Essential accessories

[topbanana]

I pick up my new 1200GS next Saturday... I'm really excited, it feels like the week before Chistmas as a kid!

I plan to spend some quality bonding time in the garage over the weekend, fitting the essential bits and pieces, which I've yet to order. Any thoughts on the following items would be great.

1. Crash bars seem common. Does dropping the bike do a lot of damage to the cylinder heads without them? Can you fit crash bungs instead? Or just valve cover protectors?

2. Sat nav. I don't have the extra bar that comes on the adventure - what is the usual way of mounting one of these gizmos to a regular GS?

3. I'm quite tall and would appreciate a bit of extra wind protection. Is there a decent aftermarket screen that works well?

4. Security. I've never had a flash bike before and the only place I can leave my bike near the office in London has nowhere to secure chains etc to. What are my options? I had a dirt bike stolen about a year ago, so I could really do without another claim... noone would touch me!

I know that's a lot of questions, but any advice you can share with a newbie GSer would be really appreciated.

James

 

[Bryn]

I pick up my new 1200GS next Saturday... I'm really excited, it feels like the week before Chistmas as a kid!

I plan to spend some quality bonding time in the garage over the weekend, fitting the essential bits and pieces, which I've yet to order. Any thoughts on the following items would be great.

1. Crash bars seem common. Does dropping the bike do a lot of damage to the cylinder heads without them? Can you fit crash bungs instead? Or just valve cover protectors?

2. Sat nav. I don't have the extra bar that comes on the adventure - what is the usual way of mounting one of these gizmos to a regular GS?

3. I'm quite tall and would appreciate a bit of extra wind protection. Is there a decent aftermarket screen that works well?

4. Security. I've never had a flash bike before and the only place I can leave my bike near the office in London has nowhere to secure chains etc to. What are my options? I had a dirt bike stolen about a year ago, so I could really do without another claim... noone would touch me!

I know that's a lot of questions, but any advice you can share with a newbie GSer would be really appreciated.

James

Welcome James

1) I've got Hepco & Becker engine bars on my 1200 SE. They'll do a better job than the standard protectors ... If your bike falls over chances are the plastic ones will just snap. Head Protectors from TT or similar do a better job but are only as strong as the mounting points.

2)You can mount the satnav on the handlebars using a short ram arm and kit... did that on the last 4 bikes. Locate it left hand side near to the clutch master cylinder

3) Tried a few... I'm now resigned to paying out for an ADV screen and fittings

4) Chain through the rear hub, and cover the whole thing with a bike cover, secured down with bungees, then passing thieves don't know what's under the cover

 

[(RIP) Miff]

2. Sat nav. I don't have the extra bar that comes on the adventure - what is the usual way of mounting one of these gizmos to a regular GS?

http://www.ukgser.com/forums/showthread.php?t=226236

This is what I intend to do. I can't afford to spend hundreds on my bike.

 

[GSmonkey]

Plastic valve cover protectors are more than adequate for on road use.

 

[topbanana]

Thanks!

Bryn, would a 0.7m chain be long enough do you think? I'm looking at an Almax III which is supposed to be very tough. It's that or 1.5m which is a bit of a jump. I suppose it'd give me more options though.
http://www.almax-security-chains.co.uk/ofcmje75/All-Products/c-1-73/

Do you have a cover for your bike? Can you recommend one in paticular?

Miff, not sure I like the dials being partially obscured like that. Never had anything brand new before, I want everything just so.... sad ey?

GSMonkey, I can't find anywhere selling valve cover protectors for the 2010 valve covers, so think I'll just go with the bars.

 

[MIKE R]

Telferizer do a Ram Mount that replaces one of the handlebar bolts.

Works for me, looks OK (IMHO) and the clocks aren't obscured.

Mike

 

[swissrob]

almax will not go through the rear hub spindle.... loop it through the wheel and rear frame.

75 cm is far too short, when its locked u have a chain 32.5 cm long - useless.

get a 1.5m chain but be aware its heavy!!

 

[Dainese Brave]

I have an Almax in the garage looped into a ground anchor....

....and that's where it stays!!!

It's a brilliant chain..but far far far too heavy to transport around.

I'd go for a compromise, and get a top Abus one....£250 is a lot of money, but then so would increased premiums....then have a few disc locks as extra security..thieves don't like having multiple areas to attack...

.....but would have to agree that a cover is a great deterent!

 

[Slowdown]

Get a 2m Almax - mine fits into a Motrax chain bag. You're spending ten grand on a bike and being cheap over spending an extra £50 on a longer chain You'll feel pretty silly if your bike gets nicked 'cos you didn't buy a slightly longer chain.

Given the number of KTM's and BMW's that get nicked in London, I'd never regularly park mine in the same place every day unless it was locked to something - there's loads of secure bike parks listed on the various 'where to park my bike in london' websites. There's far too many 'they lifted my bike into the back of a van, lock and all and that's the last i saw of it...' type threads.

And get the migsel mount for the GS - it looks the best and it's not that much money in the big scheme of things.

 

[Clarkie09]

Hi James,
Welcome & I hope you enjoy the GS.
I've just changed to 2010 GSA but really enjoyed the 13,500 miles I did on my 08 GS. I had Hepco & Becker engine & up body bars on mine & they will be up for sale as soon as I can get myself organised. Also had 50watt spots which I fell made me so much more visable.
I'm 5'11'' & used a MRA Vario screen, the smaller of the 2 options, with the deflector and this made quite a difference for me. I can't say I reduced the wind effect but eliminated the buffeting which I found anoying.
Can't help with the other questions. Enjoy your new toy!
PM me if your interested in bars, spots or the screen which are all in A1 condition.
Steve

 

[Happy Hour]

Welcome James, Ive got a Motorax Delux cover, on fleabay for around £35,
fits a gsa perfectly. Its a corker

 

[ricdunn]

Welcome James, Ive got a Motorax Delux cover, on fleabay for around £35,
fits a gsa perfectly. Its a corker

Hi HH,
Does it fit with luggage fitted?
Cheers