Damn the torpedos, full farkle ahead

[WildWilly]

With my GT on order in the fast Vitamin C color, my mind is flooded with visions of what to add. We have a local painter, and BMW enthusiast (owns 4), who will match any paint color on the planet. First order of business is to color match the BMW bags and topcase. Just viewed the scenic Sargent seat site (say that real fast 3 times) and they list the GT with the ST seat. I figured it had to be the same seat. I will also need some type of throttle control and have used Throttlemeister in the past. Is there something better (easier to operate) that I should be looking at? So many aftermarket goodies and so little $$$$$$.

[SDDinNH]

The more I think about farkles Bill, the more I'm starting to not consider this bike as a replacement for my R1200RT or even as an F800GT but instead as an F800RS (if you know what I mean).

I've added the sidebags, seat, tankbag and a gps mount so far and beyond adding some sort of a "tank" protector to prevent scratching the rear of the "tank", another PIAA plug up in the fairing to electrify the tankbag, and a sidestand foot, I may not go much farther right now. I find that a crampbuster works as well for me as a throttle lock or a cruise control, so I'm all set there, but (in thinking about it) I also may need a Laminar lip for the windshield. I'll need to get in some time with the stock one before I make that decision.

My current thinking is that this bike, although much better in most respects, compares very favorably with the R100RS (a personal favorite of mine from from my past riding) in terms of it's overall "feel" so I may just settle on replicating that riding experience as my goal. I spent many hours touring on an RS and have to say I enjoyed every one of them, so that's not such a bad target to shoot for.

Just another point of view for you to consider

[notacop]

There are guys on the DL650 (VeeStrom)site putting automotive type cruise control on the bikes. Some go for close to a thousand bucks and others for a couple hundred.
I'd really like one but am cheap and got a go cruise and a cramp buster on both bikes. Kinda works for me.
Are you spending your un-filed tax return already?

[TelemarkTumalo]

It is Christmas in February

[SDDinNH]

Ok - ok - so with all this snow, I've been farkle hunting again I'll admit it, I'm an addict Do we have a Farkles Anyonimious group I can join?

I think I'm also going to extend the front and rear fenders a bit and try to find a way to cover the stuff up front like the oil filter.

[WildWilly]

There is a Farkles Anonymous group - f800riders.org. "Hi, my name's Bill and I'm a Farkleholic"

Ok - ok - so with all this snow, I've been farkle hunting again I'll admit it, I'm an addict Do we have a Farkles Anyonimious group I can join?

I think I'm also going to extend the front and rear fenders a bit and try to find a way to cover the stuff up front like the oil filter.

[Nick_of_time]

Hey SDDinNH - I didn't see a sidestand foot for the GT - will the F800GS version fit?

Thanks,

-Nick

[SDDinNH]

Nick, Your guess is as good as mine. All the pn's on the wunderlich site are the same for the S/ST/R so I assume that if you order any of those three that it would fit. I'm not sure about the GS.

That's what I am going to do. I can't believe that they changed the sidestand all that much.

[nelsonburns]

Bob's ordered a sidestand enlarger for me - don't have it yet, so I can't say much about it. I have the top case and side cases and I put PIAA lights on the front forks, P3 photon blasters around the license plate, amber hyperlights on the front fender (turn signals) and ordered the sidestand enlarger. I have also ordered lights from admorelighting that I'll put on at the 600 mile check. Unfortunatley, with the crappy weather we've had I only have 100 miles on her - though I hope to get another 100 today!

I miss the wind protection of my R1200RT (which I still have, of course!) and the cruise control. But the fun factor on the GT is the RT squared! I have the best of both worlds.

And I don't think there needs to be a Farkaholics group - because I don't see it as a problem!

[SDDinNH]

Well Lesley, that's a 100 more miles than I have on mine We're still weeks away from "riding weather".

[de100kb]

I will also need some type of throttle control and have used Throttlemeister in the past. Is there something better (easier to operate) that I should be looking at? So many aftermarket goodies and so little $$$$$$.

Take a look at the Kaoko alternative or rather mail them to ask if they have already been looking at which one will fit the F800GT

http://www.kaoko.com/c36/BMW.aspx

I prefer the 'big teeth' of the Kaoko for handling with winter gloves.

[nelsonburns]

I had the Kaoko with my ST and I didn't care for it. When I first got it, it was downright dangerous as I learned how to use it! Most of my riding is not on straight, flat roads, so I didn't get a lot of use out of it as I had to adjust it all the time.

[SDDinNH]

Nick - I was down to the dealer this morning and the GS will not fit - it's a different stand. He's going to see what he can find.

Lesley - I think those things are "over engineered". The simpler the better. There was one on the advrider site that was just a simpler lever that rested against the brake lever.

All - the tank bag is real nice. It has permanent parts that get screwed to the tank and then the bag is removable. Real nice.

[Nick_of_time]

SDDinNH - Thanks for letting me know. I just walked by and checked out an 800 ST, and I'm nearly certain it's the same sidestand. But I think the difference is that the GT comes with a centerstand and there isn't much clearance between the centerstand and sidestand. It was going to be a surprise farkle present for my wife's new GT, but I guess I'll just wait until the manufacturers figure it out

Happy Riding!

[Lawrence of Suburbia]

First order of business is to color match the BMW bags and topcase.

I'd be colour-matching panniers too, WW, should I proceed with the GT - and I'd also put the 'F800GT' decal/ logo, as on the lower front fairing, onto the pannier bags to highlight/ accent there. Did that with an earlier GS1200 - it really finished the job! Pix, please, when you have the job done. L of S

[WildWilly]

L of S: I never thought about adding the GT decal to the color matched bags. Will do that and post pics when completed. Thanks for a great idea.

[charles turner]

Can we talk windshields? I just ordered a GT and the only thing I didnt like about the demo ride was the windshield, looks cool does very little. Any thoughts on what is the best direction to go for an aftermarket shield?

[TomCT]

Charles - I have used a Madstad on my V-Strom for the past several years and am now not sure I could ride without one. When my F800GT arrives, I hope to get one for it as I like a lot of coverage and flexibility. They do offer one for the ST and will be working on a GT version hopefully soon. Website is madstad.com. (No connection, just a satisified user...)

[nelsonburns]

Charles,

I got my GT in February and the windshield was woefully inadequate for the weather. I couldn't find an aftermarket solution, so my husband took a windshield we got for the ST years ago and bolted it on. It doesn't look good, but it does the job very well. Can't seem to upload files to the thread this morning, so I'll try to put a pic of it in my garage...

http://f800riders.org/forum/garage.p...e_view&id=4157

Well, can't seem to add it there either - but you can see the lights I put on. I got some lights from admorelighting and put turn signals on the front side of the bike, sidecase and topcase and put extra brake lights on the top case and sidecases. I'll work on putting a pic of the windshield up somewhere...

[SDDinNH]

I'm trying a Laminar lip on mine first with the thought that if that doesn't work I can always replace it with something else. Keep in mind that I like a bit of a breeze and ran with my R1200RT windshield all the way down most of the time.