Jim VonBaden Posted January 6, 2015 Share Posted January 6, 2015 Picked it up today! 130 miles, not much, all under 35°. Great ride with my friend! I actually rode on the back of his bike to pick up mine. That was interesting. A few photos to commemorate the day! Now ready to disassemble tomorrow! Got lots of goodies for it! Continued... Link to comment
Jim VonBaden Posted January 6, 2015 Author Share Posted January 6, 2015 My first impressions, after only 130 miles. First a few photos: First, it never got above 35°, and yet the heated grips were far too hot after 15 minutes. I was wearing Gerbings heated gear, but we all know that does not cover the palms. The grips, as on the older R1200 series, were too small, and made my hands hurt. I have Grip Puppies for them. This worked on my old bike. The seat is good for 2 hours, but I can see that I will need breaks, or a new seat, for longer trips. The suspension is amazing. No clunking, even though the shock moves easily in the mount. My 28" inseam give be the balls of my feet down on the ground with 1 helmet. Handling is smooth a precise, no surprises. Power is fine, though I did keep my hand out of the throttle. Speaking of throttle, it is touchy, even in rain mode. I found myself accidentally revving the engine a bit unexpectedly. Wind management is the best I have ever experienced. Even in freezing temps my helmet was in smooth air, and it was quiet. I actually needed to crack open my windscreen a bit to keep it from fogging. No issues with the instruments or GPS. They work fine. I paid no attention to the speedo since it was on the GPS and easy to reed. The RPM indicator had the tip of the 6 blocked, but that is no big deal. I know 6 comes between 5 and 7! So far, with very limited miles, it appears to be a great bike! Time will tell! continued... Link to comment
Jim VonBaden Posted January 6, 2015 Author Share Posted January 6, 2015 Then, a few days later...: The SW Moto fat foot from the 2013 actually does fit the 2015, despite them saying it wont. Changed the stock pegs for a set from a 2011 Adventure that was given to me. Took a bit of grinding, but they work great! Added the MachineArtMoto Valve Cover Guards: Added a BMW GS Tank Bag, but cut the straps and made it a floater with a Tank Kit: Added Jesse Luggage and an Emgo Top Case: Didn't have time to wire up the Kristas, but will do that this weekend. then... Link to comment
Jim VonBaden Posted January 6, 2015 Author Share Posted January 6, 2015 and...: Got it finished. Here it is: Grip Puppies Jesse Luggage, repainted black Emgo Top Case Skene P3 Lights Krista lights on a BMW Mount BMW Headlight protector Heat Troller for my Gerbings Maier Mud Guard Fenda Extenda PDM60 electronic fusebox Link to comment
Jim VonBaden Posted January 6, 2015 Author Share Posted January 6, 2015 more... Hint, the LED parking lights do not work in a Wethead. Further, when trying to remove the LED parking lamp, it will inevitably fall into the headlight necessitating the removal of the headlight to get it out. Plus, you can't remove the headlight without removing the new light bar you just installed! :baldy The little bastard! All apart, and a pain to reinstall once the heavy lights are on the bar! In other news, I installed the Kildala license plate fender extender. Great place to put my sticker, and a nice modified license plate frame. Lastly, I modded an inspection plate for my VA inspection stickers that we must use. I think it looks good, and is better than stickers on the fork tube. Link to comment
Jim VonBaden Posted January 6, 2015 Author Share Posted January 6, 2015 also...: Added a tool box to my Jesse rack: I had to adapt it as it was designed for the GSAw rack. The fit allows the clearance needed for the Jesses to mount. I need to take it back off and paint the hardware, but it works great! Now I can carry basic tools, tire kit and compressor with no panniers. Yeah, like my Jesses, used but in great shape.0 Minor stuff. I didn't like the SWMotech foot having a silver top, so I painted it: There was a question about my top case and how it fit, so I thought I would show the fitment, and that a modular helmet fits: Similar question on my tank bag. It is a BMW Wethead GS tank bag. I used an adapter to make it fit without straps. Lastly, another question on the tool box. It is made for a GSAw, so I adapted it to the Jesse luggage rack. It has more than enough, more than the GSAw, clearance. Jim Link to comment
TEWKS Posted January 6, 2015 Share Posted January 6, 2015 Nice looking scoot, congrats Jim! Pat Link to comment
Chris K Posted January 6, 2015 Share Posted January 6, 2015 Congrats on the new bike! Looks like you get it well sorted out quickly. Link to comment
tallman Posted January 6, 2015 Share Posted January 6, 2015 Jim, Sounds nice. Could you post a picture of the process? Link to comment
Jim VonBaden Posted January 7, 2015 Author Share Posted January 7, 2015 Jim, Sounds nice. Could you post a picture of the process? Thanks guys! Which part? Jim Link to comment
MikeRC Posted January 7, 2015 Share Posted January 7, 2015 Nice job Jim. I ordered your maintenance video just shortly after I received my 2013 but have yet to put it to use (dealer has done the one service and recalls). I have to start planning for the extra lights front & rear so that I can get those done in March or so when the garage warms up above freezing! I like the PDM unit and Skene P3's but haven't decided on the driving lights yet. I would prefer a low/high output setup. I'm curious why you went with the BMW light bar (given the other choices)? Mike Cassidy Link to comment
Jim VonBaden Posted January 7, 2015 Author Share Posted January 7, 2015 Nice job Jim. I ordered your maintenance video just shortly after I received my 2013 but have yet to put it to use (dealer has done the one service and recalls). I have to start planning for the extra lights front & rear so that I can get those done in March or so when the garage warms up above freezing! I like the PDM unit and Skene P3's but haven't decided on the driving lights yet. I would prefer a low/high output setup. I'm curious why you went with the BMW light bar (given the other choices)? Mike Cassidy Hi Mike, I used the BMW light bar because I do not want to have crash bars, and all the other Wethead GS light bar set-ups I have seen we clunky and expensive. The BMW bar is nicely integrated and was only $90 complete with hardware. It looks good and is solid. Let me know if you have any questions on the GS or accessories! Jim Link to comment
Jim VonBaden Posted January 7, 2015 Author Share Posted January 7, 2015 Just for you, in my 17° degree unheated garage, I put them on! Stock mounts: Put towels down to prevent damage to the bodywork. Took off the stock caps and put the bars on the tank. Used the stock bolts to attach the riser bodies: The stock caps could be used if you wished, for a more stock appearance. New cap installed. I like it: The brake line was a little too tight, so I moved it outside the fork tube. I had to cut the zip tie and move the line off to the side to keep from stressing the brake line. Installed it looks pretty good, and seems to move the bars where I want them. I won't know for sure until I get a chance to ride it, but feels good sitting on it. Just touches the bag on each side, but does not really restrict movement: Done: For now... Jim Link to comment
BFish Posted January 8, 2015 Share Posted January 8, 2015 time to put some miles on it. looks great. Link to comment
Jim VonBaden Posted January 8, 2015 Author Share Posted January 8, 2015 time to put some miles on it. looks great. Soon as the ice is clear and my cold dies! I have almost 500. Not bad since I was traveling, then it snowed and all the farklizing. Jim Link to comment
scout6 Posted January 9, 2015 Share Posted January 9, 2015 Looks great! Gives me more ideas for my 2015. Link to comment
Jim VonBaden Posted January 9, 2015 Author Share Posted January 9, 2015 Looks great! Gives me more ideas for my 2015. I got my ideas from others. This is a way to pass it on! Jim Link to comment
EffBee Posted January 12, 2015 Share Posted January 12, 2015 Kinda just says, "Take Me Someplace Challenging." That's a very sharp looking GSW. Congratulations. Link to comment
Jim VonBaden Posted January 12, 2015 Author Share Posted January 12, 2015 Thanks Eff! That is my plan come spring, though I will ride all winter. Jim Link to comment
Glenn Reed Posted January 13, 2015 Share Posted January 13, 2015 Thanks Eff! That is my plan come spring, though I will ride all winter. Jim Maybe START? Link to comment
Jim VonBaden Posted January 14, 2015 Author Share Posted January 14, 2015 Very interesting.... Jim Link to comment
Endobob Posted January 15, 2015 Share Posted January 15, 2015 Jim - Nice setup - thanks for sharing with such great photos! Link to comment
Jim VonBaden Posted January 16, 2015 Author Share Posted January 16, 2015 Jim - Nice setup - thanks for sharing with such great photos! Thanks Bob! Looking forward to many many miles. I added this to record a few: Problem is, the idea of protecting it behind the screen is a bad one. Too much reflection off the protector. I am going to add some film protector to the headlight, and run without the screen when using the camera. Use the screen the rest of the time. Jim Link to comment
BFish Posted January 18, 2015 Share Posted January 18, 2015 So Jim, what will you take for the bike as is??? Link to comment
Jim VonBaden Posted January 18, 2015 Author Share Posted January 18, 2015 So Jim, what will you take for the bike as is??? Just $21K LOL Jim Link to comment
Jim VonBaden Posted January 18, 2015 Author Share Posted January 18, 2015 Here is a not so short video of my test ride to work and back. Feel free to skip through it if you know DC. Jim Link to comment
Jim VonBaden Posted January 21, 2015 Author Share Posted January 21, 2015 Some cool new stuff. Going to be available in the near future! Also did my 600 mile service today. Jim Link to comment
Gooner Posted January 22, 2015 Share Posted January 22, 2015 Here is a not so short video of my test ride to work and back. Feel free to skip through it if you know DC. Jim Giving me flashbacks from over 20 years ago. Used to make the commute from near Landmark to the Navy Yard Annex every day. Left in '95 and never regretted it. Congrats on the new scoot Jim. Link to comment
Jim VonBaden Posted January 22, 2015 Author Share Posted January 22, 2015 Here is a not so short video of my test ride to work and back. Feel free to skip through it if you know DC. Jim Giving me flashbacks from over 20 years ago. Used to make the commute from near Landmark to the Navy Yard Annex every day. Left in '95 and never regretted it. Congrats on the new scoot Jim. Thanks! I'm not really fond of the commute, but I like my job and I like the area other than traffic! Jim Link to comment
drswift Posted March 11, 2015 Share Posted March 11, 2015 Jim: Great job on the upgrades. Looks super! Link to comment
Jim VonBaden Posted March 11, 2015 Author Share Posted March 11, 2015 Thanks Dave! I'm really enjoying the new bike! Rain or shine it is definitely a better ride. Jim Link to comment
Jim VonBaden Posted March 13, 2015 Author Share Posted March 13, 2015 Just a few updates. I never posted where the PDM60 went. Here it is: Also, some dirtbag knocked over my bike at just over 600 miles: Fortunately I replaced the grip guard and the wind diverter for $60. The rest I am leaving. At least the head guard worked well! Lastly, I Plastidipped the clear instrument guard. No more reflection from the factory headlight protector. Jim Link to comment
drswift Posted March 13, 2015 Share Posted March 13, 2015 Are you re-thinking crash bars now? I assume a new horn eventually. Link to comment
mneblett Posted March 14, 2015 Share Posted March 14, 2015 D@mn! That's a heart-breaker. Sorry to see the pain, Jim. Looks even worse than when the idiot knocked over my K16 in the office garage -- at least there were people present to ensure she didn't get away with it. I'm starting to think we need a bubble-wrap cover for parking! Link to comment
TEWKS Posted March 14, 2015 Share Posted March 14, 2015 Me, I'd have to have every single damaged part replaced before I could begin to heal. Pat Link to comment
RTinNC Posted March 14, 2015 Share Posted March 14, 2015 Me, I'd have to have every single damaged part replaced before I could begin to heal. Pat +1 for sure! Heck I would have been ordering new parts the same day! Link to comment
Jim VonBaden Posted March 15, 2015 Author Share Posted March 15, 2015 Are you re-thinking crash bars now? I assume a new horn eventually. Not at all. If I have crash bars they would now be damaged, maybe worse. It was hit while parked and I wasn't there. Fortunately someone picked it up. Jim Link to comment
Jim VonBaden Posted March 15, 2015 Author Share Posted March 15, 2015 Thanks guys. I will eventually replace the blade and emblem, but the very minor scratches on the windscreen, mirror and intake cover, will remain. They are barely noticeable. I repainted the pannier, so all is good. Jim Link to comment
lkraus Posted March 16, 2015 Share Posted March 16, 2015 It's a GS! There is supposed to be a protective layer of mud... Link to comment
Jim VonBaden Posted March 24, 2015 Author Share Posted March 24, 2015 Added rad guards and rear brake fluid reservoir guard. Jim Link to comment
Jim VonBaden Posted April 29, 2015 Author Share Posted April 29, 2015 Wanting just a bit more distance comfort on the new GSw I decided to try out the Seat Concepts Low Seat. The stock seat was not particularly tall, but SC tends to make them higher, so I went with the low seat. $169 is not a bad price, and if it doesn't work, I am confident I could trade it for a stocker and most of my cash. So, here is the original seat: Remove all the staples and the cover and foam. They are not glued on. The corners on front had removable plastic parts, I assume to keep the edges from being too sharp. Here you see the stock and SC foam differences. Installed with lots of 3/8" staples and a manual gun, and it looks pretty good, almost stock. The gap is the same as before. I sat on it and it feels OK, not really much shorter, and maybe a slight forward tilt compared to the very good stock seat! Tomorrow will tell. Jim Link to comment
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