GS Modification. Is it needed?

**Samy** · #1 10 Feb 2006

Hello everybody,

I have a '97 R80 GS/Basic with 48.000 kms on it. The bike is transformed to 1000 CC by changing pistons. I have an oil cooler on it.
I am planning long distance travels with my bike and want to improve my bike.
When I read travel stories I see GS bikes are modified by many ways. When I look at the HPN site and forum, want to run away there and modify my bike to a HPN.
But is it really necessary? Or what is really necessary?
I think brakes and lights needs to modification and/or improvement. But have doubts about the rest !

What do you think?

Thanks,

Samy

**simmo** · #2 10 Feb 2006

HPN style is not neccesary, just make sure your gearbox is good, drive shaft healthy and a few smaller odds and sods.

**yngveer** · #3 10 Feb 2006

Hi, if your using the 43L fueltank you may need some harder spring in the forks. But this depends on your driving.
There is really nothing you MUST do, except the service..
Good Luck

**Ekke** · #4 11 Feb 2006

Hi Samy,

The two failure prone items are the rotor (in the alternator) and the paralever driveshaft. Make sure those are in good condition before heading off on a big trip.

Most "improvements" to the bike are not really necessary. Certainly the brakes and lights are just fine for travel in developing countries (where the speeds are low and you don't ride at night). My two favourite improvements are the Ohlins rear shock and the Jesse luggage.

------------------
Ekke Kok
Redwood Meadows, AB
'89 R100GS
'03 R1150GS Adventure

**ozhanu** · #5 11 Feb 2006

Actually, it also depends where you wanna go and what you wanna do. But modifications like HPN ones are really professional things. If you wanna race Paris-Dakar it is almost must, but, if you wanna travel on tarmak in Europa dont spend that much money. Save for travelling.

Good Luck / Bol Sanslar

------------------
ozhan u.
'97 F650
www.ortadoguturu.com

**Glynn Roberts** · #6 11 Feb 2006

Agree with all the above - gearbox check - new Ohlins rear shock - Driveshaft checked/renewed, carry a spare rotor and removal tool, and spend the rest on petrol

**chasbmw** · #7 5 Mar 2006

All my trips were on road going airhead BMWs, they are pretty good at dealing with the sort of bad road conditions when travelling, a lot of the HPN Touratech stuff is good for posing down the pub, but may not be really needed on the road. No bike with all the crap you need on a long trip is going to be fun on deep sand or mud, so don't get too sucked into the paris dakar dream world.....you won't have back up.

My suggestion is to have a tank range of 200 miles, to have the most robust luggae kit possible and the most Robust susupension components, if the rear shocks are steel then they can be welded!

The less flash your bike looks, then the less likely it will be nicked, people won't treat you as a rich git and any bribes you have to pay to the police will be less.

Charles