New bike protection 1200 GSA

[Davy Doherty]

So what would you recommend i buy to protect me new bike from weekly "road only" riding, Its a 30th 1200 GSA, There's such a huge range to chose from it's doing my head in, I'm not interested in gadgets (yet) but think it wise to try and protect things like the shox and ?..... it's still at the dealers so never been on the road yet, This is my first BMW so i'm not fimillar with whats good and whats not,whats pratical and whats not. Thanks for any help/advice..

 

[Dainese Brave]

Hi Davey,

...and welcome.

When you say protection, do you mean from water/mud/grime from the road?...or protection of vulnerable parts?

Muck-wise, most will recommend a Mudsling...available from Nippy Normans, on the banner above....this is a shroud for the area above the back wheel. I've got one, as have many, and I think they are great, but expensive.

I also think fitting side panels to the side framework makes a huge difference...these are again available from Nippy Normans, or direct from Wunderlich, or Touratech, depending on which design you prefer.

As for protecting vulnerable equipment...there are hundreds of options available, that protect near enough everything...how much is necessary, and how much is bling, is down to personal choice.

Personally I think a little tinkering is ok.

Now you've bought a BMW, you will soon be aware of Wunderlich, Touratech, and Nippy Normans, as you personalise your bike, and you'll soon be getting the catologues, and the parts that follow!

Hope that helped.

Ride safe.

 

[GADGET]

Get some ACF-50, spray it everywhere, apart from the brakes and tyres

 

[Davy Doherty]

Thanks lads, so ACF-50, Where do i get it? is it a spray can job will one can do?
I'll also get the mudsling and the side panels,
Are there any quailty differences from either of the makers, which is the better quality?

Should i try to protect any of the electrical areas?.

Thanks for the advice lads. being a noob sometimes means asking dumb Qs.

 

[Bryn]

Nippy Norman for the ACF50 again, and it won't do any harm on the electrics either....

Check out the link on the top of the page... Norman does Wunderlich stuff as well , and google Touratech

I've got a mudsling from Nippy Normans ... if you order all the bits from the same place should save you on postage ..

 

[Davy Doherty]

Rembering i've had the bike lowered by 55mm will the mudslinger work? should i get a rad protector and something for the headlight i've seen clear plastic or grill type which is best? If i can get all from the same place i will.

 

[GreatScott]

Rembering i've had the bike lowered by 55mm will the mudslinger work? should i get a rad protector and something for the headlight i've seen clear plastic or grill type which is best? If i can get all from the same place i will.

Can't help with the lowering issue but some form of crud protection is a good idea. I have a fender extender on the front which is also worth a look at.

The shiny rad thing is not necessary - which is why I got one , but does look good, if you like that sorta thing. You won't need a headlight guard if you don't plan to go off road, but again you might like the look of them, especially the grill type

You can get cylinder protectors, which I don't think are standard on the 30's (or any of them) but are worth it if like me you dismount unconventionally every now and then and you can also get engine bars but are perhaps not necessary.

If you can afford it get the aux lights.

Whether you bling it up or not it is a great bike and you'll love. Personally I would spend the money on a petrol and a ferry ticket and bugger off for a few weeks and worry about what extras to get later.

 

[Davy Doherty]

Unfortunatly i'll be picking the bike up putting it in the garage then i'm off to the States for a short break, BUT when i get home i going to head off to the south of France for a couple of weeks on it to see what it's made off.

Is there a mount for my TT or would i need one of them also?

ACF-50
mudslinger
Sidepanels
Aux lights
Cylinder protectors

 

[Bryn]

Unfortunatly i'll be picking the bike up putting it in the garage then i'm off to the States for a short break, BUT when i get home i going to head off to the south of France for a couple of weeks on it to see what it's made off.

Is there a mount for my TT or would i need one of them also?

ACF-50
mudslinger
Sidepanels
Aux lights
Cylinder protectors

What do you mean by mount for my TT

 

[Dainese Brave]

Hi Davey,

If you look at the Nippy Normans site they have just about everything you need..and maybe don't need but like the look off.

But also google Touratech and get a catalogue posted to you..do the same with Wunderlich...although Nn (Nippy Normans) can supply them as well I think.

Quality-wise, I prefer Wunderlich as a general rule...but which can be better is dependant on the item sometimes.

Acf-50 can also be bought from Hein Gericke.

Headlamp protectors are a cautionary measure, again more determined by taste than need...I don't think there are many cases of damage to headlights unless you're off roading...but please be aware that the mesh type are for 'Off Road Use Only', but I've never heard of anyone being grief for having them on?

I think you have to realise the GSA is a rugged bike straight from the factory, so really needs very little....most of the additions are mainly bling, or taste...some are practical, some are just to give the 'World traveller' look.

But we all change bits and pieces to suit our style, and enjoy doing it.

I don't also think you should listen to too much scare mongering about 'issues'....just ride the bike and enjoy it....it is a cracking bike.

 

[Dainese Brave]

Your Gsa comes with aux lights, and cylinder protectors.

 

[Bryn]

You could consider the BMW clear headlamp protector... £45 ish including a replacement headlamp surround... the perspex bit pushes on using 4 grommets....

 

[Davy Doherty]

What do you mean by mount for my TT

Sorry i should have been more clear, I see on some bikes a sort of crossbar fitted above the instrument panel with the satnavs mounted to them, are these a bolt on job or is it part of the bike.

At this point i'm not interested in bling, i only want to make sure the bike has the best possible protection i can get before it goes on the road.

 

[Davy Doherty]

Your Gsa comes with aux lights, and cylinder protectors.

Proof i am a noob Thanks, Now that's two items off the list although i'm sure theres two or more to replace them!

 

[Bryn]

Sorry i should have been more clear, I see on some bikes a sort of crossbar fitted above the instrument panel with the satnavs mounted to them, are these a bolt on job or is it part of the bike.

At this point i'm not interested in bling, i only want to make sure the bike has the best possible protection i can get before it goes on the road.

Ah, you mean one of these... but the GSA has a cross brace on the screen that will do the job, so you won't need one

 

[Bryn]

In fact said GSA part in action

 

[Davy Doherty]

That's the one, Thanks. At this rate it looks like i need very little then. except longer legs!!

 

[Bryn]

That's the one, Thanks. At this rate it looks like i need very little then. except longer legs!!

You won't get them from Touratech or Nippy's

 

[Davy Doherty]

Why not it looks like he sells everything else

 

[Giles]

Consider getting an oil cooler guard.

I'm not one for farkles and bike bling. Quite the contrary, it tickles me that some of the GS(A) riders kit their bikes out with god knows what, and ride thinking their Indiana Jones.

A recent trip with two other bikes left two huge dents in my oil cooler from flicked up gravel - very lucky not to pierce it.

I wish I'd fitted one from new now.

A knackered cooler from a stone won't be covered under warranty, will strand you at the side of the road and will cost you £200? £250? to replace.