Kawasaki H2 SX SE - Installing Akrapovič Exhaust
kawasaki

Kawasaki H2 SX SE - Installing Akrapovič Exhaust

As the 2024 motorcycle season drew to a close, I found myself the proud owner of the 2023 Kawasaki Ninja H2 SX SE, a machine that has quickly become my favorite ride to date. This motorcycle offers an exceptional seating position and top-notch suspension, making it a joy to ride. Despite the occasional critique from sport riders who find it a bit on the heavy side, I find it remarkably light, especially when transitioning from the BMW K 1600 GT and still owning a Triumph Rocket 3 Storm R. The H2 SX SE is incredibly agile, effortlessly leaning into curves and accommodating sporty riding, all while allowing for some luggage on board. For me, it epitomizes the ideal sport touring motorcycle.

  • Boban Acimovic
Kawasaki H2 SX SE - Installing R&G Racing Radiator and Downpipe Guards
kawasaki

Kawasaki H2 SX SE - Installing R&G Racing Radiator and Downpipe Guards

Many Kawasaki H2 SX and H2 SX SE owners have reported issues with radiator damage, often attributed to stones being thrown up by the front wheel. The primary concern is Kawasaki’s decision not to include a radiator protector as standard. But how prevalent is this issue, and what extent of damage can it cause?

After just over a week with my new bike, I noticed two to three minor dents and one more significant damage to the radiator. Despite not hearing any stones hit, the damage was evident. This occurred while riding on relatively clean local roads around Munich, highlighting the vulnerability of the radiator even under seemingly benign conditions.

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Triumph Rocket 3 - Installing Garmin zūmo XT/XT2 holder
triumph

Triumph Rocket 3 - Installing Garmin zūmo XT/XT2 holder

The 2024 Triumph Rocket 3 Storm R comes equipped with a basic navigation system, accessible through a communication module (part number A9820200) and a smartphone application. This setup provides directional arrows and voice-guided turn-by-turn instructions, but lacks a detailed map view. For more complex routing needs, alternative solutions may be necessary. Having previously used a Garmin Zumo XT2 with my BMW K 1600 GT, I decided to adapt it for use with the Rocket 3.

  • Boban Acimovic
Kawasaki H2 SX SE - Installing SW-Motech Tank Ring Pro
kawasaki

Kawasaki H2 SX SE - Installing SW-Motech Tank Ring Pro

The Kawasaki H2 SX SE, like many of its contemporary counterparts from Kawasaki, features a tank ring with concealed screws, necessitating its replacement to accommodate the tank bag ring.

To begin, safeguard the tank opening with a cloth to prevent any debris from entering — a simple precaution that can save considerable effort later. Proceed by loosening the four bolts with a hex key.

Following this, remove the two screws securing the cap using a Phillips head screwdriver.

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Triumph Rocket 3 - Installing scrolling direction indicators
triumph

Triumph Rocket 3 - Installing scrolling direction indicators

Triumph Rocket 3 has long been equipped with LED direction indicators, but for those seeking a sleeker, more modern aesthetic, Triumph offers scrolling direction indicators as aftermarket styling enhancements. These not only add a touch of sophistication but also enhance the bike’s visual appeal.

The part numbers for these stylish upgrades are A9838177 for the front and A9838197 for the rear, with the latter featuring a shorter cable for easy installation. To replace the front indicators, begin by removing the flyscreen to access the connectors. Carefully detach the indicators from their casing, disconnect them, and gently pull out the cables.

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OEM Frame Sliders for Kawasaki H2 SX SE
kawasaki

OEM Frame Sliders for Kawasaki H2 SX SE

When it comes to high-performance motorcycles like the Kawasaki H2 SX and H2 SX SE, ensuring the safety and longevity of your bike is paramount. One of the most effective ways to protect your investment is by installing frame sliders. These essential accessories are designed to minimize damage to the motorcycle’s frame and engine in the event of a fall or collision.

In the European market, options for frame sliders are somewhat limited. Aside from the TBR frame sliders I discussed in my previous blog post and the mushroom-shaped sliders, the only other viable choice is the Kawasaki OEM sliders. Let’s take a closer look at these.

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Top Block Racing Frame Sliders for Kawasaki H2 SX 2018-2022
kawasaki

Top Block Racing Frame Sliders for Kawasaki H2 SX 2018-2022

I have been familiar with the French company Top Block Racing (TBR) for several years. My first encounter with their products was when I acquired frame sliders for my BMW K1300R, a bike I rode from 2014 until the autumn of 2023. Recently, while searching for frame sliders for my new Kawasaki H2 SX SE, I discovered that TBR manufactures them for this model as well. Despite some uncertainty from a German dealer regarding compatibility with the 2023 model, I decided to place an order, knowing they fit models from 2018 to 2022. Unfortunately, the sliders did not fit my bike, possibly due to minor changes in the frame or thicker welds. Nevertheless, I felt compelled to write about these frame sliders because of their exceptional aesthetics and high quality.

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Triumph Rocket 3 - Comparison of touring and sport seats
triumph

Triumph Rocket 3 - Comparison of touring and sport seats

Triumph has rolled out two distinct variants of its Rocket 3 motorcycle: the R and the GT. At first glance, these models seem quite similar, but a deeper dive reveals key differences in handlebars, seat configuration, and foot control placement. While the GT includes a backrest as standard, you can easily retrofit the R with one from your Triumph dealer, making it possible to convert between the two variants to suit your preference.

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Installing grip puppies on Triumph Rocket 3 Storm R
triumph

Installing grip puppies on Triumph Rocket 3 Storm R

Grip puppies are made to reduce handlebars vibrations on the grips preventing hands fatigue. For riders with bigger hands they also may provide a better comfort because of the increased diameter. Someone may argue that they may also endanger the feeling of the front end but in my experience that is not the case or at least there is enough good feeling in a regular traffic riding. Sports riding on a track is probably different story.

  • Boban Acimovic
XRay side stand foot enlargement installation on Triumph Rocket 3 Storm R
triumph

XRay side stand foot enlargement installation on Triumph Rocket 3 Storm R

Most motorcycles have a side stand with relatively small foot which secures the bike nicely on a pavement but if you try to park on a gravel or muddy terrain, you may experience problems. The side stand may sink into the surface and the bike may fall. I used some kind of side stand foot enlargements on all my bikes since 2014 but this time I wanted it for my new Triumph Rocket 3 Storm R and I couldn’t find it. The aftermarket accessories for Rocket 3 2500cc are quite limited. After some searches and inquiries on forums, I finally found it. Fortunately, Italian company XRay offers few Rocket 3 accessories and among them is also a side stand foot enlargement.

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Held D3O Protectors
held

Held D3O Protectors

D3O is a protective material made by D3O Labs , British company specializing in impact protection technologies. It’s a flexible and pliable material which solidifies in the event of collision. It is used as a low-profile impact protection for phones, laptops and other electronic devices, motorcycle riding gear, defense products like helmets, body armor and footwear, etc. Held has it’s own palette of D3O based protectors in association with D3O Labs and we are going to review most of them in this article. I want to mention that this article is not sponsored by anyone and I bought all the stuff myself. I kept just protectors that I liked and needed and returned all the rest.

  • Boban Acimovic
Akrapovič sport exhaust installation on BMW K 1600 GT
bmw

Akrapovič sport exhaust installation on BMW K 1600 GT

Is Akrapovič sport exhaust just a nice add-on for BMW K 1600 GT or does it do something more? What kind of sound does it make? Does it change the behavior of the bike? It was quite difficult to find these information online but I still decided to give it a try. Hence, let’s share some more information about it.

Exhausts are packed flawlessly. I haven’t checked if they are really 3.3kg lighter than the factory ones, but I could feel the difference by lifting them. Titanium and carbon finish are mint, simply Akrapovič quality.

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Test of Alpine MotoSafe and Quies Moto earplugs
alpine

Test of Alpine MotoSafe and Quies Moto earplugs

Alpine MotoSafe Tour and Race

Alpine Hearing Protection is founded 1994 in Netherlands as a producer of customized earplugs for professional applications. They claim their motorcyclists earplugs are the best for the motorway and racing circuit. Their earplugs have special filter which reduces wind noise while keeping the sound or the engine and helmet communicator.

Their main products are MotoSafe Tour (with black filter) and Race (with red filter) which provide 17dB and 20dB noise reduction respectively. MotoSafePro that you can see on the pictures is actually a set of both of these earplugs with included carrying bag, insertion stick and cleaning spray. Further, Alpine sponsors MotoGP so they have a special edition of MotoSafe Race with MotoGP branding (black earplugs with red filter).

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Fitting Wunderlich CLICK BAGS 3, 6 and 13L on BMW K 1600 GT
bmw

Fitting Wunderlich CLICK BAGS 3, 6 and 13L on BMW K 1600 GT

After unsuccessful try to use SW-Motech Daypack Pro tank bag on my K 1600 GT, I searched for an alternative and found a new series of tank bags from Wunderlich named CLICK BAG. They offer 5 different sizes, 3L, 6L, 13L and finally 16L. CLICK BAG 3L is not extendable, but remaining sizes expand to 8, 16 and 19 liters respectively. 3L bag is the only one that comes with the rain cover while other bags come with internal waterproof bags. This second solution also keeps your goods dry but I find it not that practical. First, it occupies some space inside and second, it’s more difficult to put the stuff in and take them out. Anyways, the bags are really good quality and they attach to appropriate tank rings very easily, just one click. This attachment system is very similar to SW-Motech Pro but without magnets. Wunderlich is an expensive brand but some of their CLICK BAGS are basically the only safe options for BMW K 1600 GT, namely 3L and 6L. Unfortunately SW-Motech Pro tank bags collide with the fully turned handlebars and random switches might got pressed. Besides that, this may limit the movement of the handlebars to the end which may make turning the bike around more difficult. But let’s see how Wunderlich tank bags fit on K 1600 GT and which one I chose for my bike.

  • Boban Acimovic
BMW K 1600 GT Wunderlich tank ring
bmw

BMW K 1600 GT Wunderlich tank ring

I am not sure if I have previously mentioned, but my previous bike was K1300R which I owned from 2013 till 2023, quite 10 years and I was very happy with it. There were no particular reasons to sell it except that I wanted a new bike and I couldn’t keep both of them because of the space in my underground garage. I got SW-Motech tank ring and Daypack bag on this bike and it served very well, great quality. The same tank ring fits on K1600GT, but none of the SW-Motech bags fit. You may ask what’s the reason for this and the answer is simple, when you completely turn handle bars they collide with the bag and some buttons may be accidentally be pressed. This is obviously not safe even you don’t have to completely turn the handlebars during the ride, but just at stand. I searched the web and found out that there is just one more quick mount and release tank bag option this time manufactured by Wunderlich. Unfortunately, their tank ring was not available until few days ago, but I have ordered it almost immediately and mounted it on my bike, so here you can find out the installation instructions and my experience with it.

  • Boban Acimovic
Best inner bag for BMW K1600GT top case
bmw

Best inner bag for BMW K1600GT top case

I have already explained in the previous blog what means “best quality inner bag(s)” means to me and that is not just the quality of materials and manufacture, but also the weight, space usage, space optimization and so on. I found out that Kleinert inner bags for side cases for BMW K1600GT/GTL and R1250RT are the best at the market, in my opinion, and in this blog I would like to announce the winner for the top case. Other riders may have different opinions but I want to help you with this blog to decide what is best for you.

  • Boban Acimovic
Best inner bags for BMW K1600GT side cases
bmw

Best inner bags for BMW K1600GT side cases

What would “best inner bags” mean, just the quality of the bags or something more? Well, since plastic side cases very often have irregular inner shape, in my opinion, optimal space usage is as important as the quality. Instead of the further explanation, let’s see the internals of the BMW touring cases:

BMW offers good quality inner bags but according to the pictures and forum’s opinions I could find online, they do not occupy all internal space. This can be good in case you want to add some additional items like rain clothes, but these small items may also very easily fall out of the cases when you open them so my conclusion is that it is better to use the whole internal space of the side cases by inner bags and keep all small items in the top case.

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Side cases' impact protectors for BMW K1600GT
bmw

Side cases' impact protectors for BMW K1600GT

Are you wondering who would ever write a blog of installation of some rubbery impact protectors for some motorcycle’s side cases? I completely understand you. 😀

So why did I write this? I recently bought K1600GT and started looking for some aftermarket parts. But I was surprised that there are actually not many information about some of the products, very often no pictures or just bad quality ones, no videos, quite strange. This specially applies BMW genuine parts. Some forums contain some information but very often without any pictures. All this makes decision to buy something or not very difficult.

  • Boban Acimovic
Shoei GT-Air 3
shoei

Shoei GT-Air 3

After quite a while, I decided to blog about my other hobbies, namely motorcycling. In the future, I will more about my past, current and future motorcycles, but the reason for this blog item today is the new generation of the Shoei GT-Air helmets, GT-Air 3 Realm TC-5. I just received this helmet and it looks amazing. Since today, I have been using GT-Air 1, which is a great helmet, but after 5-6 years of usage it was time to get the new one.

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NUX Mighty Plug
guitar

NUX Mighty Plug

Guitarists are fans of loud amplifiers and music in general, but this is not the case with all neighbors. 😆

I started silent practicing with plugging the headphones to my Fender Mustang and this worked well, of course, but I always had to seat close to the amplifier which was not that practical. By searching the Internet I found out about different Vox headphones amplifiers which offer just one kind of sound so if you want to have for example clean, blues and metal sounds, you need to buy three different devices. This also didn’t seem practical even though these devices are quite cheap.

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PRS SE 245
guitar

PRS SE 245

After getting the Strat and Yamaha keyboard, I still felt something is missing. Of course, I wanted a Les Paul as well. 😃

Like always, I investigated a lot but it was still hard to decide which model to buy. I looked at all Les Paul series, I read lot of articles and my conclusion was that it is quite risky to get an original one because of the neck problems. There are just so many neck cracks over the Internet including YouTube. So I decided to look for alternatives and at the end found out that PRS SE 245 would be the best guitar for me. It doesn’t have neck problems, but it is still approximately the same scale as Les Paul and I could get one for quite affordable price. I made the decision at the beginning of July and my Charcoal Burst arrived on 08.07.2021.

  • Boban Acimovic
Yamaha EZ-300
yamaha

Yamaha EZ-300

I have heard many advises that the best way to learn to play music and visualize it would be to play keyboard, so I decided to get one. Of course, I didn’t have plans to become a great keyboard or piano player, nothing like that, but just to get one for fun. I know about Yamaha, Roland and Korg from my childhood but again, after so many years I had to discover what would be the best buy for a beginner. After lot of readings I came up to Yamaha PSR-E373. I almost bought it, but somehow I continued researching Yamaha’s models and found out EZ-300. This is almost the same keyboard as PSR-E373, but with illuminated keys as a help to learn playing. The price difference was minor, so I decided to go for EZ-300. It arrived on 01.06.2021.

  • Boban Acimovic
TC Electronic PolyTune Clip Tuner
guitar

TC Electronic PolyTune Clip Tuner

Even though I have a tuner on my modulated amplifier, I wanted to get a clip tuner so that I can use it on any guitar including acoustic ones. After some research I found out the one which shows tuning of all six strings at once. If there is some string out of tune, you can immediately see which one and quickly tune it up. The name of this magical tuner is TC Electronic Polytune Clip. It comes in two colors, black and white, but I decided to get the black one. Somehow I think that white gadgets are too fancy and the color probably influenced by Apple.

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Fender Mustang GTX100
guitar

Fender Mustang GTX100

Although my son had Fender Mustang I, I wanted more trendy amplifier with wi-fi and bluetooth features being able to download the effects and so on. After some research, I found out that there are two options, either Boss Katana or some newer Fender Mustang model. First I looked at the Fender GT series and later found out that there is even newer line, GTX. After reading some reviews and comparisons, I decided to get Mustang GTX50, but then I realized that more powerful model GTX100 comes with the GTX-7 foot switch and that the price difference is not that big. Yes, I got GTX100 even though I do not need 100W in my apartment, my neighbors would not like that I use each watt. It arrived the same day as my Stratocaster.

  • Boban Acimovic
guitar

Fender Play Subscription

As a beginner in playing guitar for the second time in my life, I searched for help online and found Fender Play service. I subscribed on the 1st of April and after 5 months of using it, I can really say that this is a great help for beginners, but once you reach medium level or you are close to it, it’s not that worth anymore. It is useful to learn some music theory although you can find much more details for free on YouTube. However, Fender Play is nicely organized and provides ability to advance quite quickly close to the medium level. I would recommend it for all beginners, but at the moment it is enough to pay for one year subscription and then just cancel it. If they provide more advanced tutorials in the future it may be worth resubscribing.

  • Boban Acimovic
Fender Made in Japan Modern Stratocaster HH
guitar

Fender Made in Japan Modern Stratocaster HH

As I child, I dreamed of having real Stratocaster and the time has finally come. I looked online at many Strats but one special caught my eye. I didn’t want a vintage guitar, I develop modern software so I wanted a modern guitar as well.

I respect the quality of stuff, so getting something made in Japan sounded really good. The decision was made and I ordered it. My dream came true on 17.03.2021 and I opened it together with my son. He was so curious as well.

  • Boban Acimovic
Midlife Guitar
guitar

Midlife Guitar

I played guitar as a child, even performed at my primary school’s festival. So why did I actually stop playing guitar?

At a time, guitars were really expensive and my parents bought me a beginners acoustic guitar which was quite bad even though it was still relatively expensive. The action was too high and this started being worse during the time. I figured out I could fix this a little bit by inserting a folded paper between the neck and the body which helped but it was still not good. I had quite some pain in my finger so I slowly stopped playing.

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