Must Do Mods before Touring?

Magicmat

Magicmat

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Hi All,

I've just put a desposit down on my first bmw, a 2005 1200GS :D

Bikes done 13.5k, and im wanting to take it to the south of france, alps and where ever else i end up.

Is there any particular mods i should be doing?

It has a 12v socket and i intend to wire something up for the sat nav. I also want a 2nd 12v point for the pillion as the wife will want to charge her mobile.

It has an adventure front screen and winglets, other than that, I figured, tyres and fuel ! .. im debating a better seat for us both, as its about 2-3k we'll end up doing.

Just thought i'd ask :thumb
 
Magicmat said:
Hi All,

I've just put a desposit down on my first bmw, a 2005 1200GS :D

Bikes done 13.5k, and im wanting to take it to the south of france, alps and where ever else i end up.

Is there any particular mods i should be doing?

It has a 12v socket and i intend to wire something up for the sat nav. I also want a 2nd 12v point for the pillion as the wife will want to charge her mobile.

It has an adventure front screen and winglets, other than that, I figured, tyres and fuel ! .. im debating a better seat for us both, as its about 2-3k we'll end up doing.

Just thought i'd ask :thumb
Click to expand...


Service it, fit panniers , and buy two air hawk cushions. Ride and enjoy. :D
 
Do a search ...

... for FPC as some early 1200's suffered from water ingress to the fuel pump controller; it'll probably have been sorted by now and there is a workaround but a low mileage one may have slipped through the net. Other than that, it's tyres and fuel :thumb2

ps - There is a thread entitled "Switched power the easy way" or something like it; you may find it useful.
 
Get a satnav and a tank bag of some sort.
Convenient place for docs, phones etc and the smaller amount of weight helps prevent wheelies!

Having done the trip a number of times, I would recommend ensuring tyres and brakes in a condition such that they are not a worry.
Have a great trip
 
Captain, Never heard of Air Hawk, but i will google it now !

Oblertone

FPC? is the work around a DIY thing or a dealer thing? Im savy with a spanner so would be happy to mod it myself if i can.

popell,

Im borrowing a friends Garmin Sat Nav, the bike comes with a bagster leather tank cover, i just need to pick up a tank bag to fit it. the rear tyre is a tourance thats done 1.5k ish, the front needs to be replaced, But yep dont want that as a worry while im away.

Thanks for all the tips though !!
 
Take a note of the last 7 digits of the frame number starting with a Z and ask your local main dealer to tell you if it needs any work due to a recall :rob
Unless of course you are buying from a main dealer in which case make sure the fuel pump has been looked at and the ring antenna is ok too
 
Thats a fantastic point,
Apparently the owner received a letter recently recalling it for the smell of petrol, or something.
 
They sell petrol and oil in France so no need for extra bottles. Don't carry more than very basic tool kit. They also have mechanics in France.
However French petrol can be very low octane. Engine runs rough and poor mpg. Take octane booster.
Don't fit a low seat they load your low back, scrunch your knees and make the bars feel too high. At standard height Kahedo is a lot more comfortable than the soggy BMW seat.
If carrying a pillion fit a top box.
Fit dip beam pattern aux headlights. They make the bike more visible (and clearly a bike) than any hiviz jacket.
 
I also have a 2005 model. It's an appreciating future classic :D :D

All I took when touring is/was...

A spare gear lever and the tools to change it.
Satnav is easier than maps, but maps are more than adequate.
Givi topbox and Vario panniers.
Sheepskin seat cover (Lambland.co.uk).

Don't forget to lower the headlight when carrying a pillion. Read the manual and it will reveal all.

I never bothered carrying FPCs or a ring antennae. But I have finally picked up a spare.


Other than that, it's just ear plugs and petrol.

Enjoy the bike.
 
Mine is also an appreciating classic - 2005 GS

good point on the recall question, I have just received the letter re the fuel pump seal (I think) - work being done on the 12th at Barrie Robsons, should take 40 mins.

The point about the gear lever, I never bothered with a spare but if you do, the fastener is a star drive (socket required) - one option is to swap the bolt to a hex head which is easier to find an allen key for.

First couple of trips I took zip-ties, gaffa tape(small length wrapped around a 35mm film canister), puncture repair outfit and a compressor - lost the compressor so just rely on the CO2 capsules included in the repair kit now

+1 for the Kahedo although I never had a problem with the standard seat.
 
Octane booster? Are you serious Bendy??

I have never had an issue with fuel in all the years I've had my '05 GS and that includes a good many miles outside of Europe.

Andres
 
Very serious about French fuel especially small petrol stations that stock only the cheapest grades. The pumps often deliver fuel compatible with 95 RON but actually a lower grade.

The bike will run on low octane but mpg is poor. Octane booster puts it back to normal levels so no (ok fewer) nasty surprises when the tank runs dry.
The bottles are small so nothing to lose by taking some.


Sent from a widget that can't spell.
 
Do a 'dry run' on your packing.

If you can fit it all in on the basis of being 'up to the gills' think about getting rid of some stuff, or get another bag.

It's not a good start to each day working out how it all fits back in :augie

Tank bags are good, as is the GS bag that sits on top of a side panier :thumb
 
Nippy Normans supply Touratech, Wunderlich, Desert Fox and many other makes of accessories.
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