New Adv questions

[Fanum]

I've stumped up for a new ADV that's coming into Prestiges next week for delivery on the 23rd (was going to be the 24th but I figured the 23rd should be the Eynsford meet and I fancied that on a brand new shiny bike....ya never know, I might even drop the fekker in the ford )

I have a few days to settle on details though and have a couple of things I'd like to seek opinions on please.....

1) Alarm... I'll get a 50 odd quid discount and as the bike is going to be either on te road out front or locked up in the back garden, an alarm seems sensible......

Prestige have offered a Datatool 3 fitted for £385........
It's a nice alarm with the specs i'd want.....

Secure PIN override - set your own PIN to disarm if you lose transmitter
Selectable silent or audible arming signal
Intelligent auto sleep mode - protects battery voltage level
Hazard light function - activated by remote control
Minimal current drain - 2mA in standard mode
Compact single unit installation
Selectable siren tone - eight tone options
Internal Power Siren - dBA 117
Ferry mode - allows bike to be easily moved
Service mode - removes security functions during repair or service
Key Fix - attach key firmly to remote control without modification
Resin enclosed control board - absolute weather protection
Three year warranty

But £385 fitted is dear.....the first poke at Google turned up the same unit fitted for £280.......a few quid i could deal with but 100 notes is a bit much.....I'll speak to Prestige to see if they will cut the price a bit but first off, any comments on this model or viable reliable alternatives, fitters etc?

(the £280 was from HERE )

2) Lights.....yeah yeah I know, lights again..........
I'll probably end up with a Migsel and some nce units mounted on it but for the time being, with the time constraint (ok, i mean with me being an impatient bastidge), I quite fancy a set of these.....

The main attraction for me is the super bright led's for daytime permanent running...I have several led torches so I know the led lights are nice and bright yet not offensively glaring for oncoming traffic.......Prestige have agreed to fit them (yeah yeah ok again....I'm not afraid to get stuck in but initially I Want to be able to be out of the shop and off for a dirty weekend on the beasty) and I havent seen anything other than a casual reference to this type of lamp here.

I can get a set, inc fitting kit, three way rocker switch etc for 29.99 locally so this seems like a good quick fix, mounted to the crash bars that are coming as standard with the bike.

So....anyone tried them, seen them, hate them etc?


Lastly, any thoughts or comments for collection day??
I'm reasonably switched on about some stuff so i'll certainly give the tyres a good kicking, but is there anything that you've found after a PDI that i should be specifically looking for, or things that an expectant owner-to-be like me should be asking now while i have the chance???

Thanks in advance.........

Fanum


AND YES ITS A BLEEDIN SILVER ONE!!!!!!

 

[MikeO]

Fanum,

alarm sounds a bit expensive. Have a look at the Meta M357T - it's performed flawlessly for 2 years on my Adv - website is here.

Let me know if you want the wiring diagram for the lights (it's for 2 pairs, but you'll probably end up wanting that, if you ride at night much....) - you my wish to consider a motoswitch from Rob Farmer rather than trusting to the water resistance of a rocker switch.

Eynsford is on the 22nd, BTW......

Mike

 

[Fanum]

Yes please Mike.........

Fanum@vichem.co.uk

Thanks!!

The Meta page comes up black but I'll look up the model on google...ta for that.

I realised about Eynsford as soon as i refreshed and found the new post on it.......BUGGER!!!!

I'll have to speak to Prestige again and see if they can pull me forwards another day........

 

[Mick_rw]

Thats..

I am sure SPC charged me £300 for fitting this alarm

what they charged me for mine.

Mick

 

[Fanum]

Mike...Doesn't appear to be an overide on the Meta......I don't like the idea of being stuffed if it does go tits up....or is there a way round it?

And thanks for the Datatool price info chaps.....gives me some amunition to throw at Prestige at the very least.....if they cant shift down significantly SPC's are only an hour away.

 

[Bob Jeffries]

Fanum

I'm sure you'll enjoy your great new bike (even if it's the wrong colour ).

I had the Meta 357T fitted by BVM for £300 (the Datatool should be the same price - Carol Nash Insurance will fit one at your home for £300 and were including a free pager just before Xmas).

Have fun

 

[MikeO]

Fanum,

Wiring diagram sent. Correct link for Meta is here - don't know what went wrong there

Meta has a manual disarm (turning the ignition on & off in a given sequence) in case of a remote failure, but it doesn't have a complete bypass - not been an issue as I've not needed it, but if it's a must-have feature then the Datatool may be the best solution.

My Meta was fitted 'by accident' to my bike (2 GSes being delivered the same day - mechanic told to 'fit an alarm to the GS' - extrapolate what happened ) - so it only cost me £120. They seem to be fitted by franchised fitters and the standard price seems to be £300ish.....

Mike

 

[Deadskin]

The main attraction for me is the super bright led's for daytime permanent running

Don't the new ADv's have permanent head lights on
ie no turn off switch

BTW congrats on yer new steed

 

[franco]

Perma lights.

Yup. You can't switch the lights off on mine, they're always on dipped beam.....Bit of a pain, as often, I see cars driving with no lights on, and there's no obvious way to warn them now. Flashing the lights onto main beam just confuses them....

 

[mrTickle]

Only thing I adjusted after Prestige PDI'd my Adventure, was to adjust the rear brake pedal -I found it had too much travel as delivered. Other than that, it was perfect.

Enjoy your new bike & hopefully see you at Eyensford

 

[Pipe Major]

Alarming News
DATATOOL SYSTEM 3 IT'S THE DOG'S BOLLOCKS
After scouring the web I narrowed it down to one company, Peak Security Systems,Tel:01162 718384. Who I understand are based in the Leicester area, the local installations personnel that they put me in touch with was a chap by the name of Roy Collins, just as a matter of interest Roy , is the proprietor of Roy Collins Motorcycle security, and as luck has it here is his mobile number : write it on a bit of paper and do your self a favour and keep it in a safe place I guarantee you will not be disappointed 07778 149874.
The only thing left to say is TOP JOB, TOP MAN at reasonable rates,
Tradesmen of this standard are unfortunately a dying breed.
PS. NO we are not related

 

[Fanum]

Update on this lot......

Went for the alarm from Prestige....there was a day's delay in getting the ADV so I couldnt bring it to Eynsford last week, but they gave me their loaner for the day so that was ok.

Alarm was done for £320......slightly more than I could have had it done for but as it was a 'one stop shop' type thing and its all through Prestige, 20 quid was worth it in terms of lost hours travelling elsewhere and having to potentially deal with two different dealers or installer/dealers in case of probs.....(Mike...the overide is an issue for me....I spent too many hours helping patrols sort alarm/immobiliser probs when i was with the AA to forget how annoying it is to not be able to override one)

(plus I got a nice deal on a Tourgaurd suit....35% felt nice )

The lights....As Mr T said, they're permanently on....I dont have a problem with this but Prestige didnt fit my fancy Superbright led's 'cos of having to drill holes in the crash bars to mount them (and a problem with how to wire them with the perma-on sides) to which I obviously said no.....so I'm trying to speak to Rob about a migsel bar and set of ff50's to use in conjunction with them....this should give me permanent OE sidelights together with permanent LED's (I've wired them up on my desktop and they do look like they'll be excellent..will post pics when finally sorted) and the fogs (with leds too ) or spots depending on the motoswitch and main beam being on/off........this should about cover the ighting I reckon , and I still really like the Superbright leds.

Panniers are hopefully beaing beaten out soon by Vern....if he'll ever forgive me for getting his initials posted for piss-taking , and I'm weighing up the Tobinators option (BTW Tobers...someone on Advrider just dropped 'tobinators' in a thread as if they are a standard well known thing, which indeed they are...but from a merkin in a normal question , thats gotta make you smile )....I did a motorway trip up to Market Harborough last weekend and the buffeting wasnt too bad.....at least in comparison with previous bikes.......so I think i'll give it a few k's first then re-assess.

OOOO......should I mention I droppped...no, laid her down today??

Heheh......'twas funny actually....went to Laguna's in Maidstone to try on a Tour-x they'd ordered in for my elephantine head.....they have a slight dip in the road camber to entrance...going backwards into it gave me a 'moment' when my toes suddenly lost contact with the ground, but I was balanced and just rolled back 'till I hit terra firma again.......but on the way out (after chatting to three guys in a row about how good the bike is heheh.....that was a nice feeling having people admiring her) ...I hadn't increased the idle and as it's a cold and shitty wet day, managed to stall as I pulled forwards over the dip.......over she went, but fortunately in control....at about 25 degrees from vertical I knew I couldnt hold her up so I lowered her down.

Luckily there was a large chappy on hand who helped me lift her up and off I shot......zero damage and a wry smile on my face.....I think I'm going to do it again, but deliberatley, and on soft ground so I can practice picking her up on my own.

Overall, I'm a very very happy chappy......even with the weather being so shit, Ive only got another 150 miles to put in before the 600 mile post pdi service that I booked for 10 days after delivery.......I'll do that easily tommorrow, and in the last few days have discovered that I'm now totally waterproof, toasty warm (blubber helps ) and that getting a new ADV was a fuggin good decision.

By the cringe aren't those heated grips frikkin hot on position 2!!!



So thanks all, I know I've been around here longer than the brand new ADV may suggest but all the advice and tips, help and humour have made it all a very good experience, and one that will no doubt continue for a long time.....and to any new guys thinking of going for the 'GS Thing', I'd say unreservedly 'go for it'.....lurk a while, post here, ask silly questions, absorb the experience and advice, then go and get your wallet out.........you won't regret it

 

[TaffyScouser]

WHY SPEND £385 ON AN ALARM FOR A £50 DISCOUNT. Send me a cheque fore £300 and I will send you one back for £50 asap.

Are you going to keep the bike 6-7 years to re coup the money?

If they want it they will get it alarm or not.

Locks much better IMHO.

 

[wessie]

the P&Qs of Meta v Datatool were discussed in a recent thread on uk.rec.motorcycles

Someone posted a link to Sola-larms who now do Thatcham approved alarms.

Read the whole thread via this Google link

 

[Honister]

Fanum

Your quote:

"So thanks all, I know I've been around here longer than the brand new ADV may suggest but all the advice and tips, help and humour have made it all a very good experience, and one that will no doubt continue for a long time.....and to any new guys thinking of going for the 'GS Thing', I'd say unreservedly 'go for it'.....lurk a while, post here, ask silly questions, absorb the experience and advice, then go and get your wallet out.........you won't regret it "

Thanks - sounds like good practical advice. Got a reserve on a new GS Adv in something called Al Ag - I understand it could be the wrong colour- just need a test ride when snow, gales and downpours stop to confirm and stop procrastinating.

 

[Tobers]

Hi Fanum,

I'd concur with Rob Farmer's Motoswitch for switching the additional lights on and off. I usually run my bike with just the standard headlight on, but if I'm in traffic or filtering, I switch on my additional lights which makes a big difference with people noticing you (didn't stop Mr Twat nearly swiping me on the M4 on Friday though - missed by about half an inch).

For some reason, I really enjoy using the Motoswitch. It's a bit irrational I know, but I'm a simple bloke and the switch does the trick very nicely. Get the one with the two colour LED so you know if the buggers are switched on or not.

Re the Advrider mention of Tobinators - the guys on there are just great. If they have something they like, they tell everyone. If they dont like it, they tell everyone. 60% of Tobinators go to the USA as a result

 

[Fanum]

WHY SPEND £385 ON AN ALARM FOR A £50 DISCOUNT. Send me a cheque fore £300 and I will send you one back for £50 asap.

Are you going to keep the bike 6-7 years to re coup the money?

If they want it they will get it alarm or not.

Locks much better IMHO.

Andy..I didn't..I paid 320 in the end....plus the insurance discount....and yes, i probably will keep her for that time so it may well be recouped anyway.

And yes, I use a lock too...Oxford Gold Monster...and this week a bit of my back garden's being 'creted over and a dirty great ground anchor is being put in.

Yes the alarm is expensive and no, most people don't take any notice of them, but I'm going to be using the bike in and around central London a fair bit so it seemed wise.....I really dont want to lose this thing to some low-life tea-leaves.