Rain & the GS WC

[snaponphil]

Lots of rain.. Heavy rain for 50 miles, my mate asked me upon arrival why I took the bike instead of car...
"I LIKE riding this bike"
Batman1 just sealed the order for the new mudsling, I've fitted frame infills & everything else I could think of to minimise the problem I had with my Twin Cam GSA, namely my left foot getting hammered with water from the rear wheel, it's happened again, although to a lesser degree, but grit & water are there & the rear of my sock is wet..
Mudsling now on order (nippy Norman again) & it will also prevent the rear shock & swinging arm getting too dirty thus making cleaning easier..
BMW summer gloves enable me to feel the switches in the dark, (it's weird not being able to see controls) amazingly the Givi smoked Perspex hand guard extenders kept my gloves virtually dry (Nippy Norm again)
Headlight.. Led on the TE model very impressive.. The fact my helmet steamed up & reminded me of days if old.. Not naming names on this cos I really like it, (in the dry) but being flip style without pin lock for wet weather it's a nono.. Schuberth S1pro on the other hand does not steam up & I'm a nob for not using it tonight..
Screen I extended to high position (don't normally run it that high) but it did help deflect the droplets especially as I got a bit more speed with helmet visor up...

& u know what, the worst thing is I put bike away dirty & wet.. Bits did get a squirt with WD40 tho..

Hope this is of help to someone, maybe I'll read this before setting off in a drizzle in future..

 

[snaponphil]

Anyone found a way to illuminate the handlebar controls.?

Now there's a challenge if ever I saw one..

 

[Schtum]

namely my left foot getting hammered with water from the rear wheel, it's happened again, although to a lesser degree, but grit & water are there & the rear of my sock is wet..

Have you removed the plastic coal scuttle that's bolted onto the final drive?

 

[snaponphil]

Have you removed the plastic coal scuttle that's bolted onto the final drive?

Coal scuttle still attached..
I've read earlier posts & can understand the water flow.. It never gets a chance to escape..
I actually like the scuttle..

I'll take it off for a while tho for test purposes..

 

[Schtum]

Coal scuttle still attached..
I've read earlier posts & can understand the water flow.. It never gets a chance to escape..
I actually like the scuttle..

I'll take it off for a while tho for test purposes..

I don't think its effects are as pronounced on the new GS as they were on the previous 1200s where all it achieved was to direct a stream of cold, dirty water at the back of your left leg from hip to ankle. Nevertheless, I've removed mine on my new GS and have fitted a large number plate extension and that's helped a bit.

 

[snaponphil]

I don't think it's effects are as pronounced on the new GS as they were on the previous 1200s where all it achieved was to direct a stream of cold, dirty water at the back of your left leg from hip to ankle. Nevertheless, I've removed mine on my new GS and have fitted a large number plate extension and that's helped a bit.

Thinking back on my twin can GSA I got the whole of my rear thigh wet through..
The GS WC isn't as bad, but I'm thinking the mudsling will cure it altogether..

 

[snaponphil]

Oh, & Btw, I'm not complaining, just letting others new to GS what to expect.. I must admit it took me by surprise the first time my left leg got wet..
Enjoy the ride guys, especially the wet ones.!

 

[kevmean]

Anyone found a way to illuminate the handlebar controls.?

Now there's a challenge if ever I saw one..

That's not such a daft idea Phil, when you think about it they wouldn't dream of selling a new car without illuminated controls and the new Gs has more controls in a much tighter space than any car. Sometimes you need a quick glance to locate the correct button especially if you have multiple motorcycles with different layouts.

 

[Wapping]

That's not such a daft idea Phil, when you think about it they wouldn't dream of selling a new car without illuminated controls and the new Gs has more controls in a much tighter space than any car. Sometimes you need a quick glance to locate the correct button especially if you have multiple motorcycles with different layouts.

You and your fellow all year round all weather adventure bikers will be up the swanny in the winter when you fit your muffs; you won't even be able to see your hands, the levers or the starter button.

It's probably escaped your notice that car manufacturers do not illuminate the control stalks and steering wheel buttons, the switches (for that is what they are) of which carry out many and most of the same functions as the now (apparently) bewildering number of buttons, clustered on a BMW 1200 WC GS's handlebar. It's amazing that they don't illuminate them, as cars are driven by really stupid people... And bikers, too.

Get used to where the switches are and what they do by riding your motorcycle, without having to take your eyes off the road whether it is light or dark. How? By putting miles onto it. Can't or won't? Easy, buy a simpler bike or use the car, after all car makers have made it so easy.

 

[Wreford Miles]

That's not such a daft idea Phil, when you think about it they wouldn't dream of selling a new car without illuminated controls and the new Gs has more controls in a much tighter space than any car. Sometimes you need a quick glance to locate the correct button especially if you have multiple motorcycles with different layouts.

Written in the daft hours of the night...

 

[Wapping]

Written in the daft hours of the night...

I guess the lights were on, or the keyboard would gave been in the dark too.

 

[snaponphil]

I guess the lights were on, or the keyboard would gave been in the dark too.

Haha, u jest..
I think my sony laptop has illuminated keyboard..

& I also think Harley Davidson do optional lighted controls for their bikes... Obviously ridden by 'simple people'

 

[Titto]

Phil....you just learn where the switches are mate, and it becomes second nature.

 

[batman1]

It was good to meet you at the weekend Phil, Alan's pleased with his bits, and pleased to hear that you have the mudsling ordered, lets hope that it helps keep some of the crap off. Only 4 weeks to go before we tour Eire and Northern Ireland, so the mudsling will get a good testing over there, it isn't Emerald without good reason!

Cheers

Batman

 

[snaponphil]

It was good to meet you at the weekend Phil, Alan's pleased with his bits, and pleased to hear that you have the mudsling ordered, lets hope that it helps keep some of the crap off. Only 4 weeks to go before we tour Eire and Northern Ireland, so the mudsling will get a good testing over there, it isn't Emerald without good reason!

Cheers

Batman

Hi, unless I had seen one fitted I would have just assumed they would be similar to the pre WC item, now I've seen yours I see they protect more of the bike than I imagined, it's ordered now & hopefully get fitted b4 the weekend.
Maybe should have waited till the BMF at the weekend tho..

 

[snaponphil]

I'm wearing my tin hat & if anyone has any ideas for illuminated switch gear send them over & I'll take the flak for asking..
Big hugs..

 

[cookie]

I'm wearing my tin hat & if anyone has any ideas for illuminated switch gear send them over & I'll take the flak for asking..
Big hugs..

might also be available in tin

 

[Wreford Miles]

I'm wearing my tin hat & if anyone has any ideas for illuminated switch gear send them over & I'll take the flak for asking..
Big hugs..

Its a stupid, stupid idea but if you really wanted to then buy two of these http://www.amazon.co.uk/Petzl-E94-P...=1399981883&sr=8-14&keywords=petzl+head+torch and put one on each wrist...

In the past ive used one on the wrist to read maps on the tank at night.

but it's stupid idea and if you really feel you need to look at swithgear on your bike inorder to amke sure you are doing the right thing then for uor family and friends sake give up biking - You need to keep your eyes up and looking into the distance.

 

[JayGee]

Did the Welsh Rally (500 miles in rain, mud and eventually the dark) on Saturday in the pouring rain, ultra muddy lanes and cart tracks, some real GS routes, the bike was brilliant but both it and me got covered in mud, even with the panniers fitted. Have the infill panels on order to try and stop some of the muddy spray, it's a 2014 model so has BMWs version of a mudsling which may protect the rear suspension but doesn't do much to protect my legs. Finished in the dark and must say the LED headlight is better than the old hex head GS light but not a patch on the twin H7s of the RT following me! The main dip switch is a real pain with winter gloves on, I must spend a bit of time getting to find it in the dark. Also must find some time getting used to the the position of the mode switch after hitting the kill switch whilst trying for the mode button, great embarrassment and caused a bit of panic for those following me
Must say the idea of looking for the switches and lighting them is totally alien to me but the switchgear is a bit small and fiddly and needs a bit more time to become familiar with, only the second time ridden it in the dark so early days yet and hopefully it will be second nature soon
Also plan to remove the coal scuttle soon, not that I expect it to reduce the spray but I just think it looks ugly

 

[kevmean]

Anyone found a way to illuminate the handlebar controls.?

Now there's a challenge if ever I saw one..

What a stupid idea Phil ;-)