Naked/partially bobbed GSPD?

[nh7robmw]

My '92 R100 GSPD is one fat and heavy beast.

I was wondering if anyone here or elsewhere has removed the fairing/windshield and roo/crash bars to trim the profile and weight a bit? Maybe something a la the original R80 G/S? Or variations?

What about slimming down the headlight, speedo and instrument cluster? Can this be done, feasonably? I'm mostly concerned about mounting the headlight (or smaller one); I could use my GPS for a speedo...

I've also been bugged by wind buffeting on the highway so I added a Laminar Lip to little avail. Now I'm thinking it might be better with no windshield at all. My first two Beemers were naked bikes and I liked them that way.

My bike is still in storage in California but we will be reunited this summer when my wife and I move to Arizona. I plan to do mostly highway riding; day trips on the weekends and rides around town otherwise---not much off-road stuff that I can foresee other than some reasonably tame fire roads/desert exploring (I'm 57 and beginning to feel older than that).

Later on I might want to put a Remus on (if they make an exhaust system for GSPDs) and get one of those starter motors that are half the weight of stock but that's much further on and lower on my priorities list.

Any comments, photos, links or experiences are welcome!

[R90S]

I got my R80GS down to under 400 pounds, with some changes:





http://i44.photobucket.com/albums/f13/R90S/document104.jpg

[nh7robmw]

Jon; Your GS is beyond gorgeous, what a work of art!

Inspiring to say the least.

Btw, I see that we're both into Rachid Taha and Bob Marley (I did two interviews and tons of photos with Bob back in the days). I further compliment your good taste.

Keep up the fine work as I'm sure you will. I can see that modifications are almost limited only to budget and imagination, eh?

Those air filters on the carbs are intriguing. Probably easy to set up, too.

One question, though---aren't the stock early G/S models around 380lbs? Moot point, perhaps but if I could eventually get my PD anywhere near 400 lbs. I'd be over the moon.

Ciao,

[boxerr]

I personnally think you are wasting your time trying to lighten it off.
If you want to ride as you describe, the bike should be ok as is.
If you want lighter, buy a F650GS.

I have both of the above bikes, and I dont have a problem with my GSPD.
Better ballanced than my R1150GS was.

My F650GS is a great bike as well. Certainly lighter than the GSPD.

Dont ruin a great bike.

I am nearly 55 by the way.

[88bmwJeff]

nh7robmw,
Are you thinking more along the line of the early none PD version GS's? They had a simple light and instrument cluster.

[nh7robmw]

Yes, Jeff, that might be the way to go---perhaps I could fit an R80 G/S headlight and cluster to my bike if it was compatible. But for the immediate future I'm more interested in just taking off a few bits and bobs here and there even if it's only a few pounds. I think the roo bars alone are 10 pounds at least and they might be the first thing to go.

Whatever I do I don't want to alter the bike so much that I couldn't put it back to stock.

Consider it as sort of an experiment of sorts. When I took the Zegas off I seemed to notice a slight difference overall (but that may have only been a "placebo effect" on my perception of the bikes handling and so on).

The main thing I want to accomplish is really a reduction in the wind buffeting. None of my previous BMWs was anything like my GSPD is on the highway.

As for the fellow from Down Under's comments; I want to see what I can accomplish with this bike that I already have. I was trying to sell it a while back but I've got too much invested in it to ever recoup---might as well hang onto it and try to enjoy it, especially down in Arizona. Otherwise I'd go out and get another R75 or early K bike like I used to have as this PD is just too big for my tastes (although it does handle remarkably well and is well balanced as you point out).

Past my beditime here so so long for now.

[sgborgstrom]

The GSPD is a big bike, no two ways about it. I think the "roo bars" are integral to holding the fairing together...

I too have a K100RS and find the PD a much more agile bike, it's heft doesn't bother me so I haven't really thought about putting it on a diet. The simplest thing to do is probably only keep 4 or 5 gallons of fuel in it, a full load is a substantial fraction of the bikes overall weight.

[jdmetzger]

I think you might be better off selling the GSPD (Which commands a good price) and then buy a bike that is closer to what you want. If you remove the fairing, you will need to come up with some type of headlight shell and find a way to mount it (as the PD doesn't have the "headlight ears" that older models do. You're also looking at a lot of wire splicing and things to make it work. Those are already pricey changes.

I also wonder about how it would look having that massive tank and no fairing. Looking at my bike when I pulled off the stock bags/rack before putting aftermarket luggage on, I thought the bike looked pretty odd without the luggage and having that really FAT tank. That part is all opinion, of course.

[nh7robmw]

Good points to mull over, guys; I'm still torn between selling it and trying it out with a few modifications.

I once saw a photo of another black GSPD without the roo bars and it looked pretty cool to me. Plus someone made a comment about the small but significant benefit of less sprung/unsprung weight on the front of the bike without all those steel bars in place.

I don't think the roo bars are actually attached to the fairing at all---they merely protect it as far as I can tell. But one reason I might keep them on is that I have a small auxilliary light mounted on the left side of the roo bars which works very well. Or I could take off the roos and mount my light on the crash bars instead---no big deal.

The idea of having to find or fabricate a headlight housing and deal with all the wiring puts me off. If I happen to find or run accross a relatively easy solution such as an aftermarket headlight system (Touratech double headlight, perhaps) or a used G/S headlight then I might reconsider. I know TT gear is very pricey, especially nowadays with the weak dollar so that solution is a pipe dream for the time being.

The bottom line is that I will probably keep and ride the bike for a while before I decide to put it back on the market. I'll try taking the windshield and roo bars off and see if I notice much of a difference, too. I can always put them back on in a jiffy which I'd want to do if I sell the bike (make it as stock as possible).

Again, my main issue with the GSPD is the often strong buffeting and turbulence in windy conditions---it destroys my confidence when riding which is a dangerous and terrible thing.

It has got to be the least aerodynamic BMW ever built; almost the opposite of my K100RS. That bike seemed to slice through the air with such ease that I felt comfortable regualrly blasting around barren New Mexico roads well over 100mph back in my younger days. At speed it was like being on a rail; that fairing/spoiler really pushed the front end downwards and kept the bike on track. (Yes, I know I'm comparing apples to oranges here but I'm sure you see my point).

So whether it's sooner or later I realize should eventually sell the PD and get a bike that I am more comfortable with (probably should have gotten a nice old R80 G/S to begin with; they're well under 400lbs and have a much smaller profile).

However, I'll remain curious as to potential mod possibilities and wonder if anyone else is as bothered by the lack of "windworthiness" of these otherwise superb rubber cows as I am.

Thanks again for your input; I appreciate it.

[boxerr]

The GSPD weighs roughly 520lbs fueled.
R80G/S about 420lbs fueled.

You wont save much off the GSPD by removing bits, unless you take the engine out.:laugh

My GSPD has the same issues you talk about, but so did my R1150GS, and to a lesser extent my F650GS.
Have you tried it without the screen? I havent, but have heard it may help.

I like my bike enough to not worry about the small issues that are there.

My R1100RS was like your K bike, fantastic thru the air.

It will be interesting to see how the new F800GS fronts up.

[sumran]

I got my R80GS down to under 400 pounds, with some changes:





http://i44.photobucket.com/albums/f13/R90S/document104.jpg

Is that a stock gas tank? What type is it?

[nh7robmw]

Have you tried it without the screen? I havent, but have heard it may help.[/B]



Taking off the windshield is the first thing I'll do when I get to the bike; hope it helps a lot---if it does I'll be a much happier camper.

[MisterMo]

I've had a R12GS with the stock screen and found the buffeting to be downright scary. It was far worse than my R100GSPD with a stock screen. On the R12GS I installed a Cee Baileys mini fairing and thought it was a big improvement.

On the R100GS, I installed a big parabellum screen and think it's okay. Just okay. I like the greater windflow of the smaller stock screen, but there is a bit more buffeting with it. In AZ, I suspect you'll need the windflow too to keep you cool. The parabellum felt massive, but I was certainly protected behind it. It's just not my thing, but it did seem to help with the buffeting sensation.

Another thought....I'm told the high fender on the PD's catch a lot of air. I've never tried the low fender so that may help settle things down in the wind department. Don't know. Just an idea.

I think the bottom line is that the GS's, any of them, aren't the most aerodynamic bikes. Over time, I've gotten used to the buffeting and it doesn't bother me so much anymore.

[barryg]

Just sell the PD and buy a standard 100GS. :bottle

[wuli959]

HPN bike conversions (http://www.hpn.de/english/english.html)

HPN $$$ Modifications to your GS (http://www.hpn.de/pdf/umbauleitfaden_english.pdf) :german


:p

[nh7robmw]

I've had a R12GS with the stock screen and found the buffeting to be downright scary. It was far worse than my R100GSPD with a stock screen. On the R12GS I installed a Cee Baileys mini fairing and thought it was a big improvement.

On the R100GS, I installed a big parabellum screen and think it's okay. Just okay. I like the greater windflow of the smaller stock screen, but there is a bit more buffeting with it. In AZ, I suspect you'll need the windflow too to keep you cool. The parabellum felt massive, but I was certainly protected behind it. It's just not my thing, but it did seem to help with the buffeting sensation.

Another thought....I'm told the high fender on the PD's catch a lot of air. I've never tried the low fender so that may help settle things down in the wind department. Don't know. Just an idea.

I think the bottom line is that the GS's, any of them, aren't the most aerodynamic bikes. Over time, I've gotten used to the buffeting and it doesn't bother me so much anymore.

Know what you mean about buffeting being scary. On a ride from N. California to Ensenada last fall I was scared to death on several occasions, especially coming down Interstate 5's notorious Grapevine. I was in the truck lanes doing 35-40 as big gusts pushed my all over---with big trucks coming up behind descending the steep grade. It was either that or get run over by the flyers in the fast lanes.

Anyway, I realize that these are not designed to be so aerodynamic in the first place. I'm glad you mentioned switching to a low front fender---I was thinking the same thing about the high fender I now have---it must scoop a lot of air!

I tend to think that removing the stock screen will give me the most "bang for the buck" in this case. I'll ride it this way to Arizona and see how I like the difference.

Btw, we're moving to Prescott which is cooler than most of Arizona because of the altitude. I would expect that a half-naked bike would be more comfortable there most of the time anyway---it still gets hot, just not oven-hot.

I'll probably sell the bike eventually and get something aerodynamic like a K75 or old R-series road bike, maybe a R100S or thereabouts. But I do want to get some use out of this PD beforehand, especially if I can manage the buffeting problem better.

Thanks!

[nh7robmw]

HPN bike conversions (http://www.hpn.de/english/english.html)

HPN $$$ Modifications to your GS (http://www.hpn.de/pdf/umbauleitfaden_english.pdf) :german


:p

Umm, not that much cash, David---very nice thought, though. I will endeavor to play the Arizona Lottery on a regular basis once we're there so to be better able to finance such HPN dreams....