Heel Plates F800GS

[Ceri JC]

EDIT:

Sorry, I had two windows open and just realised I posted this in the wrong area. Please can a kind mod move it to: ::. UKGSer.com .:: > Technical & Rider > Model specific problems, help and advice> 650 & 800 GS Twins
and accept my grovelling apology? Thank you.


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Just as I got off my bike today, I head a noise a bit like a (dinner) plate breaking. I had a look down and I saw that my LHS heel plate had broken. The break is very jagged and the plastic on the inside of the break looks a bit discoloured. The plastic feels very brittle and I am wondering if it is possible that it has broken due to denaturing from the heat of the exhaust (still running stock exhaust and headers, Cat still in place) which passes very close here.

It hasn't been crashed on that side, nor taken any knocks recently. Only thing out of the ordinary was that I was wearing Enduro boots, which I don't wear often on the F800GS and are a bit bulkier than my normal boots, so might have bashed it a bit.

For clarity, I'm talking about the riders' heel plates; not the pillion's.

Rather than replace with another BMW one, I thought I'd look at the other options. I really don't like the look of the Metal Mule one. I came across these on Ebay, given the possibility that heat may have played a part in the failure of the original, the fact these are carbon fibre looks very appealing. Also, I'm a tart and they look pretty.

Only thing is, P&P and the mandatory customs-rape is likely to make these very pricey for a pair of heel plates. Can anyone recommend similar offerings in the UK or other heel plates I might want to consider?

 

[Ceri JC]

Googling yesterday didn't reveal anything and I don't think these were in the TT 2011 catalogue I was flipping through a few weeks back, but I came across a new Touratech part for this problem whilst browsing their site this morning.

This looks the cheapest option and whilst not as trick as the CF ones from America, should look okay once sprayed in black heat proof paint. Just going to check with TT that it works with their frame protectors as I've been stung my TT parts not working with others in the past.

 

[sijohnston]

i've been through two of these. the plastic does become brittle over time and they are ridiculously expensive for what they are. once this one goes, i'll not be replacing with any more stock plates. it's just about the crappest part of the bike, and since it's not germane to the ability to perform, i'm not wholly worried.

 

[Ceri JC]

Got the TT part. It's supplied with various fittings to ensure that it is compatible with either of the TT frame protectors (as well as the stock bike).

3 Coats of Halford's Ultra High Temperature Matt black paint later, it looks suitably de-blinged and at a glance, almost factory.

First 400 road miles it has worked fine and the paint looks fine still. Let's see how it looks after a bit of greenlaning with Enduro boots on.

 

[Ceri JC]

Just thought I'd report back that after another couple of thousand miles, including some challenging green laning and plenty of time in Enduro boots, both the TT heel plate and paint are holding up nicely.