New 1300GS owner questions

[IainB333]

I have recently traded in a Multistrada V2 for a new 1300GS on the basis that it is less top heavy, less scorchingly hot and less likely to provoke speeding. A few questions though and apologise if they have been answered before - I did search and have RTFM.
1. Manual. With a new complicated digital camera you usually ignore the factory manual and find someone like Dave Busch who makes a living writing books explaining the features you actually want. Is there an equivalent for the GS? The BMW manual is even worse than anything Sony ever wrote.
2. Tool kit. Rhetorical question, but a cheap screwdriver, spanner and one tiny Torx wrench? Who says the Germans don't have a sense of humour?
3. Battery charging. I'm sure I read that the DIN socket right of the instrument cluster can be used for charging. Is this correct and what is the polarity of this connection? (I will be making up a lead). How quickly does the battery run down when not in use? And is it best to leave it on maintenance charge all winter?
4. Connected ride mount. The new one is neater and smaller. But, do all third party devices (e.g. Chigee) connect exactly as before, Or is there any incompatibility?
5. Laying up. Does anyone really cover their chrome plated parts with Vaseline?
6. Insurance. Shockingly high even compared to Ducati. Does anyone recommend BW's own insurance policy? Any advantages?

Many thanks for help. Can't actually ride the beast at the moment while sorting out insurance.

 

[Fiddlesticks]

4. Connected ride mount. The new one is neater and smaller. But, do all third party devices (e.g. Chigee) connect exactly as before, Or is there any incompatibility?

Mine came with a BMW nav mount to which the Carpuride W702BS fitted and works with the Wonder Wheel.

5. Laying up. Does anyone really cover their chrome plated parts with Vaseline?

I spray mine with XCP, but I guess it would do the same job. But messy though.

3. Battery charging. I'm sure I read that the DIN socket right of the instrument cluster can be used for charging. Is this correct and what is the polarity of this connection? (I will be making up a lead). How quickly does the battery run down when not in use? And is it best to leave it on maintenance charge all winter?

You'd need an Optimate that's CANBUS compatible. I've added a standard optimate lead to the battery and keep it on a battery maintainer when not in use. Probably it would be OK for a month or so, worse with a tracker fitted.

 

[Avelingporter]

Chigee connects to the new smaller nav mount with the chigee BMW connector. Works perfectly.

 

[Beerman]

I have recently traded in a Multistrada V2 for a new 1300GS on the basis that it is less top heavy, less scorchingly hot and less likely to provoke speeding. A few questions though and apologise if they have been answered before - I did search and have RTFM.
1. Manual. With a new complicated digital camera you usually ignore the factory manual and find someone like Dave Busch who makes a living writing books explaining the features you actually want. Is there an equivalent for the GS? The BMW manual is even worse than anything Sony ever wrote.
2. Tool kit. Rhetorical question, but a cheap screwdriver, spanner and one tiny Torx wrench? Who says the Germans don't have a sense of humour?
3. Battery charging. I'm sure I read that the DIN socket right of the instrument cluster can be used for charging. Is this correct and what is the polarity of this connection? (I will be making up a lead). How quickly does the battery run down when not in use? And is it best to leave it on maintenance charge all winter?
4. Connected ride mount. The new one is neater and smaller. But, do all third party devices (e.g. Chigee) connect exactly as before, Or is there any incompatibility?
5. Laying up. Does anyone really cover their chrome plated parts with Vaseline?
6. Insurance. Shockingly high even compared to Ducati. Does anyone recommend BW's own insurance policy? Any advantages?

Many thanks for help. Can't actually ride the beast at the moment while sorting out insurance.

Insurance: I went with BMW. They were competitive, and getting quotes from others wasn't straightforward.

Chigee: yes, it fits.

Charging: yes the socket works but there is a lot on the site about the battery losing voltage if you use the wrong charger. I connect direct to the battery using an Optimate.

Toolkit: yes, it's useless.

 

[G&T]

ACF50 is the choice of Vaseline on here.

 

[squibb34]

Make sure your 'Optimate' is compatible - my understanding is that current models could be either AGM (Absorbent Glass Mat) or lithium-ion (LiFePO4) batteries.

 

[Smartbazza]

I would recommend find out the type of battery as it can be either Lithium or AGM on the 1300 (mine is currently getting an AGM fitted) and also recommend using a lead direct to the battery. Technically you can use the socket however based on my issues with 13's and charging batteries I wouldn't

Barry

 

[littleade]

5. If you're laying it up and not riding it the FS365 will protect your bike from corrosion during that period. It's easier to both apply and get off again as well as cheaper. Have a look on YouTube on Bennetts social channel as he has done numerous tests on anti corrosion stuff.

 

[pbbanks]

I have recently traded in a Multistrada V2 for a new 1300GS on the basis that it is less top heavy, less scorchingly hot and less likely to provoke speeding. A few questions though and apologise if they have been answered before - I did search and have RTFM.
1. Manual. With a new complicated digital camera you usually ignore the factory manual and find someone like Dave Busch who makes a living writing books explaining the features you actually want. Is there an equivalent for the GS? The BMW manual is even worse than anything Sony ever wrote.
2. Tool kit. Rhetorical question, but a cheap screwdriver, spanner and one tiny Torx wrench? Who says the Germans don't have a sense of humour?
3. Battery charging. I'm sure I read that the DIN socket right of the instrument cluster can be used for charging. Is this correct and what is the polarity of this connection? (I will be making up a lead). How quickly does the battery run down when not in use? And is it best to leave it on maintenance charge all winter?
4. Connected ride mount. The new one is neater and smaller. But, do all third party devices (e.g. Chigee) connect exactly as before, Or is there any incompatibility?
5. Laying up. Does anyone really cover their chrome plated parts with Vaseline?
6. Insurance. Shockingly high even compared to Ducati. Does anyone recommend BW's own insurance policy? Any advantages?

Many thanks for help. Can't actually ride the beast at the moment while sorting out insurance.

The socket to the right of the instrument cluster can be used to charge the battery BUT you need a canbus compatible charger which will automatically open the connection to the battery and charge. As far as I know you can't just make a lead to any type of charger. Yuu can put a lead direct from the battery and charge it that way. If you have a lithium battery you need a lithium compatible charger.

Don't know if the chrome and vaseline is a serious question . There isn't much chrome apart from exhaust system but if keeps you happy put vaseline on it .

 

[botus]

just put your VIN number in a chassis decode tool and it will tell you the real spec of your bike - if it lists the joke battery then you'll need lithium-ion (LiFePO4) capable charger - but most don't have them as they can't do winter and mostly play up on a good day

fit and finish is designed to last about as long as it will take to get ww3 going so if you want any use out of the bike - don't lay it up for its last winter

 

[Hut van]

I’ve never had an issue getting insurance on any bike and never payed anymore than £300-50, I do stay north of Edinburgh though.
My bike has the lithium battery and I stick it on charger for a week or so at a time in my garage over winter.
I have a noco lithium charger with pigtail direct to the battery.
I’ve had new bikes every two or three years for the last 25 years and never sprayed any preventative stuff on them , I do wash them and keep them in a brick garage, no winter use if there’s grit on the road though.

 

[Buckingham]

I have recently traded in a Multistrada V2 for a new 1300GS on the basis that it is less top heavy, less scorchingly hot and less likely to provoke speeding. A few questions though and apologise if they have been answered before - I did search and have RTFM.
1. Manual. With a new complicated digital camera you usually ignore the factory manual and find someone like Dave Busch who makes a living writing books explaining the features you actually want. Is there an equivalent for the GS? The BMW manual is even worse than anything Sony ever wrote.
2. Tool kit. Rhetorical question, but a cheap screwdriver, spanner and one tiny Torx wrench? Who says the Germans don't have a sense of humour?
3. Battery charging. I'm sure I read that the DIN socket right of the instrument cluster can be used for charging. Is this correct and what is the polarity of this connection? (I will be making up a lead). How quickly does the battery run down when not in use? And is it best to leave it on maintenance charge all winter?
4. Connected ride mount. The new one is neater and smaller. But, do all third party devices (e.g. Chigee) connect exactly as before, Or is there any incompatibility?
5. Laying up. Does anyone really cover their chrome plated parts with Vaseline?
6. Insurance. Shockingly high even compared to Ducati. Does anyone recommend BW's own insurance policy? Any advantages?

Many thanks for help. Can't actually ride the beast at the moment while sorting out insurance.

Compare that with the excellent tool kit on the old K100RS & K1100RS - you could almost start your own bike fixing business with that !

 

[stick]

I have recently traded in a Multistrada V2 for a new 1300GS on the basis that it is less top heavy, less scorchingly hot and less likely to provoke speeding. A few questions though and apologise if they have been answered before - I did search and have RTFM.


Did you mean the V4S as the R1300 gs is no slouch compared to the V4 let alone the under powered V2 , was that a typo .

Quick similar search
V4s 170 bhp 124 Nm
R1300 Gs 143 bhp 149 Nm
V2 113 bhp 94 Nm
All at a set Rpm

 

[TaskMule]

Not sure how the 1300 is less likely to provoke speeding.