New bike on thursday

[LittleJohn]

Hi everyone, just found this site today and having a good look around.

I have just bought my first BMW bike and will pick it up on thursday and am really looking forward to it. I am crossing over from a Honda Deauville NT 700, which I have been riding from new for the last two years (first bike in 30 years).

I initially went to test ride a F 800 ST Touring but hated the riding position after 5 minutes riding. Went back in and the dealer suggested a F 650 GS. I found this bike taking me back to my teens, it was so comfortable and fun, I was hooked.

Got talking a bit more about options (frames and seat heights) and then had a ride on a new 2011 model R1200 GS which felt even better on the 45 minutes I had it out.

So there we are. I have read the threads about "running in" and will have a good read of the manual and compare it to the other option, but any other comments or suggestions would be appreciated.

I look forward to a new riding experience and challenges on the GS for the next few years.

 

[thosoneill]

hi and welcome to the forum - only advice i can give is just don't drop it - the r1200gs is relatively heavy - i bought a side stand extension - you know like a hockey puck - similar to this -
http://www.nippynormans.com/product...-2006-on-including-2010-on-bikes-grp-sse126gs
theres lots of other bling of which i am sure you are aware - i recommend a mudsling - fenda extenda and the oem tankbag - anyway enjoy your new bike and safe riding

 

[Morticia]

hi and welcome to the forum - only advice i can give is just don't drop it - the r1200gs is relatively heavy - i bought a side stand extension - you know like a hockey puck - similar to this -
http://www.nippynormans.com/product...-2006-on-including-2010-on-bikes-grp-sse126gs
theres lots of other bling of which i am sure you are aware - i recommend a mudsling - fenda extenda and the oem tankbag - anyway enjoy your new bike and safe riding

Hiya and welcome to the site, I agree with Thosoneill the side stand extension is well worth it. I got mine from Nippynormans and it arrived within a couple of days.

Enjoy your bike
Morticia

 

[LittleJohn]

Thanks guys,

I did notice that the side stand was a bit fiddly to kick out, so the extension may help with that.

One other thing I noticed, as I tend to ride with my hands right at the end of the bars was trying to reach the indicator cancel switch (STC) was awkward with smaller hands. Any suggestions there? I have been used to one combined switch on the left side.

There seems to be lots of add-on gizmos out there, so maybe something to extend the length of the STC switch or I could just leave it to self cancel.

 

[MikeS]

My 2007 1200 GS had self cancelling indicators so yours should have to, you just have to wait a second. It works in most cases but not all so you will still have to do it manually occaisionally.

 

[v8legend]

No more waiting, todays the day!

Have fun.

 

[CuzGS]

Enjoy today LJ

 

[LittleJohn]

Hiya and welcome to the site, I agree with Thosoneill the side stand extension is well worth it. I got mine from Nippynormans and it arrived within a couple of days.

Enjoy your bike
Morticia

I see what you mean about the side stand extension, it does seem to lean a bit far over to the left. What is the dimension of this extension piece?

Got the first hundred miles out of the way today, but will be away for about a week before I can concentrate on "running it in" for the 600 mile service. I had hoped to do it within a few days but been called back to work.

I did look at the rear wheel mudslinger but it says not recommended for use on lowered suspension (is that the same as the lowered seat option?)

thanks

 

[thosoneill]

I see what you mean about the side stand extension, it does seem to lean a bit far over to the left. What is the dimension of this extension piece?
I did look at the rear wheel mudslinger but it says not recommended for use on lowered suspension (is that the same as the lowered seat option?)

don't really know the dimension of the nippy norman side stand extention however i recommend that you get one - factory lowered suspension is different to the low seat option - if you have the low seat option you can still fit a mudsling

 

[LittleJohn]

don't really know the dimension of the nippy norman side stand extention however i recommend that you get one - factory lowered suspension is different to the low seat option - if you have the low seat option you can still fit a mudsling

Thanks thosoneill,

my invoice says "Seat Height Reduction" and the BMW web site bike spec says "low seat 820 mm, lowered suspension 790 mm". Will clarify that with the dealer.

 

[LittleJohn]

Thanks thosoneill,

my invoice says "Seat Height Reduction" and the BMW web site bike spec says "low seat 820 mm, lowered suspension 790 mm". Will clarify that with the dealer.[/QUOTE

The dealer has clarified that the Seat Height Reduction includes the Lowered Suspension, so the mudslinger type guard is definetley not suitable for me.

Anyone know of an alternative that would work?

 

[mercuryf1]

Hiya and welcome to the site, I agree with Thosoneill the side stand extension is well worth it. I got mine from Nippynormans and it arrived within a couple of days.
Morticia

What would be a better buy? getting the side stand extension or the Cameltoe sidestand bigfoot?

 

[LittleJohn]

What would be a better buy? getting the side stand extension or the Cameltoe sidestand bigfoot?

The side stand extension reduces the lean over angle, the camel toe extension spreads the load of the bike on softer ground.

I dont think the camel toe piece is anywhere as "thick" as the other. Two different uses as I see it!

 

[Stretchamus]

Welcome and Good Luck with the Bike

Best regards Stretch

PS It took me at least a thousand miles to ge used to the indicator canceller