Choices (HP2 touring thread)

[ovenpaa]

The wife wants to go touring again

So I/we have a choice, keep the HP2 and look for an oldish 1200GS as a tourer or use the HP2.

Financially it makes sense to keep the HP2 and I just know if had two BWM's again one would not get used very often... However a HP is not a tourer without some modifications, and it is important I get *my* bike back afterwards so any changes need to be subtle. I hate the idea of big tanks and TT panniers on the bike so I would probably use throw over bags and the tank bag and keep the days down to sub 300 milers - all very relaxed really. This just means I need to change the suspension, any suggestions? I estimate the bike would need to carry rider/pillion/assorted crap to a limit of +210 kgs, can a HP2 do this or do I start looking for one of those nasty 1200 things?

Cheers

 

[AndyT]

The wife wants to go touring again

So I/we have a choice, keep the HP2 and look for an oldish 1200GS as a tourer or use the HP2.

Financially it makes sense to keep the HP2 and I just know if had two BWM's again one would not get used very often... However a HP is not a tourer without some modifications, and it is important I get *my* bike back afterwards so any changes need to be subtle. I hate the idea of big tanks and TT panniers on the bike so I would probably use throw over bags and the tank bag and keep the days down to sub 300 milers - all very relaxed really. This just means I need to change the suspension, any suggestions? I estimate the bike would need to carry rider/pillion/assorted crap to a limit of +210 kgs, can a HP2 do this or do I start looking for one of those nasty 1200 things?

Cheers

You need to talk with Mav as he has just come back from a 2200mile jaunt round France without worries. The range isn't a problem as it only takes 5 mins to fill up and you don't need to do 300 miles a day anyway

Will the standard suspension nottake 2 up riding!!!

 

[alfaris]

I am with you. Two bimmers is not a good deal. Is better to use to extenuation the BMW you´ve got. Happens to be an HP2, ok, just use it, and addapt it to this touring use. anyway you can always turn it back to its enduro or SM adaptation.

I can suggest a simple Givi topcase anchored to TT rack plate. Not to abuse it , but you can have some 35lts luggage there, trying not to pass 5kg. Add tank bag and saddlebags in case you´re two.

once you do not like TT Cases, mine is a cheap and reversible option.

I´ll better invest on a rear shock, wilbers, for instance, they offer different springs up to the weight. Soft, hard, ultra hard. Around 700€. See wunderlich.

 

[Mav]

I've used mine for touring and I thought it handled it really well. The only adaptation was to add GSA panniers and to strap a couple SIGG type bottles of fuel to the panniers. Those were only really just in case I estimated the range wrong and ran out early. As it turns out - we never needed them. The GSA panniers have the added benefit of both strengthening the subframe (the mounts go down to the footpegs) and providing a platform to share the load across the tailrack (which is weaks as hell, Touratech only rate it to 5KGs! )

I've come to the conclusion that I don't need a bigger tank - run dry, I can get to very nearly 150 miles. The airshock does pretty well, but it does lose a lot of ground clearance. And with a fairing, the bike will happily cruise at 85/90 all day. We managed 450 miles and a tunnel crossing in one day and my girlfriend is still ready for more! My biggest concern is the my G/F's inability to pack light. I am sure that we were pushing the weight limit. I reckon we were carrying 185/190KG... Riding GS/GSA would give you another 50KG or so of buffer before you were risking breaking the frame.

If I was only going to have one bike for everything, the HP2 every time! But I am seriously considering getting an ADV as well. So that I don't have to give my G/F a hard time when she packs, and that I don't put so many miles on the bike I would like to keep forever - I've done 16000 since August... and I don't even live here full time!