Hi fellow GSers
I thought I'd do a quick review of the various bits of cool kit I purchased along with my 1200 gs triple black.
1. Altrider crash bars - really pleased with these. Very solid feeling on the bike and apart from having to remove and replace the main engine bolt (a real pig to undo) easy to fit. Plus they are available in the triple black grey colour. I chose them after some lengthy comparisons with the other brands available. Purchased from the Adventure Bike Shop. Great friendly service.
2. Bumot pannier system also from ABS. Really happy with these as well. Excellent quality and so far waterproof. I got the lockable tool box as well. Again really useful. There is a video on YouTube of a guy fitting this system, which involves unbolting and lifting the rear subframe. Tried it- don't do it. All that is required is to remove the exhaust end can to enable access to the right side passenger footrest hanger bolt. Good solid fit and in black looks the part as well. It did occur to me that by undoing the footrest hangers 5mm to fit the rack I may be undoing some German health and safety design criteria. I may fit longer bolts before I take a pillion.
3. Cardo SHO-01 comms system for the Shoei neotec. Good system, well integrated. However now replaced with a Sena 10R. I wear a Leatt neckbrace and because the sho-01 controls are on the underside of the helmet they were getting activated by contact with the brace. 10R is a great system with really loud speakers. Beware that the 10U version integrated fit for the neotec has the older less powerful speakers. The handlebar remote which comes with the kit is very useful but I needed to learn to extend my thumb for the indicators and horn buttons as your left hand is about 1/2 inch further away because of the remote. Very easy to connect phone, nav v and remote.
4. Rukka Cosmic jacket and trousers. Amazing gear, as you would expect for the price, but does what it claims. However I have two niggles. First, for us older riders toilet stops are a frequent occurrence, and this is where the first niggle comes in. You've put on the trousers with the supplied braces and zipped them to the jacket. You need a wee. You pull down the zip and the realise the waterproof fly gusset prevents proper access! Jacket off, braces off and trousers down is the only way. A pain. Secondly, the supplied goretex neck wrap. You are riding along and suddenly the heavens open. You stop, take the wrap from your pocket and then realise that it has to be zipped into place. Trust me, man is not designed to bend his arms in ways to accommodate this. Jacket off, zip wrap in place, jacket on. Did I mention it was raining! The design means it's not really able to be left in place unused.
5. MRA various screen. Looks great in the dark tint and does cut down the wind but at my 6 feet I wonder if the ex version which is taller would have been better.
Hope this helps with any up coming gear decisions
I thought I'd do a quick review of the various bits of cool kit I purchased along with my 1200 gs triple black.
1. Altrider crash bars - really pleased with these. Very solid feeling on the bike and apart from having to remove and replace the main engine bolt (a real pig to undo) easy to fit. Plus they are available in the triple black grey colour. I chose them after some lengthy comparisons with the other brands available. Purchased from the Adventure Bike Shop. Great friendly service.
2. Bumot pannier system also from ABS. Really happy with these as well. Excellent quality and so far waterproof. I got the lockable tool box as well. Again really useful. There is a video on YouTube of a guy fitting this system, which involves unbolting and lifting the rear subframe. Tried it- don't do it. All that is required is to remove the exhaust end can to enable access to the right side passenger footrest hanger bolt. Good solid fit and in black looks the part as well. It did occur to me that by undoing the footrest hangers 5mm to fit the rack I may be undoing some German health and safety design criteria. I may fit longer bolts before I take a pillion.
3. Cardo SHO-01 comms system for the Shoei neotec. Good system, well integrated. However now replaced with a Sena 10R. I wear a Leatt neckbrace and because the sho-01 controls are on the underside of the helmet they were getting activated by contact with the brace. 10R is a great system with really loud speakers. Beware that the 10U version integrated fit for the neotec has the older less powerful speakers. The handlebar remote which comes with the kit is very useful but I needed to learn to extend my thumb for the indicators and horn buttons as your left hand is about 1/2 inch further away because of the remote. Very easy to connect phone, nav v and remote.
4. Rukka Cosmic jacket and trousers. Amazing gear, as you would expect for the price, but does what it claims. However I have two niggles. First, for us older riders toilet stops are a frequent occurrence, and this is where the first niggle comes in. You've put on the trousers with the supplied braces and zipped them to the jacket. You need a wee. You pull down the zip and the realise the waterproof fly gusset prevents proper access! Jacket off, braces off and trousers down is the only way. A pain. Secondly, the supplied goretex neck wrap. You are riding along and suddenly the heavens open. You stop, take the wrap from your pocket and then realise that it has to be zipped into place. Trust me, man is not designed to bend his arms in ways to accommodate this. Jacket off, zip wrap in place, jacket on. Did I mention it was raining! The design means it's not really able to be left in place unused.
5. MRA various screen. Looks great in the dark tint and does cut down the wind but at my 6 feet I wonder if the ex version which is taller would have been better.
Hope this helps with any up coming gear decisions
