I'm considering a few eventual additions.
Instrumentation
12oClockLabs has a very nice
Advanced Mini Gauge. The 450L lacks much instrumentation, and this gauge fills in a lot of blanks, including tachometer, gear position, and voltage. I think those would be handy, as well as some others that could help diagnose a problem, and an hour meter. The gauge is physically small, yet has a large, bright display that should always be visible. It offers some flexibility in what's displayed & how, and I like that they used internal switches to keep it as sealed as possible. I'd skip the speedometer add-on, since the OEM display does that well enough.
I'd order now, but I don't want to until I decide if I want a Vortex ECU, since it's not possible to use the same version of the gauge on the OEM & Vortex ECUs. For anyone coming across this in their research, early reviews stated that the gauge didn't work with the Vortex, but they've added a Vortex model to meet that demand.
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Lighting (ordered)
The 450L actually has decent LED headlight & signaling lighting, but the
Baja Designs Squadron Pro/S2 Headlight Kit looks significantly brighter, without drawing much more power. I may be commuting in the dark, and better visibility to others on the road is another advantage.
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Luggage
I already have a rear fender rack, and I'm considering adding a small top bag/case to it for my toolkit, and a place to store items I don't want to carry on me. There are several soft bags that'd work (I like the Wolfman options), but I may modify a small Pelican style case that I can leave locked on the bike so I don't have to remove it when parking out of sight.
Speaking of Wolfman luggage, I like their roll-top
Rolie bags. I've used roll-top bags for years, and while they aren't always as convenient as a zipper, they seal well and don't break. One of their 6L bags seems ideal for a tail bag, and would integrate with any other luggage or water/fuel storage. Iirc, I have a 6L roll-top bag with a few strap loops, so I can give that a try to see if I like the size. I considered a front fender bag for a toolkit, but I'm not sure if the L's fender will take the weight, and it's another thing to be stolen while parked.
I like
Wolfman's E-Base saddle bag system since it's rackless, keeps the weight low, and has all the capacity I'd need.
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Fuel
The
3.0 gallon IMS tank is the way to go, unless a slightly larger option becomes available. I like that the tank conforms to the bike so well. The giant
20L Nomad tank is just too big for anything I'll be doing.
For fuel storage, a
Giant Loop Gas Bag would work. Unlike a Rotopax or other rigid can, a Gas Bag stores small when empty, and is nearly indestructible.
I'd be tempted to buy a 5 gallon model, since that would also be useful for carrying fuel for my truck. For bike use, I need to see if anyone has used a partially filled bag, with the excess capacity rolled up to prevent sloshing. I can also imagine riding into a remote area with the bag filled, and leaving it behind for the day at a base camp. Another purchase I have plenty of time to consider.
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Drivetrain
In stock form, the L is known for low rpm stalls and a lack of fine throttle response. The standard fix is an aftermarket exhaust and Vortex ECU, but I've been wondering if a Rekluse auto-clutch would clean that up sufficiently without the other parts.
Jimmy Lewis' long term update on their 450X indicates it may be a useful modification. I realize there are differences in the engine, and he's changed the exhaust & fueling, too. It's another distant project that I'm going to look into more.
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Transport (purchased)
I borrowed a trailer to pick up the bike. Eventually, I'd like to use my truck to take the bike to more distant areas, and ride from a base camp. I have a small tilt-bed trailer that could handle three or four bikes with the addition of some boots, but I'd also like a hitch hauler for solo transport so I don't have to drag a trailer. I like the looks of the Rack N Ride (Rack N Roll) that Tex68w uses:
I like that the bike is anchored without straps, and the reviews I've read indicate its a solid option. Having the front wheel captured is an important feature, and the entire system seems well designed. The
Ultimate MX Hauler that supports the bike directly under the engine is also interesting, but I also occasionally haul a scooter, and I'm not sure how that'd work with different kinds of two-wheelers.
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Seat (ordered)
This is one of the most common upgrades, and I ended up with a
Seat Concepts Comfort Element XL in all black. There are some red & white color options, but I wasn't sure where the non-black would end up (no photos), and all black is fine by me anyway. It cost a little more to order direct from Seat Concepts if you don't want to more standard configurations sold through retailers, but adding the seam sealing & four traction ribs are worth it.
The odd thing is
the standard height Comfort Element XL seat doesn't show up on their main 450L page.
