Touring...NAKED!

[JustPassinThru]

No, not me. The PCX.

I'm envisioning the next winter, I wanna go south. I'm old (60) and want warmth.

I have a couple of choices. No, Greyhound is not one of them.

I can pack, with saddlebags. The plastic cladding on a PCX works against that.

I'm imagining a PCX, strippd of cladding, with a headlight bolted on...for a Mexican tour.

Anyone with a photo of a naked PCX, or experience, or cautions?

[gn2]

No need to remove any bodywork, just stick some vinylwrap sheet on the sidepanels, throwover panniers, big waterproof roll bag on top, a tunnel bag and you're good to go.

[Mel46]

If you take all of the panels off it might be an uncomfortable ride.

[Mel46]

Pcx torn down-small.jpg (234.22 KiB) Viewed 2416 times

Here you go.

[WhiteNoise]

What! Old is 60??? Ahh c'mon! Yer smarter, wiser tis all. Kids are grown, freedom has (hopefully) arrived

+1 to gn2's recommendation.
(Naked trip? Not so good)

[flyingzonker]

I'm not picturing your problem here. Why would you need to strip the bike of its aerodynamic cladding so that you can hang saddlebags on it? I can think of one and only one advantage to this procedure: No one will steal your ride. In fact, no one will even think of stealing it. And...you will have a hell of a time putting the plastics back on in proper order without breaking tabs and hooks etc. And, if you leave it naked you will never sell it and probably will have a hard time giving it away. So, my humble advice: Find another way to get your gear stowed.

[Lanesplitter]

Saddlebags fit. I've used Cortech Super 2.0 36-Liter Saddlebags Color- Black and Cortech Super 2.0 24-Liter Tailbag Color- Black.

[Summicron]

Do you put the strap from one Cortech bag to the other above or below the seat?

JIm

[Lanesplitter]

Do you put the strap from one Cortech bag to the other above or below the seat?

JIm

The side bag strap goes over the outside of the seat. They have four attachment points. One on each side of the rear foot pegs, or someplace close, there's a bar to wrap around under the plastics. No need to remove anything. And the the rear is attached behind the license plate. The tail bag gets fastened to the saddle bags by design.

[PCX150Rider]

If you are going to be in warmer climates then what they call a journalist or traveler's vest would give you additional storage for a lot of small stuff. . .. There are a variety of different types out there to choose from.

LL Bean sells this one https://www.llbean.com/llb/shop/119852? ... -GN3&csp=f

Here's another brand https://www.weekendersportswear.com/pro ... gJd2_D_BwE

Prices and quality varies. I bought one from LL Bean a few years ago. It's different than the one they carry now but it comes in handy when the need arises. . .especially on day trips even in the car.

[Mel46]

No no...just strap everything on and go...clothes, furniture, food, refrigerator, water...plenty of your own water. Should be fun trying to find anything after you get there.

[you you]

No no...just strap everything on and go...clothes, furniture, food, refrigerator, water...plenty of your own water. Should be fun trying to find anything after you get there.

DONT drink your own water...!

[JustPassinThru]

I'm not picturing your problem here. Why would you need to strip the bike of its aerodynamic cladding so that you can hang saddlebags on it? I can think of one and only one advantage to this procedure:

No one will steal your ride. In fact, no one will even think of stealing it.

And...you will have a hell of a time putting the plastics back on in proper order without breaking tabs and hooks etc. And, if you leave it naked you will never sell it and probably will have a hard time giving it away. So, my humble advice: Find another way to get your gear stowed.

Well, there is that.

Truth of the matter is, 125s seem to be kryptonite. For whatever reason they just don't do well in the used space...in fact a couple dealers on Cycle Trader have leftover PCX125s for 50-percent off.

[JustPassinThru]

No no...just strap everything on and go...clothes, furniture, food, refrigerator, water...plenty of your own water. Should be fun trying to find anything after you get there.

That's the other issue. Now that I've (belatedly) gotten a KLR trunk



rigged up on the tail; and I have those Mad Dog saddlebags...I gotta think about weight. I need stronger springs.

I guess the general consensus is that removing the tupperware has more drawbacks than plusses.

[JustPassinThru]

Saddlebags fit. I've used Cortech Super 2.0 36-Liter Saddlebags Color- Black and Cortech Super 2.0 24-Liter Tailbag Color- Black.

That's a nice setup. You just put them up against the body plastic?

[JustPassinThru]

On to the tour. It obviously didn't happen last winter; now it's May...which means us scooter types...we travel a little slower; we have to plan ahead.

Haven't decided on the state of dress of the PCX; but, given the work and cost of rigging a generic headlight, probably I'll leave it as is.

But...things are becoming more clear. Depending on my retirement pension-claim, which for a few reasons is in legal limbo...I may make it this winter. If I can't un-fark the mess, I'll have to stay close to home.

If I do...we load up and roll. Where? SOUTH. Maybe Baja. Maybe mainland Mexico. I don't think I'll stay in the American Southwest, as volatile as things are; but that may change.

Next odor of bidness is, heavy-duty shocks. I have the Ohlin website; what I'd like is a good PCX mechanic or owner to give me advice on stronger rear springs. I bottom out enough times, loaded, and something gonna break.

Also: Mine has 4500 miles on it. All in city. 3000 of them with me on it, overloading it.

New clutch, as suggested? Aftermarket suggestions? My take was to run it until it fails - nothing's more common than Hondas. But maybe not; especially since I'll be needing a new rear tire soon.

[Mel46]

Assuming that budget is also a restricting factor, why spend a fortune on Ohlin Shocks for a little scooter? Get some YSS Shocks. You can get different weight handling models. Check websites like powerbypcx.com. Prices even with shipping should be more than reasonable.

[PCX150Rider]

Take some tips from Rick Steves about traveling lightweight.

Really ask yourself when you are packing stuff if you really need it. . .really need it?

It will help to keep the load lighter and at the end of it all nobody brags about how much they enjoyed carrying stuff on a long trip.

https://www.ricksteves.com/travel-tips/ ... king-smart

[fish]

If you ride naked through Mexico, please keep a journal.

Will help with the GO FUND ME for the ransom.

Fish

[JustPassinThru]

My guess is, touring naked in Mexico is easier and safer than touring with money in the pockets.

Which is another story - how to travel safely with funds. Often times the official and unofficial exchange rates are different; I'll have to check into how that's doing in Mejico. Crossing with cash is a surefire way to end up paying Federale tolls.