New R1200GS

[ranks]

Well,

I wanted to introduce myself and ask a question or two.

I've recently purchased a 2005 R1200GS Red Non-ABS.
It's in the shop today for its 600mi service.

I also own a 2002 - K1200LT and have owned a 2002 Yamaha FZ1(Fazer) and a 2002 Yamah VSTAR. I have 3 years experience on motorcycles and about 45K miles so far.

I found this site from a member I met hear in OKC, OK, USA. He and his wife are from Whales and are touring Route 66 in USA on Harleys. He owns a GS and we met and struck up a conversation at a local resteraunt. I really enjoy this site !!

During the 600 mile service I'm getting the BMW engine guards, and I've purchased a Marsee 25L Tank Bag.

I plan to get some headlite protectors from Touratech.

I've never been off pavement until I got the R1200GS and have been about 10-15 miles on gravel roads so far.

I understand that I need to learn new skills for dirt/gravel/off roading and this bike is not a good learning bike. I plan to stay on two track roads, no single track. I just hate turning around when the pavement ends.

If I were to dump the bike (Which I probably will while learning to ride in the dirt/gravel), will I need the aluminum cylinder head protectors too, or are they more for if you drop it on larger rocks ?

Same question for hand guards regarding the levers.

Also, has anyone installed the fuse block made for the R1200GS that Touratech has that hooks into the canbus to work with the key when the ignition is on ? I've been thinking about one of these, but there site recommends "professional" installation. Is it difficult ?

Thanks

 

[nadeem]

I have taken my bike off-road and have the Touratech Head Guards as well as Hepco & Becker Crash Bars - IMO it's worth having both, as recently when I came off the bike, there were scratches on the crash bars as well as a scrape on one of the head guards...no damage to the bike itself.

As for it not being a good bike to learn off-road - from what I understand that you're doing - i.e. mainly gravel tracks; there shouldn't be a problem...

 

[(RIP) Bin Ridin]

I put the MBW head guards and engine bar loop on mine, may not be the best but that's what is available! It is dead easy to have a minor off in the dirt, and it should be done with smiles, not tears.

 

[kiwiAdventure]

Also, has anyone installed the fuse block made for the R1200GS that Touratech has that hooks into the canbus to work with the key when the ignition is on ? I've been thinking about one of these, but there site recommends "professional" installation. Is it difficult ?

Thanks

Hi and welcome.

I have installed the Touratech fuse box and have my intercom and radar detector connected to it. I installed the small yellow wire to the ancillary socket power wire and fitted the box just to the left of the air cleaner. It works great. I can post a photo if you want.

The 1200 is a very easy bike to ride in gravel. You just have to hang loose and remember to put more power on if you get into thick gravel and you feel the gravel is starting to take over. Never ride in the centre track stay to the side of the road. Dropping your tyre preasure down to 25psi helps as well. If you have aluminium wheels don't drop the preasure below 25psi as you will bend the front rim on rocks.

 

[ClearwaterBMW]

Hi and welcome.

I have installed the Touratech fuse box and have my intercom and radar detector connected to it. I installed the small yellow wire to the ancillary socket power wire and fitted the box just to the left of the air cleaner. It works great. I can post a photo if you want.

a picture would be great
greg

 

[ranks]

I thought I would post a pic.
I too would like to see the pic of the fuse box.

This pic was taken while I was waiting to get insurance verification faxed to me.
I do ATGATT, gear is just in the office.

I just got it back today from 600mile service and had BMW engine guards put on.
Loving every mile on it !!

 

[kiwiAdventure]

Touratech fuse box for 1200gs

Touratech power connects onto battery

Follow the yellow wire

 

[ranks]

Thanks for the pics !

I now have about 1200 happy miles on mine. Finally getting comfortable on dirt/gravel. Have had it up to about 55mph once or twice on light gravel.

 

[kiwiAdventure]

Thanks for the pics !

I now have about 1200 happy miles on mine. Finally getting comfortable on dirt/gravel. Have had it up to about 55mph once or twice on light gravel.

It handles even better the faster you go. It does jump around a bit more than the adventure I had, but a lot better than the 1150gs and 650 dakar.

The only big complanit I have is the high first gear. The adventure has great gearing.

 

[marsellus wallace]

hope you have more luck with your bike than I have had with mine so far-only 400 miles and various bits falling off already-plastic frame bolt cover and more seriously the bolts for the sump guard and very nearly the sump guard itself(I stopped on hearing a scraping noise when cornering to discover it hanging off)Glad it did not come off when I was doing 100 mph on the motorway and run over it with the back wheel!!!

 

[kiwiAdventure]

hope you have more luck with your bike than I have had with mine so far-only 400 miles and various bits falling off already-plastic frame bolt cover and more seriously the bolts for the sump guard and very nearly the sump guard itself(I stopped on hearing a scraping noise when cornering to discover it hanging off)Glad it did not come off when I was doing 100 mph on the motorway and run over it with the back wheel!!!

Whats wrong with your dealer. All these items should have been checked at the PD. I would be asking for reconopense from the dealer.

 

[marsellus wallace]

The dealer is about an hours ride away so I am waiting to see if there are any more problems in the next couple of hundred miles or so and let them fix them all at the 600 mile service.Love the bike though-its a lot more comfy than the ducati 749 I had before.