Underseat toolkit on 1200gs

[plodder]

hello all . does anybody out there agree that its a good job BMW's dont break down very often, i find the on board tool kit quite entertaining. it does'nt even have a star shaped bit to fit all the star shaped heads , you can not even disconnect the battery without a trip to the shed . all that said , i think my 1200gs is fantastic,
Happy riding , but dont break down .

 

[Stumpy]

Hi Plodder

I agree about the tool kit

I now carry one of these

Cruz tools


Stumpy

 

[Pukmeister]

The very first batch of UK bikes in 2004 (including mine ) had a decent toolkit with Torx spanners and a spark plug box spanner (essential if fording) and a front axle box spanner. Later bikes from mid-2004 onwards have a very poor assortment of tools without the essential spark plug and Torx tools, and one less ignition key. Quite what BMW were thinking is beyond me, other than penny-pinching.

Seriously, if you are thinking of doing any off-roading whatsoever and especially if thinking of fording even through the shallowest of streams/ rivers, check your toolkit and if necessary go and buy a spark plug spanner before you go. If your engine takes in water and stalls (as they do), you'll be fecked without one, stranded miles from nowhere and it will almost certainly wreck your engine if you try to restart it without draining the cylinders of water via the plugs.

I've yet to see a 'Cruz' toolkit but would recommend you check how deep the plug spanners reach is, as they are seriously deep inside the heads on the R1200GS models.

IMHO I think BMW ought to issue a free toolkit upgrade to owners if they requested it, such is the poor original effort on a premium ten grand product with a so called 'go anywhere' reputation.

 

[namtinker]

What do you mean "under seat toolkit"? I thought the black little roll bag with some kiddie play tools was placed there as space holder for a fusebox!

You mean to say I was supposed to USE the tools?

Damn... Now I have to find another space for my fusebox and accessory wiring...