Going RTW - Tell Me what spares I should take

[Greg Masters]

I think this really depends on the route you’ll be taking; the type of roads or tracks you’ll be riding over and how long you would have to wait to get parts to your location.

Think about stuff that would stop the bike dead in its tracks if it broke. Others have mention the usual 1200 weaknesses but I would also take:

• Tyres (both TKCs and road tyres according to your route)
• Clutch plate
• Brake pads (probably 2 sets for each end)
• Brake lever
• Clutch lever
• Gear lever
• Front & rear shock units
• Numerous spare air cylinders for the puncture repair kit

Greg

 

[paul nicholls]

rtw

you lucky lad, sounds like a fantastic trip,
as for spares i cant add to whats already being said, just to say you need to chat to any other 1200 riders on the trip and share the expense/carrying of the spares.,
while i havent been rtw i have been to some far off places on my gs and have been amazed at the help offered by the locals. the only real advice i can offer is to have a lot of machine sympothy, and to take with you a willingness to interact with the locals youll meet along the way, ive met too many riders who have been too scared to do just that and so missed out on some fantastic experiences.
almost forgot, take loads of small pens and pencils and some big bags of haribo sweets to give the kids along the way theyll love you for it.

 

[Fanum]

almost forgot, take loads of small pens and pencils and some big bags of haribo sweets to give the kids along the way theyll love you for it.

Not trying to be cententious here Paul but I'm very much against that .

It turns kids into beggars, waiting to come running up to any westerner they see with the immediate demand 'bon bon, stilo' etc......

We've seen kids nearly run over in Senegal and Gambia when well meaning people started doling out sweets and it became a mad rush to get them- plus dental hygiene isn't exactly at the top of the list of priorities in many places and sweets don't exactly do much good.

It's one of those things that may induce a nice feeling but that probably isn't much good in the long term for them....and it's a bit patronising too.

Better to take some pots of generic aspirin or ibuprofen (aspirin is about 20p a pot from a supermarket) and give those to the families you meet- far more useful and productive.
Alternatively, save packs of pens and pencils for schools and give them directly to the scool masters.....too often , a pen or pencil will just be sold on for profit by the kids on the street (yeah I know, sounds daft doesn't it) and again, it's not helping anything other than the begging culture.

In places where westerners don't pass through so much, kids will still coming running out to see you with big smiles on their faces....a handshake and a smile is all they want...I thinkk giving out presents, no matter how well intentioned, doesn't have a positive effect in the long term.


JMNSHO

 

[JohnU-IOW]

Hi JRB. About getting your bike serviced. Might be a good idea to stay in the workshop and watch the mechanic doing it. Ask questions - most mechanics are happy to advise if they know you are seriously interested. Also, slightly obvious this, but get your pre-departure service done a week or two before you go, rather than a day or two before. This gives you a chance for a couple of decent runs to make sure all is well.

 

[JohnU-IOW]

Oh yes, forgot to say Good Luck!! You are doing something most people dream of but don`t have the money/time/balls etc. to do. Good on you. And as for spares/breakdowns etc. If it doesn`t work out, at least you had a go.

 

[Stevie73]

Oh yes, forgot to say Good Luck!! You are doing something most people dream of but don`t have the money/time/balls etc. to do. Good on you. And as for spares/breakdowns etc. If it doesn`t work out, at least you had a go.

+1 Good on ya mate! We look forward to seeing the ride report and eagerly awaited photos...

 

[Timolgra]

We've seen kids nearly run over in Senegal and Gambia when well meaning people started doling out sweets and it became a mad rush to get them- plus dental hygiene isn't exactly at the top of the list of priorities in many places and sweets don't exactly do much good.

I found that in Senegal and the Gambia locals encouraged us to buy sweets for local kids otherwise they don't get any.
Many do care for their dental hygene by chewing 'baobob' (?) sticks.
But I do agree that if you want to take anything then something more use and more importantly goes to the right people is not only rewarding but of real benefit to the millions who have very little in this world.

 

[ExpatinIstanbul]

I imagine you'll have a set route you'll be following? Personally I'd try to make sure that discs, pads, tyres and other consumables were waiting for me at set points along the way, to save lugging them about. A spare FPC, RA and puncture kit, a good tool kit and lots of cable ties. perhaps a roll of gaffa tape, gaffa tape can fix anything. Other than that I'd make sure I had a dealer primed to send out anything I needed, to the nearest town via FedEx / UPS / Other. You'll go mad trying to decide what to take, and as others have said, it'll end up being the wrong thing.

 

[cas]

Spare to take

Having done a RTW as well as London to Cape Town and round south America this is what i would take for a 1200 GS. A spare Fuel Pump ( see opening page) two spare spokes, tool to remove front wheel, disconnect any immobiliser if fitted ( they are a nightmare in the middle of no-where) a set of spanners, decent pliers, 2 screwdrivers, and a set of Allen keys.

Key to a successful trip... don't overload the bike. Try to keep below 400KGs all inclusive.

Other tip, don't ride a tnight and ensure you get a good nights sleep... tiredness really is a killer...

Enjoy

 

[JRB]

Hi Chaps!

I have gone through the the complete list, and below is my best effort of compiling all suggested parts (or services).

Can I ask that you review and suggest what are the TOP 10 items you would take with you?:
- Air Filter
- Alternator Belt
- Brake Disks
- Brake Lever
- Brake Lever (foot)
- Brake Pads
- Cable Ties
- Cable Ties
- Clutch Cable
- Clutch Lever
- Clutch Plate
- Decent set of tools (tyre levers, torx keys, feeler guages, spanners etc)
- Duct Tape
- Final Drive Bearking
- Fork Seals
- Front Shock
- Fuel Filter
- Fuel Pump controller work around
- Fuse Box
- Gasket set
- Gear Lever
- Indicators
- Inner Tubes
- Jump Leads
- Liquid Metal
- Mirror Mounting Bolts
- Pre-Trip Service
- Puncture Repair Kit
- Rear Shock
- Ring antenna / aerial (What is this!?!)
- Side Stand Switch
- Spare Air Cylinders for Puncture repairs
- Spare Key
- Spare Types
- Spare Tyres
- Spark Plugs
- Throttle cable
- Took Kit
- Wire & Crimping tool
- Wiring Diagram

Thats not to say I won't take other items, but rather to establish priority of things to take

 

[Greg Masters]

- <strike>Air Filter</Strike> Too big - you can always run without one for a while or shake/blow the dirt out of the original
- Alternator Belt
- <Strike>Brake Disks</Strike> Too heavy to carry on your bike
- Brake Lever
- <Strike>Brake Lever (foot)</Strike> Straighten the one you've bent
- Brake Pads
- Cable Ties
- <Strike>Cable Ties</Strike>
- <Strike>Clutch Cable</Strike> Hydraulic??*
- Clutch Lever
- Clutch Plate - only if you have the tools and knowledge to change it
- Decent set of tools (tyre levers, torx keys, feeler guages, spanners etc)
- Duct Tape
- Final Drive Bearing
- <Strike>Fork Seals</Strike> What for?
- Front Shock
- <Strike>Fuel Filter</Strike> Probably not
- Fuel Pump controller work around
- <Strike>Fuse Box</Strike> Fuse box? WTF? Are they a known 1200 problem?
- </Strike>Gasket set </Strike> too delicate to survive unless carried in backup truck
- Gear Lever
- <Strike>Indicators</Strike> Take your standard ones off before you leave home - then they won't get broken en-route
- Inner Tubes
- <Strike>Jump Leads</Strike> only in backup truck
- Liquid Metal
- <Strike>Mirror Mounting Bolts</Strike> same as indicators
- Pre-Trip Service
- Puncture Repair Kit
- Rear Shock
- Ring antenna / aerial (What is this!?!)
- <Strike>Side Stand Switch</Strike> If it fails, bodge the wiring
- Spare Air Cylinders for Puncture repairs
- Spare Key
- <Strike>Spare Types</Strike>
- Spare Tyres
- Spark Plugs
- Throttle cable
- <Strike>Took Kit</Strike> another one?
- <Strike>Wire & Crimping tool</Strike> Are you palnning to add a few extra lights en-route?
- Wiring Diagram

*The fact that you have this item on your list makes me think that perhaps you shouldn't take any spares at all. What would you do with them?


Greg

 

[Dainese Brave]

From your list, and in no particular order, and assuming that there are other things already covered that you are already taking....

1. Clutch lever
2. Brake lever
3. Duct tape
4. Cable ties
5. Spare keys
6. Good tool roll
7. Puncture repair kit
8. Fuel Pump Controller
9. Spare Tyres (if room on van)
10. Fork seals
(11. Me!!!)

......but then what do I know??......I've done my fair share of travelling, and know you always take too much, and underestimate the ability to get things done when they go wrong wherever you are(and how helpful people are to try).

I'm really suprised that Kudos don't have a stock of what they consider will be a likely requirement for the number of bikes on the trip?

Obviously not all the bikes will be GS's and so some spares will be bike specific....but surely they could point you in the right direction??...after all, they are the ones with the experience of going RTW

If I was Kudos (even if I charged each rider a nominal fee) I would carry enough puncture repair kits to cover the amount of bikes, a supply of duct tape, cable ties, spare bulbs, first aid etc, and a selection of tools to cover most eventualities in a designated box??.....then advise each rider what to take based on experience of breakdown/damage on previous trips??

Good luck on the trip anyway......I envy you, and hope to follow you in doing it one day!

 

[JRB]

Hey Mate,

To be honest, I won't be doing repairs! We have a support crew.

As I said in my post, the list was compiled from everyone's suggestions.

I am not mechanically minded - and don't do my own servicing - I just don't want to have my bike thrown on the trailer because I don't have the spares to fix the bike.

P.S. I won't be carrying the spares - they will be in the support vehicle.

Does that make sense?

*The fact that you have this item on your list makes me think that perhaps you shouldn't take any spares at all. What would you do with them?


Greg

 

[Greg Masters]

Hey Mate,

To be honest, I won't be doing repairs! We have a support crew.

As I said in my post, the list was compiled from everyone's suggestions.

I am not mechanically minded - and don't do my own servicing - I just don't want to have my bike thrown on the trailer because I don't have the spares to fix the bike.

P.S. I won't be carrying the spares - they will be in the support vehicle.

Does that make sense?

That's fair enough - but I think that you need to check:

• how much gear the support crew can carry
• what sort of terrain you'll be riding over and through
• how far away the support crew will be

Depending on your answers, you might want to invest in a day of Steptoe's time to learn some of the basics.

Greg

 

[WindyChuffer]

OK, my comments on a subset of your list:

I would have thought that the Kudos would have a whole bunch of these things as generable consumables or for general use:
- Cable Ties
- Duct Tape
- Jump Leads. Just how many are needed in the group? Suggest learning how to push start the bike (same principle as with a car).
- Wire & Crimping tool
+ crimps & crimp connectors
+ insulation tape

I guess the tools you carry depends on the degree of the support, and how competent you are using the tools:
- Decent set of tools (tyre levers, torx keys, feeler guages, spanners etc)
- Spare Air Cylinders for Puncture repairs / - Puncture Repair Kit

Other bits:
- Air Filter. Get one that can be cleaned and re-used.
- Fuel Filter. AFAIK, these don't fail, they block, and can be unblocked. Perhaps fit a larger one thats easier to dismantle and clean?
- Wiring Diagram. Print off from the net (r1200gs.info), and study it ! Make sure you know how to read it, plenty on this forum can help with that.
- Side Stand Switch. Use the wiring diagram and work out how to bypass it, using knife & teeth to bare wire, twist together and tape with insulation tape. Or perhaps a posh wire cutter/stripper/crimper.
- Ring antenna / aerial. Perhaps get the immobiliser immobilised / removed - is this possible? Must be, surely ?

If these break, who gives a F***:
- Mirrors & mirror mounting gubbins
- Indicators

Game over AFAIK:
- Final Drive Breaking

Also:
The accessory catalogue on BMW website has a rubber cylinder head cover that allows you to carry on in the event of a damaged head. I have no idea how effective it is.

On mechanical knowledge, I reckon you should invest some time and maybe some ££ with a mechanic to get shown some of the bits of the GS that are field fixable / serviceable. Steptoe? Gimme a shout if you manage to sort something as I'd like to come along too and share the cost in preparation for my big trip next year.

All the best !

 

[Snoopy]

Decent thread.

Be pre-emptive by fitting the new FPC unit and use the old one to makeshift a direct lead to the battery. Fit an odessy battery. Fit HIDs and LEDs for all bulbs so you don't need to carry spares.

Shocks are a talking point but the Showa fitted to yours is generally accepted as a cost cutting exercise over the WP fitted to the earlier 1200's. You might want to buy Ohlins or the like. Again there are many views on this, but either way get your shocks set up for the correct weight as they may leak otherwise when taken off-road.

Not sure of the point in taking spare tubes, if your tyre is shagged so much a plugger wont work then a tube will probably not survive either.

Drive within your limit and the conditions. This way you can preempt that which may knacker your shocks/wheels/bike bits through overstress.

 

[Timolgra]

- <strike>Air Filter</Strike> Too big - you can always run without one for a while or shake/blow the dirt out of the original


- <Strike>Fork Seals</Strike> What for?

- <Strike>Fuel Filter</Strike> Probably not


Greg

For my trip to Mongolia and central Asia I'm definately taking an air filter, (I need to change the one on my Rallye bike after 7 days in Morocco and by then it's often chocked).

Sgt Pluck had his fork seals go on the Pamir Highway and although not crucial he said he would carry them in future on such a trip (so will I they weigh nothing and take 15 mins to replace).

Fuel filter ...'probably not' or possibly so I would take one.

 

[Greg Masters]

Tim

For me it would depend on how much carrying capacity is available.

Small stuff like levers I would carry on the bike since their size/weight to convenience-if-needed ratio is pretty high.

Tyres, brake discs, etc - in fact all of the stuff on the list (except the clutch cable) I would pile into the support truck until they told me there was no more space.

But you also need an idea of the route and terrain. If it's all tarmac highway, an air filter is less likely to be needed. As you know, if the route involves riding over crap, an air filter (or two) would be essential.

Greg

 

[Tim Gaskell]

Going RTW

JRB

Are you on Expedition 1 or 2. I am on 2 and also taking 1200 GSA. This thread has been invaluable although sometimes a little confusing with all advice on what to take. I am also a bit of a numpty when it comes to mechanics but will certainly take up the advice to watch as much of the servicing of the bike as possible. We are also having a days mechanics as part of the pre-expedition training.

Having had the bike for only 1 year at it being '07 vintage have had little expense so far. Had a bit of a shock when I rang local BMW dealership to enquire about parts. Shocked by costs of parts particularly shock absorbers - any advice.

 

[JRB]

Hi Tim,

I'm on trip 1 (as per pm). I am on an 'adventurised' (standard GS with engine/tank bars and panniers) 2007 model.

I have bought a second hand shock from an 04 GS on EBay with 18000 miles on it. Plan to get it refurbished for about £80.

Also bought the FCU workaround cable from the USA for about £30.

Things like clutch and brake levers I am trying to buy second hand. They will do just as good a job.

Did you talk to KUDU about swapping to trip 1?

Cheers,

JB