First 1500m for new GSer and new GS

[PhilBolton]

I've done some 1500 miles on my new 12GS since I picked it up on March 1st, but today was really the first time out on properly wet roads.
Now, I'd read in here about wet legs caused by spray from the back wheel, and I confess to thinkin' that some of these GSer's must be a funny lot, complaining about getting wet when riding a motorbike in the rain.
Well! I must apologise for those bad thoughts.
I had shite all the way up my legs to my jacket, all over the seat, too!
The only time I have been this shit up before is after a days trail riding in the Yorkshire Dales. I wouldn't have believed it if somebody had told me - but now I know. Unbelievabubble!!
I don't think I would get as shit up if I took the same ride on my XR400!
Any answers out there -- does fitting a hugger and/or side panels improve things?

Apart from the above rant, I do think I'm going to like it.
I was disappointed with the tank range at first, only 170 miles or so, but as I felt the engine loosen up as the miles went on, so consumption improved, so 200+ is easily achievable. These engines must be really tight when new 'cos I really felt freeing up between about 500 to 800 miles. does that sound right to you experts out there?
Oh! and it goes round the corners very nicely too!

Phil

 

[JohnC]

It should be run in nicely by about 20,000 miles

There are a few threads re huggers, I think Wunderlich and SandBar Composites make two of the better, if more expensive ones

http://www.wunderlich.co.uk/

http://sandbarcomposites.co.uk/

Just noticed this though for the Sandbar ones.

8160975 Rear Hugger No longer available
£134.85

details
8160978 Rear Hugger (long version) No longer available
£144.67

details
KHO.061.120GS.K Rear Hugger (Mark 2)
T.B.A.

 

[SpyInTheCamp]

Touratech make side panels. Not sure how good they are.

Can't say that my bike is as bad as yours sounds. I do get a bit dirty but it isn't really a problem.

I used to have a Motorrad Concepts hugger but removed it when it started rubbing against a new Tourance. I plan to put one of those numberplate mudguard / spoiler things on though. You can get them from TT or MC.

Kai

 

[birdseye]

made my own side panels out of food grade conveyor belting - worked ver effectively. didnt bother with the hugger on the thoery that if I ever did go off road it would very quickly clag up and cause problems.

doesnt really loosen up until 6k or more.

 

[Gas'd Off]

Get an oversuit?

 

[ovenpaa]

TT do a 'mudflap' This is a piece of alloy plate painted back that fits behind the number plate and extends out nearly horizontally at the bottom for maybe 2.5cms, this is the 1150 version:

http://www.touratech.com/shops/008/...=4161&osCsid=b4a698893fdbcdc3c953458cc6e66254

Works very well, I am sure with imagination you can make one very easily if you do not want to go down the TT route..

Just be glad it is not an HP2 - mud goes right over my head on mine, that includes jacket, helmet and neck....

 

[MIKA]

It should be run in nicely by about 20,000 miles

There are a few threads re huggers, I think Wunderlich and SandBar Composites make two of the better, if more expensive ones

http://www.wunderlich.co.uk/

http://sandbarcomposites.co.uk/

Just noticed this though for the Sandbar ones.

8160975 Rear Hugger No longer available
£134.85

details
8160978 Rear Hugger (long version) No longer available
£144.67

details
KHO.061.120GS.K Rear Hugger (Mark 2)
T.B.A.

The new Wunderlich hugger is now available. Got one from BMW Bike Bits delivered last week.
It now covers the whole of the shock and mounts on to three bolts on the drive housing. Generally it looks bigger than the original Wunderlich hugger, unfortunately I haven't been out in the rain since fitting it so can't really comment on how effective it is, but it certainly looks like a good piece of kit and the original seemed to be the one to go for as I never read of anyone complaining out the quality, hopefully the new one will be even better.

 

[Deleted account 211025001]

It should be run in nicely by about 20,000 miles

.

He's not far wrong you know.

Me experiance was that by 8,000 she had loosened up nicely but that it wasn't 'till 15,000 miles that the engine felt fully bedded in and TBH even now, at 24,000 the engine just gets better

Slightly off topic, but it's beyond me, for this reason alone, why peeps replace their GS's after a year or two as they will never experiance the engine in it 'prime'

Andres

 

[PhilBolton]

I'm not sure what Atkule's trying to say, whether he's joking or not, - but all I'm saying is that since passing my test 42 years ago (say it quietly) and riding many kinds of motorbikes in all kinds of weather, I've never been so mucky just from spray off the bike.

 

[Yoda]

made my own side panels out of food grade conveyor belting - worked ver effectively. didnt bother with the hugger on the thoery that if I ever did go off road it would very quickly clag up and cause problems.

+1 to the D-I-Y

 

[GS TRV]

come on - who wants a hugger on a GS - it's an ENDURO

Huggers are fine on GSXR but on a GS? It seems a bit

 

[Slippy]

Its all part of the go anywhere bike.... its not a road bike and its not a full on offroad... its the best of both worlds

 

[robp]

I fitted the Wunderlich hugger around 3,000 miles ago and am really pleased with it. Have had no issues with it rubbing or coming lose, and it is nice not to have to empty my left boot of water when arriving at work ;-). Also makes the bike a lot easier to clean / keep clean I find.

 

[Janie]

I had a hugger fitted before i pick up my 1200gs.......and i have been out in all weather with no hassle at all about gettin splashes and the like.......hugger cost me 100 quid odd and was worth every penny........