Econo Cruiser To Tourer

Econo Cruiser To Tourer Touring Conversion

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01. Star Motorcycles’ V Star 950 with completed Willie & Max touring upgrade parts—audio fairing, saddlebags, and seat.

01. Star Motorcycles’ V Star 950 with completed Willie & Max touring upgrade parts—audio

While there are lots of options to go out and buy a full-on touring bike complete with bags, windshield, and audio capabilities, in today’s economic climate shelling out upwards of $20,000 on a new bike isn’t within everyone’s budget. Maybe you don’t need or can’t handle a 800-plus pound machine. Or it’s possible you already own a middleweight cruiser, such as a Vulcan 900, VTX 1300, or V Star 950, to name a few but it lacks the needed touring accessories.

Well, Willie & Max recently released a bevy of touring accessories to convert some very capable metric cruisers into competent touring machines. The bolt-on parts consist of hard saddlebags, Batwing-style fairing with or without audio capabilities, as well as accessories. Parts can be purchased individually or as complete kits. A nice feature of the non-audio fairing is the cutouts are clearly marked for a later date if an owner decides to go with audio. There’s no guesswork involved at all.

02. Other than the sissybar, this is the stock ’11 V Star 950 before the install.

02. Other than the sissybar, this is the stock ’11 V Star 950 before the install.

We started with a new ’11 V Star 950 (MSRP $8,390) that features an air-cooled SOHC, V-twin, with five-speed gearbox. This cruiser is the perfect platform for a touring conversion. The motor is plenty spunky, and the chassis is stout. We contacted Willie & Max and ordered the complete touring kit with audio. We also had them make a custom seat from its Custom Seat Program.

When purchased as a kit with hardsided saddlebags, full fairing, mounting hardware/bracketry, and 9-inch clear windshield the parts are available in different levels of finish: primered and ready to paint, $1504.00; Gloss Black, $1794.99; or OEM color match (quotes available from Willie & Max). The Radio/Stereo Add On Kit retails for $419.99 and includes a marine-grade Fusion RA-200 radio (AM/FM/weatherband, iPod and mp3 ready), two speakers, grills, hidden antenna, USB cable, bracket, cover, and wire looms. While we didn’t go this route there is also an optional amplifier that adds another $195.

03. We received the ABS saddlebags and fairing painted in gloss black with subtle blue and silverleaf graphics. A 9-inch clear windshield comes standard in the kit. All brackets, hardware, and nicely illustrated instructions were also provided. Not shown are the stereo, speakers, and wiring harness. All supports and brackets are made from steel and black powdercoated. All hardware is zinc plated.
03. We received the ABS saddlebags and fairing painted in gloss black with subtle blue an
04. After securing the bike to the lift we first removed the fender strut bolts. The sissybar and supports remained in place.
04. After securing the bike to the lift we first removed the fender strut bolts. The siss
05. After applying blue Loctite to the supplied bolts we simply slid the bolt through the saddlebag support, added the indicated spacers, and tightened to spec. Both sides were done in matter of minutes.
05. After applying blue Loctite to the supplied bolts we simply slid the bolt through the

Willie & Max’s Custom Seat Program provides 1,000s of seating options including materials, colors, textures, designs, stitch color, piping, two tone, accent, gel, one up or two, etc. Custom sissybar pads are available as well. You can buy a new seat from them or have your current seat refurbished.

06. We next used a step-drillbit to open up an 11⁄16-inch hole. The drill point is clearly marked on the saddlebag and detailed instructions. A waterproof rubber grommet was then placed into each mounting hole.

06. We next used a step-drillbit to open up an 11⁄16-inch hole. The drill point is clearl

Evaluation: The Willie & Max Touring Kit turns an otherwise one-dimensional motorcycle into a bike capable of carrying you and your gear long distances. The parts are made of top quality materials and look as good as any factory offering. In this case economy doesn’t mean cheap.

The audio is a nice feature; the power is adequate around town but at freeway speeds we recommend the optional accessory amplifier kit. The hidden antenna could be more powerful as well.

It’s pretty hard to touch a competent touring machine like this that comes complete, brand new for around 11 thousand dollars. Amazing. B

07. The bags were sat on to their respective brackets and fastened to each support with the included hardware.
07. The bags were sat on to their respective brackets and fastened to each support with t
08. The saddlebag installation was done.
09. The locking saddlebags come with keys and shown here are the optional, removable bag liners
09. The locking saddlebags come with keys and shown here are the optional, removable bag

10. We moved onto the inner fairing and installing the audio equipment. Each of the 5.25-inch speakers was installed into the inner fairing followed by snapping the speaker grills into place.
10. We moved onto the inner fairing and installing the audio equipment. Each of the 5.25-
11. The marine-grade Fusion stereo was installed between the speakers.
12. Moving to the back, we installed the hidden AM/FM antenna to the inside of the inner fairing.
12. Moving to the back, we installed the hidden AM/FM antenna to the inside of the inner

13. The clearly marked wires were put in place, connecting the multifunction radio with the speakers and antenna.
13. The clearly marked wires were put in place, connecting the multifunction radio with t
14. We removed the seat, disconnected the battery, and needed to loosen the gas tank to route the wires for the radio.
14. We removed the seat, disconnected the battery, and needed to loosen the gas tank to r
15. We slid the wiring harness under the tank…

16. …and connected the fused harness to the battery.
17. We had to tap into the stock wiring harness inside the headlamp to connect the radio. Before proceeded we wanted to make sure everything checked out, so we powered up the radio before continuing with the install. It turned right on. The radio features 4 channels with 50 watts each.
17. We had to tap into the stock wiring harness inside the headlamp to connect the radio.
18. The fairing upper mounting bracket and spacers were installed into the top triple tree. The lower mounting bracket (hard to see; arrow) was installed under the headlamp.
18. The fairing upper mounting bracket and spacers were installed into the top triple tre

20. The inner fairing with all of the assembled audio components was put into place and mated to the outer fairing.
20. The inner fairing with all of the assembled audio components was put into place and m
21. It was starting to look like a full-blown touring machine.
22. The included windshield and chrome trim was installed onto the fairing.
22. The included windshield and chrome trim was installed onto the fairing.

23. A look from the cockpit of the completed install.
24. Willie & Max also offer optional windshields including this 3 ½ -inch smoked version.
24. Willie & Max also offer optional windshields including this 3 ½ -inch smoked version.
25. We proceeded to install the seat and sissybar pad from Willie & Max’s Custom Seat Program.
25. We proceeded to install the seat and sissybar pad from Willie & Max’s Custom Seat Pro

26. Our seat set included a textured suede top, basket weave pattern sides, and white Maltese Cross graphic on the rider’s seat.
26. Our seat set included a textured suede top, basket weave pattern sides, and white Mal
27. The spacious saddlebags are wider than they are deep. The measurements are, in inches, 25 long, 13 high, and 11 wide. They hold quite a bit of gear and are very well supported; no sagging, bouncing, or rattling.
27. The spacious saddlebags are wider than they are deep. The measurements are, in inches
28. A better look from the rider’s perspective. The audio is a nice addition. Radio function controls are nice and big for ease of use while riding with gloves.
28. A better look from the rider’s perspective. The audio is a nice addition. Radio funct