Thursday, April 12, 2012

Mine. All Mine.

Ya know, it's a real dilemma trying to decide which bike to ride sometimes. The hazards of having multiple bikes. Of course, the GS is the new baby on the block and is like playing with a new toy. Of course you are going to be partial to the new toy. It just begs to be played with! But the R is the tried and true bike that has stuck with me through thick and thin, I've bonded with, I have a deep seated passion for.

So I face a real conundrum when deciding which bike for what adventure.

The R has the super large capacity side cases that hold the same volume. And I have the gargantuan top box purchased from insurance after Oilburners fatal bike wounding last year. I don't love that top box, but it is darned handy on a long trip. I usually only keep the camera backpack in it. Therefore when I stop someplace I grab it and can stuff my helmet and riding jacket in it. I don't have to lock anything special. I don't have to rearrange the side bags. Easy peasy.

I also appreciate the gas mileage at a steady 47 mpg when keeping near the speed limit. But the sport style leg positioning can get a little cramped on longer rides. Mind you, I wasn't bothered too much by the leg position until I had the GS to compare it to. I had always been able to stand, stretch my legs, or scootch to the back seat for a minute to alleviate pains.

The GS, on the or hand, has a "wider" stance for all around positioning. It feels extremely natural to sit up straight, the handle bars are wider, the pegs allow for a less cramped position. But those damn Vario side cases! The expanding feature is intriguing. (In case you aren't aware, these cases have a lever that allows you to expand the side lids out about two inches to increase volume.). Which is absolutely required to give any useful storage space for the muffler side. Collapsed, that case can barely hold a jacket. Truthfully, it isn't much better expanded.

With the engine still breaking in, the fuel mileage is variable. It has been consistent between 42-44 mpg. But lately has started to creep up to 46.

So that leaves the question of a long distance ride... For slabs, the GS is more comfortable but the storage is lacking. For slabs, the R gets better fuel mileage and great storage. For twisties? They are both hard to beat. I haven't yet figured out which one is more fun.

So I ventured to make my first big purchase for the GS in the form of a top box. I had bolted my old Pelican on to the rear rack, and I really like it. But it doesn't hold a candle to being able to stuff a helmet and jacket into it.

I just happened to be flipping through Beemer Boneyard looking for an RT rack that would hold the trusty top box and could be modified to fit onto the GS rack. No luck. But I did find the matching Vario top box for a ridiculously low price.

They described the only damage being to the aluminum top being scratched and dinged. But upon arrival, we also discovered a missing back edge cover. You can't win them all. The back edge cover doesn't affect functionality and I wasn't concerned about replacing it. But at a small cost of $15, I'll do it.

Oh yeah, there is the standard crack along the bottom hook and this is the older model when they discovered there needed to be a centering pin to prevent the box from separating itself from the bike at the slightest provocation. All things that can be fixed or retrofitted thanks to those pioneers on ADVRider.

The first, and most important, thing to tackle was the lock. Someone had kindly removed the lock and all I needed to do was purchase a replacement one and key it to my keys. I had always been interested in how those things are rekeyed, but hadn't the nerve to try my hand at it.

This was my time!!

For a measly $35 I acquired a new lock cylinder with many pretty little "followers" to key to my hearts content.

This is an example of incorrect keying where the "followers" are too "proud". They should be flush with the cylinder.

This is an example of proper keying. The last follower sticking up from the cylinder is the lock. It prevents the cylinder from being slipped out. That tab will catch being a plastic tab preventing it from moving.

If you look closely at the top of the cylinder you will see the tab.

Here is the cylinder installed in the handle, with the key in the "locked" position.

The mounting rack for the bike, the lock, the retrofit locking pin, the top box, and the rear edge and I'm still at less than half of the price of a new one. Of course, it isn't quite as large a capacity as the one on the R. And as Nikos has found out, it might have difficulty holding a regular sized helmet. But it does increase storage. We shall see if it will fit the bill.

On a side note...Oilburner and our friendly parts guy continued to harass me about the ding in the top aluminum piece. They both encouraged me to replace the part. My question, why does it have to be fixed? I'm fine with the damage. It isn't extensive, it doesn't affect usage, it is only cosmetic. I'm going to damage it in some way, shape or form. A sticker will even cover the entire issue. So why do I need to spend money unnecessarily on this. What are your thoughts?

 

 

 

16 comments:

  1. I say leave the damage and make up a great story about how you did it.

    Seriously, like you I don't like to spend money fixing cosmetic things, besides it's aluminum. It won't rust.
    ~k

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    1. Hi Keith, I resoundingly agree. The more money that can go into the gas tank the better!

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  2. If you can live with the ding and its not making you crazy and a sticker will solve the issue, go with the sticker! Sounds like you are getting it all outfitted and rigged up. Pictures of the new bike please!

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    1. Hi Dar,

      I always want to put stickers on things. I just hate the thought of losing stickers if/when I have to let something go. So I have a stockpile of cool stickers to choose from that I love...but let's see if I have the guts to put them on. :)

      I'll post some side by side shots of the bikes soon so you can see the comparison problem... Hehe

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    2. Puddles:

      having the "guts" to use a new sticker, is analogous to having a new pair of AlpineStars* sitting there with new tags attached

      bob
      Riding the Wet Coast
      My Flickr // My YouTube

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    3. LOL! Not even a comparison. Mine will never come off, can never go on anything else, are not utilitarian in another or respect than aesthetic. Boots are functionally, eye catching and AN IMPORTANT SAFETY ITEM!!! ;)

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  3. Steel Cupcake:

    In my humble, valued opinion, I think you should give me the bike with the damaged Aluminum piece. It would bother you immensely, but I could live with it. Glad to do you a favour, anytime . . . happy to help a good friend

    bob
    Riding the Wet Coast
    My Flickr // My YouTube

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    Replies
    1. Bob, what can I say. It's great to have true friends like you. Willing to suffer on my behalf. I heartily thank you. Let me get it installed and run with it and see how much it disturbs me and I will let you know. ;)

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  4. Miss Puddles

    I'm happy to report that mine is dinged now too when the side stand collapsed and the bike fell over at the airport parking lot.....I only knocked 2 other bikes over and the vario box and side cases did a sterling sacrificial preservation job.....

    PS my old Arai XL helmet fits in the box but this helmet does not absorb shocks so well!

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    1. Sir Meatball Eater...I was completely dismayed of hearing how your top box has received its damage. That is one of my biggest fears. Did it really take down other bikes?!?! OMG!!

      But tell me...how sacrificial were the sidecases? I've heard they are good for one drop. One.

      I've also learned another good use for handcuffs...one around the chin bar (of a full face) and one around something on the bike. Is that an option? Can you spare a set?

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    2. ...side cases OK

      hand cuffs - only available from specialist shops here in the UK

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  5. Can you find one of those "bullet hole' stickers to put over the ding on the case? Mind you that would just draw attention to it.

    I am glad I'm not the only one who skooches back to the rear part of the seat for comfort. Damn long legs anyway. Of course that gives me more of a forward lean angle. Can't win for trying.

    Are you perhaps trying to decide which bike you might want to ride on a long trip this July, maybe to the West coast to meet up with other bloggers perhaps?

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    1. Hi Trobairitz! I like the idea of the bullet hole sticker. But the stupid ding is on the top. Likely no one will see it. ;)

      You skooch back too? It took me a long time to work up the courage to sit on the back seat. That meant standing up!! LOL. But it certainly does help stretch things doesn't it?

      As far as planning...I don't know what you are talking about... I mean, slabs, twisties, possible dirt and gravel...I wouldn't know which bike to take. ;)

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  6. I know someone else who had a R1200R and a couple of GS's. She sold the R1200R since it wasn't getting ridden much anymore...

    Nice job with the top box. I wouldn't bother with the scratches or dents but that's just me.

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  7. Dear Steel Cupcake:

    All of the guys at the Mac-Pac, who ride the venerable GS, have aluminum side bags that look like garbage bins that could hold 40 cubic yards of material. Some of these have withstood some substantial drops. Have you thought of just changing out the side bags?

    It seems there may be an "R" bike in my future, as the more open-minded members of my club claim an "R" would be better suited to my limitations.

    Fondest regards,
    Jasck/reep
    Twisted Roads

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