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What do i need todo to my 1200gsa for a rtw trip What do i need todo to my 1200gsa for a rtw trip
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  #1  
Old 21 Aug 2007
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What do i need todo to my 1200gsa for a rtw trip
Just wondering what can or should be done to prepare my bike for my rtw trip?
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  #2  
Old 21 Aug 2007
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Lots you can do...

I´d start with lighting. The stock lighting isn´t good. Throw on an HID kit on the stock low and high beam, or add some decent foglights. If not, bring an extra H7 bulb, they tend to burn frequently.

The stock Showa shocks dont last long either, less if you´re loaded. Look into Ohlins or Wilbers.

The 12GSA uses up at least two rear brake pads for every front. Expect to change rear brake pads at 20,000 kms, 12,000 miles or so. Maybe double that for fronts.

A washable air filter is probably a good idea.

Will you be riding in places with leaded gasoline? if so, replace your header/y-pipe and get rid of the catalytic converter.

Get a comfortable seat if you´ll be doing long days on the saddle. The stocker is torture after a few hundred kms/miles.
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  #3  
Old 22 Aug 2007
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Bike preperation .. something not in the FAQ yet ..

There are the generic answers .. things you do for all bikes .. and specific stuff for an individual bike ..

For your bike look at the serviceing requirements .. and work to those.

The genric stuff...
Well I'd not worry about lights .. you should plan not to ride at night.. so improving the lights is not required. I'd look at a good horn though.

Go for weight reduction where possible.

Go for making life easy - things that are minor anoyances now will be major frustrations when you have been riding for 80 days ...

The longer you sit and look at the bike thinking of making it simpler the better it will be .. Less is More.
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Old 22 Aug 2007
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Build up a proper toolkit! Very important! Here's a link:
http://www.r1200gs.info/misc/toolkit.html
Also, learn how to maintain the bike yourself. Be one with your bike!
http://www.advrider.com/forums/showthread.php?t=217899
http://www.advrider.com/forums/forumdisplay.php?f=3

BTW...my '05 1200 GS has stock WP shocks. Did they put Showa's on the new bikes or the GSA's? Anyways, it doesn't hurt to have new shocks, but i haven't YET heared of any miserable failures with the stock shocks. I got a set of Wilburs for mine, but i also got a good deal on a used set...major bling!
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Old 22 Aug 2007
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Yup, Showas on my 06 12GSA, go figure...

I understood the Sheikabooty's question to be specific to this bike. Therefore I mentioned only what I've found to be wrong with it. Plan as much as you like, you will find yourself riding at night at some point, as not everything goes as planned. When you do, you'll find the 12GSA lights are junk.

Depending on what kind of riding you'll do, a better bash plate might be in order too.
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Old 22 Aug 2007
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Sorry I should have been more specific in my question, it was in regard to my 1200 gsa, seeing as it has alot of the bits i would have bought on it already, I was wondering what anyone else has done with this specific bike to make it ready.

Thanks for the help guys
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Old 22 Aug 2007
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Quote:
Originally Posted by Sheikyabooty View Post
Just wondering what can or should be done to prepare my bike for my rtw trip?
Sell it and buy a KTM?
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Old 22 Aug 2007
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why a KTM ??
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Old 22 Aug 2007
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Ktm?
Quote:
Originally Posted by arno vaassen View Post
why a KTM ??
Just because I like them!

Seriously? Because the big BM's are too heavy.
I'm in India at the moment and If I did the trip again it would be on a bike half the size.

I Like the KTM's but a TransAlp/XT600/650 BM, etc. would also be adequate.
I'm talking about a solo bike here.

John
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Old 22 Aug 2007
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ok John

but now your talking about the weight,and thats true the bmadventure is heavy.What aboit the weight from the KTM ??
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  #11  
Old 22 Aug 2007
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Think about changing the battery - it seems that flat battery problems are rampant with the 1200's .Leaving the lights on for just a few minutes can leave you stranded. Get a good quality dry cell battery that won't leak.
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  #12  
Old 25 Aug 2007
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Ride it!
Hey mate,

Are you still interested in the ride to Salalah? I am in Muscat now and will leave Monday morning. Have sent you a private message with ph etc:


Cheers mate, hope to meet you.

Cheers
Ivan
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  #13  
Old 13 Jan 2009
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Leaded fuel
Hi
So, if I haven't replaced the header/y-pipe and got rid of the catalytic converter, what problems can I expect runnining my '07 GSA on leaded fuel?
I've just come across this thread and it wasn't something that I even considered before setting off on our RTW. Currently in Spain due to head into Morocco on 21st Jan so is it something that needs attention before leaving Spain or not?
Thanks for the help
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  #14  
Old 18 Jan 2009
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Kompakttester
Buy a Kompakttester to run diagnostics. The R 1200 GSA has a canbus system, have to have this tool to read-out the many computers onboard and reset them when failure. The are expensive but is a must have when you are not near a dealer.
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  #15  
Old 18 Jan 2009
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1200gsa Rtw
I am myself trying to prep a RTW trip and one of the best thing is to look for some rider which have done similar trip on the same bike or at least long trip and ask them directly for advice.Sometime general posting is great but sometime is not precise enough.Maybe we should have a section for bike specific mod per model ,that will mke things a bit easier to research.
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