Advice on 1200GSA needed, please

[MIKE R]

I'm almost at the point of saying yes to a new alpine white ADV with all the trimmings.....



ABS (new type, not servo!)
spots
little computer thingy
alarm
chrome ex.
and (probably) Metal Mule panniers/top box.

Anyone out these with these extras care to pass comment on them. Are they useful, or if you were buying again you would give it a miss.



All opinions gratefully received, although not necessarily followed.

Cheers


Mike R

 

[jon b]

little computer thingy.

well worth the invetment

 

[ScottyKM]

def want some panniers tho

 

[(RIP) Shenzi]

I have ABS with the servo, no complaints as yet.
The computer is a nice little toy, not sure it is very accurate though, time will tell.
The alarm seems OK
Like the fogs, have them on all the time as running lights.
Chrome exhaust good but that depends on you.
I have the BM panniers because I got them free as part of the deal. Prior to that I had been very much against them, something that was certainly helped by all the adverse comments on here. I had almost decided to order Micatechs when the freebie offer came along. Even then I wasn't convinced but being a Yorkshireman I am genetically programmed to prefer free things.
Now I have them I really like them, I can access them easily whilst sitting on the bike so my water bottle is in the front corner of one. Not sure how keen on them I'd be if I had paid for them though, for the price they should have some finish on the alloy as they stain so easily and resist being cleaned.
All things are subjective, enjoy what you decide on

 

[MIKE R]

Thanks for your replies.

The major problem with the alloy BMW panniers is that they are not available at the moment!!!!

Any more comments please.

Mike

 

[Fanum]

Thanks for your replies.

The major problem with the alloy BMW panniers is that they are not available at the moment!!!!

Any more comments please.

Mike

Don't bother with the BWM panniers anyway....(do a search on them here and you'll see why) there are better and cheaper ones out there.

I also wouldn't bother with theBWM spots.....they're much too fragile and if they break (which they can just by falling over..the weight of the light is enough to snap the bracket just by inertia without any impact!!) you have to replace the whole thing IIRC....plus they're silly money.

Take a look at Nippy Norman's site for alternatives....better and cheaper.
Also serach for 'migsel bar' here

Enjoy the new bike

 

[2 wheel humvee]

Don't bother with the BWM panniers anyway....(do a search on them here and you'll see why) there are better and cheaper ones out there.

Ah the voice of experience

The 1200ADV is the first bike I've owned with panniers-no complaints here,cheaper versions available? I dare say,better versions available? subjective

Trip computer? It works and it's cheap

Fogs? On the old /out dated/superceded 1150 ADV factory fogs were fragile and looked shite,so I didn't get them with the 1200,on the 1200 they are now micro DE's (which is good) but they look vulnerable and fragile (as Bill says) which is not so good

Alarm? I didn't bother with it so I have no experience to pass on,it seems reasonably priced but I don't think it is Thatcham approved

Chrome exhaust? I got one,again it was cheap enough and is easier to clean than the rust coloured stainless version

ABS-mine are the Servo type,no complaints so far (he said whilst knocking on wood)

Essential extra's?
Wunderlich screen adjusters
Stebel Magnum Horn from Nippy Norm's
Front Fener Extender-again from Nippy's
Bar Risers/set backs-next on my list
A means of stopping the backs of your legs getting wet in the rain
Side Panels or a hugger help-so I'm told.

Enjoy the new bike-shame about the colour choice but Enjoy anyway

Steve.

 

[Wizard]

Also serach for 'migsel bar' here

Unfortunately it won't fit properly unless you take off the factory engine bars. But I'll be having a look next week to see what can be done

 

[dirtydog]

Computer = very useful

BM Spots = neat looking, no extra light bars.

Panniers = dogs bollox, perfect and so easy to take on/off

Non chrome exhaust = suites white aluminium colour better. Chrome cheapens the look IMO, to 'blingy' lookin!

Non servo model = 'On yeah!'

 

[simonbarnes]

Toys

I've got Metal Mule panniers (didn't bother with top box). I got 2 x 38 litres. I also got a Met Mule stainless exhaust so the panniers were even width about the bike centre. You could go with a 33 litre on the exhaust side if you prefer to keep the standard pipe. Got them in powder coated grey. I got them 20% off thanks to a voucher won at the HU meet this year. So far so good. Very helpful staff too.
Also got chrome downpipes - turns 'em a nice blue colour.

Wish I'd gone for computer thingie as the standard gauge is irratic to say the least.

Not sure about fog lights, maybe next year.

Touratech tank bag and little front mudguard extender.

Next thing I'd like is a hugger of some sort and a deeper horn!

I figured you can't buy all your toys in one go.

Happy riding

 

[MIKE R]

Bike now ordered!!!!



with all the extras


BUT

starting to consider BMW panniers rather than M/M.

Mike

 

[JohnC]

Spray on mud?

Seriously MM kit

 

[Adventure Boy]

Mike got all the toys on mine love it computer is handy
fogs on all the time
panniers great
top box a bit on the small side
alarm good (not great)
ABS great (servo type)
1200 gs low seat front + rear makes life easier at lights
Reyno rad grille fitted fine on mine
Bar risers Wunderfull
headlight guard good but cant clean headlight without removing it
cruise control thingy Great (as you Know)
all in all its the best ive had and as you know ive had them all, good luck with it ill let u know when i sell mine you may have a cruise thingy

 

[Schwarz Baron]

Bike now ordered!!!!



with all the extras


BUT

starting to consider BMW panniers rather than M/M.

Mike

There's f**k all wrong with the panniers, excellent piece of kit, well constructed, and very waterproof, and as competatively priced as the rest.

The spots are excellent, good light beam, well made, and hard as nails, as i rode mine into a fence to prove it, and they still worked after that. It was the bar they were mounted on didn't fair to well tho'.

I have no abs or servo, everything else about the machine is superb, getting 370 miles on a tank, at roughly 57mpg to the gallon, TREMENDOUS

 

[Thunder]

There's f**k all wrong with the panniers, excellent piece of kit, well constructed, and very waterproof, and as competatively priced as the rest.

Oh get off the fence SB and tell us what you really think of them

 

[jon b]

BM panniers are very nice, but I dont think they are that waterproof, certainly not as waterproof as the 1150 BM panniers were.
After riding through heavy rain in Scotland for about 2 hours 1 pannier was bone dry and the other had about a centimeter of water in the bottom,luckily I`d invested in the BM waterproof inner bags which kept my cloths dry.That was with a pannier set I was borrowing,so i thought it could have been just a fault with that particular pannier.But I left the bike out on its side stand in a rain storm the other day with my own pannier set on and the upper (right) pannier again had let a fair bit of water in.
The spots are a lot better and stronger than the 1150 BM versions were.If you start worrying about not fitting bits because they might break if you drop the bike,where do you draw the line.
The temp readout on the computer keeps me entertained as I ride through shaded wooded areas and back out again into bright sunshine again,I just like gadgets and instruments!

 

[Schwarz Baron]

Oh get off the fence SB and tell us what you really think of them

.....

BM panniers are very nice, but I dont think they are that waterproof, certainly not as waterproof as the 1150 BM panniers were.
After riding through heavy rain in Scotland for about 2 hours 1 pannier was bone dry and the other had about a centimeter of water in the bottom,luckily I`d invested in the BM waterproof inner bags which kept my cloths dry..

Take it back......

 

[dirtydog]

The spots are excellent, good light beam, well made, and hard as nails, as i rode mine into a fence to prove it, and they still worked after that.

lol, I like that

Don't make a habit of these intensive and radical test runs on BM kit Schwarzie

 

[MIKE R]

top box a bit on the small side

Reyno rad grille fitted fine on mine

headlight guard good but cant clean headlight without removing it
cruise control thingy Great (as you Know)

all in all its the best ive had and as you know ive had them all, good luck with it ill let u know when i sell mine you may have a cruise thingy

Thanks for that Adventure Boy

Will the top box take a large helmet? I think it should as the litre-age is the same as the 1150 alloy luggage.

I've contacted Retno and an ADV one should be out sometime in Sept. As my bike is an Oct build I'll probably wait. But if the standard one fits yours, if there is a delay, I think I'll risk the standard as they are a good piece of kit.





I've already got a Kaoko on my standard 12 which will be transferred, but thanks for the offer.

Ordered the bike with all the extras and the BM panniers. As it's an October bike I've got the option of not picking it up until early next year which I might do (use my standard 1150 until them) by which time the panniers should have turned up.

Interested in the headlight grill. I see Wunderlich do a hinged one for about the same money as the T/T. That would help the headlight cleaning.


Thanks for all your replies

Mike

:helmet :helmet :helmet :helmet :helmet :helmet :helmet :helmet