British KTM forum about Kevin Ash related article: http://www.ktmforum.co.uk/adventure/179556-kevin-ash-death-gs-faulty.html British GS forum about Kevin Ash related article: http://advrider.com/forums/newreply.php?do=newreply&noquote=1&p=21395934
I totally agree! Triumph has the same type of fitting as BMW, surely it cannot be out of the realm of the possible to have aftermarket luggage manufacturer to make similar mountings?
And i thought i found a bike, SYDADVGS one seemed soooo cool... Well, i may not buy a bike after all.
Quote: <TABLE border=0 cellSpacing=0 cellPadding=4 width="100%"><TBODY><TR><TD style="BORDER-BOTTOM: 1px inset; BORDER-LEFT: 1px inset; BORDER-TOP: 1px inset; BORDER-RIGHT: 1px inset" class=alt2>Originally Posted by Andylaser If someone made some nice lightweight ally panniers that fitted the Varios mounting points and didnt require an extra frame, they would be on to a winner. </TD></TR></TBODY></TABLE> I'm sure it is possible, but why would anyone use the cheap plastic mounts as a base when they could use the GS Adv metal ones much easier, or make and sell their own? Jim
I thought the mounts were metal?? I might be wrong though, I havent seen them. A "small" ally pannier around 30 litres would be excellent and better/narrower than the varios. Also quickly removed without having the frame left behind.
The mounts on the BMW and triumph are metal alloy of some kind. Normally I don't mind a frame, but it was then and it is now. The OE solution is more elegant.
This! Not only would the lack of frame keep the bike smaller in the but but I think it would imrove handeling. I don't need side cases I can haul everything in my house around..I'm a functional guy..this would be my cup of tea
I haven't been able to find it either. I am waiting for the RepRom to be available so I can really understand this bike. I had a tough enough time finding the clutch slave cylinder. I think it needs to be bleed. Too much drag during 1-2 and 2-3 shifts causing gear clash. I have the clutch lever on position 4 and it doesn't help. 900 miles on the bike so far. I have a F800GS so I think I know how a wet clutch should work.
Found it listed in the MAX BMW parts site. Where it is I don't know, but now I know the bike has one. part number 16 13 7 727 387
Thanks! Which soft bags are you using? How are they mounted? I ask because the only time I run the hard bags on my ADV style bike is on longer trips so spending $$$ on trick hard bags doesn't sound like it'd be worth it to me. So soft and functional side bags my be the best compromise.
Because I'm to lazy to read though 500+ pages I'll just ask the question. You 13 owners have Anakee 3's on your bikes from the factory. Any general consensus on how they are holding up?
I've had the same issue since mile 6. Its a out of round Michelin Tourance Next (front tire). They are not avail. So I ordered a Set of Conti trail attack 2. There not released till the 15th. They checked, and everything else was good to go. Put your bike on the center stand weight the back end. Spin the front tire,put something close to it for reference to see if there's any high spots.Mine has an obvious high spot. I also have spoked rims. Mines got a solid shimmy, can feel at all speeds. Very pronounced 50, to 65, and on deceleration. More pronounced with my wife on back.
Ok, so after waiting 4 months I finally took delivery of my red GSW yesterday. I ticked all the options boxes including LED, spoke wheels, Cruise, ESA, etc. I also kitted the bike out with SW Motech lower & upper crashbars, rear panniers, ALU Rack and Trax pannier boxes. AUSSIE MADE RADGUARD RADIATOR GUARDS. For daily commuting usage I then fitted a Givi 55L top box and BMW Large Tankbag. This is my first big bike having just come off my learner/provisional license over the last year. To say I was apprehensive about riding this thing for the first time is a massive understatement. I was pretty much shitting bricks, especially when it was raining on the pickup day, lol! Ok, so I started her up and took off. My initial impressions: - Did not feel much heavier than my previous Kawasaki Versys 650 - Same seat height as my Versys 650, the BMW was configured for 1 rider + luggage - The feel on this bike is very solid, kind of like sitting in an S Class merc compared to a small 4 Cyl car. - The BM is nimble and fairly easy to manouvere at low speed. - The clutch lever is not as light as some have suggested, my left wrist got quite tired holding the clutch lever in when waiting in traffic. - The gear box is extremely smooth when gear changing, the gear changes just snick into the next gear, no effort, no clunks or thuds (1st gear selection when taking off does have a very slight surge but it is not alarming). - The horn switch does not stick out as much as other bikes, your thumb has to hunt for it. - The indicator switch is quite small and a little unnaturally far awa from the thumb, there is no clunk as you select a direction and you wonder if you have quite engaged it. - I found the handlebars a little low for my liking, to stand I am hunched over. I am 6ft 1" short legs long body. - The mirrors are excellent compared to my previous Kwaka, they can see so much and have a ball adjustment where they meet the top of the arm to allow for almost infinite adjustment. - The power, oh the power! I started off in Rain mode which was cool, then put it in Road mode which was a little more urgent but still restrained, I have not tried Dynamic yet, will ride a few more days in Road mode first. - The suspension comfort is just sublime, I have not yet taken it out of Soft, it soaks up the inner city bumps and road irregularities with ease. Just so incredibly comfortable. - I think the LCD display and analogue speed & RPM meter are a bit of a let down. A lot of info is written in small LCD lettering. The speedo numbers are almost impossible to read. The LCD in daylight is just hard to view, at nite is it fine. - You really start to feel the size and weight of the bike when you are moving it around the car park, it has a momentum that it just wants to keep rolling, you have to be mindful to pull it up. So, after 150klm on day one I am now fairly comfortable with the bike and somewhat acclimatised to the bike. My biggest problem really is getting the RPM correct and clutch release correct when taking off particulalry on a slight or steep hill. I just can not find the sweet spot. I seem to be over revving it as I am not confident taking off around 2000 rpm as I think it might stall but it probably wont. I left my work car park yesterday which is a steep ramp from LG to L1 and it was a disaster, all my work mates were there cheering me on and I fluffed it. Too much RPM, tooo little RPM, clutch all over the place, abandoned the launch, pulled the clutch in and rolled backwards down to level ground. Then relaunched 3-4000 RPM and made it up with heart beating at the top. Anyway, much too early yet to report anything else, will go on a bit of a ride tonite then a club ride tomorrow nite so hopefully more useful info after that. Anyone who has any clutch/launch advise is welcome to reply, I need as much input in this area as possible, cheers!
Clutch control on the GS is no different to any other bike. I think you're struggling because you're nervous of dropping your new bike which is perfectly normal. Keep riding, do some slow speed practice in a quiet, flat area and you'll start to relax and enjoy it more and better control will come naturally.