Going to RawHyde; ? on protective gear for the bike.

[vipers28]

Plus less potential to break your foot with a fall of some sort.

Originally Posted by John Smallberries

Also - make sure you don't repeat my noob mistake of not bringing proper off-road riding boots. Mine on the left, example of everyone elses on the right:

I beat the crap out of my shins banging around on the rocks. My feet were also in agony after riding on the stock GS pegs for nearly 4-days straight. Proper boots would have helped with both.

You are all free to point and laugh!

[Hikertrash]

Originally Posted by Britome

I generally agree with this sentiment. However, I was with my buddy when he did a low speed dump and cracked his front break reservoir. It was hard to find dot 4 in the boonies.

Yeah, but the reservoir guards still wouldn't have saved him. Carrying a spare reservoir and dot 4 would've.

[MJS]

Here are the most common breakage items on a GSA in order.
Fog lights - remove them
The stock valve cover guards - they're a shovel and will break the mounting boss on the head , aftmarket is better
Turn signals - they can be either tie wrap out of the way or removed
Mirrors - remove for the class
Windshield - remove it, mostly so you don't hit it when you fall

There are tools available to work on your bike. The last three items are done as normal prep before class along with adjusting your bars and levers.

I would suggest bar risers if you are tall (I like the Rox risers). You want to be comfortable while standing on the pegs. Good off road boots help with this and protect your feet. Break them in BEFORE you get to class. Also lightweight MX gloves. Weather can be hot or cold so be prepared for both. You don't want to work hard on a hot day in heavy gear. It's no fun to freeze either on the BCA ride.

Cheers,

[Poway]

The boots will provide extra protection, after the overturned GS's muffler melts through your kevlar pants (don't ask me how I know).

[AwolArn]

Thanks again for the ideas and input. I bought a pair of Sidi Squeak-Fires, Rox Risers, fluid guards, handle bar stops, drive shaft spacer, and oil cooler guard. I am going to put on a pair of Conti TKC's when I ride it out to Las Vegas. About the only 2 things I think I might need are better valve covers (have the stock ones), better skid plate (also have the stock one but hope it's good enough for now), and the Fuel Injector guards - all which were suggested.

Anyone have any thoughts on the stock skid plate? Will it suffice for the course and BCA trip? I am hoping so because the $300 I had set aside for that went to a new pair of riding pants. My BMW City Pants wouldn't fit over the Sidi boots, so bought some pants that fit over the boots. I"ve been spending money like a drunk sailor (which I usually am) but even a drunk sailor runs out of money and goes back to the ship to sleep it off!

[Wandering Nomad]

I went to a Rawhyde presentation at Gulf Coast in South Houston last month and the Rawhyde rep said that the BMW plate was junk. They will probably tell you the same thing when you get there.
Sorry, I know all about the money spending thing.

Lewis

[vipers28]

Stuff your pants inside.

Your bash plate will work fine but I stand by BDCW. When your there ask to see Kevan's video and if he still has his bash plate there from the video. It was all I needed to see.

Also a bunch of their bikes run street tires and didn't have any issues. Only a few had knobbies on them, so if you want just wait on them and air down.

Originally Posted by AwolArn

Thanks again for the ideas and input. I bought a pair of Sidi Squeak-Fires, Rox Risers, fluid guards, handle bar stops, drive shaft spacer, and oil cooler guard. I am going to put on a pair of Conti TKC's when I ride it out to Las Vegas. About the only 2 things I think I might need are better valve covers (have the stock ones), better skid plate (also have the stock one but hope it's good enough for now), and the Fuel Injector guards - all which were suggested.

Anyone have any thoughts on the stock skid plate? Will it suffice for the course and BCA trip? I am hoping so because the $300 I had set aside for that went to a new pair of riding pants. My BMW City Pants wouldn't fit over the Sidi boots, so bought some pants that fit over the boots. I"ve been spending money like a drunk sailor (which I usually am) but even a drunk sailor runs out of money and goes back to the ship to sleep it off!

[ToddEichel]

I'd also add my +1 to Touratech's steering hard part. It's a triangle that fits over the lower front suspension A arm with a couple of bumpers on the outside that the fork tubes contact with. Any kind of a hard hit to your front wheel, and the original steering stop will snap right off, letting your handlebars hit the tank, either denting or puncturing.

Kickstand foot plate might be a good idea, too, something to increase the surface area for parking on sand and dirt.

Another plus one on the boots, I did the intro class last year, up here in central Washington at Touratech's adventure rally, and even with the wider pivot pegs, my feet and calves were still killing me from my touring boots. Plus whacking my shins on the cylinders once or twice brought the point home...

[John Smallberries]

Originally Posted by ToddEichel

...Kickstand foot plate might be a good idea, too, something to increase the surface area for parking on sand and dirt....

Great add. One of the team-building joys of Rawhyde is helping your buddies pick up their bikes after they drop. This often means that you will be stopping fast in sand/gravel and getting off the bike. The wider pad on the sidestand will be a big help in keeping your bike from needing the same help next. At least these things are relatively cheap.

My rental 2011 1200GS leaned over a long way before the sidestand hit the ground (not a problem on my '05). Many times I had to stop on uneven ground and the bike leaned over even farther. A few times, it was all I could do to push the bike back vertical, especially at the end of a long riding day. ASK Engineering makes a gadget called a "SideKicker" that extends the sidestand as needed to touch the ground. But - it is expensive!! If cost was no object (wouldn't that be nice!) - I'd want one of these as well.

[MJS]

If you want to buy a new plate, then go ahead an do it

However, for the Rawhyde course your stock plate is fine. I've only had the stock plate on my 05 and it has taken lots of abuse (and been beat back into shape several times). I have the TT plate on my HP2 and the BMW accessory plate on my '10 GS. The Altrider and BDCW plates are also good quality if a bit heavy IMO.

FWIW, all the Rawhyde rental bikes come from BMW with stock equipment. And most spend their life at Rawhyde that way. Occasionally Rawhyde will get some promo parts from different vendors to test. When that happens those parts will get installed on rental bikes.

I only know of 4 broken cases on a R1200GS. Two were from jumping a GS and a hard landing. Those instances resulted in a crack in the oil galley at the top of the motor and was not a failure of the bash plate. Two were on early style replacement bash plates that replaced the rubber mounting points with solid mounts. BTW, none of these happened to a Rawhyde bike or during a class and were the result of some extremely hard use. There are probably some other instances of cracked cases out there. But if you want to worry about that then go have a look at the KTM 9x0 treads.

[MrCheeky]

Originally Posted by eatalotapeaches

+1. If you were given the chance to drive the GS (or ADV) like it was stolen, wouldn't you drive it different. The peace of mind knowing YOU won't be burning your clutch or denting and bending parts should be very comforting if you are wanting to really learn the limits of the beast. Isn't this why your taking the class? This could also be a opportunity for you to see first hand what parts are more prone to breaking.

FWIW, I am signed up for the June Intro course. I will be riding down from British Columbia, taking my time and enjoying the ride. I am renting one of their bikes for the reasons mentioned above. I'm there to concentrate and learn about off-road riding. I don't want the distraction of burning up a clutch or whether I will damage a part on my bike. Once the course is finished I'll have a much better idea of what parts need protecting and what manufacturers provide the best options. Really looking forward to it.

[1200gsceej]

I took the class in Nov. 2011.
I rode my own bike because that is what I'll be on when I go off road, so why not learn on my own. And the generally "soft drops" you get during the training are good for getting used to the fact that your horse/pig/what have you occasionally will take a nap on you. You learn to pick it up, get back on, and ride off again! (The 'pick it up' clinic is the second thing you do on Sat).

If you are familiar with removing windscreen and mirrors, you'll probably do that Friday when you arrive. Be careful with the inside windscreen parts - if you drop them in the gravel, they are GONE (and how do I know ...?) Also loosening the turn signals and taping or zip tying them against the body. There will also be some time Sat. a.m. as well (it is the first group exercise). Jim or Kevan will generally discuss that at dinner Friday. And of course, the side bags come off and get stored under your bunk.

There was really no need for new bash plate during training. I do not know if it is needed on the BCA, since I did not do that.
Also I was in stock street tires, and that was not an issue for training, either.
I personally would not do it w/o cylinder guards of some kind.
I do have the Wunderlich steering stops. But most of the other add on's are really optional. IMHO they are not needed for training, but you'll want to consider them for real off road riding.

As far as boots go, certainly taller ones with shin protection are desired. But again, you don't have to go out and buy new motocross boots! However, if all you have are low to medium "commuting boots", then you need some new boots anyway. I wound up getting Sidi Canyon boots, but after the class.

I had stock foot pegs and for me was not a problem. (I am 5'8" and was then 155# fwiiw)

Now, some non-riding things
The beds have mattress heaters; but make sure you ask for the sleeping bag that you put on top of you like a big blanket.
If you are in the bunk house, you are in a huge tent. If it is windy at night, then it is LOUD. If you need something to help you sleep then take it with you.
The outdoor showers have a beautiful view, but there are two showers in the double-wide trailer that are warmer.
The staff are great; the food is good; the peanuts and drinks before dinner are a great social time.

Have a great time!
-ceej

[Wdwrkr]

Post back when you are done. I'm hoping to go December 8-12th and would love a review. I'll be renting as December is not the time to ride from new England to Cali and back, but all good advise here

Pete