Mods to my new MT10

get a rear fender eliminator!

I took it out for a 150 mile twisty ride this afternoon since we had some decent temps. It's the first time I just relaxed and started to get to know the bike. Some observations:

I LOVE the mirror extenders. They make a lot more difference than I thought at first.

I have almost got good at getting over the tailbag, but it takes some skill getting on the bike. If I bend my knee right, it doesn't hit the bag at all, but if I don't have it bent correctly, I'm not getting on.

Since this is my first locking tank bag, I am going to have to figure out a different routine for getting gas. The bag doesn't stand up if I set it on the ground and I hate to lay it down. With the tail bag there isn't room for it on the seat. First world problems, I know. But my first gas stop looked like a comedy routine.

I had the dealer install the Puig touring windshield in the purchase so I didn't list that in this post, but I was extra happy with it today. At first I was thinking I had traded wind at the chest for wind at the helmet which would be harder on my wrists. Today it made a lot of difference in the perceived temp and it felt good at lots of different speeds. No matter how fast I went the wind noise stayed pretty consistent. I can get in trouble with this as there is nothing except the speedometer on this bike that gives you any perception of speeding even when pushing it.

I like the grab on grips, but that's no surprise as I have had them on my other bikes for the last 9 years.

I've been tweaking the suspension and I was very happy with that today too. It was far less bumpy than the previous longer ride at stock settings and still turned in great leaving me feeling very much in control of the bike.

Lastly, the bead rider did make a difference. I was less sore than the previous ride with more miles. It's my first time to try one and the jury is still out. I did some leaning off the seat on a sport bike friendly road about an hour south of my home and while it makes sliding over easier, I couldn't decide if that was better or not. I don't like not being able to lay anything on the seat without it rolling off, which I hadn't thought of. I think there will also be more benefit in summer as it lets airflow under your butt. At < $50 it's a pretty cheap way to add some comfort.

Not accessory related but I was pleasantly surprised with the gas mileage today. This was pretty aggressive riding (for me) and no traffic anywhere so I didn't expect 30 mpg. I got 35.25 mpg (calculated at the pump) and was able to get 126 miles before the reserve kicked on. It would have been a good day to run it to empty to verify the reserve distance since my wife could bring gas to me but it was getting late.

When the tank goes on reserve you have 1 gal left, about 35 mi in your case. It's not good to run a bike or car to full empty, the fuel pump is cooled by being submersed in the fuel, running it to full empty can burn it out depending on the tanks design.

Instead of the bead rider, did you try switching to the comfort seat?  It really is quite comfortable.  After running a full tank through, I still don't feel like I need to get off the bike.

Have you considered a goldwing ? Damn.

Is that to me because I'm trying a beadrider?  Because I'm trying to avoid spending $300 for a slightly more comfortable ride you recommend me getting a wing? Funny. 

I actually have a wing and an FJR, so I'm "trying" to keep this bike feeling different than my sport tourers but still be able to ride some miles. I've done 1,000 miles a day on the wing being comfortable for over 600. I do good staying comfortable for over 450 on the FJR even with the Russell Day Long Seat. I have friends that ride a lot longer than that comfortably on the FJR but my old bones start hurting.

I'll take criticism for trying to turn a bike into something it wasn't designed for, but I don't think beads on a seat qualifies as that. It is not socially acceptable from a style perspective, I agree. I don't care and I don't want to get caught up in any stereotype peer pressure about style. That is not productive and goes against my grain. 

The only peer pressure that works on me is toward something that actually makes me a better rider or provides something of value. I was pressured from the FJR community to get better gear and wear it more often. I appreciate that. I rented a Harley and rode 2600 miles up and down CA and southern Oregon last year and rode in full gear in the summer and probably looked like a dork in the Harley guys' eyes.

Ride your own ride with your own style.

I had one too. Great bike. What year? Mine was '92. It's set up for touring which it appears you were trying to do. Lol and yes I've seen them with beadriders. I can't stay on FZ for more than a tank before my inner thighs and ass hurt. Harley's are for the birds. I did that same trip on new GW. Was totally rad.

Its a 2007 wing.  My FJR is also a 2007. That was a good year as 2007 was when I got back into riding after a 15 year hiatus. I didn't get the FJR until 2011 and got the wing in 2014. Started back on on a VTX 1300 cruiser which I loved.  That was almost a Harley