sagalout
Registered user
I'd been thinking about changing the GS after having it for 2.5 years, either to a WC GSA or a Multistrada, but after test riding the WC and seeing the Multi at the NEC I realised that my TC Rallye is a keeper. It looks great in the Rallye colour scheme (to me anyway) has been completely reliable and has taken me on 4 euro tours plus a couple of TT trips. I liked the WC GSA much more than the 2013 GS, but I still prefer the more solid feeling of the TC, and the Multistrada just looks too blingy.
So, I decided to spend a bit of money on ironing out a few niggles on the TC, with a view to keeping it. The shopping list was quite long!
Power / drivability - the TC isn't bad really, but as you know its not very smooth at lower speeds. I was tempted by a Hilltop remap but it would have been a pain getting over there when I have a Dynojet place 2 miles away.
Akropovic headers
Akropovic end pipe
Power Commander 5
As mentioned on another thread the headers don't fit all that well - looking at the design I think the Remus would be much easier to manufacture as the balance pipe on the Akra means the bends have to be very accurate and mine were slightly out. That said, after a few test runs its not a problem, with no leaking gasses. Removed the flappy servo motor completely but didn't realise you still need the actual pipe in place even with the akra system, so I need to order a link pipe from Nippy Normans to clean it all up. The servo flap was seized solid in the near closed position s had to get some pliers to open it! Does anyone know if you can get a nicer clamp, as the stock ones are pretty cruddy looking?!
I'm very pleased with the results. The sound is just on the right side of loud, and the delivery is much smoother with a noticeable top end increase....got the front wheel off the ground twice on the test ride before the traction control kicked in without really trying and its much quicker to rev through the upper range. At the moment its just using the standard map for a full akra system until I can book the dyno session, so hopefully more improvements to come.
New Battery - the bike was really struggling to start when hot recently. I know they can be anyway if the stop at compression, but it was actually refusing to turn over, not just slowly. Went for an Odyssey as had a good experience with them with my ZX12R which also required a high CCA. Took a bit of fitting but good instructions from Nippy Normans. Bike turns over much better now.
MudSling - no idea why I never got one of these before!
Oil, filter and air filter change - I always used to service my own bikes and now this is out of warranty I decided to buy a service kit. The air filter was quite a state at 10k miles and the bike is noticeably breathing better after the change! Still have the plugs to do as I didn't realise you need a special tool to pull the coils.
HID kit from Les Wassal - as I use the bike all year round for commuting, including a few unlit lanes, I decided to upgrade the lights as the stock ones are pretty terrible - my push bike genuinely has better lights! I've actually still got this to do (tomorrows job) but this should then give me a fully sorted GS which I can keep for a good few years.
I quite enjoy working on the GS. Everything is fairly simple and accessible (although it looks like the Wunderlich engine bars have to come off to do the plugs which is annoying!) but I really don't like the torq bolts - several of the smaller ones look to be rounding off even with very light use.
Sorry there's no pics - I took it out for a test ride today on some gated minor/farm roads that were covered in mud so it needs a good hose down first!
So, I decided to spend a bit of money on ironing out a few niggles on the TC, with a view to keeping it. The shopping list was quite long!
Power / drivability - the TC isn't bad really, but as you know its not very smooth at lower speeds. I was tempted by a Hilltop remap but it would have been a pain getting over there when I have a Dynojet place 2 miles away.
Akropovic headers
Akropovic end pipe
Power Commander 5
As mentioned on another thread the headers don't fit all that well - looking at the design I think the Remus would be much easier to manufacture as the balance pipe on the Akra means the bends have to be very accurate and mine were slightly out. That said, after a few test runs its not a problem, with no leaking gasses. Removed the flappy servo motor completely but didn't realise you still need the actual pipe in place even with the akra system, so I need to order a link pipe from Nippy Normans to clean it all up. The servo flap was seized solid in the near closed position s had to get some pliers to open it! Does anyone know if you can get a nicer clamp, as the stock ones are pretty cruddy looking?!
I'm very pleased with the results. The sound is just on the right side of loud, and the delivery is much smoother with a noticeable top end increase....got the front wheel off the ground twice on the test ride before the traction control kicked in without really trying and its much quicker to rev through the upper range. At the moment its just using the standard map for a full akra system until I can book the dyno session, so hopefully more improvements to come.
New Battery - the bike was really struggling to start when hot recently. I know they can be anyway if the stop at compression, but it was actually refusing to turn over, not just slowly. Went for an Odyssey as had a good experience with them with my ZX12R which also required a high CCA. Took a bit of fitting but good instructions from Nippy Normans. Bike turns over much better now.
MudSling - no idea why I never got one of these before!
Oil, filter and air filter change - I always used to service my own bikes and now this is out of warranty I decided to buy a service kit. The air filter was quite a state at 10k miles and the bike is noticeably breathing better after the change! Still have the plugs to do as I didn't realise you need a special tool to pull the coils.
HID kit from Les Wassal - as I use the bike all year round for commuting, including a few unlit lanes, I decided to upgrade the lights as the stock ones are pretty terrible - my push bike genuinely has better lights! I've actually still got this to do (tomorrows job) but this should then give me a fully sorted GS which I can keep for a good few years.
I quite enjoy working on the GS. Everything is fairly simple and accessible (although it looks like the Wunderlich engine bars have to come off to do the plugs which is annoying!) but I really don't like the torq bolts - several of the smaller ones look to be rounding off even with very light use.
Sorry there's no pics - I took it out for a test ride today on some gated minor/farm roads that were covered in mud so it needs a good hose down first!
