Unexpected upgrade

Littledumptruck

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So after nearly ten years of owning an R850GS, having also had 2 1150's, one before and one during, I've recently upgraded:)nenau) to a 1200.
I hadn't planned to...
4 years ago a good friend of mine decided to upgrade to the last of the hexheads, as he didnt want to go watercooled. I had his original 1150 off him which after 3 years, and a replacement clutch and gearbox, I sold last spring. I never sold the 850, as I didn't find the 1150 very much better in real terms, plus a mate kept borrowing it!!
However, just before xmas my good friend died suddenly. None of us quite understood why he'd changed to the 1200, especially as he'd only put 1600 miles on it in four years. His widow was quite keen for me to have the 1200, its broken the bank account, but I now have it and have already got it over 2000 miles.

I've already added a few farkles. Its come with a OE tank bag, but its way too big, so I've swapped to a baglux harness found on here, and use my old City tank bag. I've added a Mudsling front fender extender and a Crud catcher, although I'm not convinced the crud catcher helps much, and it certainly makes cleaning the front of the engine harder. I've a rear mudsling on its way.
The biggest improvement is the Adjustable Givi Airflow screen. It looks a bit iffy, but what a transformation. I want one for the 850 and The Pan European too please....
I also need to hook the satnav up properly, i just wired the mount direct to the battery the other night as I had another funeral to go to on Wednesday and needed the satnav to find the Crem. I'm hoping I can connect my autocom into the same feed.
I had Ian HybridX it the other day, too early to comment on the results.

I'm still trying to understand all the gadgets, the esc and suspension adjustments are baffling to someone use to a basic 850:)

I also need to suss the servicing. Its never had one in the four years. I so hate dealers, or stealers as i usually call them.
I think I'll replace the brake and clutch fluid as both look pretty iffy, and probably have the calipers apart to grease everything up as I would any caliper. Not too bothered about the oil, no ones been able to show me a can of oil with a sell by date afterall..... And then I just need to work out how to turn the service indicator off.

Don't think the Metzeler EXPs will last too much longer, the rears easily half worn already. It'll get a pair of Trailattacks, same as I use on the 850.
 

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Sorry to hear about the passing of your pal, hopefully the bike will bring back fond memories.

When you change the brake and clutch make sure and don't put the dot4 into the clutch, clutch has to use mineral I used: http://www.eurocarparts.com/ecp/p/c...-fluids/specialist-fluids/?522776092&&cc5_871

A great help is getting your hands on one of Jim's dvds, I use this and find it very helpful guide for servicing and he is great with advice.

http://jimvonbaden.com/Camhead_R1200_2010-2013.html

Easy enough to look after yourself.

Enjoy
 
Bit of an update on my 1200.
Very mixed feelings really. Love riding it, dont trust it yet, although it's not done anything yet other than use a fair bit of oil. However, its not proving to be a good pillion machine. Our first two up ride was hampered by lack of room, so I've had to swap to the lower givi mounting kit and then modify the mount, moving it back about 40mm which has improved things.
We've towed it up to Scotland twice, behind the car last month, and behind the MH recently. While riding around the highlands it's become apparent the wifes not too happy on the back. Compared to our Pan she has no view past me. The GS sits me up more upright and being only 4'10" means she cant see whats coming and cant brace when necessary!! The more we used it up there, especially on the long sections of single lane stuff up on the 500, the more uncomfortable things got.
She's saying it's ok, but at other times she's said she's not sure how much longer she'll keep riding. So I really don't want this to do that any sooner.
Before we took off to Scotland I moved the Pan into my workshop to start getting it ready for sale, stripping my farkles, service and a good clean etc. But I'm starting to think I'll have to keep it for two up rides!! But then I'm not sure I can justify keeping the GS as a solo only machine, especially as I've already got a Blackbird thats already become a solo only bike.
 
Just found this original post from when I had my twin cam. To kind of finish off the story, it didn’t last long. Not long after my last post we took itto Devon to visit my dad, but made the decision to move it on while away. We headed home on the Tuesday morning and I then went out that evening to test out a route I was going to lead for a club ride the following night. During that ride a total asshole objected to me passing him by ramming me off. Fortunately it was only at walking pace causing little damage to anything but his face :green gri. So the sale was delayed while I replaced the cam cover, hand guard and refitted the OE screen as the airflow was the other damage. By the time this was sorted, and I’d also serviced her up and fitted a pair of tyres, it was almost christmas, so I waited till spring and sold her to a guy from Ireland. A year later and a day in The High courts in London where said asshole didn’t bother turning up settled the claim 100% in my favour.
And here we are a few years on and I’m now on a SuperTenere which I absolutely love. Just turned 8000miles and not had it a year yet. And for some reason the wifes pretty happy on the back of the S10…..go figure….
 


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