripleripple]

That is one gnarly looking c0ckpit, Sachi. Well done.

One of these days I'd love to put in the kind of miles to need all that gear, but professional school doesn't really lend itself to that. I can't believe you do it all on a naked bike. I love my Buell, but when it comes time for that kind of riding I think I'll start with something where some of the mods have already been done for me to suit the miles. Like a Ulyseus (or Tiger, Adventure, etc...). Anyway, I was just in the San Diego area a month or so ago, and I'm very jealous of the terrain you get to cover.

 

[tripleripple]

Oh jesus...c0ckpit. Armpit. Ass hole. Dillweed.

 

[sachiwilson]

Ha! Yeah, I hate the stupid censor software too.

I do this sort of stuff on a naked bike because I LIKE naked bikes. Plus I think fairings are overrated. A good naked bike will set you in a position to handle the wind, and IMHO no fairing in existence can protect you from the rain (or whatever) better than proper rain gear can do. So . . . I ride a naked bike, and to hel1 will anyone who says I can't do it.

 

[55028]

I'd recommend getting some wire loom to pretty up that wiring. Also some shrink tubing for those crimp connectors. If you ride in the weather that I think you do you'll want better protection on those connectors.

After looking at some of the GPS hook ups on the bike specific forum I frequent I've decided to do without. However I am a big fan of more light at night and I have an alternator chanllenged bike as well. Don't hold out post up your HID secrets.

 

[Buzglyd]

Heck all you need is some robot to ride it for you and you're done! ;-)

 

[55028]

Pedrosa already has a job

 

[sachiwilson]

Yes, in a while (I need to rest up) I'll probably look for a wiring loom from Eastern Beaver. I agree that I should find and use shrink tubing -- I have used it a lot elsewhere on the bike.

 

[55028]

EB? Yeah nobody seems to have a better selection of connectors. But even he couldn't get me some oem stuff. Fortunately bikes are getting parted out all the time.

 

[sachiwilson]

Eastern Beaver isn't into original equipment. What did you need?

 

[tripleripple]

Hey Sachi,
forgot earlier...why the naked bike? If you enjoy the longer rides so much why have you chosen to stick with a bike not specifically designed for that? Don't get me wrong, I'm sure the 599 is a great, reliable bike, but are you mostly bopping around town?

I don't mean to pry but I love hearing why people like the bike they have, especially experienced riders. Fill us in to the joys of 599 ownership!!

 

[sachiwilson]

Good questions, Triple.

I've had faired bikes before, and a number of naked ones. My faired bikes always -- always -- dumped the turbulent air right at my ear level. Even though I can't hear well, I could definitely hear and feel the turbulence. By contrast, my naked bikes are quiet. My helmet is in "clear air" and I don't hear or feel any turbulence. Over a long distance, the clear air is a huge bonus. Both my CB-1 and my 599 are comfortable to ride long distances because they leave my head in non-turbulent air.

I also don't think that motorcycle fairings or screens are all that good for weather protection either. No matter what I ride, if it rains I'm going to get wet! I can protect myself with rain gear, which I'd need anyway.

A fairing might help if I were in a colder climate, but I live in San Diego. My concern is dealing with the 115º heat that we get east of the mountains, not with cold. A naked bike is much better suited to this climate than a faired bike would be, IMHO.

Oh, I should add that a properly fitted naked bike will put the rider in a position so that the wind holds the rider up, rather than blowing the rider around. I find it extremely comfortable to ride my 599 for long distances because I have no weight on my hands. The wind holds me up a bit, just enough so that I can relax and focus on controlling the bike.

 

[55028]

Eastern Beaver isn't into original equipment. What did you need?

I was making an extended wire harness for turn signals to use with an HB luggage rack that required alternative placement of lights. I wanted OEM connectors to plug directly into the bikes wire harness. Ebay provided all the parts as this bike is often wrecked.

 

[seruzawa]

Hot damm Sachi. It looks like a cross between the Matrix and Road Warrior. Cool.

 

[vermicious]

She'll be sued for light pollution by every rural community she rides through ;-)

 

[sachiwilson]

Ha. It'll be worth it if I can see those blasted deer!

 

[vermicious]

Amen. I still think that (once they've been spotted) my patented "honk the horn like something's wrong with your thumb" method is the best way to scare them off

 

[sachiwilson]

That works, but even then you never know which way they'll jump! I'm just waiting for some natural selection to kick in so they instinctively jump AWAY from those big ugly asphalt-bound carnivores.