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
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.

  • Boban Acimovic
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.

  • Boban Acimovic
About Me
about

About Me

Name: Boban Acimovic

Born: 1969, Pozarevac, Serbia

Profession: Software Engineer

Current employment: Deloitte-Digital GmbH

Place of living: Munich, Germany

Hobbies: motorcycle riding, guitar playing, beer drinking

Children: 3

Grandchildren: 1

Previous motorcycles: Yamaha R6 2004, Yamaha FZ6 S2 2008, Yamaha XT660R 2008, Yamaha FZ1 SA 2008, BMW K1300R 2013, BMW K1600GT 2023

Current motorcycles: Triumph Rocket 3 Storm R 2024, Kawasaki H2 SX SE 2024

Current car: BMW M3 Competition G80 2022

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.

  • Boban Acimovic
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.

  • Boban Acimovic
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.

  • Boban Acimovic
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.

  • Boban Acimovic
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
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.

  • Boban Acimovic