Convert 1150 R to 1150 GS (Sort of)

[fj_pastor]

Hi,

Sorry if anybody has already asked this question.

I am very very happy with the 1150 R and do not like at all the look of the
1150 GS / 1200 GS.

I would like to know if somebody has tried to adapt the 1150 to a kind of GS (just to make a few miles on dirt road - no enduro race).

I know the changes are higer handlebar / lower footpegs but ...
is there any sugerence ?
Has anybody installed the lower motor cover protection from the GS ?
Has anybody tried to have a bit more of clearance ?
A different type of tyres (currently using Pilot Road ) ?
Is it interesting to install the rear wheel mudguard ?

Any hints will be wellcomed

[DSKYZD]

The bike is certainly capable of a few miles of gravel and dirt roads without any modification.

I did this ride last fall.
http://DSKYZD.smugmug.com/gallery/2171788/1/112809271

DSKYZD

[priapismic]

There are threads related to this conversion in the archives. Here are some of the salient posts:

This poster asked about dirt-worthy tires:
http://r1150r.org/board/viewtopic.php?t=5372

Here the same poster showed the Avon Distanzia tires he mounted:
http://r1150r.org/board/viewtopic.php?t=6531

Here's an earlier discussion of tires:
http://r1150r.org/board/viewtopic.php?t=4607

Here's a more recent discussion:
http://r1150r.org/board/viewtopic.php?t=8807

Do a search for past posts, others have converted their R's to GS "lights" by doing only a few basic mods. Consider mounting the GS handguards; these work well on the street too, esp. if you ride in the cold or the rain. Definetely consider adding engine guards at minimum, or even better, crash bars. Here's a recent thread on that subject: http://r1150r.org/board/viewtopic.php?t=9344

Keep us posted on your conversion and let us know how it works out.

[pinecone]

The bike is certainly capable of a few miles of gravel and dirt roads without any modification.

I did this ride last fall.
http://DSKYZD.smugmug.com/gallery/2171788/1/112809271

DSKYZD

Ahhhh, very nice. Is this in VA? Looks like it was a great day to be out. Just out of curiousity, how long was the ride and what tires do you have?

[DSKYZD]

Yes, in VA. Into and out of Burkes Garden on different non-paved roads. The rough one in from the east was about 7 miles, the better gravel road going out to the south was 10 or so.

Tires are Metzeler Z6's.

To keep a little more OT, you can add the shorter GS paralever arm (brace under the shaft drive) to shorten the wheelbase and raise the bike a bit. Others have done it to add flickability in street riding.

DSKYZD

[mnnden]

The bike is certainly capable of a few miles of gravel and dirt roads without any modification.

I did this ride last fall.
http://DSKYZD.smugmug.com/gallery/2171788/1/112809271

DSKYZD

DSKYZD, Those are really great pictures, Thanks for sharing them, Den

[fj_pastor]

Thank you DSKYZD for the pics. The pics are fantastic. The type of ride I would occasionally do is those kind of gravel roads and even when I am in Europe I could not tell the difference with the rides I have about 20 miles from my home.
This does not mean I would do this every weekend for Friday, Sat an Sunday, but I insist on occasionally return to this kind of ride which I like very much.

I would appreciate if you could tell us what kind of preparation do you have on the bike (higher handlebars ... etc )
Do you have problems with the bike clearance ?
Do you have problems with supensions reaching the top ?


Thanks also for the tip of the paralever length on the GS bikes - this is the type of tip I am looking for.

By the way, I am also very fond of photograpy and I noticed the small bag on top of the petrol reservoir. Is it a camera bag ?



Many thanks again in advance.

[wncbmw]

fj - welcome to the board.

Do a search for some old posts by a member named beemerphile who did some extensive mods to his bike, including the GS paralever I believe. There are some tricks to doing it, as best I remember.

If you stiffen the stock susupension up, you shouldn't top it out on gravel roads. If you are, you need to check out getting a KTM!

[1150929]

I do dirt and gravel roads too on my R, certainly not dirt bike trails, but the R does really well. As long as you remember that the suspension travel is, I think, 2 inches less than a GS, you'll be fine. I only remember bottoming it out a couple times, I was more worried about bending the alloys, but no damage yet.

[DSKYZD]

No mods to my bike for off-roading, I just don't do it that often and I don't go that fast. Like mentioned above, I keep the speed down to keep from bending the wheels. The only times I've read of that happening were when the rider nailed a particularly deep hole in the road with a sharp lip.

Dual sport tires, and some crash protection for cylinder heads would be at the top my list if I did much REAL off-roading.


DSKYZD

[fj_pastor]

Many thanks for your comments.

I think we have more possibilities of bending a wheel on open road (due to the sharp edges of the concrete ) than when driving on dirt roads.

In fact the GS come with alloy wheels ??? !!!!

However, I would like to know if there is a way gaining some clearance, if it is expensive etc ???

None uses the motor protector ??

Thanks again

[fj_pastor]

I attach a link to an spanish page where you can see what I have at less than 1/2 an hour from home.

http://www.bmwmotos.com/cgi-bin/yabb2/Y ... 2809591/15

Normally the trails are in good shape, so after the comments I have seen in the forum I will try to ride on them with the 1150 R.

Best regards,

[jbuzbee]

Your reading my mind! I didn't think I needed the off-road capabilities of the GS, but alas, when the tarmac ends I can't keep myself from continuing. I need to replace the shocks anyway so I'm contemplating: GS length shocks, GS front sliders, GS paralever( and sidestand - centerstand), laced GS wheels, bash plate and that's about it.

Now, where can I find a totalled GS . . .

[bikermeow]

Change the paralever strut to the 1150's shorter one. Will give you more clearance and flickability.

Cheers

Cat