First GS Trip

DownunderBrian · 07-15-2012, 07:58 PM

Took my new (ex demo) 1200 GS on its first road trip last week, 4 days of riding and camping in the North East, through PA, NY, VT, NH, ME, MA, CT and back home to NJ. About 1500 miles.

Thanks for all the great posts that I've read here, I had the bike well set up with farkles. Here's how they went...

- AF330 windscreen - fantastic in weather that ranged from 95 to 65 and included rain. I really appreciate the flexibility of this farkle.

- Rox Risers - would be dead without these... or at least have stiff shoulders. Would like another inch or two to shorten my reach even more, but that would create a problem when standing.

- BMW headlight protector - love the easy removal for cleaning, then back on. Simple. No evidence of rock strikes.

- Pivot Pegs with plastic toppers - Have got to be a huge improvement on the small OEM GS pegs. Really like them. The pivoting is subtle but effective. Still thinking that the plastic may be slippery in the wet/mud, but I guess you are supposed to remove the tops in those conditions..

- Touratech larger kick stand base - Glad I had this... on a couple of occasions I'm sure I would have had trouble standing the bike up on soft grass without them. A must have.

- Micatech luggage - These were great... I had one full of tools/recovery stuff, and the other side with camera gear, spare gloves and electrical accessories. Worked really well, especially with the liner bags that I purchased.

- Wolfman Waterproof duffle - When I received this in the mail I didn't think it was as tough as I expected, but on the road it was great. Huge capacity, good straps/buckles for tie down, and provides a good backrest for the rider if you position it right

- Fuzeblock - I've never done much electrical on previous bikes, but using the knowledge from this site I installed a fuzeblock and a number of accessory outlets etc. All worked great. I had USB power (waterproof USB outlet from one of the online stores), GPS direct wired, tank bag power, Scala power and power to spare! Everything worked 100%, no blown fuses or other problems. Love it.

- MFW footpegs from Twisted Throttle - Love 'em. Would not want to ride long distances without them. A number of times I rested my legs over the jugs, or on the Altrider crashbars, but neither was as comfortable or secure as the footpegs

- Altrider Crash Bars - Didn't get to test them !

- Enduristan Sandstorm Sport tank bag - .... well... I can confirm that it did very well in a heavy down pour, and it was pretty easy to get on/off. It is good on the move. I wish it had a couple of small pockets on the outside, and frankly I'd rather it be a fixed size rather than expandable. Because of interference with my GPS RAM mount on my handle bars, I had the bag set a fair way back, when meant it was at a pretty steep angle. My SLR camera (sitting on a piece of foam I cut for the job) was safe and secure, but I'd have rather the bag be more horizontal. Have to mess with the positioning/GPS mount, see if I can do better. In any case I don't regret the purchase... its just my favorite farkle, yet.

- There were two issues that I was not 100% happy with.

1. My ASS!! OMG...

I used an Alaskan leather seat cover, but that totally does not cut it. Going to have to looking to a new seat, perhaps some memory foam under the Alaskan as a short term fix?? That seat it a killer.

2. Noise. From 60 miles per hour and faster I had a howling noise that sounded like the devil himself. I'm going to grab some tools and do some runs up and down the freeway in a few weeks, adjusting the windscreen taking off the GA winglets, moving the mirrors, remove the Altrider skidpan... what ever I can that might make a difference. I've got to find the source of the noice.... I just can't believe how bad and loud it is. Worse than any other bike I've riden, including near naked bikes. I'll be searching this site for tips next week..

Other than that... I LOVE my new bike. I think we'll be togehter for many miles to come.

JustKip · 07-15-2012, 08:17 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by DownunderBrian

1. My ASS!! OMG...

I used an Alaskan leather seat cover, but that totally does not cut it. Going to have to looking to a new seat, perhaps some memory foam under the Alaskan as a short term fix?? That seat it a killer.

2. Noise. From 60 miles per hour and faster I had a howling noise that sounded like the devil himself. I'm going to grab some tools and do some runs up and down the freeway in a few weeks, adjusting the windscreen taking off the GA winglets, moving the mirrors, remove the Altrider skidpan... what ever I can that might make a difference. I've got to find the source of the noice.... I just can't believe how bad and loud it is. Worse than any other bike I've riden, including near naked bikes. I'll be searching this site for tips next week..

#1) 3 words; Russell Day Long. (Just keep the stocker for off road)

#2) From the pic, I'd say you've got it tilted too far forward. I've added Tobinators to mine to get more air flow under the lower section and tilt it farther back, but there's no less noise than with the screen tilted back with the stock mounts...but I'm "hearing impared" so I don't wear earplugs and it don't bother me.

Parrothead · 07-15-2012, 09:04 PM

Mayer seat, love mine.

What noise? Turn up the tunes!

LaurelPerryOnLand · 07-15-2012, 09:18 PM

No wonder your A$$ feels numb.

Get an Alaska Butt Pad that looks like this. I bought from a fellow inmate who sold his GS.
NOT that doily thin looking thing you've shown in Picture 1!
2-3" of 'hair' is what you need
sized to cover the entire seat and down the sides!

Saved my hind quarters on a 32 day 7,522 mile trip to Coldfoot from Denver and back!

No cheap shot comments about the BARE FEET!

on2wheels52 · 07-16-2012, 03:54 AM

I see you lowered the exhaust so both cases are the same size. Big time storage.
btw, did the change the way the rear cross bar mounts? Yours is turned 90 degrees from mine.
Jim

JimVonBaden · 07-16-2012, 05:56 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by JustKip

#1) 3 words; Russell Day Long. (Just keep the stocker for off road)

#2) From the pic, I'd say you've got it tilted too far forward. I've added Tobinators to mine to get more air flow under the lower section and tilt it farther back, but there's no less noise than with the screen tilted back with the stock mounts...but I'm "hearing impared" so I don't wear earplugs and it don't bother me.

I know it is subjective, but the biggest mistake most people make is thinking they need the windscreen as high as possible. Proper airflow is better than a barn door in most cases. For me, no windscreen or the stocker all the way down gave me the best air flow and the smoothest.

Jim

Bighead · 07-16-2012, 07:07 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by JimVonBaden

I know it is subjective, but the biggest mistake most people make is thinking they need the windscreen as high as possible. Proper airflow is better than a barn door in most cases. For me, no windscreen or the stocker all the way down gave me the best air flow and the smoothest.

Jim

Interesting...I need to try this out.

SafteyCushion · 07-16-2012, 05:55 PM

Regarding noise -- another variable to manipulate is your hearing protection. On some bikes, the soft foam works best for me, on others my custom molded ones do the job just as well or better.

DownunderBrian · 07-18-2012, 08:01 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by JustKip

#2) From the pic, I'd say you've got it tilted too far forward. I've added Tobinators to mine to get more air flow under the lower section and tilt it farther back, but there's no less noise than with the screen tilted back with the stock mounts...but I'm "hearing impared" so I don't wear earplugs and it don't bother me.

Not sure I want to take noise tips from a deaf guy... were you deaf before you started riding your GS??

But seriously... looking at the pics... you are right, I didn't realize I had it so upright... Tilting back from that angle will deliver better fuel economy at least, and hopefully lower noise.

DownunderBrian · 07-18-2012, 08:06 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by LaurelPerryOnLand

LMAO.... WTF is that? Is that a f'king sheep you have on your seat?? Crickey... I thought mine was the real thing - got it myself from Alaskan Leather online... obviously my sheep must have been sporting a Brazilian compared to your '70s porn style sheep butt!!

Something for me to think about... I guess... but don't you just break out into laughter everytime you look at the bike? I guess its all worth it when you hit about 300 miles in a day

DownunderBrian · 07-18-2012, 08:09 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by on2wheels52

I see you lowered the exhaust so both cases are the same size. Big time storage.
btw, did the change the way the rear cross bar mounts? Yours is turned 90 degrees from mine.
Jim

Hmmm... I better look back at the instructions? I'm pretty sure mine is on "as intended". When you order the "low exhaust" version I guess they fit the rear cross bar differently. Pulls out nice and easy to remove the bags, and makes for a nice tie-down point

JustKip · 07-18-2012, 09:08 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by DownunderBrian

Hmmm... I better look back at the instructions? I'm pretty sure mine is on "as intended". When you order the "low exhaust" version I guess they fit the rear cross bar differently. Pulls out nice and easy to remove the bags, and makes for a nice tie-down point

Mine is also dropped in vertically, with the "bullets" pointing down per the insructions I recieved...and it's a PITA (only a little fidding with it, actually) to remove it past the liscense plate.

Re "deaf"; I've had (relatively slight) high pitch hearing loss for many years from working in a steel fab shop, so the wind noise don't really bother me...much. Buffeting, OTOH, agrivates a neck problem and I've tried several things and like the Givi Airflow best

DownunderBrian · 07-21-2012, 08:44 PM

Just looked online at the instructions... check it out, the rear bullets definitely go in horizontally on the current bags... maybe it was a design change?

http://micatech.net/wp-content/uploa...tructions1.pdf

LaurelPerryOnLand... had to smile at your 2-3 inches of rug again when I opened this thead... hope you are not offended by my mocking comments.. clearly your soluition is working better than my skinny little rag...

JustKip · 07-21-2012, 10:44 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by DownunderBrian

Just looked online at the instructions... check it out, the rear bullets definitely go in horizontally on the current bags... maybe it was a design change?

Yup. Mine looks a little differet. The bar runs straight across, from bullet to bullet, without the bends on the ends.

going south · 07-21-2012, 11:00 PM

Wheres your ADV sticker? that is a must have!!!

07-15-2012, 09:04 PM	#3
Parrothead Cu Dubh Joined: Aug 2004 Location: One Particular Harbor Oddometer: 395	Welcome to the kool-aid bowl! Mayer seat, love mine. What noise? Turn up the tunes! __________________ "... You can go through life fudging and evading, indulging and slacking, never really hungry nor frightened nor passionately stirred, your highest moment a sentimental orgasm and your first real contact with primary and elemental necessities the sweat of your deathbed." - H.G Wells

07-15-2012, 09:18 PM	#4
LaurelPerryOnLand Beastly Adventurer Joined: Jun 2009 Location: Denver, CO Oddometer: 2,422	You call THAT an Alaska Butt Pad??? No wonder your A$$ feels numb. Get an Alaska Butt Pad that looks like this. I bought from a fellow inmate who sold his GS. NOT that doily thin looking thing you've shown in Picture 1! 2-3" of 'hair' is what you need sized to cover the entire seat and down the sides! Saved my hind quarters on a 32 day 7,522 mile trip to Coldfoot from Denver and back! No cheap shot comments about the BARE FEET! LaurelPerryOnLand screwed with this post 07-16-2012 at 08:15 PM

07-16-2012, 03:54 AM	#5
on2wheels52 Beastly Adventurer Joined: Jun 2006 Location: northern Arkansas Oddometer: 1,844	I see you lowered the exhaust so both cases are the same size. Big time storage. btw, did the change the way the rear cross bar mounts? Yours is turned 90 degrees from mine. Jim __________________ R1200GS Ural Patrol KLR650 DRz400 XL185 Austria '08 http://www.advrider.com/forums/showthread.php?t=352082 Back to the Alps in '11 http://advrider.com/forums/showthread.php?t=744205

07-21-2012, 11:00 PM	#15
going south hero & Zero... Joined: Oct 2008 Location: Alaska, Mazatlan. sometimes seattle! Oddometer: 592	Wheres your ADV sticker? that is a must have!!! __________________ going south... Never Lost! Just Don't know where I am!!!

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07-15-2012, 07:58 PM	#1
DownunderBrian ^OP B2 Joined: Dec 2007 Location: Cherry Hill NJ Oddometer: 60	First GS Trip Took my new (ex demo) 1200 GS on its first road trip last week, 4 days of riding and camping in the North East, through PA, NY, VT, NH, ME, MA, CT and back home to NJ. About 1500 miles. Thanks for all the great posts that I've read here, I had the bike well set up with farkles. Here's how they went... - AF330 windscreen - fantastic in weather that ranged from 95 to 65 and included rain. I really appreciate the flexibility of this farkle. - Rox Risers - would be dead without these... or at least have stiff shoulders. Would like another inch or two to shorten my reach even more, but that would create a problem when standing. - BMW headlight protector - love the easy removal for cleaning, then back on. Simple. No evidence of rock strikes. - Pivot Pegs with plastic toppers - Have got to be a huge improvement on the small OEM GS pegs. Really like them. The pivoting is subtle but effective. Still thinking that the plastic may be slippery in the wet/mud, but I guess you are supposed to remove the tops in those conditions.. - Touratech larger kick stand base - Glad I had this... on a couple of occasions I'm sure I would have had trouble standing the bike up on soft grass without them. A must have. - Micatech luggage - These were great... I had one full of tools/recovery stuff, and the other side with camera gear, spare gloves and electrical accessories. Worked really well, especially with the liner bags that I purchased. - Wolfman Waterproof duffle - When I received this in the mail I didn't think it was as tough as I expected, but on the road it was great. Huge capacity, good straps/buckles for tie down, and provides a good backrest for the rider if you position it right - Fuzeblock - I've never done much electrical on previous bikes, but using the knowledge from this site I installed a fuzeblock and a number of accessory outlets etc. All worked great. I had USB power (waterproof USB outlet from one of the online stores), GPS direct wired, tank bag power, Scala power and power to spare! Everything worked 100%, no blown fuses or other problems. Love it. - MFW footpegs from Twisted Throttle - Love 'em. Would not want to ride long distances without them. A number of times I rested my legs over the jugs, or on the Altrider crashbars, but neither was as comfortable or secure as the footpegs - Altrider Crash Bars - Didn't get to test them ! - Enduristan Sandstorm Sport tank bag - .... well... I can confirm that it did very well in a heavy down pour, and it was pretty easy to get on/off. It is good on the move. I wish it had a couple of small pockets on the outside, and frankly I'd rather it be a fixed size rather than expandable. Because of interference with my GPS RAM mount on my handle bars, I had the bag set a fair way back, when meant it was at a pretty steep angle. My SLR camera (sitting on a piece of foam I cut for the job) was safe and secure, but I'd have rather the bag be more horizontal. Have to mess with the positioning/GPS mount, see if I can do better. In any case I don't regret the purchase... its just my favorite farkle, yet. - There were two issues that I was not 100% happy with. 1. My ASS!! OMG... I used an Alaskan leather seat cover, but that totally does not cut it. Going to have to looking to a new seat, perhaps some memory foam under the Alaskan as a short term fix?? That seat it a killer. 2. Noise. From 60 miles per hour and faster I had a howling noise that sounded like the devil himself. I'm going to grab some tools and do some runs up and down the freeway in a few weeks, adjusting the windscreen taking off the GA winglets, moving the mirrors, remove the Altrider skidpan... what ever I can that might make a difference. I've got to find the source of the noice.... I just can't believe how bad and loud it is. Worse than any other bike I've riden, including near naked bikes. I'll be searching this site for tips next week.. Other than that... I LOVE my new bike. I think we'll be togehter for many miles to come.

07-16-2012, 05:55 PM	#8
SafteyCushion "Ask better, learn more" Joined: Dec 2008 Location: Salt Lake City Area Oddometer: 71	Regarding noise -- another variable to manipulate is your hearing protection. On some bikes, the soft foam works best for me, on others my custom molded ones do the job just as well or better.

07-21-2012, 08:44 PM	#13
DownunderBrian ^OP B2 Joined: Dec 2007 Location: Cherry Hill NJ Oddometer: 60	Just looked online at the instructions... check it out, the rear bullets definitely go in horizontally on the current bags... maybe it was a design change? http://micatech.net/wp-content/uploa...tructions1.pdf LaurelPerryOnLand... had to smile at your 2-3 inches of rug again when I opened this thead... hope you are not offended by my mocking comments.. clearly your soluition is working better than my skinny little rag...