Essential Upgrades...

[MisterB]

Hi all,

I'm getting hold of an 07 plate R1200GS next week. It has the plastic cylinder head protectors on but I thought I'd replace those with SW-Motech engine bars as I assume they'll provide more protection if I end up laying it down?!

I'll also have to go through the 'finding the right screen' process. I'm 6'2" so first stop I think will be the Givi Airflow, though some people rate Tobinators too...

Are there any other bits and pieces you think are essential please? Fender extender? Winglets? Nippy Norman's paralever guard?

All suggestions gratefully received thanks!

 

[Bounce]

http://www.ukgser.com/forums/showthread.php?358266-Top-5-mods-for-a-1200-GS

This may give you a starter for.....5

 

[SteveM]

I've been very impressed with my mudsling front and rear fender extenders, they stop an awful lot of spray and shit hitting the bike, also fitted an accelerator module which has smoothed out the low speed partial throttle response. Apart from that I'd use good engine oil and keep the filters and other fluids changed regularly. Enjoy it, it's a great bike.

 

[MisterB]

This may give you a starter for.....5

Doh! I did search before posting - no idea how I missed that! Thanks

 

[Photoguy]

I've had mine almost a year. (GSAdventure so tall screen) I didn't rush to buy anything but over time I bought

Headlight protector (Probably completely unnecessary but it was cheap)
Hooten Oil cooler grill. (It's pretty!)
Hooten Crud Catcher. (First useful thing I bought)
and more recently a
Mudsling (not yet fitted but hopeful for a cleaner bike.)

Last 2 bought from here.

Oh and a low seat not yet tested. I'm a borderline short arse!

 

[Rockred]

I think you are spot on with the Givi 330 the best mod for me + winglets and accelerator module.

 

[MisterB]

...also fitted an accelerator module which has smoothed out the low speed partial throttle response...

...and accelerator module.

Please excuse my ignorance but what is this and what does it do???!!!

 

[JerseyNeil]

Please excuse my ignorance but what is this and what does it do???!!!

Oh no you have only gone and lit the freakin blue touch paper

Enjoy your new bike MrB

I recommend the mudslig rear and front fenders. They save a lot of crap flying everywhere.

Neil

 

[adventuredon]

headlight protector - too expensive to replace a headlight unit
rad grill
side stand larger foot or something like that
accelerator module
front crud catcher
cyl head protectors
that's about it

 

[Wilsdorf]

After trying it, I'd say that the Givi screen is possibly the best option I have tried since I've had a GS. I do like the other mods I have made - but for every day usefulness, I really do think it is possibly the most practical and useful - I'll be trying the winglets with it soon, but they didn't seem to make too much difference on or off with the Adventure screen for me in the past.

 

[Bendy toy]

Mud sling and rear crud catcher to reduce mud thrown over the bike back end.
Front fender extender. You could make your own crud catcher as it's not necessary to be so big with a longer fender.
Wunderlich head/rocker cover protectors. They have replaceable wear plates and can't bend backwards like the standard crash bars will do.
LED spots to assist main beam. And wide angle fogs to use as markers with dip beam.
Low cost crash bungs on front axle and final drive.
Put up with seat until you've got used to the height.

Check the rear frame and front engine case and wheels for corrosion it's fixable but a hassle so adjust price accordingly.

 

[SteveM]

Please excuse my ignorance but what is this and what does it do???!!!

http://www.sol2.be

Accelerator module explained

 

[Delboy777]

Pfftt theres not enough space on here for me too list all the shite ive fitted to mine

 

[MisterB]

...Wunderlich head/rocker cover protectors. They have replaceable wear plates and can't bend backwards like the standard crash bars will do...

Are these instead of, or in addition to engine bars? I'm buying my used bike from a main BMW dealer so it should be in good shape. It has the plastic head protectors but no engine bars and I definitely like engine bars

I had the option of buying BMW engine bars and having them fitted but SW Motech ones look better to me, and they're cheaper!

 

[MisterB]

...Accelerator module explained

Brilliant - thanks SteveM

 

[MisterB]

Pfftt theres not enough space on here for me too list all the shite ive fitted to mine

That's why I thought I'd better ask about what people regards as essential upgrades!

 

[Bendy toy]

My GSA has BMW bars they stick out just a bit wider than rocker covers so protect if it falls over. They also protect the wide petrol tank. They are stainless so can be cleaned up when scraped.

The top half crash bar did a good job. The bottom part moved way back until the Touratech rocker guard got bent. The crash bar is badly bent don't know yet if the top half is distorted. I was doing 15mph on a mud strewn back lane. 30 mph would have totalled the crash bar and the rocker cover with the TT head guard caught in the crossfire.

As it is I need a new rocker guard, new crash bar and came close to needing a new rocker cover.

So having seen that I would fit skid guards to the rocker covers and not have tubular frames around the cylinders. The Winderlich guards have sacrificial rubbing plates.

Tubular crash bars have their place but on a GS in not so sure.


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[MisterB]

...Tubular crash bars have their place but on a GS in not so sure...

Sorry to hear of your woes but you've raised an interesting point. I'm getting a standard GS so I don't have the wide tank to worry about, and I'm not planning on taking it off-road...at the moment anyway

My main concern is laying it down at very slow speed (or stationary) because of losing my footing, gradient etc. I've got engine bars on my V-Strom 650 which do a great job but of course that doesn't have the cylinders poking out each side! I still think the plastic head protectors on the bike will need upgrading but I'm not sure what with now...

 

[Bendy toy]

The engine cylinders are super tough but need cosmetic protection.

My woes are whatever but the low speed tumble showed that crash bars are not what they are cracked up to be. The tubes bend and once the rocker covers get thumped the crash bar is doing as much, if not more, harm as it is good.

I plan to get mine adapted to not cover the rocker covers. I'll also be fitting cover protectors tough enough to do the job. Wunderlich adverts show some with replaceable shields Rugged Roads X heads might also suit. The standard stuff is very thin and the Touratech is somewhere between.


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