As I've been getting my new bike setup it's become apparent that not all f800 parts fit correctly on the 2014 f800GSA. This goes for 2012 and earlier parts as well as some listed as 2013+ - so I thought I'd start a thread on some of the problems I've encountered and the solutions I've found. Please feel free to contribute your own. AltRider radiator guard - see this thread: http://www.advrider.com/forums/showthread.php?t=923921 AltRider Bash Guard - fits fine, good at protecting the oil cooler and filter - but lack of an available extension leaves the catalytic converter vulnerable - so no bashing. Potential solutions: 1. Aftermarket exhaust. 2. Custom made extension. Touratech Montana lockable GPS holder (and probably others). The brackets for the holder have a smaller inside diameter than the 1/2" bar provided on the windscreen of the f800GSA. I was able to make it work by "opening" the brackets by using a soft hammer at the top of the radius to flatten them out, then bend the tabs back straight. Using longer carriage bolts I was able to get it to mount up in portrait orientation. This gave me the correct spacing to mount the GPS in portrait mode, but alas - the bar will block the ability of the release mechanism from working properly. Potential solutions. 1. I'm having a "sandwich block" made by a friend with a mill, much like an old BMX stem - but with a 1/2" ID instead of 7/8". I'll need to cutout the inside block so the release bar can clear - and I'll need longer carriage bolts again. I'll try to make some extras. 2. Use an aftermarket mounting bar and put it below your gauges. Current pics (pics for fix coming) - the problem with mounting it like this is the release bar is restricted by the bar. Before (back) and after (front) of the supplied brackets. I used a soft hammer and simply opened-up the bracket by hammering directly on top of the radius. Then I put them back in the vise and flattened the tabs. Yes, I bent the plate - simply bent it back when I put the new plastic backing in place. The new bracket (more pics coming). Bags Connection "tank ring" mounting system. You'll have to mount the bag all the way back on the bracket - and still the handle gets in the way of using the key and canbus outlet - just use the snaps to hold it up - it's a tight fit but works. I bought the road bag, the adventure bag would probably get in the way while standing. Still, it's small in my opinion. I liked the locking system, but you may want to try the Famsa bag (if you can find one). Sounds like a favorite by many, as it has the cutout for the key. Maier Rear inner fender splash guard: https://www.maier-mfg.com/catalog/bmw-f650gs-f700gs-f800gs-rear-splash-guard Works good and fits tight, had to trim a bit of plastic ears off and drill some new holes for the zip ties as the f800GSA luggage rack mounts get in the way. I soft-hammered them as high as they would go, marked the ears, cut them and made new holes. 20mm Bar Risers. I was unable to get the Touratech risers to seat properly, the bars were loose in all configurations of washers/no-washers. They took them back, and I purchased the Wunderlich version - which snugged-up perfectly (they were just a touch bit taller than the Touratech risers). These are the Wunderlich's . Keep an eye on the position of the risers as you tighten them down, mine angled a bit leaving my right bar back a bit further than the left at the ends - which in my case was perfect as my right reach is shorter from multiple collarbone/shoulder injuries.
Sorry - just wanted to get this stuff out of my head, I'll add pics soon. Lag bolts... I meant carriage bolt. The "sandwich" is like a BMX stem, a split collar - it clamps the 1/2" bar with the four bolts - kind of like this: http://bmxmuseum.com/forsale/83842
The AltRider guys told me there was some fitment problems with the GS Skid Plate not clearing the crash bars. Did you find that to be correct?
This will be an interesting thread to follow. I've had the GSA for just over a week now and so far my only problem is that my cases haven't arrived yet. :ddog
I was told the GSA cases are on back order. I think these cases are going to be the only option early on, as Touratech told me they aren't going to making Zega Pros for it, and Jesse Luggage is moving at the moment and so on. Touratech makes BMW cases but I was hoping for a set of Zega Pros.
I wouldn't be surprised if Touratech agreed to not compete with the BMW bags in exchange for making the OEM parts. If I were in BMW's shoes I sure would have wanted that. One would think they could have predicted the sales numbers and had bags ready to ship with the bikes. It's disappointing to have to wait for something I paid for but that's just the way it goes. I'll just look at it as a second round of getting something new and shiny
The Touratech guy on the phone told me that Touratech had fabricated an Adventure mount for their bags, but because they didn't re-engineer the Zega Pros, with bags mounted it made the bike look too wide. If you look at the BMW bags for the Adventure, in order to get them in close, they had to form them around the mounts and thus you loose room on the interior. Touratech knows how to make the bags, they made BMWs. I suspect they have larger fish to fry at the moment with the water boxer.
The TT mounts are not made to bolt onto the windshield brackets. They're universal mounts and they are designed to be bolted onto the Touratech GPS brackets. They make one that mounts on the handlebars and one that will attach to the windshield brackets. You'll need one of these two mounts http://www.touratech-usa.com/Store/2275/PN-048-0210/GPS-Bracket-Adapter-BMW-F800GS-ADV-F700GS-F650GS-Twin http://www.touratech-usa.com/Store/2268/PN-044-0770/GPS-Mount-Adapter-BMW-R1200GS-Adventure
I've begun a thread on installing the PDM60 on the f800GSA (with photos). http://www.advrider.com/forums/showthread.php?p=22548960#post22548960 Here's a photo of my bike with the BMW bags, I would have preferred black TT bags but this is what's available.
Thanks. I wanted mine in the line of site, portrait mode and less clutter - I have CAD file for my solution if anyone is interested in making their own.
I posted these pics in another thread but I figured they might be more useful here. This uses the following bracket to mount a RAM X-GRIP to the "windshield bar": RAM-B-213 RAM BASE W/U-BOLT FOR 3/4 TO 1" DIA
I like that solution, now that I'm doing some washboard gravel I'm shaking mine pretty hard - it'll be interesting to see if it effects my GPS unit. I brought some old inner tube, I'm going to try to add a layer to help absorb some of the vibration. Something to keep in mind depending on your type of riding.
Installed the Touratech Montana mount today. Instead of using the supplied bar clamps, I went down to a local boat shop and purchased a pair of stainless steel nautical type tie downs that work just the same. That mount isn't moving anywhere...now if I can just figure out where the power hooks up.
Nice solution! As for the power hookup, look behind the battery - there's a auxiliary CAN bus plug all ready to go. Just take off the plastic plug. If you use this plug it will power the unit without a battery in the unit, and it will automatically turn off the unit when you turn off the bike (it's a 3 minute delay I believe). I bought the BMW part 83300413585 REPAIR CONNECTOR and wired it into my GPS power leads. You can find this part at your local BMW dealer (they may have to order it), but I believe I bought mine from Touratech or Twisted Throttle. This thread has some good info and a pic of the BMW plug. http://www.motorcycleinfo.co.uk/index.cfm?fa=contentGeneric.nvxszdkebklxuaer&pageId=167512
Thanks. The cradle that the Montana sits in seem to already have a connector on it, so it might just be finding that axillary plug and just plugging it in.
Still haven't been able to locate that plug. Anyone have a GSA that can take a photo of where that plug is located?