Did I miss something or were you avoiding me
- Thread starter austin
- Start date
austin
Well-Known Member
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.
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.
Most noises on a GS can be fixed quite easily, buy better earplugs 
austin said:
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.
austin
Well-Known Member
Thanks Boris, I will soon find my way round the bike, its just a bit intimidating to start with. Tyres - I was really just going for the K60s for the mileage. We will do around 6000miles in the USA which I suspect will shred tourances and the like. K60s seem to last for 12000+.
Bob, whisky is my drink of choice = an auld soak I guess then. Gin is just to keep my wife company from time to time, mind tonight I have given a bottle of mead some damage. It was Christmas present along with some mead flavoured jams. Now there's an idea for a new gin cocktail.
Bob, whisky is my drink of choice = an auld soak I guess then. Gin is just to keep my wife company from time to time, mind tonight I have given a bottle of mead some damage. It was Christmas present along with some mead flavoured jams. Now there's an idea for a new gin cocktail.
Lord Vader
Well-Known Member
Dont bother with the American K60. Compound is very hard and it becomes even more slippy than the normal "European" K60.
I love the K60 and the way they handle,got 12.5k miles out of the rear and about 18k out of the front but as Boris is saying,Tourances are brilliant to and just for the odd fire road they will do.J even done Strata Florida on them
Oh and welcome Austin
I love the K60 and the way they handle,got 12.5k miles out of the rear and about 18k out of the front but as Boris is saying,Tourances are brilliant to and just for the odd fire road they will do.J even done Strata Florida on them
Oh and welcome Austin
Lord Vader
Well-Known Member
Aehh no,probably your weightdigitalcaptive said:
Just kidding,mine take about 800-1000 miles to settle in
Welcome to the forum mate, from South Oxfordshire...
DC, the K60's on mine are a little vibey too. Don't worry about it. I've had a few interesting moments pushing it around some tight bends, but whether this is the tyre, suspension or my ability's (lack of) who knows. Did you fit a full set? The front tyre is pretty noisy!
DC, the K60's on mine are a little vibey too. Don't worry about it. I've had a few interesting moments pushing it around some tight bends, but whether this is the tyre, suspension or my ability's (lack of) who knows. Did you fit a full set? The front tyre is pretty noisy!