Tourers & the mad race for accessories

Once you own a motorcycle, it’s a very tempting proposition to seal one’s ownership on it by making it personal and instantly recognizable. This can be done in many ways but the easiest is to stamp a few stickers on it and feel happy about it.

It’s almost become a mandate to have fancy accessories  and some stickering/wraps to make a touring motorcycle feel complete for it’s owners. I’m sure some of it is because of actual needs but rest of it is sheer marketing.  Here’s are a couple of my favorite and most colorful off-roaders from Icon Motorsports Youtube channel (some crazy videos in there).

Motorcycle manufacturers have long been extracting whatever they can from this consumer trend (craze) launching basic motorcycles and a variant that comes fully loaded with all the accessories.  The Versys 650 ABS and Versys 650 LT (accessories filled variant that didn’t launch in India).

The most annoying part is when you see that the version you have can actually fit every single of these accessories but you’ll have to now source one at time to feel that the motorcycle is complete. The argument of the super-overpriced stock accessories or picking up a well known accessory manufacturer for a complete kit from someone like Hepco Becker, SW-Motech or Puig from a reseller is ongoing.

I was a part of a pan-India Versys owners group for a while where there were three things were discussed and precisely in that order – accessories, rides, & booze! It was a very short but useful experience on how people think about their premium motorcycles. Incomplete until it’s got all cool gadgets that muffle it. Every second hour, there was a discussion around accessories and sourcing it to India.

Having done a few trips now, I must say that it’s very tempting to have some accessories but the cost of these will make you think long and hard. After months of researching, I had finalized the list of accessories. In fact, even got the Barkbuster VPS handguards (kit & shell)  fixed and waiting to fix the side stand extender and radiator guard.

(PS: a part of me still wants to fix the stock Kawasaki handguards.)

A crash guard  seems like a requirement considering the weight and height. Putting the Versys down is going to be a more frequent affair than one can imagine. Skid plate looks necessary but I’m still confused. Well, the list is endless considering the gizmos that can be fitted to these motorcycles.

But, something is making me think again as to whether all these accessories are a necessity or I can still continue to tour on the Versys comfortably, with what I already have, the motorcycle. The answer is actually and surprisingly ‘yes.’

The kind of rider that I am and for my lifestyle, I’ll probably do a maximum of two weeks ride for which a simple soft-case luggage & a tank bag should do. Unless I’m riding at speeds that are above the limits, I don’t need those fancy gears for myself or for the motorcycle. And, if I could do a 4 day ride with none of these accessories then I should be able to do a 10 day or 14 days ride without much hassle. Everything else is just a good to have.

Well, if things have to go down south, they definitely will.  The Versys 650 (your fancy touring motorcycle) is probably by itself the only must have in the bigger scheme of things. The mad race for accessories is probably unnecessary. This one is definitely not made for a race anyway – it’s just to stroll on the highway. Amble away!