We've been seeing an increasing number of side panel replacements at ProCycle, and the cause is consistently the same: damage from rear-mounted soft luggage forcing the side panels against the exhaust. Riders often install soft luggage systems that initially appear to have enough clearance, but heat from the exhaust cause the plastic side panels to soften and bumps and road vibrations cause the bags to overcome the lessened stiffness of the side panels. The result is melted plastic panels, damaged luggage, and potentially ruined contents. This type of damage typically develops over time and distance, making it particularly frustrating for riders who believed their setup was secure.
To solve this problem, we've teamed up with Moto Mule to offer side panel guards designed for the Honda XR650L. These high-quality powder-coated steel guards are locally-manufactured and help maintain proper saddlebag positioning throughout rides. When properly installed with soft luggage systems, they prevent bag migration while providing physical protection from exhaust heat. This eliminates the need to constantly monitor luggage security and provides confidence during extended touring.
One of the other complaints we hear often about the Honda XR650L is the delicate subframe. We worked with Warp 9 Racing to develop a set of subframe supports to reinforce this weak part. With these installed, you could probably take your bowling ball collection on a cross-country trip (though we're not sure why you'd want to).
Between the side panel guards and the subframe supports, you're covered. Your bike can handle whatever adventure gear you want to throw at it, and you won't be constantly worrying about something breaking or falling off.
