While I'm waiting for delivery...a few questions from a noob

[bmsamson]

I just bought a 2000 model R1150GS; won't be able to take delivery till February. While I'm waiting, a few questions about the bike in general and my bike in particular

The most important is about what's in place of my rear seat now. PO pulled the seat, and in its place there's some sort of flat luggage holder. I've seen similar on other bikes for sale while I was hunting for one. Was that an OEM option or something aftermarket? If I take it off (how, by the way) can a stock pillion just go back on, or did its installation involve removing hardware that I'll have to find?

http://www.flickr.com/photos/14886772@N03/6489930083/in/photostream/lightbox/

Others --

this bike came only with the center stand, correct? how easy is it to find/install a side stand also?

Anyone have access to electronic owner's manual? not the repair manual, I've got a clymer, but the original rider's manual?

I'm sure I'll think of more, but that's my starter list.

Thanks!

 

[Chrizm]

Thats just the standard tool compartment cover, if you get a 2nd hand rear seat it will be back to standard. Looks like your getting a nice comfy seat into the bargain aswell.

 

[waterloo700]

Unless there is some US import special (I'm sure someone will be along to confirm) it would have been supplier with a sidestand. This features an engine cut out switch which must have been disabled on your bike.

E-bay will eventually turn up the bits you need and we have some good dismantlers selling quality used parts. Don't worry about buying new because the prices will make you weep. Make your own mind up about re-instating the cut-out - opinions differ.

Welcome to the site

 

[Littledumptruck]

The mind boggles how anybody can get on or off one of these without a side stand! Especially with panniers fitted.

 

[ducatiparts.110mb]

Send me your email address up to [email protected] and I'll send you a pdf of BMW's own workshop manual (as a data backup for the one you've already bought ).


Cheers,
Mark

 

[Uncle Rob]

its the tool box cover,when you remove the rear seat theres a hole in it,to stop it flying off theres a bracket in with the tools that fits in the hole left by the seat,you remove it the same way as the seat,the seat might have been removed because it does'nt fit with that front seat

 

[flatdog]

the seat might have been removed because it does'nt fit with that front seat

Is the most likley scenario, some seats are not interchangable.
(eg: my corbin front with std BMW rear seat don't fit very well)

 

[Timolgra]

Is the most likley scenario, some seats are not interchangable.
(eg: my corbin front with std BMW rear seat don't fit very well)

Yes with the Corbin as fitted to the OP's bike you can remove left the front of the cover and cut around an inch off the front of the base

 

[justabof]

Yes with the Corbin as fitted to the OP's bike you can remove left the front of the cover and cut around an inch off the front of the base

I have a Corbin front seat for my 1100, but the standard rear seat doesn't fit with it at all.
Can you please be a bit more specific about how you make the rear seat fit?
Thanks!

 

[bmsamson]

Unless there is some US import special (I'm sure someone will be along to confirm) it would have been supplier with a sidestand. This features an engine cut out switch which must have been disabled on your bike.


Welcome to the site

Thanks. Maybe I was mistaken about the side stand. I bought this bike without seeing it in person, and without many good photos, trusting soul that I am. (Hope you guys would agree, how clean it is cosmetically makes the odds of it being well cared in other respects fairly high).

So, stock rear seat doesn't fit behind Corbin driver's seat (yes, that is what this one has) without modification? That'll make the ebay search harder, I'm guessing, being restricted to another Corbin, but at least I've got time till I'll have the bike and need it.

The information about the tool box cover (something pretty basic that I just didn't know) is showing that I really need the original rider's manual. I had the same situation when I bought my R1200C -- PO didn't have it any longer, and it was something like $50 from the dealer. Finally found someone in my area who had one and let me borrow it for a few days to copy. Looks like I'll be doing the same for this one.

Anyway, thanks for the quick responses.

 

[oblertone]

Just to clarify ...

... your seat options. You have a Corbin front seat, for which there is available a hideously expensive Corbin rear squab, which will fit without further modification.
As has been suggested above, you can cut down the front of a standard BMW rear seat to make it fit.
Or if you are being really perverse you could sell your Corbin front and buy a complete BMW (two part) one on eBay; at which point you'll find out why there was a Corbin on your bike
Finally, there is an option to replace your current set-up for the single GSA seat, which is one-piece and not very comfortable but long enough for an anorexic pillion. This option means changing a few bits and pieces (locks/cables/catches) but GSA>GS is a popular conversion so bits are readily available.

I don't suppose the above helps much, but it's all information. Nice bike by the way

 

[Fanum]

Finally, there is an option to replace your current set-up for the single GSA seat, which is one-piece and not very comfortable but long enough for an anorexic pillion.

I PREFER the adv one -piece seat.....I know many say they find it uncomfortable, but the ability to shift around on it so much when solo is great, particularly for off-road riding, and Rosie was comfortable on it behind me as well.

I'll let her know that you think she's anorexic Paul

(we did fit a touratwat extension though, so we both had a lot of wiggle room on long journeys )

 

[bmsamson]

...

I don't suppose the above helps much, but it's all information. Nice bike by the way

Thanks, it helps a lot actually. The Corbin pillion is $400 US, which is as much as I paid for one of my cars, so not likely to be on my shopping list. I doubt I'll go to the GSA version, I do like the Corbin for me. It's like the OEM seat on my R12Cruiser, on which I've done many thousands of happy miles. I'm a tall guy and this is going to be 99.9% a street/freeway bike, so parking my rear in a well like that will probably be best. I've got a line on an OEM rear for next to nothing, I guess I'll take it and see if I can make it work.

Something else I forgot to ask about -- engine/crash guards. My R12c had them fitted which saved the engine when the PO laid it down. Knock wood has never been an issue for me but I'm thinking an ounce of prevention and all, I should fit some on the GS. Several options seem to be out there, is there a general feeling about which I should be looking for?

 

[oblertone]

Crash bars ...

... are like Marmite, you either love or loath them. I'm in the latter camp and removed mine in favour of dedicated headguards, but I'm sure others will be along with a contrary opinion soon

 

[(RIP) DitchWater]

The information about the tool box cover (something pretty basic that I just didn't know) is showing that I really need the original rider's manual. I had the same situation when I bought my R1200C -- PO didn't have it any longer, and it was something like $50 from the dealer. Finally found someone in my area who had one and let me borrow it for a few days to copy. Looks like I'll be doing the same for this one.

Anyway, thanks for the quick responses.

See Post #5 above for a solution to your maintenance manual from the nice man in SW England.

 

[bmsamson]

manuals

See Post #5 above for a solution to your maintenance manual from the nice man in SW England.

Yes, I saw and appreciate that. What I want is the owners manual that came from BMW with the bike. PO has it and will give it to me with the bike when I get it next month, along with his Clymer (which I have for my R1200c and find very helpful) I just wan to be reading it while I'm waiting for the bike to arrive so I understand things like what's under the seat, what is that wheel on the display next to the fuel level and don't post so many silly questions here

ok, i've got some sort of electrical gremlin on my C that i've got to sort out before its time to ride to work tomorrow, so enough messing on the computer and time to get working on the bike i do have.