BMW R1200R R1150R/T F800 K1200R R1100R/T R1250R RnineT Message Board

I have WAY too many to list.. but top 3?

- Suspension, lowered and improved (Hyperpro)
- Seat, redone by Sargent
- Auxiliary lighting, Hella FF50's - make night into day.

Then the usual ones.. (GPS, electronics, TPM system, etc. etc..)

Parabellum Scout Fairing

Auxiliary Lights; Denali D2 LED

Corbin Seat

20" Cee Baily windscreen mounted using a Fergusonblock to tilt it back.

Suburban Machinery peg lowring kit

Touratech Handle Bar Risers

GS Hand guards mounted with slight modification.


Bruce

I am not big on farkling per se, but here is what has improved my ride:

- a good seat. I have a Rick Mayer.
- some kind of windshield. The BMW touring shield works for me.
- aftermarket suspension in combination with the Mudsling. I went for Hyperpro because I had a coupon.

I hesitate to comment, since I've only had my R for a few months and a couple of thousand miles. Who knows if I will like the changes long term? I'm taking a pretty conservative approach, making small changes after getting a better feel for the bike as it interfaces with me and my riding style.

Here's what (little) I've done thus far:

The first thing I did was to change the from the BMW Sport Screen to an 18" Vtechnic. I liked the fact that it had mini-lowers that extended around the headlight lens. I also like the appearance of this shield on the bike. Top quality materials and a rock-solid mount.

Second thing was to add a Throttlemeister set. I have used TM on three past bikes and feel it helps with hand/wrist fatigue on longer rides, but also helps quiet down bar vibes. I don't use it as a throttle lock very often, but when needed it's nice to have it. Electronic cruise would be nice, but . . .

Third thing was to move the bars. More specifically, I loosened the clamp and rotated the bar down as far as possible without causing interference with the tank. I know this is pretty much opposite to most bar mods/adjustments, but it works for me and my (lack of) height. It feels more natural and gives me a better sense of control.

Along the way I also mounted my aging GPS via a RAM ball that replaces one of the handlebar clamp bolts. I have the OEM wire harness to power it from the under-tank source, but haven't wired it yet.

Whether I'm breaking in the seat or it's breaking in my butt, I find that it isn't all that uncomfortable. It's a 2011 stocker, which is a BMW standard comfort seat according to an underseat label. Truth be told, I haven't spent a long day in the saddle yet (I'm talking 500+ miles) so the jury is out on that. I suspect that eventually I'll find that I need an aftermarket seat but I won't make that decision until the end of riding season (that means snowfall in Chicago).

I had wanted to install a pair of the Moto Bozzo (I think that's the name) aux lights, but the mount point will cause the light pattern to hit the Vtechnic screen, and that wouldn't be a good thing. I'll keep my eyes open for a light set that I can mount lower and more forward on the bike. Probably something that attaches to the fork legs.

Finally, I was delighted to find that I could mount my H2W bags via straps very securely. The OEM passenger grab handles on the 2011s provides good purchase to the rear, combined with a point on the OEM pannier mounts to the front. Solid as a rock, and the weight stays as low as possible and positioned very slightly to the rear of the back axle. I have all the storage capacity I need for how and when I tour.

Down the road I'm sure I'll be going to the aftermarket for suspension upgrades, but that's probably a season or two away. I fully expect a serious upgrade to suspension performance with the aftermarket pieces, but the OEMs work well enough for me for now.

Chuck

1. Sargent heated seat (ask for stainless staples)

2. Memphis Shades Alley Cat windshield

3. Hella FF50's on front and Knight Riderz flashing LED brakelight for visibility

1. Throttle Rocker (they're out of business, so Crampbuster I guess)
2. BMW touring windscreen
3. BMW side cases

Honorable mentions:
4. BMW tank bag
5. BMW heated grips
6. Aprilia Tuono mirrors

1. Freedom Air cushion
2. Crampbuster
3. Hepco & Becker Crash bar

hard to choose, but I guess:
1) Kaoko throttle control - requirement for arthritic hands
2) engine bash guard (live on dirt road and that exposed oil filter just seemed a bit too available - esp after Don E's experience)
3) mudsling (see #2)

Honorable mention:
1) AirHawk (has so far saved me from probably a Rick Mayer or heaven forbid, a Russell)
2) P3 brake lights
3) Givi E45 top case (had it left over from GS)
4) aftermarket screen (CalSci in my case - probably something different if doing it today)
...............

1. Full Remus Exhaust.
2. Wilber's Shocks. front/rear
3. Moto Lights.

do I have to stop at 3? :-)))))))

Hyperpros front and rear
Remus headers
Grip puppies

1) Crash protectors (cylinder, forks & telelever)
2) OEM Sport windshield
3) GPR exhaust

my top three mods are:

1. Ohlins suspension front & rear, huge improvement over stock

2. Zach exhaust - way better sound

3. BoosterPlug - made engine smoother at low revs, throttle on/off response much smoother


coming up next in the not too distant future is a Sargent seat!