08 1200GS/offroad queries

[shadude]

Had my 08 1200GS for 5000 miles (road miles), great bike. Got a few queries for you all please.

1) Squeaky breaks. This must have started around 4000 miles. Anyone else had this on a 08 GS? Read a few threads on earlier GS's and the washer mod, is this applicable to the 08? Front break is great. Back break is pretty useless on the road, although off-road would be another story.

2) Want to go off road this summer. Not had much experience-done a fair bit of mountain biking. How do you adjust the rear break foot pedal(as it's to low standing up), does it spin on the spindle Think I'll have to get the foot pedal extender as the footprint seems to small. Is the touratech one the way to go.

3) Anyone use googles with a tour x3? Recommendations please.

4) Off road tyres. How do you manage on road. I commute 300 miles a week. Does anyone change tyres weekend to week, have an extra set of wheels or just use "road tyres off road" or "offroad tyres on road".

5) Any good green lanes in Hertfordshire, or is the nearest Thetford forest area?

Sorry that probably enough for now

Excellent forum, excellent source of information.

 

[m1keyp]

If you go for goggles fit these quick straps that feature at the bottom of this page.

http://www.dirtbikestore.co.uk/acatalog/DirtBikeStore_com_Goggles_10.html

We used them on a motorcycle ride in India last year and they were brilliant

And consult/join these people

http://www.trf.org.uk/

 

[GSband]

Hi, I can only comment on (2) (brakepedal).
I found that while braking my right foot (size 11) tends to twist right hand side down, so I installed a TT brake pedal extender. That's does the trick, but even so the pedal is still too low when you're standing up.

 

[shadude]

Thanks for the info GSer's

Will go for TT extender, although it looks like it's not possible to raise the break pedal

 

[shadude]

That should be brake of course

 

[st247]

Thanks for the info GSer's

Will go for TT extender, although it looks like it's not possible to raise the break pedal

Have look for a GSA brake pedal. You may find that it's a straight swop for yours. I fitted one to my 05 but had to make a new plate and weld it to the pedal for the micro switch. I believe later ones may well be interchangeable. I got mine of this guy on ebay.

 

[shadude]

Cheers for that ST247, I will enquire at my local dealer if the GSA brake pedal would solve my problem.

 

[elefantmanshawn]

Cheers for that ST247, I will enquire at my local dealer if the GSA brake pedal would solve my problem.

Try to get the rest of the gsa as well if you want to get off road

 

[Wurls]

If you go for goggles fit these quick straps that feature at the bottom of this page.

http://www.dirtbikestore.co.uk/acatalog/DirtBikeStore_com_Goggles_10.html

We used them on a motorcycle ride in India last year and they were brilliant

And consult/join these people

http://www.trf.org.uk/

I have been doing enduros and greenlaning for sometime. What you see above is great advice.

Get the Quick Strap. Invaluable. The TRF will solve your lane access question. Knowing the lanes is a science these days given the number of TRO's councils are placing on by-ways. Joining the TRF will give you the opportunity to buddy up on a run with an experienced rider. There are often big bike runs.

I am looking for a GS for road use having just sold a KTM950. I use a KTM400 EXC off-road. The bigger trail orientated bikes are a handfull off road without experience. As for knobblies on road I wouldn't do it, especially given your commute. Get an extra set of wheels.

 

[Pathologic]

Hey Shadude

The North London lot will be having a bimble round Hertfordshire in May. We did the last one on Tourances. OK except for deep mud. Have a look here to see the things we got up to last time. Should be fine for a novice like you and me.

Hope to see you araound some time.

Regards,


Path.

 

[shadude]

Try to get the rest of the gsa as well if you want to get off road

Can only afford on bike at the moment and the GS was the best compromise for me, now if I had more money, about 10 bikes should do it!

 

[shadude]

The North London lot will be having a bimble round Hertfordshire in May. We did the last one on Tourances. OK except for deep mud. Have a look here to see the things we got up to last time. Should be fine for a novice like you and me.

Hope to see you araound some time.

Regards,


Path.

Cheers for that pathologic, don't think I'll need a quickstrap if I go for a bimble with the north london lot, more like a snorkle!

 

[Mav]

Can only afford on bike at the moment and the GS was the best compromise for me, now if I had more money, about 10 bikes should do it!

I wouldn't worry about getting a GSA - the only significant benefit is extra ground clearance but the cost is extra weight. There are a few details, like the brake pedal and wider footpegs but all of those can be easily retro fitted. Get some TKCs or Metzler Karoos tyres which last pretty well on the road. I started with Tourances but they only any good on dry/gravel trails, they're quickly out of their depth in soft/wet mud. TKCs will last around 3000 miles, maybe more depending on gentle you are with the wrist

 

[Old Gregg]

I have a 2008 GS with around 3.5 to 4k on it and the brakes are squealing like a pig. I thought it could be down to excessive cleaning due to all the salt of the last couple of months, (I wash it most evenings when I get home). I might get some copper grease or something onto the back of the pads to see if that makes a difference.
I had a problem with the rear brake pedl too. I also had to twist my foot down on the right hand side to apply rear brake but I bought a TT extender and it works a treat. I only use it if I'm sitting at lights or something as the linked brakes from the front lever are excellent IMO. I occasionally trail some rear into a bend if I've gone in a bit hot (my sportsbike past catching up with me), and the extender really helps. I'd still prefer to raise it up a bit though.