Bikes in the real world

[barneydinosaur]

Afternoon all.

I've just aquired a 12GS and am in the process of settling it down for my use - usual sort of stuff: adjusting brake/clutch levers, suspension settings etc and thinking about how to fit those occasional items, especially a hefty chain and a lighter bike lock for the helmet. On my old bike the chain went under the rear seat quite happily and the helmet lock to the centre of the handlebars. I could put the chain in the top box but its quite heavy which eats into the 10Kg weight limit. Where does everyone attach this stuff and what else is useful?

Speaking of of under the seat, I noticed that there is a plastics moulding that looks like it is intended to take a 'D' shackle lock with the arms passing under the passanger seat. Is this the case and where does the locking part go (the 'I' bit of the 'D')?.

Some folks attach a tool/heavy stuff box made from plastics pipe low down on the bike (often to the bashplate). Is this possible on the 12GS and has anyone done so?

Beers anyone???

 

[Gas'd Off]

Welcome Barney

often to the bashplate

I expect you could, might eat into the ground clearance a bit though

 

[Tomcat]

U lock

Hi Barney, an Abus Granit U-lock will fit in the section under the tail, but you end up having to hold the locking bar under the elastic strap for the tool kit. BTW, you can make a bit more usable space under the seat by cutting out the centre section of the height-adjusting bar. Take a look here for more info: http://www.r1200gs.info/misc/seat-trick.html

I use an Abus U-lock rather than a chain. I reckon that a chain has an advantage if you can wrap it through some immovable object, but to do this it needs to be about 2m long and massively heavy. If it ain't attached to something immovable then a U-lock through the rear axle is a good alternative.

TC

 

[barneydinosaur]

BTW, you can make a bit more usable space under the seat by cutting out the centre section of the height-adjusting bar. Take a look here for more info: http://www.r1200gs.info/misc/seat-trick.html



TC

I saw that one when looking around the forum. Unfortunately I've got the short person's seat and thus even less underseat space.