ugly bird beak thing

[Bensonhurst]

I like the 1150-GS (also 1200-GS), and am thinking of getting one, but I think that the bird beak thing is really ugly.
The question is, can that thing be, easilly, removed?

[BobFV1]

I like the 1150-GS (also 1200-GS), and am thinking of getting one, but I think that the bird beak thing is really ugly.
The question is, can that thing be, easilly, removed?

http://www.corbin.com/bmw/gs122.jpg

I think the engineers in Berlin and Munich have done a pretty good job on this one. It is possible to remove the beaky front fender from the R1150R and replace it with a more conventional one, but you don't get the airflow over the oil coolers on that bike without the beak.

The beak will grow on you. Think of it as a functional toucan....

[HexST]

I had a GS and took offf the beak and put one of the wuddo front ends on it. Even in the Florida heat there was no difference between going with or without the beak. I think it's just there for looks and to preserve the original GS shape.

[R4RandR]

If you don't like the GS beak, you can take a look at the R1150R - it's essentially the same bike as the GS minus the look and ground clearance.

...But it does have a little beak.

[Bensonhurst]

I like the NON handlebar mounted wind screen on the GS, as well as some other features.

[PUDGYPAINTGUY]

I like the 1150-GS (also 1200-GS), and am thinking of getting one, but I think that the bird beak thing is really ugly.
The question is, can that thing be, easilly, removed?


They unbolt fairly easily and companies such as Touratech make conversion kits for a make over. Just check their website.

[Stuff2C]

Scuse me! but where are you go'n to sit your beer? :drink
Or roll your joint :huh
Shoot if it didn't have a beak I might as well ride a Honda. :german

[kbasa]

Scuse me! but where are you go'n to sit your beer? :drink
Or roll your joint :huh
Shoot if it didn't have a beak I might as well ride a Honda. :german

:nod Gerg's GS in Spokane.


http://kbasa.smugmug.com/photos/6255937-M.jpg

[Bensonhurst]

Went to the Touratech web site but I don't see and "ugly bird beak" removal kit; of course I do have a hack saw.
Sorry guys but I don't want that to grow on me.
I love BMW's but they've been getting uglier with each years new models.
The 1150R and 1100S are probably the least ugly.
Great bikes though.

[knary]

:nod Gerg's GS in Spokane.


http://kbasa.smugmug.com/photos/6255937-M.jpg

smart man :D

my bike:
http://www.conary.org/bike/post/fogride/IMG_3267.jpg

raindog's bike:
http://www.conary.org/bike/post/goldbond.jpg

[The_Veg]

I think the beak works well with the overall design. Removing it unbalances things visually, but if the rest of the design were different that might not be the case. I thought the 1150GS that had been de-beaked in an article in ON a year or two ago was kinda ugly.

If I ever get the GS I dream of, the beak will STAY.

[Rich]

If I ever get the GS I dream of, the beak will STAY.

Yep, I have to agree, it looks great to me! So great I want one. Patience, Rich, patience.......

[04R1150RS]

Ok who's gonna send the pict of the sexy girl on the GS beak :clap ???? Sorry my mind's in the gutter again. Somebody come by in a GS and pull me out.

[Bensonhurst]

These ARE pretty (no ugly bird beaks)
I can't wait to get my GS and chop off that ugly useless piece of crap.

http://allegretti.us/mcy/gs.jpg

[PUDGYPAINTGUY]

sorry about the Touratech lead, I could swear they used to have the facelift/revamp kits that converted them into street looking bikes...my mistake. I just checked and they only have the small beak/baby bird conversion now..lol.

Incidentally when I was first looking at the Gs' I had asked about the beak and the redundancy of it considering there was already a lower fender, and the answer that I received from a BMW rep was that the beak is used more as an air dam for the cooler and also a front spoiler to keep the front end stable at highway speed, and without it this rep felt that the front was too light for stability at speed. Personally I like the beak as it is ugly like moi, although it really is taster's choice.

[soffiler]

...Incidentally when I was first looking at the Gs' I had asked about the beak and the redundancy of it considering there was already a lower fender, and the answer that I received from a BMW rep was that the beak is used more as an air dam for the cooler and also a front spoiler to keep the front end stable at highway speed, and without it this rep felt that the front was too light for stability at speed. Personally I like the beak as it is ugly like moi, although it really is taster's choice.

I too have heard (but can't cite a source) that the beak has certain aerodynamic purposes. The above sounds fairly solid to me. Beauty is in the eye of the beholder but I can't (don't wanna) even imagine the R12GS without. The GS is the beak, and the beak is the GS. You wanna start throwing stones around - what's up with that headlight on the ST?

[Mike1]

I like the pictures of the functional front fender; however, the bike looks like a duck on drugs. :brow

[Bensonhurst]

I too have heard (but can't cite a source) that the beak has certain aerodynamic purposes. The above sounds fairly solid to me. Beauty is in the eye of the beholder but I can't (don't wanna) even imagine the R12GS without. The GS is the beak, and the beak is the GS. You wanna start throwing stones around - what's up with that headlight on the ST?

Yeah, I agree the New ST headlight looks like it was designed by a cartoonist.
This seems to be a trend with many things automotive. I don't get it, but if people keep buying UGLY, the manufacturers will continue to produce UGLY.
I would be looking for a vintage bike if I could have, anti lock brakes, heated grips, reliability and lots of horsepower.
As to a factory rep. saying that the beak has function. Do you think for a second they would admit otherwise?
Lets stop the ugly.

[bigfoot105]

The only time I notice the beak on my Sun Yellow '04 GS is when I'm getting ready to go for a ride. I can't see it once I'm sitting in the riders position and that's where I perfer to be, in the rider's position, out in front of the pack, looking ahead for the next thrill. :dance

[The_Veg]

Yeah, I agree the New ST headlight looks like it was designed by a cartoonist. This seems to be a trend with many things automotive. I don't get it, but if people keep buying UGLY, the manufacturers will continue to produce UGLY.
I think it the ST's headlamp looks like it was designed by the same guy who designed the Pontiac Aztek. :sick

[PacWestGS]

I don't have a problem with the Front Fender (Beak) on the GS series. It's right where it belongs. I have a problem with that limited travel Telelever single shock street bike thingy stuck up under the front end. :nyah

How much are the WP or Ohlins Upside-down twin-tube forks and a 21" front wheel assembly, like on the HP2? :dance

Now you get rid of that worthless mud sucking, stick sticking, rock grinding plastic thingy too close to the tire without wreaking havoc on the brake lines and I'll be a happy camper... :thumb

Ugly was the Black R1150GS I saw at the '04 Spokane Rally without a beak, that thing was Fugly to the MAX.... :sick

[robdogg]

Now you get rid of that worthless mud sucking, stick sticking, rock grinding plastic thingy too close to the tire without wreaking havoc on the brake lines and I'll be a happy camper... :thumb


like this one?

http://www.touratech-usa.com/shop/show.lasso?SKU=040-0223&-session=touratech:80711F17C530E6852A70712B9B016655

[PacWestGS]

Yeah, but the cross-brace for the Telelever is still close to the tire. They built it like it was an after thought from the rest of the BMW line, or some 1972 Maico. The Telelever is a great great system for a street bike, but.......Aaaargh I'm getting off on a tangent.

Yeah, when or if I break the stock one I'll replace it with the TT one. I've thought about just cutting off all but a part to protect the brake lines and clean off the front. But in all actuality I don't spend that much time in the gooey sticky mud and the rocks so far have just ground there way through.

:violin

[robdogg]

I don't ride mine off road much; at least not yet; I got a KTM for that :) - but I'm pretty sure I would replace it if I were to venture off road much; especially after hearing about problems with the KTM 640 Adventures; the 05 Adventures have a low front fender (on a friggen rally bike??) and I've read of at least a couple of people getting their rides rudely interupted by the front wheel locking up on them.

[PUDGYPAINTGUY]

I think it the ST's headlamp looks like it was designed by the same guy who designed the Pontiac Aztek. :sick

Yeah the ST is a cariacature of a motorcycle..heeheheheh

[MarkF]

the 05 Adventures have a low front fender (on a friggen rally bike??) and I've read of at least a couple of people getting their rides rudely interupted by the front wheel locking up on them.

Go figure! They put a high fender on the supermotard.

[EastTNBeemer]

Yeah the ST is a cariacature of a motorcycle..heeheheheh

Looks like the front faceplate of the old TV Lost in Space robot..... :ha

[dzimbric]

I read somwhere that the beak also helps catch some of the water that kicks up off the front tire.

Anyway, I like and I'm going to keep mine. I saw some pictures on advrider where a GS was debeaked with a tree.

[Stuff2C]

I read somwhere that the beak also helps catch some of the water that kicks up off the front tire..

Yep, then into the oilcooler and then in your face. :banghead

[EastTNBeemer]

I may leave it off....... NOT!!!