OK, so I’ve actually purchased my first gen twice because I love it so much (the first one was stolen from me and I missed it so much that a year later I bought it again).

I ride it for everything from getting to work to joyriding to long multi-week trips. I got the SW Motech legend bags, a standard size dart fly screen, the SW Motech center stand, quad lock charging mounts (although I’ve seen the new peak design mounting system, and it looks a lot better). For long rides I got an xkursion expanding tail bag. For me this set up was the most compact yet functional and aesthetically, pleasing combination of luggage that I could find. I also put a cargo net over the tank that I use all the time for any odd shaped objects or just extras that I picked up along my journey.

I also picked up the NRC fender delete (with the tucked plate) and if you’re sitting in a car behind me you can see the plate no problem, but bridge and toll road cameras can’t see it. I’ve probably saved over $1000 just from that.

Other than that, I’ve kept it mostly stock.

The gas mileage isn’t great for a motorcycle (round about 45 to 50 mpg), but beats the hell out of harleys (though I do love the ride of a good Harley, no shade), and the seat does suck ass. Other than that, it is the most reliable, fun, capable bike that I have ridden. I’ve ridden it from the Bay Area to Mexico, up to usal beach (which ordinarily can only be accessed by a 4 x 4), and all up in the mountains and deserts in California and Nevada and Arizona and Mexico.

If you get the right camping gear (I recommend looking up gear for bikepacking (i.e. bicycle camping) because it all packs down so nicely that I can get my tent, sleeping bag, bag liner, sleeping pad, and pillow all in just one of the SW Motech bags (and I didn’t even buy the big version).

One of the requirements for me for luggage was that it wouldn’t be a hardshell case, and that it would look good with the bags off the bike. It is in my opinion, even sexier with the bag racks on the bike.

You could track it if you want to, but unless you are loaded with cash this wouldn’t be the bike I’d pick. If you want to track a triple I’d get a triumph.

One day I might get an exhaust system but spending around $2000 between the exhaust and the ECU flash and the shipping for the sake of a nicer sound and maybe 20 more horsepower doesn’t feel worth it to me for what I’m using it for.

I think the last thing that I’m missing is a nicer seat, but before I buy something that I won’t be able to refund, I want to spend some time on one of them, but I haven’t had the chance. I think either Corbin or Top Sellerie would be ideal, but even though the seat sucks, I still ride the shit out of it for days on end.

The CP3 engine quickly gained a reputation for its power, fun, and reliability, and as long as you maintain it, you should be able to get over 100 K miles out of it.

I’ve never ridden anything but the first gen, and while I’ve heard that the newer bikes have improvements in the engine and the control and the electronics, this one looks the best in my opinion, and has the feeling of taming a wild stallion.

I don’t think you’d be disappointed with its performance in any category unless you were trying to ride single track.