New here. Ordering question.

[Rupert Jordan]

Hello you lot. I'm seriously considering selling my KTM 990 SMR and getting a GS. It'll be a vanilla model, but I was wondering if there are any essential extras I should include (crash bars, for example)?

I visited the Park Lane dealer and was told it'll have to be ordered from the factory and that it'll be a 2014 model (which'll include the steering damper and the ride modes).

Thanks, and apologies if this has been answered elsewhere.

Rupert.

 

[Daxaar]

From now on Cruise Control will be an essential extra on every motorcycle I plan to do decent mileage on.

I think I hear a Luddite stampede heading in my direction.

 

[batman1]

You don't need a bike with cruise control.....until you have owned one!

I use my cruise button all of the time now, it's not a gimmick any more but a really useful tool, however I would not have said this before I had the new GS cruise.

My Triumph Explorer had cruise and although okay it was no where near as easy to operate as the GS-LC version which is great for holding my speed down through villages when riding cross country.

 

[dave hendy]

From now on Cruise Control will be an essential extra on every motorcycle I plan to do decent mileage on.

I think I hear a Luddite stampede heading in my direction.

+1

You know you want one!

 

[Wapping]

....... as the GS-LC version which is great for holding my speed down through villages when riding cross country.

I'm surprised BMW do not add that quality to their over excited sales blurb. 'Tame the monster through Lower Piddle on Wye, then unleash the beast within'.




Unlike the conventional throttle control and your finely tuned instincts, then?

In short, you would rather endanger yourself (and possibly others) by regularly riding through villages at a fixed speed of say 30 MPH, rather than riding through in a conventional manner, varying your speed as circumstances (and common sense) dictated.


Yup, OP the cruise control (at least on the 1600) is an excellent device. Flick it on on an unbusy motorway and the empty miles become a joy without compare. Flick it on again and surprise bikers by waving over excitedly with both arms (or do comedy rifle shooting actions in their direction) as you pass. With luck one of them will go into the ditch, such will be their amazement or outright terror.

 

[Hammy]

+1

The cruise control is tremendous and, if i can afford it, ill never have a bike without it.

It has also had the added benefit of slowing me down. I very seldom speed now, whereas before this bike it was the exact opposite

I also fitted crash bars and r&g protectors to fit on the handlebars

 

[Jotski]

If your using the GS offroad I strongly recommend

-engine crash guards ( I like touratech version)
-radiator guards
-headlight protector
-enduro foot pegs if you are planning to do any distance on your feet
-depending on your height you might be comfortable with bar rises
-side stand large foot
- gas tank (fill up with premium before you go into the bush )

If your using the bike for on road touring you don't need any of above unless you like bling

 

[stubox]

Flick it on again and surprise bikers by waving over excitedly with both arms (or do comedy rifle shooting actions in their direction) as you pass. With luck one of them will go into the ditch, such will be their amazement or outright terror.

Have to confess to doing that on the RT when bored....

However OP the LED headlight is a great bit of kit if you're doing early mornings or late evenings, the spread of light is excellent.
ESA ... as a solo rider I wouldn't bother again, works well enough but don't really use it once set up for my preference.
Computer pro...if you've no music it does stave off boredom on a long journey.

 

[Engineer]

Hello you lot. I'm seriously considering selling my KTM 990 SMR and getting a GS. It'll be a vanilla model, but I was wondering if there are any essential extras I should include (crash bars, for example)?

I visited the Park Lane dealer and was told it'll have to be ordered from the factory and that it'll be a 2014 model (which'll include the steering damper and the ride modes).

Thanks, and apologies if this has been answered elsewhere.

Rupert.

Heated grips are the only essential extra - you will regret it if you don't get them.

I have a vanilla model and it is brill - no silly ride modes for me, or a girly steering damper

 

[MrB-239]

+1 also for cruise control. Very easy to use and is great for town - especially passing the speed cameras. Came down from Scotland on a 550 mile journey in 8 hours and the cruise was just brilliant on the long dull motorways.

I'm not convinced about the LED light. My bike has all the bells and whistles that the TE does with the exception of TPM and LED. The daytime running light on the standard non-LED light is just great and using it at night it's most definitely the best headlight I've ever used on a bike. Night into Day.

or do comedy rifle shooting actions in their direction

Really funny Wapping. LMAO. Must try that sometime!

 

[batman1]

In short, you would rather endanger yourself (and possibly others) by regularly riding through villages at a fixed speed of say 30 MPH, rather than riding through in a conventional manner, varying your speed as circumstances (and common sense) dictated.

....surprise bikers by waving over excitedly with both arms (or do comedy rifle shooting actions in their direction) as you pass. With luck one of them will go into the ditch, such will be their amazement or outright terror.[/QUOTE]

Wapping, only you could write both of the above contradicting statements on the same page!

Enough said!

 

[Pathologic]

Essential mod+-

Receipt from SBW or Coopers BMW. North or South Doesn't matter (East or west is fine by me too). Just avoid Mayfair BMW. Crap sales and eye watering mechanics rates (when you get that far). Don't ask how I know.
Shake the dust of your feet and walk away.

Enjoy the new bike. Bling or not.

regards,

Path.

 

[Nutty]

There are no essential options, as the basic bike will function perfectly well, but spec a TE if you can, and this will include the LED headlight, DESA, and cruise control, which are nice to have.

 

[WindyChuffer]

Take a visit to Vines of Guildford and go see Dave...

Crash bars / Cruise / heated grips are all essential IMHO.

 

[Nice 'n' Fat]

gas tank (fill up with premium before you go into the bush )

As the OP lives in that there London would that be Sheppards Bush to which you are referring?

 

[dave hendy]

Take a visit to Vines of Guildford and go see Dave...

Crash bars / Cruise / heated grips are all essential IMHO.

Or Alan! He's sold me 4 of my 6 bmw's, all 6 from Vines.

 

[twizzle]

Petrol, just ride the feckin thing...

 

[Wapping]

In short, you would rather endanger yourself (and possibly others) by regularly riding through villages at a fixed speed of say 30 MPH, rather than riding through in a conventional manner, varying your speed as circumstances (and common sense) dictated.

....surprise bikers by waving over excitedly with both arms (or do comedy rifle shooting actions in their direction) as you pass. With luck one of them will go into the ditch, such will be their amazement or outright terror.

Wapping, only you could write both of the above contradicting statements on the same page!

Enough said!

It was a joke, designed to amuse and, who knows, spark some sort of reaction. It seems to have worked. Two bods got it.... And you reacted.

Now it's your turn.

 

[Wreford Miles]

It was a joke, designed to amuse and, who knows, spark some sort of reaction. It seems to have worked. Two bods got it.... And you reacted.

Now it's your turn.

You tell him batman...

Erm that's that's wapping is batman for telling batman, not an invite for batman to tell wapping but if batman did and it was good then I might say you tell him batman for batman with the use if batman being a term for recognition for ( go on son give it some etc...) rather than saying you tell him 'your name' batman

Enough said.... ( what a wank thing to say )

Does a vanilla model have heated grips, if no Id say tick that box first and then consider other options

 

[Fluffy]

Hmmmm, not sure I follow.

is it like "FISH AND CHIPS"?

Where the 'gap' between "Fish" and "AND" and "AND" and "CHIPS" is too great?

That's 'and' five times in a row, don't think I can do better?

I may be off topic....