I'm not terribly fond of the Multi but they don't make the ST anymore. Has anybody sport tour-ified their monster? The thread with the race 620s got me thinking about trying to mount some old ST bodywork to the monster. If I were to try this I'd like to get more protection than the puny little fairing on the monster so I'm looking at mounting a full fairing. I guess if I were to concede a bit I'd want at least a big half fairing like the SV650S have.

What other concerns might you have about turning a monster into a tourer? Handlebar swap, seat, what else? Are the maintenance intervals too short to make it worth it? I don't really know how far I'd be trying to go. I'm still in "just a thought" mode.

I tour with my Monster as is... Works great. Put 18k on this year alone.

the only "bad" thing about the monster is the fuel capacity.  Of course after 2-3 hours of riding, you would want a break/fill up gas.

Tank range is a major issue. It's not so much the restriction to 200km (120mile) hops; more the absence of any error margin if you stretch things even that far. Can't afford to get lost, find fuel station closed in town that looked big on the map, etc.

Other main issue is luggage, depending on what model and how much you want to carry. The high-pipe versions don't work well with soft bags, tho you can get a frame from Givi that holds the right bag off the pipes - or fit an Ex-Box exhaust.

A third for some would be absence of a centrestand on recent models or any chance of fitting one. Makes chain maintenance, dealing with flat tyres, much more of a pain. SS swingarm rules out easy roadside improvisation also.

Stock headlamp isn't all that flash if you plan on night miles.

Seat base isn't supported all that well for a pillion, even if you modify the padding.

All that aside, I'll be gradually adding bits of sport-touring function to my S4Rs. Seat sent to a custom builder today, as first step.

Whether I end up with a bike that justifies the trouble and expense remains to be seen. I've got hopes.

But I'd never have begun the project if I'd wanted to add a fairing. .

My bike with center stand, hard bags (Ducati), and city bars.  I'm looking for an extended windscreen now...

Quote from: erkishhorde on September 17, 2008, 07:26:44 AM
I'm not terribly fond of the Multi but they don't make the ST anymore. Has anybody sport tour-ified their monster? The thread with the race 620s got me thinking about trying to mount some old ST bodywork to the monster. If I were to try this I'd like to get more protection than the puny little fairing on the monster so I'm looking at mounting a full fairing. I guess if I were to concede a bit I'd want at least a big half fairing like the SV650S have.

What other concerns might you have about turning a monster into a tourer? Handlebar swap, seat, what else? Are the maintenance intervals too short to make it worth it? I don't really know how far I'd be trying to go. I'm still in "just a thought" mode.

as the post above shows they did make for a few years hard bad mounting that bolted right up to the monster but they are really hard to come by, i think i found them being sold overseas in europe but they cost a bundle, areound 800$ or so so they are not for me, thouugh i wouldn't mind finidng them they woul dmake it really convenient.

i hve a center stand on my 620 bolted right up by the dealer a year ago, they still make it.  i have the soft monster city bags for use around town, basically it makes the monster into a perfect daily commuter/overnight bike, the bags are small so they aren't really good for anything more than a change of clothing and toothbrush literally, but if you only need a change or two of clothing for a day or so away then youa re fine,.

I found this on Ebay a couple weeks ago. DP trunk, brand new, with mounting hardware, $80.

Should hold about 3 days gear.

Quote from: Bun-bun on September 17, 2008, 02:22:02 PM
I found this on Ebay a couple weeks ago. DP trunk, brand new, with mounting hardware, $80.

Should hold about 3 days gear.

WTF?

WTF,WTF?

Quote from: Bun-bun on September 17, 2008, 02:22:02 PM
I found this on Ebay a couple weeks ago. DP trunk, brand new, with mounting hardware, $80.

Should hold about 3 days gear.

Function over fashion. Looks akward to me with it floating out there by itself but looks useful. I also like how it's farther back so it doesn't interfere with swinging the leg over the bike. When I run long term trips I strap a hiking backpack to the tail of the bike and have to STEP over the bike to get on. Either that on stand on the peg before swinging my leg over. The latter option isn't my favorite since I know for a fact that my kick stand has been yielded once already. 

On that note, I think someone one ToB had a Ventura setup on their bike and I liked the way that one looked.

Yeah, I agree that it would look better if I had the DP saddlebags too.
Forunately, the trunk pops off in about 10 seconds, leaving this:

And the platform is held on by four hex screws, and comes off in about 2 minutes, leaving nothing but the 2 side rails.
Hit the campsite, unbolt it, hit the twisties!

wow that's really... uh.... big hanging out there like that. do you have problems with the bike wanting to wheelie when you load it up?

With 20+ pounds of groceries, I can't tell it's there.
Yeah, it looks big, and ungainly, and when I go for a fun ride, I pop it off before I go.
When I have to make a beer run, I pop it on and go.
The bike gets 50-55 MPG, my work van gets 12, and my diesel truck gets 16.
Think of it this way: by using the bike, I'm using less gas, which means there's more out there for you.

Quote from: Teutonics on September 17, 2008, 12:22:10 PM
My bike with center stand, hard bags (Ducati), and city bars.  I'm looking for an extended windscreen now...

I really think this looks awesome. where did you get the ST bags and how did you mount them?

Quote from: Moronic on September 17, 2008, 09:42:07 AM
Tank range is a major issue. It's not so much the restriction to 200km (120mile) hops; more the absence of any error margin if you stretch things even that far. Can't afford to get lost, find fuel station closed in town that looked big on the map, etc.

That was what i was getting at. If you are going to tour, you want to be "adventurous" but the limited fuel (unless you find a way to carry a couple gallons with you) negatively affect that aspect of touring.   I know some part of california (driving from nv to cali) there does not seem to be a gas station for several miles.  Would hate to have a monster half full out there.