Thought I'd just revive this old thread instead of starting a new one. Have spent the last several months working on my XR650L, it was time to give some love to the little GS.
Installed SW Motech engine guards and Barkbuster hand guards yesterday...
The engine guards are very solid, bolted up perfectly with no hole alignment issues. Had to finally break down and buy a star socket set, damn BMW fasteners! Hard to see in the pic but the SW Motech decals are upside down, had me wondering if I was installing the guards wrong but only one way to bolt them on.
The Barkbusters took a bit longer, came with handlebar risers for clearance and new bar ends, but they bolted up fine and definitely will offer protection.
I'm mounting my new tires on the XR today, then both dual sports are officially ready for out trip to Iowa next week, looking forward to playing in the dirt!
Can't wait! Riding around the dirt and gravel roads where I grew up, ripping around the pastures and trails through the woods, I plan to spend far more time on my bike than hunting for morels this year!
It's a good looking bike Scott! I could see myself one day owning a dual sport. It just sounds like an adventure!
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I haven't done much to the GS other than clean it up, change the oil, replace the tires with Mefo Explorers, install a Koubalink lowering link and raise the forks, and now the engine and hand guards. It's set up from the factory with a serious skid plate, as well as a fork brace, has nowhere near the ground clearance of my XR but even so it holds its own off road.
I'll probably look for a few more bolt on protective guards, the rear m/c seems vulnerable and it also could use a rear disc guard. I would like to replace the exhaust with something lighter that has a better sound, this one has those little pea shooter outlets and sounds wimpy. Of course it's up to Gin, but she usually trusts my judgement when it comes to mods.
I've been impressed with this bike other than it's a pain to work on, oil changes take forever. It runs great and has impressive power though, rides smooth and can cruise down the highway all day with no problem, or bash down a dirt road with equal ease. It's lowered for Gin since she's 5'2" so I feel kind of like a giant when I ride it now, especially if I jump off the XR onto the GS!
Scott, not to put a spanner in the works, but I came across a few threads warning F650GS owners of catastrofic fork failure. Scanned throught this thread, but couldn't see any one mention it to you or that you have checked it out yourself.
Better safe than sorry, it may pay for you to check this out:
Scott, not to put a spanner in the works, but I came across a few threads warning F650GS owners of catastrofic fork failure. Scanned throught this thread, but couldn't see any one mention it to you or that you have checked it out yourself.
Better safe than sorry, it may pay for you to check this out:
That took awhile to wade through! I checked out her GS, it does have the old style forks that supposedly have failed, but no hairline cracks or visible damage. It seems the forks that have failed without major impact are kind of vague in detail, lots of questions about whether there is even a problem and BMW says there is not. Better safe than sorry though, I appreciate you posting it Farab.
That took awhile to wade through! I checked out her GS, it does have the old style forks that supposedly have failed, but no hairline cracks or visible damage. It seems the forks that have failed without major impact are kind of vague in detail, lots of questions about whether there is even a problem and BMW says there is not. Better safe than sorry though, I appreciate you posting it Farab.
Glad you took the time to investigate. I would hate for anything to happen to you both. At least you are now aware of a possible problem, just keep an eye on the forks on a regular basis, as I'm sure you would.
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