Intro. Back to BMW GS

[Jacey]

Lots of useful tips from this forum prior to collecting a new Triple Black GS with Forged wheels.

Biking for 60 years - initially like many just a form of transport, but biking as a hobby since 2005. Initially GS’s but then changed to Ducati and Multi’s finally selling my V4s that was a fantastic bike.

Love the GS. Initial teething problems with the battery showing “critical state’ that I believe was due to wiring in my Garmin Zumo directly to the battery. Disconnected the wiring 3 days ago and voltage holding! Have a Healtech Thunderbox arriving that I hope will solve the wiring problem of the sat nav.

Opted out of the Touring package from factory. Fitted a Motopumps adaptor to take the Zumo that looks good. Pannier frames from Outback Mototek fitted and Mosko moto soft panniers on order. Pretty well ready for my two week holiday in Spain!

In a funny sort of way good to be back to GS’s.

 

[chablis]

Welcome, sounds like you are on top of your issues, and direct wired components can cause a drain issue.

 

[Pablo1]

Lots of useful tips from this forum prior to collecting a new Triple Black GS with Forged wheels.

Biking for 60 years - initially like many just a form of transport, but biking as a hobby since 2005. Initially GS’s but then changed to Ducati and Multi’s finally selling my V4s that was a fantastic bike.

Love the GS. Initial teething problems with the battery showing “critical state’ that I believe was due to wiring in my Garmin Zumo directly to the battery. Disconnected the wiring 3 days ago and voltage holding! Have a Healtech Thunderbox arriving that I hope will solve the wiring problem of the sat nav.

Opted out of the Touring package from factory. Fitted a Motopumps adaptor to take the Zumo that looks good. Pannier frames from Outback Mototek fitted and Mosko moto soft panniers on order. Pretty well ready for my two week holiday in Spain!

In a funny sort of way good to be back to GS’s.

Just a watch out on a couple of items, replacement headlamp is £1500, likewise a punctured radiator cost me over £400 so some protection for these would be worthwhile, Ali express stuff in this regard is all you need.

 

[fizzer]

i am surprised regarding the voltage drop,i have a lead to plug in my heated jacket and have had no issues at all.

 

[TaskMule]

The Garmin power cable has the module that converts 12v to usb 5v. Even when the Zumo is not mounted this module consumes a very small amount of power. Likely wouldn't be a problem if you ride every few days or more. Also the battery could likely use a thorough charge off the showroom floor.
A direct wired heated vest would not consume any power when not plugged in.
The BMW radiator guards are not expensive and install in seconds

 

[GS_PS]

Lots of useful tips from this forum prior to collecting a new Triple Black GS with Forged wheels.

Biking for 60 years - initially like many just a form of transport, but biking as a hobby since 2005. Initially GS’s but then changed to Ducati and Multi’s finally selling my V4s that was a fantastic bike.

Love the GS. Initial teething problems with the battery showing “critical state’ that I believe was due to wiring in my Garmin Zumo directly to the battery. Disconnected the wiring 3 days ago and voltage holding! Have a Healtech Thunderbox arriving that I hope will solve the wiring problem of the sat nav.

Opted out of the Touring package from factory. Fitted a Motopumps adaptor to take the Zumo that looks good. Pannier frames from Outback Mototek fitted and Mosko moto soft panniers on order. Pretty well ready for my two week holiday in Spain!

In a funny sort of way good to be back to GS

Good to hear you are enjoying the GS, if I can ask, what prompted the move back from the Multi V4s? given-ironically-some of this parish have opted to go in the opposite direction!

 

[Jacey]

Welcome, sounds like you are on top of your issues, and direct wired components can cause a

The Garmin power cable has the module that converts 12v to usb 5v. Even when the Zumo is not mounted this module consumes a very small amount of power. Likely wouldn't be a problem if you ride every few days or more. Also the battery could likely use a thorough charge off the showroom floor.
A direct wired heated vest would not consume any power when not plugged in.
The BMW radiator guards are not expensive and install in seconds

My slight disappointment is that the supplying dealer advised on the fitting and fitted it. Doesn’t fill me with confidence. Anyway thank you for the explanation. Hopefully all sorted now.
The dealer also fitted an Optimate fly lead directly to the battery. Hope that isnt going to be a problem as I note it is not advised in the manual that came with the bike!

 

[Jacey]

Just a watch out on a couple of items, replacement headlamp is £1500, likewise a punctured radiator cost me over £400 so some protection for these would be worthwhile, Ali express stuff in this regard is all you need.

Thanks for the advice. Probably should at the least be fitting cylinder guards. A bit reluctant because of the added weight and also like the naked look. Lots of choice though and probably like the Wunderlich bars as much as any. Any thoughts?

 

[Jacey]

Just a watch out on a couple of items, replacement headlamp is £1500, likewise a punctured radiator cost me over £400 so some protection for these would be worthwhile, Ali express stuff in this regard is all you need.

Thanks for the advice. Probably should at the least be fitting cylinder guards. A bit reluctant because of the added weight and also like the naked look. Lots of choice though and probably like the Wunderlich bars as much as any. Any thoughts

Good to hear you are enjoying the GS, if I can ask, what prompted the move back from the Multi V4s? given-ironically-some of this parish have opted to go in the opposite direction!

An interesting one. Loved my Ducati’s and they always seemed to add a bit of excitement to any journey. I was looking for a slightly smaller touring bike. First test ride of the GS back in January 2024 and liked it but did not seem to offer anything over the Multi. Decided to exchange the Multi for a smaller tourer- the Supersport 950S - but after a few months of ownership realised, for me, touring distances on this bike with luggage would not work..
So back to my BMW dealer and they made a good offer for a new bike. I started my return to biking on a BMW GS in 2005 and there is a feeling of nostalgia returning to the brand as my biking days must be limited.
A 90 mile ride on the GS today. The bike is amazing and does everything exceptionally well. I am bonding!

 

[Pablo1]

Thanks for the advice. Probably should at the least be fitting cylinder guards. A bit reluctant because of the added weight and also like the naked look. Lots of choice though and probably like the Wunderlich bars as much as any. Any thoughts

An interesting one. Loved my Ducati’s and they always seemed to add a bit of excitement to any journey. I was looking for a slightly smaller touring bike. First test ride of the GS back in January 2024 and liked it but did not seem to offer anything over the Multi. Decided to exchange the Multi for a smaller tourer- the Supersport 950S - but after a few months of ownership realised, for me, touring distances on this bike with luggage would not work..
So back to my BMW dealer and they made a good offer for a new bike. I started my return to biking on a BMW GS in 2005 and there is a feeling of nostalgia returning to the brand as my biking days must be limited.
A 90 mile ride on the GS today. The bike is amazing and does everything exceptionally well. I am bonding!

i bought a seat of crash bars from Motea UK , just over £100, all M8 fasteners and threads were already there for 5 out of 6 fasteners only bolt i needed to replace was holding a cable in place so no biggy, got them in black, torque setting is 19nm .