Newbie 1150 questions!

[Captain Puke]

Afternoon all,

Just started a job in Barcelona, decided a '03 1150 GSA would be just the job. Bought, new tyres, mot and washed, put away. Now back at work and planning my drive down through France next week (leaving on the 10th).

Have had bikes for years but never a beats like this! So, my apologies, a few newbie questions...

Is the dash top easy to remove? I use my iphone as a sat nav and use the quad lock system - I'd like to mount it up high above the clocks, I have some quad lock mounts on the way and want to fix one to a flat piece of metal and hopefully have this protrude out between the clocks and the dash - is access easy? Anywhere good to mount the bracket to? I'm away from the bike until Friday the 7th so forward planning is v. useful.

The bike came with the BMW black plastic 'touring panniers' - I'm aware the ally boxes are de rigeur but I'll mainly be using it as a work commuter so won't be using that often. What would, however, be more use is a top box - is there a way to buy a matching one (i.e. who made the OEM versions?) - assume I'll need a mounting plate adapted too...

Bike also came with a bagster (or baglux?) tanks cover.... I've taken it off to clean and inspect, thinking should I put it back on or not? What's the crack with these in hot weather? Protect the tank from the sun, or make things even hotter (it'll be living outside in Barcelona).

Other than that, just gonna check the fluids and head down there... Hopefully no dramas!

Thanks in advance

Luke

 

[MikeO]

Get yourself a Migsel mount - fits around the speedometer and gives you a RAM mount ball exactly where you want it. Fitted and removed without any need to drill, cut or alter the bike.

 

[markkfletcher]

I tried various methods of mounting my phone over the clocks, and never quite satisfied. Now I use a standard RAM mount on the handlebars.
The OEM topbox is not well thought of. I think the big Givi trekker Outback 58 topbox is the best option, and will do instead of panniers most of the time, but it is a bit expensive. You can pick up the Givi trekker 52 much cheaper, and it is almost as good, if less attractive.

 

[Captain Puke]

Cheers guys. I'm committed to using quadlock (have serval other mounts across other vehicles and bikes), just need to make sure I use a piece of sheet metal thick enough to avoid vibrations.

Thanks Mark, will have a look at the 52/58 options. Assume any top box will need an adapter plate - there's none that go straight on the subframe?

 

[gog]

Gog5y has a GSA top box for sale:

http://www.ukgser.com/forums/showthread.php/456634-BMW-R1150-GSA-Aluminium-Top-box

see the last post. not sure if he sold it to King Rat though.

 

[Gog5y]

Gog5y has a GSA top box for sale:

http://www.ukgser.com/forums/showthread.php/456634-BMW-R1150-GSA-Aluminium-Top-box

see the last post. not sure if he sold it to King Rat though.

Thanks Gog,

I have promised it to King Rat but am still working away down in South Africa for another two weeks. If he doesn't want it I will contact Capt Puke.

Good forum this.

Cheers, Gog5y

 

[srao]

What would, however, be more use is a top box - is there a way to buy a matching one (i.e. who made the OEM versions?) - assume I'll need a mounting plate adapted too...

Thanks in advance

Luke

If you want OEM black plastic top box to match your side panniers, I have one available including the mounting plate, PM me if interested..

 

[johndglynn]

I would leave the tank cover on, it could save the tank edges getting ruined when/if the bike hits the deck (saved mine). Heat is not an issue.

I have ally boxes but never use them: the top box is too small IMHO. I have big Givis on my VFR and they are much more useful - Trekker is probably the best one to use on a GSA.

I have the lockable BMW sat mount on the crossbar on my bars - works OK but the location will be much better where you are thinking. Dash top comes off no problem.

Enjoy the ride and share some pics if you are taking the scenic route.

 

[Captain Puke]

Cheers guys. Tank cover to go back on, trekker 52 top box on order, looking forward to the trip down now! Will post some photos once I get there.

 

[Comfy Old Boots]

The tank cover also holds a baglux tank bag, which, depending upon your storage requirments, could remove the need for a topbox?

 

[MikeO]

Cheers guys. I'm committed to using quadlock (have serval other mounts across other vehicles and bikes), just need to make sure I use a piece of sheet metal thick enough to avoid vibrations.

The RAM mount still allows you to use your Quadlock - chap here has done so. The MiGSel mount is a secure and steady base for your modification - exactly where you describe wanting it. The threaded RAM ball can also be unscrewed, if you wanted to fabricate something else...