Horizons Unlimited - The HUBB - Adventures to Starbucks on my BMW R1150GSA

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Adventures to Starbucks on my BMW R1150GSA

So for anyone new to my threads a lil catchup

Recently I've had a few bikes partly out of curiosity and alot have gone due to rejection with issues.

R1200GSA 2014 owned since late 2014 till about 2017, did a ton of miles on it and trips all over the UK inc riding from near the cat and fiddle to Cornwall in an 8 hour thunderstorm spending a day riding round an then rode back :) unfortunately at a valve clearance check BMW managed to destroy the engine, which lead to multiple screw ups fixing it 3 engines a gearbox /FD.

After that I had a Vstrom 1000xt for a while but to similar to the fireblade I've owned since 2010.

That lead to an F800GS which I liked but redundancy meant having to let it go. Issues to report on that bad wind management an a penchant for headbearings. Did a few trips up around Scotland.

Rode my Norton a an rd250lc for a while doing 2k Miles in a week on the elsie.

After that in around 2021 I got a Vstrom 650XT loved it great for everything I was doing 600 mile days etc an didn't want to part with.

Dad started talking about getting some lighter bikes for our dream trip to Norway so I sold my Vstrom 650xt + his older gsxr to get us two 390 advs (this is where it starts to go wrong)

390 adv mine and dads rejected for refunds at 147 and 269 miles full of issues qc, build and display faults.

That lead me back onto a 1200GS TE Rallye from 2018

Unfortunately I had to part with it due to some mitigating circumstances life is a insert your favourite word.

I spent half the money on a Himalayan which I loved at first but started to have issue after issue with so I spoke to the dealer who had supplied it when I sold the GS an it went back for a refund at 500 miles with them agreeing things that had been missed shouldn't have.

After that I still wanted to give green laning a go so I bought the 300 Rally got really lucky finding one added a RR level 1 shock an for what I'd bought it for perfect. Giving green laning a go, an seeing if I enjoyed that sort of riding which I didn't. Especially on the UK trails, I think if I was to do that sort of riding I'd give Classic Trails a go on an old Norton.

An I honest enough to admit that I didn't enjoy riding on the UK green lanes, there's different styles for all of us to enjoy in Adventure.

This coincided with our house move plans changing from Cornwall (perfect for a trail bike) to on the edge of the Scottish Highlands.

Life's to short sometimes to stick with something for the sake of it and I'm a great believer in the right tool for the job.

So at the weekend I sold the Rally it got to the point I had to turn my phone off due to the amount of enquiries.

For the past 4 years I've daily rode a 1967 Norton 650SS Inc winters. Which lead me onto wanting something less techy but that offers what an want now out of a bike for my changed needs which is now more long distance road based adventure travel with the occasional light gravel road.

So without further ado.

https://i.ibb.co/FBdwkN2/20230622-115312-04.jpg

First Adventure to Starbucks done lmao!

Had a nice spin out on the BMW R1150GSA must admit it's suprising me compared to the 1200s I thought they'd be light an day better had alot of miles on the 1200GSA from 2014 that I had.

An I reckon up to now I actually prefer the 1150GSA bit more character feels more manageable with the Ohlins shocks on can get both my feet on the floor which helps with a heavy bike :)

So far so good.

I've got a Standard exhaust can and a cat on the way so just gotta sus out what's been done previously on the bike mapping wise. I can see the sensor is plugged into the y peice at the mo. There's a few sheets from Hiltop in the folder, I'm assuming they run a map on the 1150 ecus?

https://i.ibb.co/60NXPcc/20230623-102154-03.jpg
https://i.ibb.co/JkXyLWR/20230623-102613-1-03.jpg
https://i.ibb.co/hMv4mpt/20230623-102701-03.jpg
https://i.ibb.co/yqHjgvG/20230623-103939-01.jpg
https://i.ibb.co/RyfbSG5/20230623-104008-0-01.jpg
https://i.ibb.co/8P1d89m/20230623-104018-02.jpg

hopefully should have the standard exhaust can and cat arriving on Monday absolutely can't wait to try it.

I'm gonna order the tools to get the stick coils out as well, want to double check what spark plugs are in looking at the BMW EPC the twin spark ran different plugs top n low.

Here's the first adventure to Starbucks!! Lol

Bit of progress today fitted a GS height centre stand :)

The GS Height centre stand came yesterday to match the lowered GS Spec Ohlins and with a tip from Lee on the 1150GS FB group who sent me some pictures of his GS shackle (not the GSA one)I modified it by removing 1 third from it to compensate for the difference in the mounting lug distance that the shackle fastens onto, after seeing that it was a really straightforward job with a Dremel and a file.

I replaced the o rings on the bushings while I had it apart to :)
It's best to put the springs on once at a time, larger first then use a zip tie to pull the smaller one through carefully.
Another tip if you have a small garden rake with 4 or 3 struts you can hook a spring puller onto it an it'l help get enough purchase to pop the springs on.
Obv all at your own risk etc,

Allowed me to retain all the GSA Bracketry and the GSA Side stand.

Good thing is now it pops on the stand real easy infact easier than alot of lighter bikes which surprised me.

Still waiting for the local BM Dealer to get some bit's in so I can fit my stock exhaust on hopefully they hurry up ha!
Also helps to hook the breather tubes out of the way of the spring puller like I did in this pic

Next step I wanna do now is check what plugs are in her, n do the 56k service, looking at the paperwork as well the clutch fluid is due,

An I'm gonna check the FD out as well now I can get her on the stand.

Oh yep on the grips Motoworks do BMW ones that allow you to replace them on the heated grip elements if you are careful. About 10 quid a side so nice an affordable.

https://i.ibb.co/KsQC45x/20230629-165644-02.jpg

Few more updates :)

Video riding and talking about the stock exhaust

Got absolutely drenched it was sunny took my jacket off crossed over the road to take some pics then instant thunderstorm lmao soaked to the skin all good fun though

Look at the plugs on the exhaust that was fitted (straight through n k&n that had been fitted)

An after 40 mins of riding on the stock exhaust, Cat and a new original exhaust.

I'll be doing a propper plug chop when I've got some new plugs.

https://i.ibb.co/0GqJVsH/Photo-2023-...8-18-AM-01.jpg

https://i.ibb.co/bK264tz/Photo-2023-...0-42-AM-01.jpg