If you're feeling cramped on long rides, installing a rivco trunk relocation kit for indian touring bikes might be the best upgrade you'll ever make. It's one of those modifications that seems minor on paper but makes a world of difference the moment you and your passenger climb into the saddle. Let's be real: as beautiful as the Indian Roadmaster and Chieftain models are, the factory seating arrangement can feel a bit tight, especially if you're planning on spending eight hours a day on the road.
I've spent a lot of time talking to fellow riders who love their Indians but find the rear trunk just a little too close for comfort. It's a common gripe. The stock setup is designed to keep the weight centered, which is great for handling, but it often leaves the passenger with very little wiggle room. That's where the Rivco kit comes in to save the day (and your passenger's knees).
Why Space Matters on a Touring Bike
When you're cruising down the interstate, every inch of personal space counts. If your passenger feels like they're being pushed into your back, it's not just uncomfortable for them—it's distracting for you. A cramped passenger tends to fidget more, and when someone is shifting their weight around behind you at highway speeds, you're going to feel it in the handlebars.
The rivco trunk relocation kit for indian addresses this by shifting the entire trunk assembly backward. Depending on the specific model and setting you choose, you're usually looking at a gain of two to three inches. Now, that might not sound like much if you're measuring a piece of lumber, but in the world of motorcycle ergonomics, three inches is massive. It's the difference between your passenger's knees hitting the lower fairings and them being able to stretch out and actually enjoy the scenery.
How the Kit Works
The beauty of the Rivco design is its simplicity. It's essentially a set of heavy-duty brackets that sit between the bike's frame and the trunk mount. Rivco is known for over-engineering their parts, and this kit is no exception. They use laser-cut steel that's finished with a durable powder coat, so it looks like it came straight from the factory.
One of the things I appreciate most about this setup is that it's adjustable. You aren't stuck with just one "new" position. Most versions of the kit allow you to choose how far back you want to go. This is great because every rider-passenger combo is different. If you're a smaller duo, you might only need an inch. If you're both tall or just like having a "buffer zone" between you, you can max it out.
What's in the Box?
When you crack open the packaging, you'll find the relocation plates, all the necessary hardware (bolts, washers, the works), and some instructions that are actually written in plain English. There's nothing worse than buying a high-end part and getting a single sheet of blurry diagrams. Rivco usually does a good job of walking you through the process.
The Installation Process: Is It a DIY Job?
If you've got a basic set of tools and a free Saturday afternoon, you can absolutely handle this yourself. You don't need to be a master mechanic or have a hydraulic lift in your garage. Most guys find that they can get the job done in about an hour, maybe two if they're taking their time and double-checking everything.
The most "difficult" part is simply managing the weight of the trunk. Indian trunks are solid pieces of equipment, and they can be a bit awkward to balance while you're trying to line up the new brackets. I'd highly recommend having a friend nearby just to hold the trunk steady for five minutes while you start the bolts. It'll save your paint job and your back.
A Note on Wiring
One thing people often forget when they're moving their trunk is the wiring harness. Your Indian trunk likely has speakers, lights, and maybe even a power outlet inside. When you move the trunk back three inches, you're stretching those wires.
The good news? The rivco trunk relocation kit for indian is designed with this in mind. In most cases, there's enough slack in the factory loom to accommodate the move without any cutting or soldering. You might just need to snip a few zip ties to free up some extra length, then re-secure everything once the trunk is in its new home.
How Does It Affect Handling?
This is a valid concern. When you move weight further behind the rear axle, it theoretically changes the center of gravity. However, in the real world, the difference is negligible. We're talking about moving a trunk—not a lead bar—a few inches.
I've heard from plenty of riders who say they can't even tell the difference in how the bike leans or takes corners. The Indian frame is so stable to begin with that it handles the slight shift in weight distribution like a champ. If anything, the bike might feel a tiny bit lighter in the front end when the trunk is fully loaded, but it's nothing a slight adjustment to your rear suspension preload can't fix.
The "Happy Wife" Factor
We've all heard the saying: "Happy wife, happy life." In the motorcycling world, it's more like "Comfortable passenger, longer trips." If your partner is miserable, you're going to hear about it at every gas stop. Or worse, they'll stop wanting to go on rides with you altogether.
By installing the rivco trunk relocation kit for indian, you're essentially giving your passenger their own "cockpit." They can sit back, use the armrests properly, and not feel like they're crowding your space. It changes the dynamic of the ride from "enduring the miles" to "enjoying the journey."
Comparing Rivco to Other Options
There are a few other ways to get more space, but they aren't always ideal. Some people try to modify the seat, but that only does so much, and custom seats are expensive. Others try to find "universal" brackets, but those often require drilling into the bike's frame or the trunk itself, which is a big "no thanks" for most of us.
The Rivco kit is specifically engineered for the Indian hole patterns. It's a bolt-on solution that doesn't require permanent modifications to your pride and joy. If you ever decide to sell the bike and want to put it back to stock, you just unbolt the brackets and you're good to go.
Final Thoughts on the Upgrade
Is it worth the money? If you do any kind of two-up touring, the answer is a resounding yes. It's a relatively inexpensive fix for a design quirk that affects almost every Indian touring owner. You get better ergonomics, a happier passenger, and a bike that feels much more "roomy" without sacrificing the classic Indian aesthetic.
The rivco trunk relocation kit for indian is one of those rare aftermarket parts that actually delivers on its promises without any hidden headaches. It's sturdy, it looks great, and it solves a real problem. So, if you're tired of bumping elbows or feeling cramped every time you hit the open road, give your bike (and your passenger) some breathing room. You'll probably wish you'd done it the day you brought the bike home.
Safe riding, and enjoy that extra space!