Oops, typo — it’s a GS Adventure.
Update coming soon.
I was definitely leaning towards the $140 LiFePO4 battery, but you have to admit, a $35 AGM battery is worth considering. Gave those options to my wife, and she said to get the one that meant I was least likely to call her to pick me up, so I went with the expensive one. I hope I get what I’m paying for.
Changing the battery was pretty easy, with the normal stupid of working on cars and bikes. The video guide says remove the bolt holding down the ECM, and move it out of the way. Completely skips the part where you have to disconnect stuff so you have enough slack on the wires to move the ECM out of the way.
I’m working from home today, but hopefully I’ll be able to go for a ride tomorrow to test the new battery, though pretty much once the bike starts, it’s job is done.
Oh no, I think I only put 15,000 miles on the R1150R in 8 years. I miss that bike, and probably shouldn’t have sold it, but I was also really tired of something too tall for me. I know there are lots of ways to manage a too big bike, but after 15,000 miles, I didn’t want to do those things anymore.
It was seeing bikes like that which got me onto the R1150R. More of an R80/7 than RT, and maybe someday. I just don’t want to have to deal with carbs, and I like anti-lock brakes, so the chances of me getting a true old bike are very low. My Triumph Street Twin is a modern retro, and I like the look, but it is pretty boring to ride. No top end, and that can be fixed with a better breathing cam shaft, at about $1000 installed, but I don’t really want to put $1000 into modifying this bike.
I’d much rather put the money towards an electric motorcycle. Even used, the prices are too much for me, and the capabilities just not quite there. All I really want is 100 mile range and 100 MPH top speed, but those are still too expensive. The cheaper city ones aren’t any good for my freeway commute.
That should be lots of fun, and I hear very comfortable on road.
Nice (the battery). But yeah those videos sometimes skip little details that cost you more time and effort. Glad you got through that.
If I get the GS then I’ll be selling the DSRX. I haven’t decided yet but the price will be around $12K. I haven’t really thought of the price yet so that’s a rough ballpark. If I get the GS maybe let’s talk about the DSRX. It’ll do what you want. I’ve put about 1,000 miles on it in the 2 months I’ve had it. That torque and acceleration is smiles galore!
They truly are. Before getting the DSRX I test rode several GSs including the Adventure. They are big but I can manage them, and my wife said the back seat on the Adventure was the most comfortable (I didn’t take her on the test ride but my route took me to my house so she hopped on briefly while I was stopped).
That GS has been on the sales floor for over 3 months. If it is still available I’m going to buy it today. The owner has dropped the price 3x and is very motivated to sell, but it hasn’t moved.
Here are some web images of one, in red like what it is ➜ red 2017 BMW R1200GS Adventure - Google Search ■ ← (this shortened URL is safe, I just created it. My name is @Bullitt.)
When I bought the DSRX 2 months ago I took a long, hard look at that GS but decided on the DSRX. So why get the GS? Because the DSRX just doesn’t have the range that I need.
I regularly need to go 200 miles, and the first 100 miles are in the heart of one of the worst afternoon commutes in the San Francisco Bay Area. 100 miles out, attend a meeting, then 100 miles back home. I thought I’d be taking my car but that afternoon commute traffic is absolutely horrendous and I didn’t like being trapped in my car when I could be splitting lanes through that awful congestion.
(As an aside I find it utterly ridiculous that people put up with that terrible commute each and every weekday. But then again, I’ve been commuting by motorcycle for over 40 years so I’ve seen people trapped in their cages for a long time. I am extremely fortunate to live where I can ride year round.)
The DSRX has made this trip 2x before without having to stop and charge along the way. I charge at my destination; 2 hours to fill the battery — that was livable, but just barely. But on 3 other trips the winds were so strong that I’d have to charge on my way there and also on my way back. Last Friday for example, for that 200 mile round trip I was stopped and charging for 4 hours. 1 hour on the way there, 2 hours charging at the destination, and 1 hour on the way back.
It sucked. Hopefully that GS is still there. I’ll find out soon.
I just called. It’s still there and I phoned in a deposit on it. I’m on my way there now…
Meant to go to the Revzilla store in Denver to get a new jacket, because my old one is done. Just because that was the side of the street I parked on, I went into the Rev’It store across the street first. They’re having a sample and blemished sale I wasn’t aware of.
I bought the two jackets below for $200 total. Adding level 2 elbow and back armor made my total, with tax, $350.
Really can’t say enough good things about the staff there, too. Very helpful, and the guy running the sale even gave me some level 2 shoulder pads out of a different jacket, “because we have a whole box just sitting here.”
Good deal all around. I have the pants version of that Eclipse jacket for the hot days here in the tropics and sweet upgrade to CE2. Noraly approves 
Have a whole string of 90+ F degrees in the tropical north but my half century old Joe Rocket mesh jacket does okay. I’ve upgraded the armour and replaced the front zipper after it melted on my CB300 exhaust …that can was positively lethal.
https://www.mcgearhub.com/motorcycle-jackets/revit-eclipse-2-jacket-review-tested-long-term/
Don’t know Rhino gear but that’s a huge savings.
Good score especially the Eclipse - best of 83 tested. Best Street jacket for Summer: Rev’It Eclipse 2 jacket https://www.mcgearhub.com/motorcycle-jackets/best-summer-jackets-guide-updated-reviews/
I’m a big fan of the Joe Rocket stuff, especially the mesh jackets (I live in the desert). I typically get a new one every five years or so as they fade, get worn, etc. There are definitely improvements they make to the jackets with every new iteration - you may want to think about an update.
In my experience current models are often less well made. I already have too many jackets plus I’m at the end of my riding career and have no money
Maybe nearing the end of my ongoing helmet indecision.
The white Sena Phantom ANC helmet showed up at Revzilla, so I ordered it. They do a very nice job packing the helmet for shipping.
The fit and finish seems pretty good. Maybe similar to the Shoei RF-SR, but definitely not as nice as the Shoei RF-1400. Certainly better than what I’ve been wearing the last 7 years.
It fits tight. Instead of smooth across my head, it feels like there is a tight ring at my hat line. I don’t know if that’s how it’s supposed to be, but it is comfortable enough, and does not move around. It is also tight at the cheeks, and around my neck, which bodes well for noise reduction.
It is too tight to fit my glasses on under it. That’s not a problem for me, but could be critical to other people. I can never fit my glasses comfortably in any helmet, though, which is why I need a tinted visor instead of sunglasses.
The optics seem better than the Sedici Strada I tried before. Even when looking through the edge of the visor I don’t get distortions, like on the Strada. The viewport is either larger, or just falls better on my head, because I don’t feel like it blocks my vision when looking over my shoulder. The visor moves up and down well, and snaps into place. It distressingly twists when moving it, though.
The audio does seem much better than the Strada Parlare, which makes sense because that is moving from the bottom of Sena’s lineup to the top. At least standing in my living room, the voice controls work. I can start and stop podcasts, and skip ahead over commercials without touching the helmet. It is a bit tedious “Hey Sena” [wait for beep] “next track” to skip ahead, but well worth it if it means I don’t have to decide between using the brake or hearing another Squarespace ad.
The ANC also works standing in my living room. It noticeably diminishes ambient noise, but it’s hard to tell if that will make a difference while riding.
The taillight works. There are red lights on the back, and when I shake the helmet around they get brighter. They are not nearly as bright as I’d hoped, so are probably worthless for anything except night time.
The headlight exists. I’m not sure what it’s good for. It’s not intended to be left on while riding, and automatically turns off after a few minutes. My no evidence guess is they originally intended it to be a camera, or maybe will be a camera in a future model. I guess it will be convenient if I need to get something out of my bag when it’s dark, but the last time something like that came up, I just used the motorcycle’s headlight.
When the weather cooperates, I’ll go for a ride.
It’s belatedly winter here and I should mount the studded Trelleborgs on the Beta, but I need a roundtuit. Riding studs in the right conditions is awfully fun, but it takes commitment.
Holy crap that is some serious commitment! My hat’s off to you!
I’m in love with my new (to me) GS Adventure. I’ve put over 1,000 miles in the past month, had an end-to-end inspection and a little bit of needed work done, bought hard bags with liners, new tires 75/25 street/dirt, and a rain suit. I might do an Iron Butt ride, a simple and basic one, either the Saddle Sore 1,000 or the Bun Burner 1,500. I’ve done about 5 SS1Ks before, both solo and 2-up with my tough as nails wife, but I’ve never submitted the paperwork for them. So if I do an IBA ride it’d be to get the paperwork and have the Bragging Rights (in capital letters not bragging rights in lower case) — something to hang on my garage wall next to my BMW 100,000 mile awards. Just because.
I still have the electric Zero DSRX but have lent it to my brother who is having fun with it. I’ll likely sell it, or maybe sell part of it to my brother and we go in halves on it.
I’m very fortunate to live near San Francisco where I can ride year round. These last 3 months on 2 wheels have really boosted my spirits and fed my soul.
In @Mean_Mr.Mustard’s monthly photo competition, this month’s category is ‘On the Road’ and my submission was this one from several years ago —
That was on I-80 eastbound in Wyoming when I did my longest ride, San Francisco to St. Louis for a 2-week business trip. That was on my last bike a BMW R1200RT. In 2005 when I bought that bike I really should have bought a GS instead. The GS will do almost all what an RT can do, and so much more. Oh well, that RT took good care of me for many miles before I sold it to someone who has ridden it for many many thousands of miles.
Has anyone here bought an aftermarket saddle? Or even a saddle cover of some sort?
On Wednesday early morning I’ll ride down to Corbin Saddles in Hollister CA and have one made for the GS. I’m fortunate to be close (enough) to them, and I’ve had their saddles for 30 years. Corbin makes excellent sales that are comfortable for long rides. BMW stock saddles are notoriously bad. At least to my bumm they are.
I stopped at the “rest area” just east of this sign in a snowstorm one January night (not on a bike! But delivering two back east). Bad times…
Corbin saddles are about the best. I’ve sold many, own two and the quality of both material and construction are second to none. And it will be cool to visit where there are made. I dropped in at Chase-Harper on a road trip, told them that I actively sold their stuff when I could. I used and abused their suff. They gifted me a fender bag for my dual sport bike.
Corbin saddles have been great for me. I also hear very good things about Sargent’s saddles, but they aren’t near me. I believe they’re in Florida. I’m near San Francisco.
About visiting Corbin, 30 years ago when I got my 1st Corbin saddle (in vinyl), they were shipped to me. For my 2nd Corbin saddle (in leather), I rode down there but really did not look around. This will be my 3rd Corbin saddle and on Wednesday I plan to look around a little.
Leather is a nice material, but it wears and sometimes it wears too easily. The leather one I had started showing some minor wear and I had it for only 40,000 miles, so to me that’s an argument to go with vinyl. However, I usually love leathers and they now have a new ‘leather’ option that they say is tougher and longer lasting — stingray leather. Interesting… I’ve never used stingray leather before and since it is expensive they don’t offer samples, so I’ll look at that when I’m there. I’ll consider it.
Finally, my bike is mostly red. I’m deciding what color the new saddle should be. The current saddle color is black on top and red on the sides, but that doesn’t match the gas tank colors. Here are some pictures.
➜ Colors for my new saddle, your thoughts? - Album on Imgur ■
I’m now in the Philippines. I landed last night and will be here for a month. I’m with family and we’re here for a family reunion led by my mom.
Tomorrow I’m going to look at a motorcycle rental outfit. Traffic in Manila is pretty bad and a motorcycle would be great for getting around on.
I may have previously said this but I’m now 64 and when I sold my last bike some 4 years ago, I thought my riding days were over. But I was getting the itch back, and these past 4 months on the motorcycle (I’m loving the R1200GS Adventure!) has really been feeding my soul. I can sense my riding skills returning, and my soul beginning to soar again!
Alas, I’ve decided to sell the Zero DSRX. It’s a really fun bike to get around on, and that torque and instant acceleration is seductive, but I needed more range than the DSRX’s 100 miles highway and 188 city.
Anybody want to buy a gently used 2023 DSRX? It’s really a great bike.
I really wish you hadn’t said that. Hmmm.
I’m ready to subscribe to your travel blog of riding it from California home to Florida, with a 2.5 hour charge every 100 miles.
So ride an hour, sip coffee for 2+; ride an hour, sip coffee for 2+; Sounds like an excellent way to get old. If it comes to FL, it’ll do it on a truck.
Clearly it’s a goof around the local area bike. Which local area is little more than freeways and pancake flat rectilinear suburbia. With 100 miles highway range I could barely get to the north or south edge of the metroblob before I needed to recharge to continue or return. Heading west across the Everglades it’d be iffy to get to the other side except at reduced speed.
The crossover street/dirt adventure style hadn’t been invented yet when I quit riding. So I’m not real sure what I think about it. A pilot pal of mine has a Kawa like that and loves it. He’s also about my (small) size, so that’s encouraging.
Pretty clearly it’d be a silly impulse purchase il-suited to my local environment.
IOW, it’s perfect for you! 
My thoughts exactly.