with the ryca conversion the bike is a lot leaner and more compact, giving the bike a lighter and sportier feel. im not running side panels so i dont have any issues with that. i can tuck in and get real tight if needed.
the seat isnt anything to write home about as one wont make it that far from home on this bike (tank size etc). but i dont think anyone who is doing the ryca conversion really expected to go long distances. im ripping los angeles street traffic and it exceeds expectations. its nimble allowing me to split traffic and/or get out of the way if needed. the increase in horse power due to the re-jetting in the carb, k&n air filter, and new exhaust, really makes a difference, especially off the line. so far ive only had it up to around 80-90mph (i dont know for sure as my chain conversion has thrown my speedo off) @ 5k rpm and still had throttle left.
the most drastic changes are the lowered front end which is a bit more rigid then stock and the repositioning of the seat. both of these turn the bike from a cruiser to a sport bike like feel with sport bike like handling. the bike shakes, rattles, and rolls- its a vibrating beast for sure. everything is felt; from the road to the huge gigantic cylinder doing its thing; riding the ryca is a work out and not for the weak. but this is a motorcycle and the labor of traversing the earth on it comes at a price. if one wants supreme comfort get a maybach or something. as for me, im sticking with the ryca cs-1, its more than the bike i was expecting and the interest it gathers based on its aesthetics alone, not to mention the v8 sounding exhaust doesnt hurt either!