New purchase

[sdakotadoug]

I am about 99% certain that I am going to get a new F650GS twin. Now I need to know what accessories I should be getting with it. Ie: windshield, seat, tankbag, luggage, cruise/throttle lock, and any other suggestions. Both the wife and granddaughter are strongly recommending a backrest. Current considerations are a Aeroflow tall windshield, Wolfman tankbag, and Carribou luggage. Doug

[glenfiddich]

Doug,

Responses would depend heavily on what sort of riding you will be doing. From the items you listed it sounds like you're into touring, but I can't be sure. Also is this your first bike?

Many suggest riding a bike for a while after purchase to figure out what needs improvement before dishing out big bucks for accessories.

Pete

[sdakotadoug]

Nope, it would be 3rd BMW, both R100, over 240K. Style is mostly touring, commuting. However I live at the end of a 2.5 mile road that the USPS rural delivery guy often refuses to deliver my mail because of water over the road, too muddy, too rutted, too much snow. My cars are Subarus. So you can see getting to the blacktop is an adventure in itself. My current "95 R100RT with 176K and all that pretty fibreglass often sits idle because I feel I can't make it safely to the blacktop and now at 62 am not as exuberent at lifting up a crashed bike. Thats why the choice of the F650GS. Not likely to change my riding style. Also plan a trip to Alaska next year or two. Sorry, long winded. Doug

[kgadley01]

from personal experance, I would recomend a backrest. it can be worth its weight in Gold on longer trips...:bikes

[sdakotadoug]

Recommendations for a backrest?

[glenfiddich]

Recommendations for a backrest?

Thanks for filling in some of the blanks. With all that riding don't you have some opinions of your own..?

I'm not a fan of backrests only because by packing carefully I can arrange the load so it gives me plenty of back support. Windshield? Too many variables to give an honest answer on that one: rider height, type of helmet, farkles up front that catch wind, etc. Seat? Not all bums are alike, so most of those who swear by Brand X feel they have to defend their expenditure of $$$. So of course they'll swear by Corbin, Russell, Kahedo, Sargent, etc. Luggage? Do you have a preference when it comes to top vs side opening? Personally, I like Jesse Odyssey II because it allows me to move the luggage forward and down when riding solo; it really helps with stability. But I've heard no complaints from the Caribou crowd. Kaoko throttle locks are good. I have one on my GS. I have a Wunderlich on my sidecar rig and think I like it a bit better as the adjuster is less obtrusive. Wolfman makes good stuff. I have a Touratech that I love, but got it gently used at half price. I never would have paid full freight.

[sdakotadoug]

My last new bike I outfitted in late 1994. We're thinking of having a small ceremony when we burn the Eclipse tank bag. I guess I've been riding and not "farkling" I need to get up to date and am just barely sure where to start.:help

[dadayama]

I'd recommend these three first...
Crash Bars
Hand guards
Skid plate

Lots of good side bag choices out there, i'd find the ones that you like best.

Pete in OKC, OK

[bikerfish1100]

extensive options, considered in depth on advrider.com
take a look. http://www.advrider.com/forums/forumdisplay.php?f=77

and always remember- one man's necessity is another's "meh". so far, i have agreed with very few of the "you gotta get this" that have been posted in this thread.
after riding my bike home to CO from purchase in D.C. in 3 days, i rapidly contacted Rick Mayer about fixing the saddle. But even for that, some have said "just fine and dandy with the stocker, thank you".
Ride the bike, figure out what YOU think it needs, and fugget aboud what everyone else things. O, just browse the Tourtech & Wunderlich catalogs, and buy everything that they tell you that you must have to ride this bike!

[chelseaboy]

Oh, you'll need a windshield for sure. I highly recommend the Aeroflow. I tried the BMW "touring" shield first - costs a fortune and is useless.

[cathdeac]

Congrats and enjoy!!:groovy

[EllenR]

I love mine. I've had it for a little over a year and have 22,000 sMiles on it. Personally I found the seat needed to be replaced as well as the windshield. I went with the Cee Bailey windshield and I'm happy with it. Great bike...enjoy!

[sdakotadoug]

Update: phone call from dealer, they found me a blue one.:)

[sdakotadoug]

Hey BIKERFISH, thanks for the link. After about 36 hours of straight reading, I have told the dealer what I want on the bike when I pick it up. Already have a Rich Mayer saddle on my R100RT and am happy with his work. He even refoamed it for me last year. Great service, Thanks again.

[sdakotadoug]

Signed the papers today, Yea :deal

[Omega Man]

Good for you. New bikes are always exciting. Hopefully you'll have good luck with it. Ride safe, Gary

[BluBeast]

Hi Doug, I'm a new F650GS owner too (blue in color). I added OEM crash bars and hand guards and a BMW top case. I get uncomfortable with the stock seat after about 90 minutes of solid riding, but I just figure that's my cue to take a break. I've grown to like the firm support. I have an air hawk cushion for my upcoming road trip. I tried to install the Kaoko throttle lock but the friction nut wouldn't work (too much pressure on the throttle) with my OEM hand guards (even though it's supposed to) and I'm sending it back. I'll get the Wunderlich. The last item for me is a windshield and I've been looking at the Madstadt (sp?). I have the lowered suspension and I'm 5'5" if anyone wants to weigh in on that. OH. I highly recommend Wunderlich's tank bag for our bike....the $219 one. It fits perfectly and has a ton of capability. My biggest question right now is how the bike will do on my road trip next month with just a top case, tank bag, and small duffel on the pillion. I'm just not ready for panniers but it might be too top heavy. Let me know what you decide on and enjoy!

Anne

[Omega Man]

Hi Doug, I'm a new F650GS owner too (blue in color). I added OEM crash bars and hand guards and a BMW top case. I get uncomfortable with the stock seat after about 90 minutes of solid riding, but I just figure that's my cue to take a break. I've grown to like the firm support. I have an air hawk cushion for my upcoming road trip. I tried to install the Kaoko throttle lock but the friction nut wouldn't work (too much pressure on the throttle) with my OEM hand guards (even though it's supposed to) and I'm sending it back. I'll get the Wunderlich. The last item for me is a windshield and I've been looking at the Madstadt (sp?). I have the lowered suspension and I'm 5'5" if anyone wants to weigh in on that. OH. I highly recommend Wunderlich's tank bag for our bike....the $219 one. It fits perfectly and has a ton of capability. My biggest question right now is how the bike will do on my road trip next month with just a top case, tank bag, and small duffel on the pillion. I'm just not ready for panniers but it might be too top heavy. Let me know what you decide on and enjoy!

Anne

Welcome aboard F-Twins, It would be great info if you could do a follow-up on the throttle lock problem and if you are so inclined a picture or two. Thanks Gary A little additional info that may help- On the Twisted Throttle home page there is an article on the Barkbuster/Kaoko set up- here at http://www.twistedthrottle.com/ Hope it helps

[CDAVIS142059]

Husband and I each have 2010 f650 twins. His r1200r and my 650 single, great bikes, have seen little use since the twins arrived. We did Redmond, Glacier, Sturgis and a new England ride this year and found the 650's agile, dependable and adequate to haul whatever gear and farkles we could strap on. Both are low versions with an additional inch taken off by fork tube adjustment. TourATech cases an both bikes, TourATech topcase on hers and a recycled Givi case on mine.
Both have engine, oil and radiator guards as well as AeroFlow windshields. My bike has BMW handguards which are more sturdy than the TourATech versions on Al's bike. He added a skid guard and a centerstand with no indication of cornering challenges. We had both sidestands shortened a bit to get better lean while parked. We added LED lights fore and aft as well as extremely bright LED brake flashers from a police supply business. So far we ride stock seats with sheepskin covers and plan at some point to spring for better, heated seats. At the Redmond rally we ordered tank bag mounted integrated communication and navigation gear from RKA Inc. We have just begun to tap into the capabilities of that system.
We have done several cross country trips from Florida to include Newfoundland, Alaska and several to California, Oregon and to New England. The f650 twins are the best platforms we have experienced for the range of conditions we have encountered. We pack items between rider and topcases to create a backrest; e.g., Ortleib bags with tent, sleeping bags and Kermit chairs. We suspect most who ride an F650 Twin will enjoy it.

[Omega Man]

Husband and I each have 2010 f650 twins. His r1200r and my 650 single, great bikes, have seen little use since the twins arrived. We did Redmond, Glacier, Sturgis and a new England ride this year and found the 650's agile, dependable and adequate to haul whatever gear and farkles we could strap on. Both are low versions with an additional inch taken off by fork tube adjustment. TourATech cases an both bikes, TourATech topcase on hers and a recycled Givi case on mine.
Both have engine, oil and radiator guards as well as AeroFlow windshields. My bike has BMW handguards which are more sturdy than the TourATech versions on Al's bike. He added a skid guard and a centerstand with no indication of cornering challenges. We had both sidestands shortened a bit to get better lean while parked. We added LED lights fore and aft as well as extremely bright LED brake flashers from a police supply business. So far we ride stock seats with sheepskin covers and plan at some point to spring for better, heated seats. At the Redmond rally we ordered tank bag mounted integrated communication and navigation gear from RKA Inc. We have just begun to tap into the capabilities of that system.
We have done several cross country trips from Florida to include Newfoundland, Alaska and several to California, Oregon and to New England. The f650 twins are the best platforms we have experienced for the range of conditions we have encountered. We pack items between rider and topcases to create a backrest; e.g., Ortleib bags with tent, sleeping bags and Kermit chairs. We suspect most who ride an F650 Twin will enjoy it.

Welcome aboard and welcome to F-Twins. It sounds like your bikes are set up real nice. Maybe sometime you could post some pictures of how the bike(s) are set up. :thumb Gary

[soph9]

welcome to the twin world....we love them

http://i202.photobucket.com/albums/aa203/soph9_photos/Motorcycles/WINTHROP%20WA%20OCT%202%20-%203%202010/Oct2-3-10013.jpg

http://i202.photobucket.com/albums/aa203/soph9_photos/Motorcycles/WINTHROP%20WA%20OCT%202%20-%203%202010/Oct2-3-10031.jpg

http://i202.photobucket.com/albums/aa203/soph9_photos/Motorcycles/WINTHROP%20WA%20OCT%202%20-%203%202010/Oct2-3-10067.jpg

[sdakotadoug]

Have not checked back in a while. Bike now up to about 2200 miles. Love it. Should have gotten the tall Aeroflow, just a tiny bit of buffeting under certain wind conditions. My butt survived a 1600 mile run to the Falling Leaf Rally at Potosi, Mo. Easily kept up with the big boys. The dealer ordered the wrong mounts for the Pelicans so waiting for the exchange of those. Ordered the 20mm handlebar risers. Now researching engine guard and skid plate. A rubber o-ring slipped between barend and grip eased the thumb pain. I'm learning, a little slow but I am learning. Doug

[jaherbst]

Hi Doug, I'm a new F650GS owner too (blue in color). I added OEM crash bars and hand guards and a BMW top case. I get uncomfortable with the stock seat after about 90 minutes of solid riding, but I just figure that's my cue to take a break. I've grown to like the firm support. I have an air hawk cushion for my upcoming road trip. I tried to install the Kaoko throttle lock but the friction nut wouldn't work (too much pressure on the throttle) with my OEM hand guards (even though it's supposed to) and I'm sending it back. I'll get the Wunderlich. The last item for me is a windshield and I've been looking at the Madstadt (sp?). I have the lowered suspension and I'm 5'5" if anyone wants to weigh in on that. OH. I highly recommend Wunderlich's tank bag for our bike....the $219 one. It fits perfectly and has a ton of capability. My biggest question right now is how the bike will do on my road trip next month with just a top case, tank bag, and small duffel on the pillion. I'm just not ready for panniers but it might be too top heavy. Let me know what you decide on and enjoy!

Anne

Wunderlich works backword from Kaoko. I sent mine back and got the Kaoko.

Jack