New 2016 R1200GS TB owner - advice wanted re initial additions

Hatcho

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Hi all,

Will be picking up a 2016 R1200GS TB this weekend. Was looking for some advice re initial bits to get for the bike. Budget is a little tight what with the purchase and all but still keen to add a few things... Bike already has engine bars fitted (not sure which brand) - they are silver at the moment, but will be powdercoated black at some stage. Not too pushed about performance improvement, more keen on the likes of weather protection, rider comfort for now

Was looking at the mudsling/avant combo in NN - http://www.nippynormans.com/mudsling-xheads/machineart-mudsling-and-avant-r1200gs-lc-2013-on-2017-on-r1200-adv-lc-2014-on-2017-on - is this well recommended kit?

Puig rear hugger is also nice - http://www.nippynormans.com/wunderlich/r1200gs-mark-2-08-to-09/puig-rear-hugger-r1200gs-lc-2013-on-adventure-lc-2014-on - but for only a tenner more I can purchase the above bits instead, does the hugger perform much better than the mudsling?

Would also be keen on getting a grill style headlight protector - is there much difference (apart from price) between the branded stuff and the Chinese ebay jobbies?
Are radiator guards considered an essential early mod? Consensus seems to be towards the Evotech ones...

Is there anything else that I've missed that should be added to the list?

Thanks in advance,
Seán.
 
Hi all,

Will be picking up a 2016 R1200GS TB this weekend. Was looking for some advice re initial bits to get for the bike. Budget is a little tight what with the purchase and all but still keen to add a few things... Bike already has engine bars fitted (not sure which brand) - they are silver at the moment, but will be powdercoated black at some stage. Not too pushed about performance improvement, more keen on the likes of weather protection, rider comfort for now

Was looking at the mudsling/avant combo in NN - http://www.nippynormans.com/mudsling-xheads/machineart-mudsling-and-avant-r1200gs-lc-2013-on-2017-on-r1200-adv-lc-2014-on-2017-on - is this well recommended kit?

Puig rear hugger is also nice - http://www.nippynormans.com/wunderlich/r1200gs-mark-2-08-to-09/puig-rear-hugger-r1200gs-lc-2013-on-adventure-lc-2014-on - but for only a tenner more I can purchase the above bits instead, does the hugger perform much better than the mudsling?

Would also be keen on getting a grill style headlight protector - is there much difference (apart from price) between the branded stuff and the Chinese ebay jobbies?
Are radiator guards considered an essential early mod? Consensus seems to be towards the Evotech ones...

Is there anything else that I've missed that should be added to the list?

Thanks in advance,
Seán.
I would go for the Mudsling and Avant. More expensive then the cheap Maier offerings but you pays you money and takes you choice. If you do this I don't think you'll need the hugger - but someone may have both and have a better idea. I have the Cymarc radiator guards and think they work really well, but the Evotech ones are recommended by many. If you're not going off road I personally wouldn't bother with a headlight guard. Cylinder head guards are a good idea as engine bars, depending on which make they are, can allow things to go through them. I went for AltRider, but there are plenty of options. For me, they're the minimum you really need, but be prepared for lots more sage advice, wicked sarcasm and deviant wit.
 
Of course you may get on fine with the stock seats, but if not I can recommend the BMW Exclusive seats as sold by Rainbow BMW, but they don't come cheap, and you really need both rider and pillion because they have side panels in grey and so don't match the original seats. I wasn't too sure at first, but now mine has broken in a bit I find it very comfortable.
 
I would go for the Mudsling and Avant. More expensive then the cheap Maier offerings but you pays you money and takes you choice. If you do this I don't think you'll need the hugger - but someone may have both and have a better idea. I have the Cymarc radiator guards and think they work really well, but the Evotech ones are recommended by many. If you're not going off road I personally wouldn't bother with a headlight guard. Cylinder head guards are a good idea as engine bars, depending on which make they are, can allow things to go through them. I went for AltRider, but there are plenty of options. For me, they're the minimum you really need, but be prepared for lots more sage advice, wicked sarcasm and deviant wit.

I have both a Mudsling and Puig hugger. Except the Puig hugger is in its box in the garage as it touches the Mudsling.
 
Mudsling to protect the rear shock etc and Puig infill panels to protect the backs of your legs from road grime.
 
For me one of the first things was a Touratech tool box that fits inside the pannier rack.
There is bugger all room under the seat but the tool box will hold a compressor, puncture kit, first aid kit, torch, tools.
 
If you're not going off road I personally wouldn't bother with a headlight guard.

I reckon a headlight guard is just as useful for road use!

The R&G rad guards are also very good

Also recommended is the big foot for the side stand


Sent from my iPad using Tapatalk
 
Definitely the Mudsling and Avant fender extender, they are a must. I believe the headlamps are approximately £1k, but I would go for a Perspex type, I'm unsure if the grill type will emit as much light.
 
I have both a Mudsling and Puig hugger. Except the Puig hugger is in its box in the garage as it touches the Mudsling.

i have the mudsling and the Puig hugger fitted. I filed a small groove in to the Puig Hugger and heated and folded the Mudsling back a fraction. Now they compliment each other.. In fact they compliment each other so much now, I think they are getting married this week end ...:D
 
If you're looking to spread the cost I have one of these protecting the front of my GS which is very good

http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/Bmw-r1200...976945?hash=item4b17ed54f1:g:CjUAAOSwZjJU6br6

get a fender extender of your choice too- I have the pyramid one but you have to drill the front guard to fit it. for the rear either the mudsling or the hugger will help but won't keep it all off. I have the hugger as I didn't like how the mudsling fitted to the bike with cable ties. Handguard extenders, rad guards, etc the list goes on! Welcome to the world of BMW!
 
Hi, I have a front engine protector for sale in items for sale section, may need a coat of black paint depending on engine colour.
Also a piece of water pipe is needed to protect the centre stand cross bar, its cheapest Mod u can do..
 

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Yes, get a headlight protector, I got the tilting wunderlich one from NN. £800 odd for a new headlight unit... :rob

Evotech rad guards fit straight on... recommended,

Side stand enlarger - I fitted the wunderlich one:D

Fender extends and mudsling are essential :beerjug:

Enjoy farkling the new bike... happy days:friday
 
I think the very first thing to fit is some kind of protection for the cylinder heads. The chances of a tip over never go away, but are at their highest on day one! I went for Machineart Moto X-Heads (also from Nippy Norman). It only takes a brief loss of footing on some grit, gravel, slime, dodgy camber, or whatever and you're a spectator as she makes her way onto her side. I haven't done it yet with this bike, but I'm not complacent.

A sinking sidestand on hot tarmac or less than solid ground will also do it, so Nippy Norman got more of my cash for a Wunderlich Side Stand Extender. So, with the Mudsling & Avant combo, he did ok out of me! :D
 
+1 for the Avant Fender Extender and Mudsling. Expensive for pieces of plastic, but they are very easy to fit and hopefully will do their job (take your bike for a longish ride in the rain without them and you'll see why you need them). I fitted mine only a few days ago. Oh, and we have the same bike and I know exactly what you mean about budget constraints :-)
 
I reckon a headlight guard is just as useful for road use

I've not heard of many, if any, headlight replacements by those who ride solely on the tarmac. But if you want the insurance then go for it.
 


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