Is a non-enduro transmission off-road capable?

[M1Tanker]

I have a 2008 R1200GS Adventure. When ordering the bike I was given the no cost option of ordering the enduro transmission. I did not order the enduro transmission and went with the standard transmission. In retrospect I'm wondering whether or not I made a mistake.

Is there much of a difference between the standard transmission and the enduro transmission?

Can a bike with a standard transmission be taken off road with no problems?

Does it make sense to retrofit an enduro transmission?

Or can a standard transmission be converted to an enduro transmission?

[Threewheelbonnie]

Welcome to HUBB.

There is little difference. The Enduro gearbox has a lower first gear, the clutch is out fully a fraction sooner. You can ride for miles at 3 mph instead of 4 without cooking it.

The limitation of big bikes off road is the weight not the gearing, you'll never be using the lower first to hop the front up rocks, 1200's go through or round. The disturbance caused by changing a gearbox will increase the risk of mechanical or electrical failure by much more than you'd gain IMHO.

If you have gearbox levels of cash going free I'd spend it on tyres and petrol or if the weight of the GS is killing your off road enjoyment spend it on a second hand 350 trail bike.

Andy

[M1Tanker]

Andy,

Thanks.

Can you please explain? "The disturbance caused by changing a gearbox will increase the risk of mechanical or electrical failure..."

[Magnon]

Originally Posted by M1Tanker

Andy,

Thanks.

Can you please explain? "The disturbance caused by changing a gearbox will increase the risk of mechanical or electrical failure..."

If it ain't broke don't fix it!

[M1Tanker]

Well would a Power Commander or Booster Plug be another way to address 1st gear capability?

[Grant Johnson]

Neither of them change the GEARING.

What's your real issue with "first gear capability" at this point? Just can't ride slow enough off-road, lurching and jerking at low speeds, or :confused1:

[M1Tanker]

Fair enough. Neither will change the gearing.

My thought was that rather than revving the engine more, because it is set to run lean, feathering the clutch quite a bit, and dragging the rear brake at low speeds was to remap the engine so there would be a bit more power and torque at low rpm to help compensate for a taller gear.

In effect improve the engine response under low/medium load at low speeds.

[Toyark]

M1
you might want to fit the Wunderlich fuel controller. Stops engine running lean, fully adjustable, makes weight loss of bike possible by fitting lighter, free flowing exhaust ( like a Remus) and a high flow air filter. (W=blue filter or K&N)
None of the above have anything to do with gearing but you get better power delivery& smoother bike- and slightly higher fuel consumption- nothing for nothing in this life!
I had one on my 1200- never regretted it.

no tools required for installation- well, yes, a small screwdriver helps that is all. Bike can be reverted to standard in 5 minutes. No wire cutting etc either.

email me if you need more info

[Petrus]

Try first think later.

Offcorse you can ride it offroad!
Lower gearing might be better, but standard gearing will do fine.

[Steve Pickford]

Forget changing gearboxes, the lower 1st gear is only for pulling away, ionce you're in 2nd gear, there's no difference. It's very rare to actually ride any distance in 1st gear on or off road. Once moving, you'll have more stability by changing up to 2nd or 3rd gear.

As others have said, if you're planning to ride the GS offroad, then invest your money in decent tyres and decent protection for the engine and cyline heads etc or alternatively a used small trailbike if you have zero or zero offroad experience. Learning to ride offroad for the first time using a GS is doing it the hard way, you'll learn more and learn quicker on a smaller bike.

[M1Tanker]

Originally Posted by Bertrand

M1
you might want to fit the Wunderlich fuel controller. Stops engine running lean, fully adjustable, makes weight loss of bike possible by fitting lighter, free flowing exhaust ( like a Remus) and a high flow air filter. (W=blue filter or K&N)
None of the above have anything to do with gearing but you get better power delivery& smoother bike- and slightly higher fuel consumption- nothing for nothing in this life!
I had one on my 1200- never regretted it.

no tools required for installation- well, yes, a small screwdriver helps that is all. Bike can be reverted to standard in 5 minutes. No wire cutting etc either.

email me if you need more info

Thanks. There is a local mechanic here in Germany who has one he will lone me so that I can try it out. I may PM you for other questions. I've read some about the IICE Air on ADVrider (Hotrodding the GS - ADVrider) that appears interesting as well.