austin said:
Hi Gordon, its growing on me. Its big and comfy and a nice lot of power. I have had a couple of good runs out on it and have been commuting to work for a couple of weeks, about 1200miles now. I am getting used to the handling - its just needs a firm grip to keep the beast under control. But the technology is a bit intimidating - I don't understand Can Bus and all the associated electronics which makes it all seem fragile, and i don't know why they use Torx fasteners all over the pace. But it seems well screwed together and in all other respects is built like a tank.
I am sure I could do it myself but Its going to Adventure Bike Warehouse for a FULL service and expedition readiness check in a couple of weeks. It should get a clean bill of health as apart from that rough edge I reported and lots of clanks and clunks from shaft/gearbox/clutch its fine, and everyone who has a GS says to me thats the way they are. Then its a new pair of tyres - probably going for Heidenau K60s and off to James Cargo and a plane to New York.
Canbus is a bit of piss to understand but has the potential to be expensive if the electronics go wrong.
Basically each switch has one wire going between it and the main control unit. That unit in turn has wires to each ancillary and programming in the control unit decide which switches trigger which ancillary. Over simplified description but really simple wiring with no need for any logic outside the control unit. Just think of the start inhibitor circuit on non canbus wiring which has multiple switches (Side stand, clutch, gearbox and starter) all wired with a diode and changeover switches just to ensure you dont start the bike in gear with the clutch out.
Problem is without testers it's pretty much impossible to track down a fault but on the flip side with a tester is should take you straight to the faulty switch or ancillary.
Servicing wise the bike is old technology and a doddle to service so once you are back have a look at the reprom. Full step by step details are there. No specialist tools needed and you can do a full 24000 service in a couple of hours for not much money.
Tyres wise I didn't like the K60 but your mileage may vary. They certainly last and if you wait till you get to the USA the ones over there are reportedly even longer lasting.. I bought one of someone who brought it back from the states but in the meantime I fell out with the K60 I had fitted so I gave the USA one to Vader. Not sure of he has used it yet so he may be able to advise if they are any better than the UK ones. For tyres for the GSA I use the original Tourance or the TKC80. The Tourance isn't any worse then the K60 off road in the try and much better on the road wet or dry. The K60 is a little better in the soft stuff but not a patch on the TKC80.