When you are gearing up for serious motorcycle touring, whether it's exploring the rugged terrains of Sikkim or mapping out a multi-state ride to Nagaland, your luggage setup can make or break the trip.
One of the most critical upgrades for any touring machine is a solid saddle stay. It keeps your saddlebags secure, prevents them from melting against the exhaust, and protects your bike’s side panels from getting scuffed on rough roads.
Recently, I decided to upgrade the luggage capability on the bike using the Moto Torque saddle stay. Instead of taking it to a mechanic and paying for labor, I decided to tackle the installation myself in the garage.
It is a straightforward process, but there are a few tricky parts you need to watch out for!
Why Install a Saddle Stay?
If you are running a rackless luggage system, you might get away without one for short trips. But for long-haul touring, a saddle stay provides:
Exhaust Protection: Keeps soft luggage from sagging onto the hot exhaust pipe.
Stability: Prevents bags from swaying into the rear wheel during aggressive cornering or off-roading.
Paint Protection: Stops heavy bags from rubbing against the plastic cowls and scratching the paint over thousands of kilometers.
What You Need to Know Before You Start
In my latest video on Sharmaji Yatra, I walk you through the complete A-to-Z process of installing the Moto Torque saddle stay on the Royal Enfield Himalayan 450 (the steps apply to the Guerrilla 450 as well).
Here are a few key takeaways from the installation:
Grab Rail Removal: You will need the right wrenches to secure the internal bolts while loosening the main grab rail bolts.
The Fender Trick: To get the stay aligned perfectly, you have to unlock the rear fender by removing the top and bottom bolts.
Watch the Wiring: Crucial step! When dropping the fender, be incredibly careful with the rear fender wiring connector. Snapping this will cause a major headache.
Watch the Full Step-by-Step DIY Installation
Grab your tool kit and follow along with the video below to get your bike adventure-ready!
About Rishabh Ryber
A cyber explorer and enthusiast who is working with computers since he was six. He appears with tricks related to internet, android, Windows, and iOS as well.
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