|
Author |
Message |
c_dug |
This post is not being displayed .
|
c_dug Super Spammer
Joined: 04 Sep 2007 Karma :
|
Posted: 18:21 - 04 Feb 2019 Post subject: McGregormobile (R1200GS) |
|
|
If you'd asked me a week ago, I didn't have any solid intention of being back on 2 wheels in the near future - ULEZ made it expensive for me to get anything decent within budget owing to everything having to be newer than 2007.
Anyway, things change fast and it seems I'm buying a 2009 R1200GS. Been offered it by a colleague at a price I'd have to be an imbecile to turn down. I'm just waiting on approval for a bit of cash towards it, but should hopefully be picking it up later in the week if all goes well.
https://cdn.bcf.44bytes.net/files/gs_774.jpg
It's not a model I'd ever considered owning, but if I'm to own a GS at all, then this is probably the best for me since I've actually worked on it a couple of times including installing Wilbers front and rear, and a K&N air filter, and helped with balancing the throttles and doing the clearances too. I even went with my colleague when he bought it off the previous owner.
It'll be used for commuting for the most part, but it comes with the full compliment of luggage, a sat-nav, a big tall screen etc.... So, maybe I'll ride it to the chip shop or the Ace Cafe once in a while
Anyway, it's been well over a year since I rode anything at all so very much looking forward to being back on a bike.
Already been toying with what I could do with it longer term. 17" wheels do appeal, something like these for a bit more of a Supermoto look:
https://i.pinimg.com/originals/3b/ab/1c/3bab1c4385575a68e74cb0f009a02a6f.jpg
Should probably ride it for a bit before deciding to modify it
Anyway, I'll update when I have it! ____________________ I am a bellend, I am a man of constant sorrow, I am a gummy bear, I am a rock. |
|
Back to top |
|
You must be logged in to rate posts |
|
|
Shaft |
This post is not being displayed .
|
Shaft World Chat Champion
Joined: 27 Dec 2010 Karma :
|
|
Back to top |
|
You must be logged in to rate posts |
|
|
c_dug |
This post is not being displayed .
|
c_dug Super Spammer
Joined: 04 Sep 2007 Karma :
|
|
Back to top |
|
You must be logged in to rate posts |
|
|
Pete. |
This post is not being displayed .
|
Pete. Super Spammer
Joined: 22 Aug 2006 Karma :
|
Posted: 14:37 - 06 Feb 2019 Post subject: |
|
|
Is that the one I saw parked at your work? Was tidy as I recall. ____________________ a.k.a 'Geri'
132.9mph off and walked away. Gear is good, gear is good, gear is very very good |
|
Back to top |
|
You must be logged in to rate posts |
|
|
Vracktal |
This post is not being displayed .
|
Vracktal World Chat Champion
Joined: 04 Oct 2012 Karma :
|
Posted: 14:44 - 06 Feb 2019 Post subject: |
|
|
2009 is a smart buy for an R1200, that's the generation with locknut and washer screw-type valve adjusters, the upgraded non-servo ABS and before they were drenched with electrobollocks. If looked after they can last for miles with only routine servicing. My R1200r is on 74,000 miles, only replacement part has been the oil window which had a slight weep and the front fork seals.
Couple of tips for riding them:
1) Don't hold the clutch in for long periods at traffic lights, get into the habit of putting it in neutral and letting the clutch out while you wait. Saves on wear.
2) Try to avoid slipping the clutch for prolonged periods, it's a dry unit.
3) If you have the tools pull all the bolts holding the generator cover off (front of the engine directly behind the front wheel), remove the generator cover then take out the sound deadening foam. It's a hateful design that traps road crud and water, rusts out the retaining bolts and causes all the paint to fall off the engine. I swapped all the bolts for titanium and put the foam in the bin after one of the original bolts snapped.
4) Nobody can agree on the right oil weight, type, semi synth or full synth etc etc. It makes no difference whatsoever as long as you keep the level good. Mine ran on 20w50 diesel engine oil quite happily for 3000 miles.
5) Changing out the gearbox and final drive oil for 75w140 improves shifting a bit on the tractor gearbox.
Also if you do plan on keeping it and want some wheels, I have a 120/80 17 and 180/55 17 set from my R1200r (sans tyres) that i'd be willing to sell, since I upgraded to R1200s ones to run a 190/55 rear and have no use for them. The comprehensive conversion guide to fitting road wheels is saved here
Alternatively there's a site that converts the 90/90 21 spoked front wheel from an F800GS to fit the R1200GS if you want to look like you intend to take it off road. ____________________ 2007 BMW R1200R: On road
2009 BMW G650X Challenge: On road
1975 Norton Commando 850: Off road, awaiting recommissioning |
|
Back to top |
|
You must be logged in to rate posts |
|
|
c_dug |
This post is not being displayed .
|
c_dug Super Spammer
Joined: 04 Sep 2007 Karma :
|
Posted: 16:23 - 06 Feb 2019 Post subject: |
|
|
Pete. wrote: | Is that the one I saw parked at your work? Was tidy as I recall. |
Yeah that's the one, he bought it on 14,000 miles which was probably around when you saw it - it's on 28,000 now so still fairly fresh if a little grubbier.
Vracktal wrote: |
Couple of tips for riding them:
1) Don't hold the clutch in for long periods at traffic lights, get into the habit of putting it in neutral and letting the clutch out while you wait. Saves on wear.
2) Try to avoid slipping the clutch for prolonged periods, it's a dry unit.
|
The clutch does worry me a tad, not that there's any sign of it slipping or anything, but it's pretty much only ever seen London riding to my knowledge.
Noted re. the holding it in, I do tend to do that so worth me bearing in mind.
Vracktal wrote: |
3) If you have the tools pull all the bolts holding the generator cover off (front of the engine directly behind the front wheel), remove the generator cover then take out the sound deadening foam. It's a hateful design that traps road crud and water, rusts out the retaining bolts and causes all the paint to fall off the engine. I swapped all the bolts for titanium and put the foam in the bin after one of the original bolts snapped.
|
Yup, already on the radar!
Vracktal wrote: |
4) Nobody can agree on the right oil weight, type, semi synth or full synth etc etc. It makes no difference whatsoever as long as you keep the level good. Mine ran on 20w50 diesel engine oil quite happily for 3000 miles.
5) Changing out the gearbox and final drive oil for 75w140 improves shifting a bit on the tractor gearbox.
|
Noted
Vracktal wrote: |
Also if you do plan on keeping it and want some wheels, I have a 120/80 17 and 180/55 17 set from my R1200r (sans tyres) that i'd be willing to sell, since I upgraded to R1200s ones to run a 190/55 rear and have no use for them. The comprehensive conversion guide to fitting road wheels is saved here
Alternatively there's a site that converts the 90/90 21 spoked front wheel from an F800GS to fit the R1200GS if you want to look like you intend to take it off road. |
Will PM you re. the wheels. ____________________ I am a bellend, I am a man of constant sorrow, I am a gummy bear, I am a rock. |
|
Back to top |
|
You must be logged in to rate posts |
|
|
Pigeon |
This post is not being displayed .
|
Pigeon World Chat Champion
Joined: 27 Sep 2012 Karma :
|
Posted: 22:39 - 06 Feb 2019 Post subject: |
|
|
Looks mega and you've seen the work done on it in the last 14k, gives confidence.
Congrats!
They look like tanks, but the weight seems really low. Fun bikes, unlike many of the owners you'll now be speaking with at cafes
.....almost as bad as the Triumph old boys.
Fun, practical, 2 wheels. Nice way to start 2019 |
|
Back to top |
|
You must be logged in to rate posts |
|
|
G |
This post is not being displayed .
|
G The Voice of Reason
Joined: 02 Feb 2002 Karma :
|
|
Back to top |
|
You must be logged in to rate posts |
|
|
c_dug |
This post is not being displayed .
|
c_dug Super Spammer
Joined: 04 Sep 2007 Karma :
|
Posted: 19:43 - 09 Feb 2019 Post subject: |
|
|
Well, I've got it, and done my first commute too. It's huge!
I'm 5'11 and I can ballet toe on both sides, or flat foot one side. Figured I'd pop the seat down a notch, turns out it's on it's lowest setting already
Needs a noisy pipe too, before I squish a chin-lit pedestrian. ____________________ I am a bellend, I am a man of constant sorrow, I am a gummy bear, I am a rock. |
|
Back to top |
|
You must be logged in to rate posts |
|
|
Pete. |
This post is not being displayed .
|
Pete. Super Spammer
Joined: 22 Aug 2006 Karma :
|
Posted: 20:20 - 09 Feb 2019 Post subject: |
|
|
As Vracktal says don't treat the clutch like a Jap bike wet clutch, or you'll be changing it twice a year (and it's a cowson of a job). The engine is hugely tractable so get the clutch in and then hit the throttle. ____________________ a.k.a 'Geri'
132.9mph off and walked away. Gear is good, gear is good, gear is very very good |
|
Back to top |
|
You must be logged in to rate posts |
|
|
Skudd |
This post is not being displayed .
|
Skudd Super Spammer
Joined: 01 Oct 2006 Karma :
|
|
Back to top |
|
You must be logged in to rate posts |
|
|
M.C |
This post is not being displayed .
|
M.C Super Spammer
Joined: 29 Sep 2015 Karma :
|
Posted: 16:07 - 11 Feb 2019 Post subject: |
|
|
Sorry to hijack this but with clutch talk does the same apply to clutches in a car/van? I've never been one to hold a vehicle with the clutch for 2 mins at a set of lights, mainly due to slightly rubbish clutch control , I've just always wondered how much damage other people who do this were doing. |
|
Back to top |
|
You must be logged in to rate posts |
|
|
c_dug |
This post is not being displayed .
|
c_dug Super Spammer
Joined: 04 Sep 2007 Karma :
|
|
Back to top |
|
You must be logged in to rate posts |
|
|
MarJay |
This post is not being displayed .
|
MarJay But it's British!
Joined: 15 Sep 2003 Karma :
|
|
Back to top |
|
You must be logged in to rate posts |
|
|
M.C |
This post is not being displayed .
|
M.C Super Spammer
Joined: 29 Sep 2015 Karma :
|
|
Back to top |
|
You must be logged in to rate posts |
|
|
temeluchus |
This post is not being displayed .
|
temeluchus World Chat Champion
Joined: 01 Oct 2008 Karma :
|
|
Back to top |
|
You must be logged in to rate posts |
|
|
Robby |
This post is not being displayed .
|
Robby Dirty Old Man
Joined: 16 May 2002 Karma :
|
|
Back to top |
|
You must be logged in to rate posts |
|
|
Skudd |
This post is not being displayed .
|
Skudd Super Spammer
Joined: 01 Oct 2006 Karma :
|
|
Back to top |
|
You must be logged in to rate posts |
|
|
c_dug |
This post is not being displayed .
|
c_dug Super Spammer
Joined: 04 Sep 2007 Karma :
|
Posted: 21:59 - 14 Feb 2019 Post subject: |
|
|
Yup, but mine is on low already, after speaking to the previous owner I think it may be a tall adventure seat or something, with the adventure suspension it's no surprise it's too tall for my distinctly average legs.
I'm sort of getting used to it, but an inch or two lower would be nice, I ended up stopped on top of the road camber in traffic earlier and shat myself for a split second when I couldn't reach the ground on either side!
Oddessy battery arrives tomorrow anyway, and new back tyre at the weekend, should be in a pretty decent state at that point, chuffed considering what I paid. The low seat can wait until pay day! ____________________ I am a bellend, I am a man of constant sorrow, I am a gummy bear, I am a rock. |
|
Back to top |
|
You must be logged in to rate posts |
|
|
Pete. |
This post is not being displayed .
|
Pete. Super Spammer
Joined: 22 Aug 2006 Karma :
|
Posted: 23:00 - 14 Feb 2019 Post subject: |
|
|
The 1100S came with 3 seat height options as I understand it. You got the appropriate one for your leg length etc when ordering a new bike. Could be the 1200GS had a similar deal. ____________________ a.k.a 'Geri'
132.9mph off and walked away. Gear is good, gear is good, gear is very very good |
|
Back to top |
|
You must be logged in to rate posts |
|
|
Old Thread Alert!
The last post was made 5 years, 72 days ago. Instead of replying here, would creating a new thread be more useful? |
|
|
|