Want to help me farkle my 800GS?

[Shadwell]

Right here we go,

I have a brand new F800GS (grey) and i am going to add some farkle to it, (Thanks Mick if you read this i may still go for your offer)

Money does not really come into it as i dont care how long it takes me to get the bike exactly as i want it.

I am thinking firstly Adv Spec Bars and Bash Plate, Barkbusters and a rear luggage plate.

I am thinking of going for some soft luggage but not really sure of the pros and cons of them.

I will use the bike mainly on road but i am determined to get it in the mud when possible, There may be a 3 week morocco trip in september if i can get anyone else to go with me.

All opinions welcome,Thanks in advance

Shad

 

[NeverRodeBefore]

I considered the giant loop soft baggage for my Ten after seeing it fitted to a Tenere in the TBM magazine, but the more I thought about it, the more I fancied locking panniers.

 

[fireman]

nice bits

i can tell you that all the gear from adv-spec is top notch in terms of quality and workmanship. i have the crash bars and sump guard. please note!! dont buy the bash plate if your planning any other make of engine bars otherwise you will have to start filing and cutting the bash plate. they are designed to work together.
The barkbuster hand guards are also the dogs testicals and better value than the touratech or bmw plus they look great with ample wind protection.

Also ref the adv-spec GIT rack i couldn't do without it. strong/well made and fits an ortlieb roll bag on perfect.
hope that info helps in your decision makin mate and enjoy the 800.

 

[Annette]

Hi Shad

Congratulations on your new F800GS. I'm sure you'll absolutely love it. I'd normally send a PM but as you are not yet subscribed I can't do that.

We at Rugged Roads are very active members here on the UKGSer forum and make a range of items here in the UK for the F800GS. If you might be interested here's a link for you.

Regards
Annette

 

[Mr K]

Best you do it yourself, then we'll feel less guilty for taking the pish....

 

[Ducksbane]

Wow ... Money no object (MNO)!

I think you made a good start with the barkbusters and the Adventure spec protection, so lets really have a go!

1. New or modified seat, If you ride big distances you will soon want this!
2. Touratech rallye Screen ... very expensive, but it looks good and is very adjustable.
3. Kaoko Throttle lock ... good for long distances.
4. Bitubo front fork inserts (I just have the Hyperpro springs but MNO!)
5. Hyperpro rear shock ... highly regarded ... MNO!
6. Unifilter foam filter ... good in water, easily cleaned, highly recommended.
7. Rallye Moto Steering Damper ... sound great offroad, and MNO!
8. Front Fender Extender from Wunderlich ... keeps a lot of crap off your exhaust, engine and you.
9. Mudsling rear hugger ... very EXXY for what it is, but very good.
10. Beowulf Exhaust
11. GPS
12. Headlight Protector ... VERY important (I know what the headlight costs, but try not to think about it).
13. Fastaway or Pivot Pegs
14. Adjustable/Foldable gear and foot brake levers
15. Your choice of luggage
16. Various little "Gubbins" like brake reservoir protectors.
17. A high quality chain like an EK might be wise as well.

And ... we've spent HOW much? ... WOW!

My F800 GS has a Calsci Screen, Mudsling,fender extenda, barkbusters, BMW sump and engine guards, unifilter, hyperpro front springs,headlight and brake reservoir protectors, fastaway pegs, BMW wind deflectors, my old Garmin Legend CX GPS with RAM Mount, and for luggage I have a Wolfman tankbag and BMW Rollbag with Adventure Spec Rack. I also run knobbies ... currently Dunlop Front TKC rear, but I have a rear Heidenau in the garage to go on next.

I would like to modify the seat and add a Kaoko throttle lock fairly soon.

I really think that the Sump Guard, engine bars, barkbusters and headlight protector are the most important things.

Soft luggage is the way to go in my opinion, If I was starting from scratch I would probably look at Wolfman and Giant Loop bags.

 

[argee]

Hi Shad

Congratulations on your new F800GS. I'm sure you'll absolutely love it. I'd normally send a PM but as you are not yet subscribed I can't do that.

We at Rugged Roads are very active members here on the UKGSer forum and make a range of items here in the UK for the F800GS. If you might be interested here's a link for you.

Regards
Annette

Hi, congrats on ya chariot.

With all due respect to Annette, I loved the look of the Rugged Roads stuff and thought I'd go with the rear luggage plate to start with, but after waiting nearly 3 months for it I got my money back from NN's and got the BMW one and had it powder coated black for about the same money.

Also, I've got the Adv. spec crash guards, and I have to say, the powder coat is bubbling on the top of the Right hand one.

Twalcom bash guard is awsome tho.

Made my own fender extender, save ya money.

GPS is on my Blackberry fone-save ya money.

Never felt the need for a steering damper-save ya money.

Boewolf titanium stubby oval- save ya weight/space.

If its got Pirelli Scorpions on it, get rid- save ya life.

Enjoy!

 

[GunZenBomZ]

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KTgoYAfPFOI

Yet to decide on engine-bars

 

[Shadwell]

Many thanks for the replies guys, that makes my choices as clear as mud

As soon as i can get hold of AS i will order the Crash Bars and plate, i am going to go with the barkbuster only the type of luggage plate to decide on for this month, then ill have to wait til Feb for the next round

Ducksbane - I have not even heard of most of the stuff you suggest, i think i may need to do a bit more investigation before deciding whether to buy a set of bitubo front fork inserts Would very much like to see a photo of your bike though.

Mr K - i will make the decision what to buy but as a fairly new rider i always like to get others opinions, i know what you mean though

Annette - what do you mean subscribed?

going to ring AS now

Shad

 

[ExpatinIstanbul]

You'll find that if you subscribe you'll get access to the For Sale and Wanted section, then the world's your oyster in terms of goodies. Scroll up........not yet, in a few seconds, and at the top left you'll see "click here to subscribe".

 

[everywherevirtually]

I abused the the Adventure-Spec gear when in Albania and Kosovo. It's tough as nails and when I got home I gave it a wash and the odd bit of black spray paint here and there and it looked as good as new. Ready for some more Armageddon

 

[ExpatinIstanbul]

I abused the the Adventure-Spec gear when in Albania and Kosovo. It's tough as nails and when I got home I gave it a wash and the odd bit of black spray paint here and there and it looked as good as new. Ready for some more Armageddon

Now, that is a good pic. A very good pic. Send to BMW for advertising.

 

[Annette]

With all due respect to Annette, I loved the look of the Rugged Roads stuff and thought I'd go with the rear luggage plate to start with, but after waiting nearly 3 months for it I got my money back from NN's and got the BMW one and had it powder coated black for about the same money.

Also, I've got the Adv. spec crash guards, and I have to say, the powder coat is bubbling on the top of the Right hand one.

Hi argee

sorry for hijacking the thread but as you are not subscribed I cannot send you a PM.

With regards to the delay. We experienced some major manufacturing problems earlier in the year which have now been resolved and we have good stocks of just about everything with the remainder to follow in the next few weeks.

If you had advised us that you were experiencing problems with your light guards (I assume that is what you mean by "Adv. spec crash guards") we could have done something about it straight away. If you would like to contact me at [email protected] and send me some pictures we will resolve the issue. We offer a year's warranty on all of our products.

 

[Ducksbane]

Well I can't top Expatinstanbul ... great photo, but here's some pictures of my bike;

http://i626.photobucket.com/albums/tt342/ducksbane59/EP1000546.jpg?t=1262092546
http://i626.photobucket.com/albums/tt342/ducksbane59/EPB150070.jpg?t=1262092078
http://i626.photobucket.com/albums/tt342/ducksbane59/EPB080034.jpg?t=1262092119

The other 800 in the last photograph has SW Motech bash plate and engine bars ... pretty good value.

Things I mentioned like the Bitubo fork cartridges are great if you have lots of money and do a lot of offroad, but aren't really necessary. Things like the bash plate, bars, handguards and headlight protector are fairly important. I do recommend the Unifilter and the Hyperpro springs if you don't like the front suspension though. Just use google to find this stuff.

I have a love hate relationship with my screen ... its ugly and gets in the way offroad but I am sure the benefits out way the costs, especially as I live in one of the colder parts of Australia.

After a while it gets so that no two F800GS's are the same ... to each his/her own.

 

[wonky]

just noticed this.
we've (adventure-spec) got a skeleton service on at the moment. We're processing orders and sending them out everyday(until thursday, then back to normal on the 4th), but are still getting families relocated to their homes after the holidays, so arent in the office all the time.
we've got plenty of bashplates(black), crashbars, giantloop bags and luggage racks in stock, but are out of black barkbusters for a week or so(silver on the shelf).
So if you want stuff, pop an order in through the webshop and we'll get it sent, just bare with us on getting to the phone.........

 

[everywherevirtually]

Now, that is a good pic. A very good pic. Send to BMW for advertising.

Perhaps, although the fact I'm sporting AS crash protection instead of TT might mean they don't want to promote it. Fortunately or unfortunately I have contacts and equipment from both camps so on occasion stickers have to be covered up

 

[argee]

Hi argee

sorry for hijacking the thread but as you are not subscribed I cannot send you a PM.

With regards to the delay. We experienced some major manufacturing problems earlier in the year which have now been resolved and we have good stocks of just about everything with the remainder to follow in the next few weeks.

If you had advised us that you were experiencing problems with your light guards (I assume that is what you mean by "Adv. spec crash guards") we could have done something about it straight away. If you would like to contact me at [email protected] and send me some pictures we will resolve the issue. We offer a year's warranty on all of our products.

Hi Annette my apologies to all for continuing thread hijack also.

What I meant by Adv Spec crash guards was just that- the crash guards made by Adventure Spec, which as far as I know is a completely different company to Rugged Roads?

Hope thats cleared it up! If you'd like to send me a Ruuged Roads light guard tho, by all means go ahead, I'll gladly accept it!

As I said, I really like the RR stuff, and if you've resolved your supply issues I might still give it a go....

 

[Adventure Len]

Shad, don't see where anyone mentioned aux lighting. I can't recommend this enough as a safety measure from the "being seen" perspective as well as letting you see the road. You'll thank yourself the first pitch black night you find yourself on the road!

Cheers,
Len

 

[argee]

what len said- I bunged uprated bulbs in mine for a start, sort some aux lights at some point tho...

Incidentally, fair play to Annette at RR, at least she acknowledged my post, Wonky has singularly dodged both of us that posted paint issues with Adv Spec crashbars...

 

[everywherevirtually]

what len said- I bunged uprated bulbs in mine for a start, sort some aux lights at some point tho...

Incidentally, fair play to Annette at RR, at least she acknowledged my post, Wonky has singularly dodged both of us that posted paint issues with Adv Spec crashbars...

you are not using the bars properly if you are not losing paint from them

I realise that you may mean it had come off in transit but I have an SW Trax frame. Within a month the powder coat had bubble off and rusted underneath.

The quickest and easiest way to sort it was sand it down and paint it in black hammerite. Sure enough 1 year later it is still intact

Incidentally if you scratch the crash bars or bash plate satin plasticote works a treat. Of course be sure to mask off the rest of the bike. It's quicker than taking the bars off every time