2012 BMW G650GS Sertao Owners

[slider162]

Well, I have been stranded twice now. Start it up, drive to the gas station, fill up, and the thing won't start back up. The starter will engage and turn over all day long, but no fire. Last night I was 120 miles from home and drained the battery. I was able to call my uncle and he came out to the gas station and gave me a jump. Once the jumper cables were hooked up, it fired right up. So I'm guessing I need a battery with some serious cold cranking amps. It was 20°F last night. It seems like the battery has enough to engage the starter, but not enough for the ignition system. I have a Ballistic Performance 8 Cell EVO2 Battery on order. Hopefully this will solve my problem.

[vnsfxr]

Originally Posted by alskee750

alskee750,
yeah good looking bike in the flesh. At 6'2" (33") inseam i found the seat height about right, but would have liked to have tried the optional taller seat (for more legroom). that and some bar risers would be spot on. Overall had less of a bulky feel than the XT660Z tenere.

Spaceman..

I agree, but when I read the taller seat height comes at (I believe 35") I figured that would be too tall for me. Overall, the bike is a great platform for dual sporting and commuting. I'm going to dial in the bike to my liking and upgrade the suspension to my weight. I just placed a call into Joe at sasquatchrider to see what he can help to suit my needs.

I pick mine up on Saturday, centerstand & heidenau tires. I'm very happy with my decision.

Pic's to come soon..

Alex[/QUOTE]

Something to keep in mind that seat height listed is unladen and you will have a few inches of sag with the suspension set up for your weight with 8" of listed travel.

[Durden]

Originally Posted by alskee750

I pick mine up on Saturday, centerstand & heidenau tires. I'm very happy with my decision.

Pic's to come soon..

Alex

How much was the centerstand option? I was looking at the Heidenau tires, they look great - any word on how they would be for lasting a long trip?

[Ogre_fl]

Originally Posted by slider162

Well, I have been stranded twice now. Start it up, drive to the gas station, fill up, and the thing won't start back up. The starter will engage and turn over all day long, but no fire. Last night I was 120 miles from home and drained the battery. I was able to call my uncle and he came out to the gas station and gave me a jump. Once the jumper cables were hooked up, it fired right up. So I'm guessing I need a battery with some serious cold cranking amps. It was 20°F last night. It seems like the battery has enough to engage the starter, but not enough for the ignition system. I have a Ballistic Performance 8 Cell EVO2 Battery on order. Hopefully this will solve my problem.

Was your kill switch off?
I recall my X-challenge would crank and crank but not start if the kill switch was off.

Every other bike I have owned would simply not crank if the safety stuff was not in line, but that bike would let wear its battery out trying to start it if you didn't realise something was not set right.

[slider162]

Originally Posted by Ogre_fl

Was your kill switch off?
I recall my X-challenge would crank and crank but not start if the kill switch was off.

Every other bike I have owned would simply not crank if the safety stuff was not in line, but that bike would let wear its battery out trying to start it if you didn't realise something was not set right.

Yeah, I checked. It won't crank at all if the kill switch is in.

[steve_k]

How do you Sertao owners like the taller windscreen that comes with the bike? My regular G650 should be in sometime in the next week or 2 and that is one of the first things I will probably change. Just want to see how the factory one is before I go after market.

[slider162]

Originally Posted by steve_k

How do you Sertao owners like the taller windscreen that comes with the bike? My regular G650 should be in sometime in the next week or 2 and that is one of the first things I will probably change. Just want to see how the factory one is before I go after market.

I like the taller windscreen. My only complaint is it is not tall enough. I would highly recommend the Adjustable Windscreen Bracket. It would be my #2 item after the center stand.

[steve_k]

Originally Posted by slider162

I like the taller windscreen. My only complaint is it is not tall enough. I would highly recommend the Adjustable Windscreen Bracket. It would be my #2 item after the center stand.

Hi Slider,

Thanks for the input! I have checked out that item from Touratech, so that is on the list of things that might be done.

Out of curriosity, how tall are you? I'm about 5'10, my sales guy is about the same height and he kinda said the same thing as you.

[eakins]

Originally Posted by steve_k

How do you Sertao owners like the taller windscreen that comes with the bike? My regular G650 should be in sometime in the next week or 2 and that is one of the first things I will probably change. Just want to see how the factory one is before I go after market.

not sure what madstad use for newer dual light setup but he labeles these as working
http://www.madstad.com/s.nl/sc.7/category.2125/.f

[slider162]

Originally Posted by steve_k

Hi Slider,

Thanks for the input! I have checked out that item from Touratech, so that is on the list of things that might be done.

Out of curriosity, how tall are you? I'm about 5'10, my sales guy is about the same height and he kinda said the same thing as you.

I'm 5'9". I'm still playing with the windshield to get it just right, but it is already much better than stock with the adjustable bracket.

[alskee750]

Originally Posted by Durden

How much was the centerstand option? I was looking at the Heidenau tires, they look great - any word on how they would be for lasting a long trip?

Durden,
Funny you mention the centerstand, but for some strange reason BMW does not have an OEM one on the market. Even the parts guy found that funny, they do business with Twisted throttle and Touratech. Touratech was out of stock. I payed $215 no shipping for a SW-Motech and there putting it on for free since I brought the bike from them. The bike comes w/ tourances on them and I was going to go w/ the TKC-80's but the parts guy talked me out of it. I'll be commuting w/ this bike regularly to and from work. He explained to me that if I was going to be doing more street riding and some weekend dirt rides he said go with the Heidenau ones they'll last longer. So I did, since these tires are very expensive both the TKC 80's and the Heidenau. I just did a swap and had them balance and put the tires on. Bike should be ready to go by Saturday, looking forward to my new ride.

[trrt]

Originally Posted by slider162

Well, I have been stranded twice now. Start it up, drive to the gas station, fill up, and the thing won't start back up. The starter will engage and turn over all day long, but no fire. Last night I was 120 miles from home and drained the battery. I was able to call my uncle and he came out to the gas station and gave me a jump. Once the jumper cables were hooked up, it fired right up. So I'm guessing I need a battery with some serious cold cranking amps. It was 20°F last night. It seems like the battery has enough to engage the starter, but not enough for the ignition system. I have a Ballistic Performance 8 Cell EVO2 Battery on order. Hopefully this will solve my problem.

Oh dear, that sounds like the warm start issues some folk in the UK have been experiencing on their bikes.....hope not. Those issues don't seem to be battery related.

[twinrider]

Yup, it were my new bike I'd have the dealer sort it under warranty, the oem battery should fire up the bike no prob.

[steve_k]

Originally Posted by slider162

I'm 5'9". I'm still playing with the windshield to get it just right, but it is already much better than stock with the adjustable bracket.

How much adjust ment in height do you have with the Touratech part installed?

Pics?

[africa twin]

Originally Posted by alskee750

Durden,
Funny you mention the centerstand, but for some strange reason BMW does not have an OEM one on the market. Even the parts guy found that funny, they do business with Twisted throttle and Touratech. Touratech was out of stock. I payed $215 no shipping for a SW-Motech and there putting it on for free since I brought the bike from them. The bike comes w/ tourances on them and I was going to go w/ the TKC-80's but the parts guy talked me out of it. I'll be commuting w/ this bike regularly to and from work. He explained to me that if I was going to be doing more street riding and some weekend dirt rides he said go with the Heidenau ones they'll last longer. So I did, since these tires are very expensive both the TKC 80's and the Heidenau. I just did a swap and had them balance and put the tires on. Bike should be ready to go by Saturday, looking forward to my new ride.

I wonder if you knowthe part number of the SW centre stand