New GSA on Order . Right Options ???

[TheStig]

Hi All,

I am new around these parts .. Just placed my Order for a Silver & Black 2008 GSA

I've added the following options but have a few questions ..

1. Comfort Pack. ( Heated grips , computer thingy , chrome pipes ).
2. Akrapovic end can .. ( legal , lighter and sounds nice ).
3. ABS.

My first question is related to the ABS .. Not sure if I really want it or not but was advised by the garage that the bike would be more resalable with it .. I have had at least 20 bikes in my history with no brake assistance and I'm wondering if I have done the right thing here !! Any opinions ?

didn't ask the garage this question but thought one of you might know the answer . As I've opted for the Akrapovic will I get the original end-pipe as well ?

And the last question for now is approximately how much are the alloy box panniers for the GSA ( Original BMW ones ). And are there any good alternatives..

First trip we plan to do is just down to the new forest .. Any recommendations for a tent that can be put up in 10 mins and is light and easy to store and waterproof ( Don't think my frame tent will fit on the back ) .. oops thats another question !!

Sorry for all the questions but I guess that’s why we have these wonderful forums.

Cheers

Steve

 

[Loiq]

alright there mr. Stig seems that everyone has one of those victor kyham tents here, it's really quick to put up and blue. Or just use a ground sheet Mondo Enduro style over the bike itself

 

[pedro]

bike

ABS has saved me once in 3 years of GS riding.
I dont see much point of the computer or the chrome pipes, but hey, it's your bike.
Metal Mule maybe as a luggage option, they dont go all pitted like the BMW stuff.
North Face Rock 22 Tent, used one the last couple of years, easy to put up, reasonably priced and never a problem.
enjoy.

 

[WindyChuffer]

Whatever you do, dont go for the bmw panniers and top box. they are claimed to be waterproof, but continually leak like a sieve. Touratech or Metal Mule or other, but not bMW.

 

[Fanum]

ABS....matter of personal choice, you'll hear many say no, many say yes- loads of horror stories, loads of 'it saved me' type stories, but on balance, the dealer is probably right and at the end of the day you can turn it off if you want to...

Heated grips, good one, they are superb- non-bmw panniers also a good call, aftermarket ones are stronger, better made and cheaper.

Also right not to go for the silly, fragile fog lights..again, read up on alternatives here.

Lastly, learn to love the search button- you'll get 20 replies to your questions on this thread, but you'll find 200 on each of your questions by searching for them and with a few hours reading you'll maybe, possibly come up with some answers (not meant to sound negative but you'll only ever find out what the very general concensus is and it's your call, your kit, your circumstances and your money )

PS As a good solid biking tent for sensible money and durability, Khyam often gets the vote

 

[Jockser]

I would say the ABS is important from a resale perspective. Whether you use it or not is up to you

The BMW panniers are what I'd call 'mad money' & not worth it IMO. I use these & think they're the dogs
http://www.cajasahel.com/

Dunno about the original can

And congrats on the bike

 

[Thunder]

Welcome to the collective and congratulations on the new bike.

As far as the ABS goes when I bought my 1200GS in 2006 I specced it without ABS as the version used at that time had servos which I personally did not like, but the current non BS version would be on my shopping list for future retail value and the old "if you only need it once it's paid for itself" line. As has been said lots of opinions and the search button is your friend.

The Akra end can is a BMW dealer fit accessory so you will get the original can as well. Just to confuse things for you a bit more an end can alone makes very little difference to the bike apart from sounding nice and being lighter as the biggest restriction the CAT is in the headers.

If your talking about the complete BMW luggage including top-box from memory you are looking at close to £1200 but it's normal to to and negotiate some discount as you are buying a bike.

Be aware the pannier rails are cheaper if added at the factory with your order rather than buying them afterwards, (£195 compared to £215) and unless your prepared to fit them yourself you could have labour as well.

 

[Blackal]

I'd be very tempted by these panniers:

Motech....

Originally listed by Whatton, I think - in November?

Al

 

[Thunder]

I'd be very tempted by these panniers:

Motech....

Originally listed by Whatton, I think - in November?

Al

The SW-Motech Trax luggage is due for release at the end of March 2008, pricing is pretty competitive and the rack system is available for the 1200GS which would carry across to the GSA.

 

[GSmonkey]

You got the main option right, you got a GS

My take on the options:

-Heated grips are a must, best things ever invented for biking - ever.
-Computer thingy is a bit of a gimmic. Average mph / mpg is a bit useless. Range is ok, but you're only really interested when you've got less than 50 to go, which I think you get without the computer anyway. Temperature gauge...........open your visor!!!
-Chrome pipes are good. Easier to keep clean than the stainless pipes.
-Akra will make the bike sound like a motorbike rather than a sewing machine
-ABS will make the bike more saleable in the future. How much of the £800 you get back is debatable.

The full luggage i.e. panniers and topbox are around £900. Might want to consider waterproof liners for the panniers.

Can recommend a North Face Tadpole as a 1 person tent. Its kept me 100% dry in many a storm, even when the site flooded with 2" of water.

 

[JimboGSA]

I had the 'works' with my 2006 R1200 GSA i.e. ali panniers and top box but with the 2008 1200GSA I'm not going near them. Continually leaked, the finish (bare aluminium) looked awful after about a week of use (no amount of autosol gets them looking good again!) and they are paper thin so when you drop the bike they crease and then they look even worse!!

This time round I'm either going for the touratech zegas as they look more robust, the BMW varios as they can take the knocks much better or the metal mules grey finish ones but don't think they do a box that fits around the exhaust which i prefer.

Wouldnt bother with a topbox, whenever i toured i filled it with tools and stuff which i never used and if the bike had broken down BMW assist is a phone call away.

ABS - IMHO is brilliant on the bike and probs kicks in more than you realise. And of course nearly everyone wants it when you come to sell the bike so an important consideration.

I've gone for the enduro pack as i it has a shorter first gear which suits off-roading. Dynamic and premium packs also, cross brace and pad, higher hand guards and additional power socket.

 

[Deleted Member I]

If you want akro cans and the standard one ... just order the standard one .. I have a brand new akro can (still in box unopened) that I can sell you for £420. I think that is better than what the dealer will sell one to you for.

PM me if interested.

 

[Wapping]

For what it's worth.

1. I get on OK with bog tndard GSA BuMW panniers.

They are easy to put on and off. The seal around the top is not perfect, albeit, someone posted up that BuMW had changed the seal on later models. It lets in a tiny bit of water but with the excellent BuMW inners (so much better than the inners on the vanilla GS) my clothes are always dry. Sometimes though the seal is too good on the top box, so that (following a run up a mountain, say) the top is difficult to open, due to changes in ait pressure. People complain that the seals are too good, sometimes.

OK, they tarnish a bit. So what? The rest of the bike is hardly spotless. Some people, it seems, want shiny but 'ard looking...each to their own.

They may not look as 'rugged' as some of the aftermarket boxes but as I only go to France, Italy, Spain, Turkey on, near enough, solid or light off-roading roads, it's hardly hardcore, is it? I see an 1150 most mornings with full M Mules, that never goes beyond Croydon.

2. Both my GS and GSA were BuMW factory fitted with Remus full systems (no cat) and end cans. I did not receive the original down pipe nor end cans. I guess it's a bit like ordering electric seats as an option in a tin top; you don't get the standard seats as well.

3. There are loads of tents out there and about as many opinion on which are best as there are on panniers, GPS, tyres, helmets and (whisper).....oil. Just go and look at a few, you'll find one that suits you in about an hour.

 

[Deleted Member I]

Croydon is pretty hardcore and rough!!

 

[TheStig]

Well thanks guy for all the useful advice..

Think I will leave the BMW panniers well alone.. I do like the look of the SW-Motech Trax luggage… Just need to cost it up now..

Went onto the Khyam web site and looked at the mini video for the Khyam Igloo .. Totally amazed how fast you can put up a tent these days.

Thanks again

Steve

 

[Rushy]

Best accessories

Passport

Travel Insurance

Credit Card

Enough income to clear the credit card bill quickly afterwards.

 

[Wapping]

Well thanks guy for all the useful advice..

Think I will leave the BMW panniers well alone.. I do like the look of the SW-Motech Trax luggage… Just need to cost it up now..

Went onto the Khyam web site and looked at the mini video for the Khyam Igloo .. Totally amazed how fast you can put up a tent these days.

Thanks again

Steve

Good call.

From the pictures at least, the Motech Trax luggage looks remarkably similar to the standard BuMW GSA panniers (same shape, similar carrier frame etc.). The BuMW ones are made by Touratech. It's possible, I guess, that Motech have simply bought a licence to make the things?