What's wrong with me? I like the standard GS!

[Loyd_Davies]

OK guys, I have a real problem.

I have had my GS three and a half months now. Before I bought it I did lots of research including this site, and had a long list of things that I would need to buy for the GS to personalise it, and to correct some faults. But then I stared riding it, and list got shorter and shorter!

- first of all I rejected the GSA and went for the standard GS - I'm 6'1" but why would I want a bike that was even taller than the GS?

- the screen - it's awful everyone said, it's noisy, buffeting your head etc etc. But I found it was less noisy than my Triumph Tiger and better quality than the aftermarket screens, and I always wear earpugs anyway.......

- the lights, I must have extra lights - well I did fit PIAA Ultrawhites bulbs and I did the ACU National Rally, through the night with no problem. and the beam pattern is good too!

- The Exhaust - well I bought a loud Titanium aftermarket can for my Tiger. Maybe gave me a little extra at the top end, but at the expense of dropping my mpg from 45 to 35. So I think probably not. Do away with the Catalytic Converter? But how could I complain about the foul atmosphere in London?

- Seat? Well this one is in the balance. My arse survived the National on the standard seat, but then I did stop every ~25 bmiles for checkpoints. It can get a bit sore after 100 miles, but it's OK if I wear my padded cycling shorts. So maybe.

I did fit engine bars which paid off when I was body checked by a Jeep Cherokee. And I do fit a BMW backbox when I ride into work - it's not pretty, but it makes commuting while carrying a PC and clothes a doddle, and then I take it off at weekends.

So there it is.....I have pretty much a standard bike. And you know, I climb on and ride the damn thing and still the widest grin appears on my face ......?!?

So.......I'm not quite at crisis point, but I do need your advice. It's my birthday soon and my wife wants to buy me something for the GS. What is THE accessory that I can add to my painfully standard GS to increase my enjoyment......... or am I just a sad boring bastard with no imagination?

 

[Ming]

Looks like you are gonna save a few quid then !!

I ride an adventure which has an extensive set of extras from the factory............oh and a remus "y"piece and can which incidentaly did'nt effect consumption .

I personally feel no need to add anything more to my GS but at the same time can understand why others might want to .

but to my mind thats one of the beauties of owning a GS the choice is yours they are an awsome bike standard which doesent fit into any easily definable catagory much like there owners ...so go your own way and enjoy!!!

 

[(RIP) maverick]

GPS - They seem pretty useless untill you use them for a while. Sure takes the hassle out of opening a map book.

Don't have to get the Streetpilot unless you can afford it, else the GPS V is a fun toy to have.

I have a remus on at the moment but honestly would not of cared less if it was the standard pipe. The bike came with it else I would of kept it standard.
Fork Protector Hard Part - The price justify the cost for new forks when you drop the bike.
Crash Bars - They always prove themselves at some point.
Seat - Added Touratech because I like the look and hate the standard.
Nearly bought a chip but at what expense and gain so left it.
We like touring so did buy pannier frames and zegas for my R100GS and just transferred the boxes onto the 1100GS with a set of new frames.

Besides that would maybe get a set of side covers but not desperate to depart with that type of money for cosmetic looks.

Cheers

 

[Rob Farmer]

I've recently had a 02 1150 GS for a week which gave me the chance to directly compare my 1100.

back to back:

1/ I didn't have any issues with buffeting from the 1150 screen at all, even at high speeds.

2/ I thought the 1150 headlight was ok; just not quite as good as my 1100's.

3/ 1150 6th gear was brilliant, 1st was a little odd.

4/ 1100 is faster on acceleration and top end.

5/ 1150 looks better.

6/ 1150 front end is much better. I get "fork walk" on the 1100 when i'm giving it some stick.

7/ finish on both bikes seems the same.

8/ Better fuel consumption from the 1150.

9/ I couldn't figure out why, but I can get both feet flat on the floor on the 1150 but only the balls of my feet on the 1100. yet measuring the seat/fork heights both were identical, maybe the 1150 seat is softer.

10/ With standard pipes the 1150 sounds better, it's also noisier through the induction.

All in all there both bloody good bikes. If you feel you need to buy something just get the Touratech Hard part for the steering and enjoy the ride.

 

[BAKERMAN]

Bin the crap suspention, WP or Ohlins, bit like Dominos Pizza and that HOMEMADE PIZZA you had Sunday Afternoon at my Drum.

 

[Dave Hall]

well I bought a loud Titanium aftermarket can for my Tiger. Maybe gave me a little extra at the top end, but at the expense of dropping my mpg from 45 to 35

My mpg actually went up by a couple when I fitted the race can and Y peice.

 

[Invicta Moto]

OK guys, I have a real problem.

It's my birthday soon and my wife wants to buy me something for the GS. What is THE accessory that I can add to my painfully standard GS to increase my enjoyment......... or am I just a sad boring bastard with no imagination?

She can pay your £60 fine or did you take the Dwight Yorke option in the end.....

Paul

 

[Dave & Val]

Foot peg lowers

I 'am just under 6'1 and get knee pain when riding over an hour so I've just fitted Motor Works supplied Foot peg lowers, fitting them was easy, however I did have a problem with the gear change lowering kit, to long would have been far to low (the kit did have R1100GS on it - I did ask for R1150GS).
So I bought a M6 50mm threaded bar and a new set of ball joints from BMW - Sorted works great and no Knee pain, also it just the right hight for me to stand on the pegs off road style.



Dave (Val at work)

 

[temoore]

I have done a lot of things to my bike. These are the ones I would definitely do again:

1. Aeroflow screen. I know some consider it ugly, but it sure has made my bike a great cruising / long distance bike.
2. Custom seat from Rich's upholstery in Seattle, WA USA. Looks good, very comfortable.
3. Ohlin shocks. Bike feels more confident, responsive.

These are the keepers for me.

 

[woodsie]

Lloyd.

I can advise everyone that IMHO, you are NOT a sad boring bastard with no imagination.

If you cannot think of anything, ask your wife to buy some GS goodies and then pass them on to me! Some side covers would be nice. Or a Touratech bag for the rear rack. Or a rack extension.

I agree with you about modifications though. I bought a Remus and Y piece on the spur of the moment but have not had the inclimation to fit them yet - the OE works OK! I really like the sound of the Remus and the removal of the weight of the cat would be useful.

I haven't got to the stage of selling the bits yet but a part of me just can't be *rsed with putting them on!

See you next TT? Meet at the Ramsey Cafe again?

Hope to see you around.

 

[Loyd_Davies]

Thank you for all you suggestions.....

......but I took so long to make my mind up that she bought me (another) dressing gown - I did explain that I'd look silly wearing that on the bike but she just wouldn't listen!

She can pay your £60 fine or did you take the Dwight Yorke option in the end..... .......I did the decent thing in the end Paul and paid up.

See you next TT? Meet at the Ramsey Cafe again? ....... I'm building up my brownie points ("yes darling, it's a lovely dressing gown.".. ) and it would be great to meet up again next year.

Not even an Ohlins shock is up to the quality of your pizza Steve!....but that's not a bad idea......

BTW, the one thing that I do covet from the Adventure is the low first gear. I did a low-speed riding day at the Thames Valley Police training ground at RAF Upper Heyford. The only way I could do the slow walking pace exercises was to slip the clutch and control the speed with the back brake. I had smoke coming from my clutch after the final 'slow race'! Anyone else had this problem?

 

[Invicta Moto]

Re: Thank you for all you suggestions.....

Originally posted by Loyd_Davies She can pay your £60 fine or did you take the Dwight Yorke option in the end..... .......I did the decent thing in the end Paul and paid up.

And now we find out that any b;stard can do it without having a brief at huge cost!