Muffs and Gauchos 09/10

[EggChaser]

Do the muffs get in the way of any of the controls? I'm still getting used to the controls on the gs and find I need to look occasionally for the horn/headlight flasher while the bike is new to me. Just wondered whether there's any restriction around the switchgear that you find.

I want to get the muffs for the winter but just a little concerned over missing switches occasionally.

Thanks,

J.

The only OEM control that is difficult to operate (or sometimes operates itself) is the starter button/kill switch. As the kill switch is a left-to-right lever that is unlikely to be operated by accident (and has never happened to me) however I have found that the starter button sometimes gets pressed - this has so far only happened when the bike has been parked and pushed around causing the muffs to move slightly and a quick tug (on the muffs) fixes it.

Obviously there is no point in trying to look at the controls.

 

[Format]

I have re written what I have to say a few times and boiled it down to this...

best things to buy for a R1200GS?

Tucano muffs
HID's

Nuff said

 

[Stumpy]

Must be that time of of year

just refitted my muffs and acf50'd the Tenere all ready for a wee run out tomorrow

 

[EggChaser]

I have re written what I have to say a few times and boiled it down to this...

best things to buy for a R1200GS?

Tucano muffs
HID's

Nuff said

+1

although I would add engine drop bars

 

[everywherevirtually]

Hi Jon - I've got my gaucho on my 800 now but I'm not convinced I've fitted it correctly. Which version did you get, was it the 117 or 119? (can't remember the different model numbers exactly, those may be wrong)

More importantly, any chance of a picture of it on yours? TIA...

I've got the R119 on my 800. It's OK but because I have the Adventure Spec crash bars on it forces the gaucho out a little so there is a gap which rather inconveniently chanels an icy blast into my groin area which defeats the purpose of having a gaucho. Without the gaucho my lower legs and feet get cold but the aforementioned "groin/inner thigh area" is fine.

I've only had it on the bike twice in the last few weeks. I'm actually thinking of getting the £38 leg warmers that val mentioned. If anyone is interested in purchasing my gaucho drop me a PM. I'd rather avoid posting it in the current climate so anyone based in the north of England/Wales/Midlands would be preferred. Like I say it's only had two outings so far.

 

[freeloader]

I've got the R119 on my 800. It's OK but because I have the Adventure Spec crash bars on it forces the gaucho out a little so there is a gap which rather inconveniently chanels an icy blast into my groin area which defeats the purpose of having a gaucho. Without the gaucho my lower legs and feet get cold but the aforementioned "groin/inner thigh area" is fine.

I've only had it on the bike twice in the last few weeks. I'm actually thinking of getting the £38 leg warmers that val mentioned. If anyone is interested in purchasing my gaucho drop me a PM. I'd rather avoid posting it in the current climate so anyone based in the north of England/Wales/Midlands would be preferred. Like I say it's only had two outings so far.

Many thanks, that's quite a useful comparison to the way I have mine fitted - and I think mine's the 117 - it's the one which is meant to fit the boxers. Mine is currently fitted further back and hence lower down, but I'll try and see if moving it to where yours if makes it any different - it seems to have a lot of useless slack where it is.

 

[Greggers]

JON ..

Any issue with the muffs fitting over the brake reservoir ? What model muff did you end up putting your hands into ?

well, someone had to say it!

G

 

[everywherevirtually]

JON ..

Any issue with the muffs fitting over the brake reservoir ? What model muff did you end up putting your hands into ?

well, someone had to say it!

G

reminds me of the KFC & women joke... maybe I should post that somewhere else.

Standard muffs from Val . There is a nylon piece that has velcro on both sides so it wraps around the base of the reservoir and then you just velcro it together where there are no obstructions. I swear by these things! They were invaluable last winter and are ready for a second winter.

It means I can wear light summer gloves all year round.

heated grips and muffs = heaven

 

[tallthinhack]

muffs please

Just got off the bike after six hours and realised I should have ordered a pair of your muffs a fortnight ago! Freezing!

I've pm'd re details and how to pay?

Tallthinhack

 

[Zimboy]

Report on the Tucano Takeaways

Just received a set of Tucano Takeaways from Val - model R093 - so here is a quick ride report...

Size is a little larger than a folded pair of denims or my existing set of el-cheapo waterproofs. Too big for underseat.

Comes with its own bag (incl airing mesh), so they'll comfortably stay in the topbox

Looks ungainly, so definitely not a fashion statement

Strap on is easy, but one needs to practice and experiment a bit so that you get it into a comfortable place seated, standing, and swinging leg over bike (R1200GS, normal seat, I'm g')

Warm. I rode a 30 mile commute today at <5 degrees light rain in summer suit trousers. Could feel slightly cold at 50+mph behind my leg where the Takeaway doesn't wrap around, but the rest was fine. I'll probably use these down to freezing without resorting to warmer trousers.

No flap. Once velcroed up, no real flapping to worry about, even at 100mph

Water-resistance. Summer suit trousers were kept mainly dry in light rain. Slightly damp afterwards behind legs (must see if it is not how I attached them or the rear wheel throwing up spray - but I have a Mudslinger). Front of the seat was also wet, but trousers mostly dry in this area - this was from water coming down off the jacket and tank into the crotch area so no fault of the Takeaways.

The overlap over the boots also means I didn't have to tuck trousers into boots to keep the ends dry.

Taking it off is about 3-5 minutes quicker than my waterproofs. I don't have to remove my boots now, although I'd does look like I'm auditioning for a strip show when they are ripped off

 

[Steady Eddie]

Muffs

Val,
I've sent you an e mail regarding muffs for my 1100 RT .


Thanks
Steve

 

[Gruffalo]

Got my muffs today and will be fitting them at the weekend,
cheers val!

 

[VAL. H.]

Just received a set of Tucano Takeaways from Val - model R093 - so here is a quick ride report...

Size is a little larger than a folded pair of denims or my existing set of el-cheapo waterproofs. Too big for underseat.

Comes with its own bag (incl airing mesh), so they'll comfortably stay in the topbox

Looks ungainly, so definitely not a fashion statement

Strap on is easy, but one needs to practice and experiment a bit so that you get it into a comfortable place seated, standing, and swinging leg over bike (R1200GS, normal seat, I'm g')

Warm. I rode a 30 mile commute today at <5 degrees light rain in summer suit trousers. Could feel slightly cold at 50+mph behind my leg where the Takeaway doesn't wrap around, but the rest was fine. I'll probably use these down to freezing without resorting to warmer trousers.

No flap. Once velcroed up, no real flapping to worry about, even at 100mph

Water-resistance. Summer suit trousers were kept mainly dry in light rain. Slightly damp afterwards behind legs (must see if it is not how I attached them or the rear wheel throwing up spray - but I have a Mudslinger). Front of the seat was also wet, but trousers mostly dry in this area - this was from water coming down off the jacket and tank into the crotch area so no fault of the Takeaways.

The overlap over the boots also means I didn't have to tuck trousers into boots to keep the ends dry.

Taking it off is about 3-5 minutes quicker than my waterproofs. I don't have to remove my boots now, although I'd does look like I'm auditioning for a strip show when they are ripped off

This is a great review, Thanks for your input

I've been using the Takaways for a couple of years now, though I tend to use them solely as a thermal extra layer over my waterproof trousers.

A two hundred mile night ride in -5 proved their worth with out a dought


Val.

 

[punisher_uk]

stupid questions hear
has anyone used them off road,
do you all find it easy to use switches ect ?
how are they standing up and riding ?
have been told i should use heated grips instead
off to Morocco in December/jan i think it may be cold
but then warm down south
any help or insite cheers

 

[Steptoe]

stupid questions hear
has anyone used them off road,
do you all find it easy to use switches ect ?
how are they standing up and riding ?
have been told i should use heated grips instead
off to Morocco in December/jan i think it may be cold
but then warm down south
any help or insite cheers

Muffs and gaucho in morocco in january 2006, a trip of extremes. With heated grips.
No problems with switchgear etc, i've used muffs for years, most peoples worries seem to be in their own minds, once you've ridden with muffs fitted you don't give them a second thought

No problems standing up riding, just don't get the muffs that secure to the bar end.

 

[tallthinhack]

muffs a go go

So had my first outing today with my furry fluffy muffs from Val of this parish.

Was wearing my off-road v thin and short gloves instead of my HG winter gloves that have all the feel of pillows.

Even even so I had to turn the heated grips down from two, then one, then turned them off completely as my hands were so toasty warm!

Luvverly.

 

[punisher_uk]

Muffs and gaucho in morocco in january 2006, a trip of extremes. With heated grips.
No problems with switchgear etc, i've used muffs for years, most peoples worries seem to be in their own minds, once you've ridden with muffs fitted you don't give them a second thought

No problems standing up riding, just don't get the muffs that secure to the bar end.

OPS wish i read that b4 i got a set of R323
well they are for my aprilia pegaso (not bmw)
with pro taper bars modified bush guards so the chance of them fitting is very slim anyway without modifying
will not be fixing to the bar ends as i would like to be able to remove easily if i need to

 

[Stumpy]

I fitted my gaucho(bought second hand from Everywherevirtually) and tested it over the last week. Works well if feeling a little strange at first

 

[FatBob]

Stupid question, but...

OK, I'm sure its a stupid question but how do you position the muffs? I got the 319 muffs from Val and attempted to fit them to my 2008 GSA with standard hand guards. I got the muffs on but they didn't seem to be in the right position. The thin material which velcros around the mirror stem was really tight and I thought the stitching might burst eventually. Is it suppoed to be like that? I expected the front edge of the muff to be more or less parallel with the bar but it was on a funny angle, the outer corner much further forward than the inner one.

Is there a trick to it? Are they normally so tight across the mirror stem?

 

[mr_magicfingers]

Fitted the muffs over the weekend and rode to work and back with them on today. grip heaters on low was too warm with my summer gloves. Warm, toasty hands in hard rain, I think I'm going to like having these things on.

Thanks to everyone for harping on about how good they are, my turn now and thanks to Val for the great service.

J.