From owner-bmw@chinacat.unicom.com Sat Aug 13 02:17:45 1994 Received: from newton.ncsa.uiuc.edu by void.ncsa.uiuc.edu (4.1/NCSA-4.1) id AA18230; Sat, 13 Aug 94 02:17:45 CDT Received: from chinacat.unicom.com by newton.ncsa.uiuc.edu with SMTP id AA23466 (5.65a/IDA-1.4.2 for davet@void.ncsa.uiuc.edu); Sat, 13 Aug 94 02:19:26 -0500 Received: (from daemon@localhost) by chinacat.unicom.com (8.6.9/8.6.9) id AAA27903 for dist-bmw; Sat, 13 Aug 1994 00:42:11 -0500 (CDT) Resent-Date: Sat, 13 Aug 1994 00:42:11 -0500 (CDT) Resent-Message-Id: <199408130542.AAA27903@chinacat.unicom.com> Resent-From: bmw@chinacat.unicom.com Resent-Sender: owner-bmw@chinacat.unicom.com Received: from rider.UUCP (urider@localhost) by chinacat.unicom.com (8.6.9/8.6.9) with UUCP id AAA27898 for in-bmw; Sat, 13 Aug 1994 00:42:09 -0500 (CDT) Received: by rider.cactus.org (smail2.5c) id AA15502; 10 Aug 94 02:12:26 CDT (Wed) From: insinr8@well.sf.ca.us (James M. Sims) Subject: Re: Woo Hoooo! world cruise on a GS! Cc: bmw@rider.cactus.org (bmw Mailing List) Sender: bmw@rider.cactus.org Message-Id: <9408100212.AA15502@rider.cactus.org> Date: 10 Aug 94 02:12:26 CDT (Wed) Errors-To: owner-bmw@chinacat.unicom.com Precedence: bulk X-Redistributed-By: chinacat.unicom.com to the "bmw" list Status: OR Dave, Sounds like a fantastic expedition. I do alot of off road expeditions in the High Sierra and deserts of the the western US. I would like to offer some pointers based on my own experiences. I don't care for the PD tank... It moves too much weight to the front wheel. I have an 89 so it was fairly easy for me to adapt the steel R80PD tank. This tank positions all the weight of the gas more towards the center. However, the tank was not made for the R100GS, therefore, the seat needs to be shortened by a couple of inches or you can purchase one from Corbin (best bet because it is so much more comfortable for high miles). Definetly get the bash plate and the center stand plate (the collector on the exhaust is vurnerable to punctures on rough rocky roads. I would strongly suggest beefing up the suspension because you will be on rough roads and fully loaded. Ohlins has been very satisfactory though some of the other brands that offer rebound damping adjustment are very good as well (e.g., Fox). I have experience with the Hepco & Becker bags and with the standard BMW bags. The H/B bags dent easily and the the locking mechanism shears off too easily. The BMW bags are not as expedition looking but the are very resilient. Oops! On suspension, I forgot to add that you will need to add stiffer fork springs and a slightly heavier oil. On the gas tank issue.... check with your local dirt bike dealer (e.g., Honda). They will most likely not even realize that their catalogs for offroad accesories include plastic tanks for the PD (e.g., Acerbis). Let me know if you want to discuss camping supplies/techniques or offroad riding techniques (BMW specific). I am not a fan of the plastic engine guard, it blocks some of the cooling airflow and I have never had anything significant fly up and hit the cylinders or the header pipes. I used to wish for a kick starter, however, you bike is not going to start if you battery is flat dead anyway (kickstarter or not). Awfully expensive for a little insurance. I hav been able to get the bike jump started by putting it into 2nd or 3rd and gently releasing the clutch while rolling down hill or pushing if the ground was hard and afforded some decent traction. They key is to take good care of your battery. The oil cooler has not seemed necessary, even in Yellowstone at 15 degeress or riding in the snow in the Sierras. ------------------------------------------------------------------------------ Mailing List bmw@rider.cactus.org Subject: subscribe/unsubscribe/help bmw-request@rider.cactus.org