R1100GS Touratech Revamp, anyone??

[Phluppe]

Had asked this question on Advrider to, thinking there'd be a whole bunch of them, but it isn't.

So, has anyone changed his R1100GS to a Revamp, and what are the findings afterwards? Is it really lighter, and can you feel the difference in riding, on tarmac as wel as all-road/off-road? How about the windprotection, 'cause I still want it to be able to do long distances, it's still gonna be a travel enduro?

Grtz, Philip.

 

[ahutcheon]

What differences are you expecting? Looking at Touratech's web site, you seem to end up with a cosmetically different GS with nowhere to put your luggage, a seat that doesn't seem likely to be an improvement (but hey I find the standard seat pretty good), a smaller screen (nice on hot days, perhaps). Probably all backward steps if you really want to travel. New headlights are probably an improvement (at least on the 1150, be hard not to...)

If it saves a few kilos you might be a more sensitive rider than me and notice it (full panniers don't make much practical difference to me), but it's still going to be a big, heavy bike.

For that price, I'd use the money to trade in towards an F700GS and get much better fuel consumption along with a big loss of weight.

Just my ill-informed opinion. But I've never seen one, so maybe I'm not such a minority.

 

[Phluppe]

Well, I'm expecting to loose around 20kg of weight. Luggage is no problem, the rear frame is the same so you can instal panniers, and Touratech has a tankbag specialy designed for the Revamp.
The original seat is not so much a problem, but the Kahedo seats are better anyway, so I don't see a problem with swopping the seat.
One of my questions is concerning the windscreen, it is way smaller so that's why I'm asking opinions of people who've tried it.

I'm not thinking of trading anything in, the GSA is here to stay forever, and the RT isn't gonna get swopped with a (al be it, a big one) enduro bike. The RT is my daily comuter.
I'm just looking to get something extra, fit it with a 21" front and 18" rear wheel, maybe even USD forks, and end up with a boxer that doesn't feel out af place on a dirt track, but at the same time still is a travel enduro, allthough it's always a compromise.

To put is simple, I've got my RT for asphalt and tarmac road based excursions, I've got my R1150GSA for mostly tarmac with possibility's of tracks and trails like the Alps. What I want now is a travel enduro that can travel, but also can ride ao. the Merzouga-Zagora track without having to pick it up ten times 'cause it's the wrong bike.

The easy way is to look for an HP2, or an F800GS. But I've allready owned an F800GS, so done that, been there. An HP2 just isn't my thing, and they're way to expensive to trash it like I want to. A KTM Super Enduro or 690 can be a solution, or even a KTM Adv, but I want something more exclusive, something to stand out in the crowd.
Never said I'm a follower of the easy road

Grtz, Philip!

 

[King Rat]

For that price you could have a frame built to suit your needs exactly, put 1150 USD forks in it, and swing arm........just a thought. Reynolds 531 frame would be pretty exclusive. Plenty of GOOD custom builders would could make that frame for you - don't go for a cheap Jack one though, bound to be a road to ruin.

 

[Flipfly]

For that price you could have a frame built to suit your needs exactly, put 1150 USD forks in it, and swing arm........just a thought. Reynolds 531 frame would be pretty exclusive. Plenty of GOOD custom builders would could make that frame for you - don't go for a cheap Jack one though, bound to be a road to ruin.

1150usd forks???

They work on a wishbone just like the 1100

 

[JohnnyBoxer]

Nico Bakker already makes the front frame to fit USD forks to a 1100/1150GS, very tasty it is too

Forget TT Revamp, it'a only a bling exercise and does nothing to improve the front end suspension

 

[King Rat]

1150usd forks???

They work on a wishbone just like the 1100

Yes, I have two of them...but they USD type rather than the 1100 normal type. That is what I meant.

The Dutchman knows how to build a frame! I had forgotten about him - did a feature on him for Streetfighters.

 

[ahutcheon]

Yes, I have two of them...but they USD type rather than the 1100 normal type. That is what I meant.

Oh my god, I must have been ripped off. Since I bought it new in 2003 my 1150 has had the chrome bits up at the top and the slidey-over blue anodised alloy bits at the bottom. Still, makes it easier to replace fork seals 'cos I don't have to take the wheel out.

 

[MattW]

As above 1150 forks aren't usd they just have cosmetically different sliders (still at the bottom like 1100 forks). No telelever BMW has usd forks.

 

[King Rat]

As above 1150 forks aren't usd they just have cosmetically different sliders (still at the bottom like 1100 forks). No telelever BMW has usd forks.

So how come the 1100 has same size (slightly tapered) tube all the way down with a hole for the spindle in it..and the 1150 has th extra lumpy bit at the bottom then? Both mine have, and I too have had them some years. 2002 and 2003. Single plug standard and a twin plug Adventure. They both have the USD type "wheel fitting" bit at the bottom, not a hole in the tube like the 1100s I have seen.

Someone needs to post a picture to clarify I think.

 

[MattW]

So how come the 1100 has same size (slightly tapered) tube all the way down with a hole for the spindle in it..and the 1150 has th extra lumpy bit at the bottom then? Both mine have, and I too have had them some years. 2002 and 2003. Single plug standard and a twin plug Adventure. They both have the USD type "wheel fitting" bit at the bottom, not a hole in the tube like the 1100s I have seen.

Someone needs to post a picture to clarify I think.

You don't know what an upside down fork is, do you?

Conventional fork: chrome stanchions clamped in yokes, slider holds wheel spindle and moves up and down over the clamped chrome stanchions

USD fork: sliders clamped in yokes, chrome stanchions hold wheel spindle and move up and down inside the clamped stanchions.

I'll agree that the 1150 (and indeed 1200) forks are cosmetically designed to look like USD forks but they aren't

 

[Flipfly]

1200 but same design as the 1150, note slider at the top of the leg
Suspension managed by seperate shock.

 

[Flipfly]

Upside down fork, slider at the bottom (no telelever arm). Suspension managed by internal springs and dampers and some little elves who consult with pixies to make the magic happen.

 

[Phluppe]

Ok, now we all know what an USD is, we can continue with the original topic

I'm guessing I need to explain myself a bit more, so you'll understand why ffs I'm looking at modifeing an old R1100GS.

I have a webshop and store in Belgium, I'm a motorbike accesoires and clothing retailer. Having a bike which isn't common, having it painted in the colors of my store, is bound to be more an eyecatcher then the next KTM, or whatever coms down the track.
First of all, since I do sell Touratech parts, I can have the Revamp set at a slighty cheaper price than what's advertised. Secondly, when rebuilding the bike, I can paint the colorscheme of my choise. I need to take the bike apart anyway, so I might as wel give it a paintjob.
And third, I like the boxerengine off-road. The fact that it just keeps going, even uphill at barely 1200rpm, just squeeze the throttle and it picks up again, love it. Had the F800GS, is you dare to go any lower than 1800rpm and try to squeeze it up, it just dies on you, and we all know what can happen than. Don't forget, allthough it's an older bike, it still has 80bhp, which is more than plenty to have fun, on-road and off-road.
The last is one of the reasons I'm not interestd in a XT660, or the new Husqy Terra, or even the second hand overprised XChallenge.

The Revamp set promises to loose around 20kg compared to a normal R1100GS, find a solution to install a USD fork, fit the bike on 21" front and 18" rear wheels (this is why I want the 1100, you can't fit an 18" rear wheel on a 1150), no chrash bars, just cilinder protectors, hard parts gearbox protection and why not, even maybe change the EFI for carbs.
You really don't think this will change the bike into a worthy travel enduro in the purest form?

I'm not expecting to hear from folks who have done all the above, I just want to hear from folks who have done the Revamp bit, to find out if the loss of weight is felt, and if the wind protection on long hauls is still ok.
If they have experience with the Touratech Revamp tankbag, I'd be itnerested to hear as wel, same goes for other bits and farkles fitted on the bike.

Grtz, Philip!

 

[MikeO]

... find a solution to install a USD fork, ...

By far the biggest piece of work you mention, if you go solo. I think there are two people (Motozilla in USA and someone in Europe) who have produced a commercial solution to removing the telelever - I tried to find the USA link the other day and couldn't - a search on ADVrider for Motozilla (his forum name) should give you some pointers.

Good luck - you're looking at a very interesting project...

 

[King Rat]

You don't know what an upside down fork is, do you?

Conventional fork: chrome stanchions clamped in yokes, slider holds wheel spindle and moves up and down over the clamped chrome stanchions

USD fork: sliders clamped in yokes, chrome stanchions hold wheel spindle and move up and down inside the clamped stanchions.

I'll agree that the 1150 (and indeed 1200) forks are cosmetically designed to look like USD forks but they aren't

Thank you - in the 10 years I have owned the Adv I never noticed they weren't USd ies - and I have changed the seals a couple of times! I knew there were no innards in them and my original shocks (both of them) are still perfect and damp happily too. My observation skills shouldn't be put to such stringent tests! Add to that I have spent the last 20 odd years photographing specials for Streetfighters and so am well used to pointing my lens at nitrided USD forks in the Spondons, Harrises and other marvellous creations put together in the Nation's man sheds .... OOPS!