Yes every time I visit back home due dchedule I get out of riding condition. Then when I return to India I suffer as I do up to 600km in a day on NE India roads.
Levers, Africa Twin = OEM were too long and difficult to operate with heavy gloves on. So, I cut 1-1/8 inches off each one, filed the ends to a nice curve, drilled a hole and installed a small black screw with a gold-colored acorn - nut and gold washers on the ends, Looks super and works much better. Two fingers on the brake and 3 on the clutch. Also polished out all mill marks and the entire lever to a high chrome finish. Total cost about 3 dollars US.
YOUR Review on the Ted's Beemer shop Tractive Extreme suspension/shocks was a big part of my decision making to purchase the set up for my 901 , i could not be happier THANK YOU
New Rider - watched this last fall. Stuck a velcro strap around the handlebars then. Since then, it's just become a piece of the bike.....up until this past weekend when dropped her (Frica). First attempt at standing her up ... front wheel started rolling. Grabbed the velcro, cinched up the front brake lever and waalaa! Thanks Brett!
You’ve got some thoughtful, helpful products there. I like all of what you’ve done. If, and when I can ever get my hands on a GS, I’ll be sure to revisit this episode, and your channel in general, for more information. Thanks!
Ha I must have Pause your old videos 1 million times to figure out the Brake and clutch levers you were using they are awesome I bought a set a year ago and never look back. I’m new to off-road in the factory levers for crushing my fingers like panic stab the clutch in
@@court2379 If your bike is on an extreme angle on kickstand side so that it leans too far to pull it up and the footing is really bad, you can mount from the opposite side while leaving the stand down, weight the opposite peg and throttle out of the spot. You can't do that if dropping into gear with the stand down kills the engine.
No one should be able to ride a GS as well as you do, thanks for the vids and inspiration. How about some dual sport content? We love what you do and appreciate the inspiration!!
Yes it looks tricky if you can mount the bike and ride off then raise the stand but it’s foolish. Say your front wheel goes into a dip or your front wheel turns a bit to the left, the stand digs in then down you go with any number of poor outcomes. And it isn’t a simple thing to just cut and join a few wires these days. The 690 has a magnetic switch and you either need a plug with resistor or remove the switch unit with magnet to a higher point and tape them together.
We were riding the Oregon BDR this spring, my buddy crashed his brand new T7 and the kickstand switch failed, couldn't ride the bike until we disabled it. Which is not simple, fortunately we had cell service and could RUclips it. AFAIK he hasn't fixed it, I'll tell him to leave it as is.
I had a GSA and changed out to Woody’s 21 inch front and Touratech suspension … bike transformed completely! However had to sell it as we moved … now looking at buying another bike but don’t want to go through same GSA modification process as I mainly ride off-road. If you were in my shoes, would you not rather get a KTM 1290 SA R? I saw your test of the 1290 … and curious to know if you had to change out your GS, and stick with bigger bikes (not 890) … would you pick a 1290 SAR?
I normally go for 10-15 min but after edits sometimes they pair down. It was a quick shoot with the final main talk being just over 15min plus some talking inserts but turned into 3 days if editing and 8min produced
What happened to the intro and the cow bell !!?? ;-) Great info, the winch is awesome !! I ride solo /adv solo mostly... That winch could be the difference between self help and defcon 1 rescue situation! ! I will sign that petition! Provide the info, sponsor free , highly Honarable sir!, I salute you!
@@AdventureGlide If you land on the main page, it says you have to contact them directly. I thought the same thing you did until I went to the home page.
Love your videos. All those mods and no radiator guards? Noticed that when you pointed out the front suspension. Is that just a sign of confidence that there will never be any riders in front of you that can roost you and potentially ruin your radiator?
It looks like we are similar size and shape. Could you give the Back Sweep, Width and Height of your Flexx handlebars. I have maxed out all adjustments of OEM and still need a little more. Also did the normal BarkBuster kit for BMW work on the Flexx handlebars or did you have to go with a different part #? Thanks for putting out so much great information.
I think your videos are great but when I see the changes you suggest, I wonder if maybe a different bike that is more capable on dirt is a better answer.
Hi Brett love watching your videos, fantastic work !!! would you be able to do a review on the new Triumph tiger 1200 rally pro or explorer. I'm really keen to buy the explorer and your expert opinion would really be appreciated.
How much did of a difference did the handle bar change make? The company has several different bars set at different degrees witch ones did you purchase? I love your videos.
I'm going to have to check out those levers. I do not like long levers and never have. I rode for years on a chopper with levers that I shortened and I thought I might have to customize a set of levers again.
Thanks for your advice Bret. What do you think about central stand for offroad. It concern to me because the chain maintenance and tire change, but it is an additional wheight. Regards from Lima Perú
I'm curious what bike you would chose to do the Pan America then to Africa again? big bike or little bike what make? this would make an interesting video with all the different bikes on the market now.
Hey Bret! Could you tell us what do you think about Honda CB500X for adventure riding? I know it is not as offroad oriented bike as GS/ Tenere or Africa Twin but it it the smallest of all.
I am curious abut your front fender modification. I cut and shaped mine (I have a 21" front) yet I can't come close to the amount of clearance you have. Care to share your secret?
Question Bret, are thier any riding exercises you can share for riders to gain a conventional front fork level of riding predictibility & confidence off road and in slippery conditions with the telelever suspension?
Bret, What do you think about using "ride-on" tire sealant to balance and help prevent getting a flat? What about use in a tube tire? What about ceramic balance beads? BTW, I watch all your videos and implement what I can... to improve.
Can you explain, or tell where it can be found, your thoughts on the "safety" of the kickstand switch. It seems every manufacturer thinks accidently having it down is the hazard, while you have the opposite opinion.
In my experience, it can be a massive pain to deal with if you get on the bike on the right side and the left side (with the kickstand) happens to be on the low side of the trail. Being able to just turn the bike on and move to a better area to pull up the kickstand seems more logical, but sadly bikes are becoming more idiot-proof every year
@@kabj06 so… the low side of the trail is the kickstand side, and the kickstand is down and the bike is resting on it? My bike falls over in that scenario, down the hill - yours doesn’t? You’re right about bikes getting more idiot-proof every year, and that the nannying gets in the way. I’m thinking particularly about having to stop , switch to neutral, then hold down a button for 10 seconds to switch off the ABS…
It's not always about solid ground... Just because there is a place for the side stand doesn't mean it's the best side to mount from, could be better "high" ground on the left, better traction, more space, less risk (cliff, etc)
I have had more than one bike run like crap through rough terrain because my heel kept hitting the side stand, pushing it down just enough for that stupid switch to want to intervene.
Hi Bret. I'm in the process of setting up my norden. As a slightly taller rider, I have rotated the bars forward. Do you think that lowered foot pegs are a good way to get your posture better whilst standing, rather than bar risers. Thanks.
Concernig the Side Stand Safety Switch, after you spliced the wires together, did you receive any fault message on your dash? I'd like to do the same to my '17 GSA, but I'm concerned about error codes.
Maybe if all of us were honest with ourselves once and just called them gravel road travel bikes instead of Adventure bikes the vernacular would be more accurate. The marketing of taking a bike that weighs more than 500 lb in sketchy situations is just crazy. I have a 900 rally Pro and a 2001 Kawasaki Super Sherpa 250. Which one do you think I ride the most out here in Colorado and deeper into the woods?
Hey Bret, on the subject of tyres (tires) I was wondering, could a rear 140/80-R17 tyre be fitted instead of the manufacturers recommended size of 120/90-R17? The profile (aspect ratio) difference between the two tyres is 4mm higher, the width difference is 20mm wider, but the rim size is the same. Would the 140/80-R17 fit just fine or would it bulge out becoming more rounded? (Mitas EO7 Enduro vs the Mitas EO7 Enduro DAKAR are the tyres in question. Mitas does not produce a DAKAR version for my rear tyre specific dimensions). No matter what thanks for your time.
As a general rule of thumb you can go one size up or one size down from OEM without any real issues however the manufacturer normally goes towards the max tire for the rim because buyers like the look of bigger. For me I normally drop one size in width for the performance advantages (less rolling/braking mass, less unsprung weight, cuts through mud/sand better, turns faster, etc). There are very few places a wide tire outperforms a narrow tire. Wide tires are needed for high weight, longevity on heavy loads, and high horse power (if it's being used). If you have a bike that has a stock 120 rear it is unlikely I would recommend going to a 140. Oversized tires normally balloon on the rim causing a poor profile and often fit issues too.
@@BretTkacs that was quick!!! Thanks a lot for all the info. I've been so determined to get the DAKAR version that I completely forgot about all of the narrow tyre advantages. Will stick to your advice. Much appreciated, have a great day.
Had the Warn XT17...got it from Blackdog...was awesome...will look into Tractive suspension options for my GSA...cheaper than the full set of Ohlins on my last GSA...but they were awesome...good info Bret...you have the skills.
was Bret uns verschweigt: Seitenständerschalter außer Betrieb setzen heißt, die Betriebserlaubnis ist erloschen. Diese, sinnvolle, Modifikation ist was fürs Gelände. Geschieht im Straßenbetrieb ein Unfall wg ausgeklapptem Seitenständer, gehts schnell an den eigenen Geldbeutel. Auch eine Vollkaskoversicherung ordnet das unter "Vorsatz" ein.
I'd really like to get the Wild at Heart levers for my GSA, but $190 USD Shipped is a bit pricey. Granted... everything is pricey with this hobby. LOL. Any options out there for a bulk/shared order?
I have been using Chinese eBay levers for years and they work very well. Not quite as cool but still better/shorter than stock. Basically 3 finger levers instead of 2
Without any debate yes... The problem is my 790 spent more time at the dealer than in my bike garage so after one year I gave up on it. I was hoping that all the issues would be sorted out by the end of one year. It's a shame because I still LOVE riding the 790/890 and the new 1290
The only thing I have to disagree with you Bret is that anyone can alter their bike to match yours, but at the end of the day, if a rider is not an avid rider like you, all these expensive upgrades would serve no purpose for someone that cannot even ride a GS. QUESTION: Why do you have a different brake reservoir cover than the original OEM one that is on your clutch lever?
The side stand switch, footpeg, rear brake step, shorter levers, velcro strap and a handlebar that fits the rider better are not crazy expensive. Even the plastic frame guards are cheap on ebay. My goal was to share free to outrageous...
You would have people compromise safety in the interest of saving energy by not having to put up their kickstand? And I have to say that it seems you're just plugging products by changing out the rims! You have a lot of great videos, but I couldn't finish this one.
"I want a winch!", says the guy who doesn't have a motorcycle that runs, let alone an ADV bike. LOL. I did some searching on McMaster-Carr, Harbor Freight, and Grainger. There are some possible replacements. I got distracted and never got my Mechanical Engineering friends involved. Sorry.
I do like your Reviews..But 🤔❗️ Most of the Professional Bikers did Not Tell the Subscribers the Parts Prices of what they changed and that not what we looking for...if I choose some modifications you did and check out the price some time it's so expensive...or I can't do it... So for a Proper review..please tell us the cost for every Parts you Changed next time..that is what usually matters for Us.... Thank you
Disabling side-stand safety switch? Think twice before doing that, as it's there for a reason. I know more than one biker that has crashed because of faulty side-stand switch and they rode off with side-stand down, only to crash in first left hand turn.
I'm really surprised that you're able to use a wireless charger because they overheat phones when it's warmer than 80 degrees. I've tried 4 or 5 different models with the same results at the most inconvenient times (navigating in the middle of nowhere in Eastern Washington).
I have been using it all season without any issues. It was 114 degrees on the hottest day (Yakima WA). Only thing was I ended up using the screw mount option due to the heavy offroad use and vibration
@@512mbflashdrive did you ride all day? You guys aren't going to see thermal shutdown if you only ride a couple hours. The Quadlock overheated my phone on a 80 degree day in Seattle so I threw it away.
@@bretthawton damn, sucks! i've put 21k miles on my bike this year to date. longest ride was 30 hours straight from Missouri to Oregon. no thermal issues. seems like you have a phone issue.
@@512mbflashdrive perhaps but the same thing happens to my wife's phone. Do you stream music and use navigation while riding? These functions also generate a lot of heat.
Don’t do the side stand!!!!! If you use your bike on and off road the side stand down IF forgot will catapult you off the road in a corner. You shouldn’t disable the safety devices on your bike. Ask me how I know
@@BretTkacs I've done a fair amount of off-roading on my bike and I just can't think of a scenario it would help, other than failure? Then again I'm not always offroad like you are
@@leahheffernan4644 failure has been and issue multiple times, once for me and several times for others. There are definitely other times that it is easier and safer to start from the right.
@@DonHavjuan damn near crashed my F800GS on a trail once when the engine shut off when I needed power due to the side stand switch. Later that day it failed and left the bike dead. I bypassed it on the trail to get out. We had a rider on a KTM890 end up dead on the trail this summer due to the "safety" switch but KTM can't be bypassed like others so we had to truck it out with a recovery vehicle.
I would 100% disagree with over riding the safety on the kickstand. Using the excuse of "saving energy" should never be used to disable an item on the bike. If someone, including yourself Brett, happens to mount the bike like you did/do in the video, and make a minor mistake by coming off balance and tipping the bike slightly to the left, the kickstand will/can hit the ground, causing the bike to pitch right and toss the rider. If you really believe that over the time of a ride that "saving energy" that is used to get on the bike from the low side (kickstand side) will make or break your ride, you are doing a great dis-service to your viewers. Eat some Wheaties!
That switch is only one way to meet the safety requirements for the road and is not required on off-road bikes. Most bikes still include the side stand feature to self retract if struck going to a left to hand corner.
GS/A just continues to be the most expensive bike ever. You buy stock expensive and then make all these adjustments to suit your riding +frackles and it's $$, we aren't even talking gear and then in a few years after '000kms, u gotta sell it and start again 🤦🏿♂️
Staying in shape, getting out and riding and pushing myself when I'm riding are the best things I've found.
Yep, that's living, friend.
What's the point of having a motor on a bike if you're pushing yourself?...
@@jonasan-san 😂😂
Yes every time I visit back home due dchedule I get out of riding condition. Then when I return to India I suffer as I do up to 600km in a day on NE India roads.
@@jonasan-san what’s the point of having an adv bike if you can’t pick it up 🤔
Levers, Africa Twin = OEM were too long and difficult to operate with heavy gloves on. So, I cut 1-1/8 inches off each one, filed the ends to a nice curve, drilled a hole and installed a small black screw with a gold-colored acorn - nut and gold washers on the ends, Looks super and works much better. Two fingers on the brake and 3 on the clutch. Also polished out all mill marks and the entire lever to a high chrome finish. Total cost about 3 dollars US.
How would one see a photo of that sort of innovative sweetness?
Buying ktm adv390 in a week because of your videos and encouragement that short height doesn't matter as long as I develop skills. Thanks Bret!
The 390 is a good bike and we had a person ride the NEBDR with us on one. He was hard to keep up with and it went over the hard stuff just fine,
Thank you! Nice setup! Keep the videos coming, we all learn a lot from you.
You're such a good humble dude Ian. Rock on bro !
Ted is the best. Bought the same suspension for my F800GS recently and he answered a ton of questions, super knowledgeable too.
Excellent machine work too. I had the heads to my R90/6 done by him
You are one clever guy. Even if I change nothing for my riding choices/abilities, it's interesting knowledge.
YOUR Review on the Ted's Beemer shop Tractive Extreme suspension/shocks was a big part of my decision making to purchase the set up for my 901 , i could not be happier THANK YOU
Funny enough the Velcro idea impressed me the most because I’ve never heard anyone mention that before! What a great idea!!
New Rider - watched this last fall. Stuck a velcro strap around the handlebars then. Since then, it's just become a piece of the bike.....up until this past weekend when dropped her (Frica). First attempt at standing her up ... front wheel started rolling. Grabbed the velcro, cinched up the front brake lever and waalaa! Thanks Brett!
I can tell you are so sharp and go straight to the most important things. Thank you so much
Good stuff for adv-anced ADV kit.
Great ref videos along the way too - classy! 👌🏼😎
You’ve got some thoughtful, helpful products there.
I like all of what you’ve done.
If, and when I can ever get my hands on a GS, I’ll be sure to revisit this episode, and your channel in general, for more information.
Thanks!
I've enjoyed your videos for years; Good info thank you.
Amazing video on modification! Great explanation on the choices made instead of just putting things on without any thought.
Indeed love those mods, it gives a struggle free ride when going the extra mile. I'll consider those for my future T7😊👍. Thanks Brett.
Your channel is full of great content, information, and Outrageous stuff here.ClassAAA!!!
Thanks
Dammit, now I wanna winch too. Great tips all around.
Great video Bret! Thank you for great advice as always!
Great video Brett. Thank you!
Ha I must have Pause your old videos 1 million times to figure out the Brake and clutch levers you were using they are awesome I bought a set a year ago and never look back. I’m new to off-road in the factory levers for crushing my fingers like panic stab the clutch in
+1 for Ted Porter's BeemerShop, great guys.
Velcro strap FTW!!! I'm going to disable my kickstand switch too!! I could have used both these simple mods many times over in the past!
I don't get it, and he really didn't explain. Why?
@@court2379 If your bike is on an extreme angle on kickstand side so that it leans too far to pull it up and the footing is really bad, you can mount from the opposite side while leaving the stand down, weight the opposite peg and throttle out of the spot. You can't do that if dropping into gear with the stand down kills the engine.
@@dirtpony OK, thanks. I don't ride one of these heavy beasts so have never encountered that problem.
No one should be able to ride a GS as well as you do, thanks for the vids and inspiration. How about some dual sport content? We love what you do and appreciate the inspiration!!
Cheers mate! Some handy suggestions there. 👍
Absolutely support lobbying WARN to manufacture the XT17 again.
I like that Velcro trick of yours, Bret.
Günter, Nürnbeg/Germany
All excellent info/suggestions 👍🏼
Oh that's what they mean by handy for cameras too (mirrors)...the winch yes!
The first tip is going to rub a lot of people the wrong way, and I think it needs to be explained more. I love those levers!
It's always fun to start with something that stirs emotion. I think you are correct, that may be a video all to its own.
Yes it looks tricky if you can mount the bike and ride off then raise the stand but it’s foolish. Say your front wheel goes into a dip or your front wheel turns a bit to the left, the stand digs in then down you go with any number of poor outcomes. And it isn’t a simple thing to just cut and join a few wires these days. The 690 has a magnetic switch and you either need a plug with resistor or remove the switch unit with magnet to a higher point and tape them together.
He didn’t cut the wires, he ground down the mechanism so that it could always be in the up position.
@@russianrick8403 I did both
We were riding the Oregon BDR this spring, my buddy crashed his brand new T7 and the kickstand switch failed, couldn't ride the bike until we disabled it. Which is not simple, fortunately we had cell service and could RUclips it. AFAIK he hasn't fixed it, I'll tell him to leave it as is.
Bret got an upgrade 👍🏻
About the winch , I would love to get one of them!
Keep up the amazing videos
Good stuff here, thank you. 👍
Glad you enjoyed it
Great info as always...
I had a GSA and changed out to Woody’s 21 inch front and Touratech suspension … bike transformed completely! However had to sell it as we moved … now looking at buying another bike but don’t want to go through same GSA modification process as I mainly ride off-road. If you were in my shoes, would you not rather get a KTM 1290 SA R? I saw your test of the 1290 … and curious to know if you had to change out your GS, and stick with bigger bikes (not 890) … would you pick a 1290 SAR?
hI YOU CHANGE YOUR channel..love it ,always love you and your lessons thanyou
Great video! But i miss longer ones😊!
I normally go for 10-15 min but after edits sometimes they pair down. It was a quick shoot with the final main talk being just over 15min plus some talking inserts but turned into 3 days if editing and 8min produced
What happened to the intro and the cow bell !!?? ;-) Great info, the winch is awesome !! I ride solo /adv solo mostly... That winch could be the difference between self help and defcon 1 rescue situation! ! I will sign that petition! Provide the info, sponsor free , highly Honarable sir!, I salute you!
*_Wow, I really like those short levers. Where did you get them?_*
He mentioned in the video: wild at heart adventure - two finger levers
I love my wild @ heart levers.
@@AdventureGlide If you land on the main page, it says you have to contact them directly. I thought the same thing you did until I went to the home page.
You're Super .. thank you for sharing ..
I get somebody with more skill than me to ride my bike. It instantly becomes more capable😂.
😂
Thanks for all your videos. What brand or compound do you like for break pads. I have 890 adventure r. Thx
Love your videos. All those mods and no radiator guards? Noticed that when you pointed out the front suspension. Is that just a sign of confidence that there will never be any riders in front of you that can roost you and potentially ruin your radiator?
It looks like we are similar size and shape. Could you give the Back Sweep, Width and Height of your Flexx handlebars. I have maxed out all adjustments of OEM and still need a little more. Also did the normal BarkBuster kit for BMW work on the Flexx handlebars or did you have to go with a different part #? Thanks for putting out so much great information.
I think your videos are great but when I see the changes you suggest, I wonder if maybe a different bike that is more capable on dirt is a better answer.
I do own a Tenere 700, Africa Twin and an F800GS. All are "better" bikes offroad 😉
Hi Brett
love watching your videos, fantastic work !!!
would you be able to do a review on the new Triumph tiger 1200 rally pro or explorer. I'm really keen to buy the explorer and your expert opinion would really be appreciated.
Beautiful setup. Can you tell me about your windshield? I'm looking for a tinted shield.
It's is an OEM sheild with a coating of black paint on the backside then coated in bed liner.
Great piece of content....S.F.A.
I like the decals! Kutvek if I am not mistaken? Not much info on those on the web, nicest graphics I have seen on a GS 👍🏻
They are a fantastic fit.
How much did of a difference did the handle bar change make? The company has several different bars set at different degrees witch ones did you purchase? I love your videos.
I'm going to have to check out those levers. I do not like long levers and never have. I rode for years on a chopper with levers that I shortened and I thought I might have to customize a set of levers again.
Lots of lever options out there...
@@BretTkacs Too busy wearing out tires. 😁
@@demiratmotovlog I saw that, reported/deleted at least 100 spam comments so far
Thanks for the always great tips! Please, what model/name is your Revit jacket? ;)
Thanks for your advice Bret. What do you think about central stand for offroad. It concern to me because the chain maintenance and tire change, but it is an additional wheight. Regards from Lima Perú
In my opinion that weight is so low you’ll not notice it one way or another.
@@FluxExplorer Thanks!!!
I'm curious what bike you would chose to do the Pan America then to Africa again? big bike or little bike what make? this would make an interesting video with all the different bikes on the market now.
Yay, the hat is back!!
🤣🤠
Which 2 color cabels did you connect together, leaving one, to bypass the stand
Hey Bret!
Could you tell us what do you think about Honda CB500X for adventure riding? I know it is not as offroad oriented bike as GS/ Tenere or Africa Twin but it it the smallest of all.
Can you do a review on the new KLR’s
I am curious abut your front fender modification. I cut and shaped mine (I have a 21" front) yet I can't come close to the amount of clearance you have. Care to share your secret?
After putting 21inch front wheel does the speedo and other stuff work well?
Speedo runs off the rear so no difference
Question Bret, are thier any riding exercises you can share for riders to gain a conventional front fork level of riding predictibility & confidence off road and in slippery conditions with the telelever suspension?
Bret, What do you think about using "ride-on" tire sealant to balance and help prevent getting a flat? What about use in a tube tire? What about ceramic balance beads?
BTW, I watch all your videos and implement what I can... to improve.
I just keep it simple and stick with weights. Less goo and less complexity
Can you explain, or tell where it can be found, your thoughts on the "safety" of the kickstand switch. It seems every manufacturer thinks accidently having it down is the hazard, while you have the opposite opinion.
In my experience, it can be a massive pain to deal with if you get on the bike on the right side and the left side (with the kickstand) happens to be on the low side of the trail. Being able to just turn the bike on and move to a better area to pull up the kickstand seems more logical, but sadly bikes are becoming more idiot-proof every year
@@kabj06 so… the low side of the trail is the kickstand side, and the kickstand is down and the bike is resting on it? My bike falls over in that scenario, down the hill - yours doesn’t?
You’re right about bikes getting more idiot-proof every year, and that the nannying gets in the way. I’m thinking particularly about having to stop , switch to neutral, then hold down a button for 10 seconds to switch off the ABS…
Yeah okay, boomers...
Kickstand switches have been a thing since what, the 80's?
It's not always about solid ground... Just because there is a place for the side stand doesn't mean it's the best side to mount from, could be better "high" ground on the left, better traction, more space, less risk (cliff, etc)
I have had more than one bike run like crap through rough terrain because my heel kept hitting the side stand, pushing it down just enough for that stupid switch to want to intervene.
Just wondering if your GS has the higher sport suspension and if it makes a noticeable difference off road?
Hi Bret. I'm in the process of setting up my norden. As a slightly taller rider, I have rotated the bars forward. Do you think that lowered foot pegs are a good way to get your posture better whilst standing, rather than bar risers. Thanks.
My thoughts... ruclips.net/video/H3LRe0JI61o/видео.html
Do you carry a spare set of clutch/brake levers when you go on trips?
Not if the bike is set up with short levers and handguards
I have an r1250gs Rallye. I wouldn't take it "off road", until I see what I'd be riding.
Why haven't you replaced those plastic hand guards?
Concernig the Side Stand Safety Switch, after you spliced the wires together, did you receive any fault message on your dash? I'd like to do the same to my '17 GSA, but I'm concerned about error codes.
No errors, it is only two of the three wires
Maybe if all of us were honest with ourselves once and just called them gravel road travel bikes instead of Adventure bikes the vernacular would be more accurate. The marketing of taking a bike that weighs more than 500 lb in sketchy situations is just crazy. I have a 900 rally Pro and a 2001 Kawasaki Super Sherpa 250. Which one do you think I ride the most out here in Colorado and deeper into the woods?
Technically most of our "off-road" riding is on unpaved "roads". There is a big difference between a trail and an unpaved road.
Hey Bret, on the subject of tyres (tires) I was wondering, could a rear 140/80-R17 tyre be fitted instead of the manufacturers recommended size of 120/90-R17?
The profile (aspect ratio) difference between the two tyres is 4mm higher, the width difference is 20mm wider, but the rim size is the same. Would the 140/80-R17 fit just fine or would it bulge out becoming more rounded? (Mitas EO7 Enduro vs the Mitas EO7 Enduro DAKAR are the tyres in question. Mitas does not produce a DAKAR version for my rear tyre specific dimensions). No matter what thanks for your time.
As a general rule of thumb you can go one size up or one size down from OEM without any real issues however the manufacturer normally goes towards the max tire for the rim because buyers like the look of bigger.
For me I normally drop one size in width for the performance advantages (less rolling/braking mass, less unsprung weight, cuts through mud/sand better, turns faster, etc). There are very few places a wide tire outperforms a narrow tire. Wide tires are needed for high weight, longevity on heavy loads, and high horse power (if it's being used).
If you have a bike that has a stock 120 rear it is unlikely I would recommend going to a 140. Oversized tires normally balloon on the rim causing a poor profile and often fit issues too.
@@BretTkacs that was quick!!! Thanks a lot for all the info. I've been so determined to get the DAKAR version that I completely forgot about all of the narrow tyre advantages. Will stick to your advice. Much appreciated, have a great day.
Had the Warn XT17...got it from Blackdog...was awesome...will look into Tractive suspension options for my GSA...cheaper than the full set of Ohlins on my last GSA...but they were awesome...good info Bret...you have the skills.
was Bret uns verschweigt:
Seitenständerschalter außer Betrieb setzen heißt, die Betriebserlaubnis ist erloschen.
Diese, sinnvolle, Modifikation ist was fürs Gelände.
Geschieht im Straßenbetrieb ein Unfall wg ausgeklapptem Seitenständer, gehts schnell an den eigenen Geldbeutel.
Auch eine Vollkaskoversicherung ordnet das unter "Vorsatz" ein.
I'd really like to get the Wild at Heart levers for my GSA, but $190 USD Shipped is a bit pricey. Granted... everything is pricey with this hobby. LOL. Any options out there for a bulk/shared order?
I have been using Chinese eBay levers for years and they work very well. Not quite as cool but still better/shorter than stock. Basically 3 finger levers instead of 2
Do you have 12 ways to make me better? The bike can do so much more than I can
First thing mentioned in this video is absolutely forbidden here in Germany. Damn TÜV...
Did you go ESA, or complete manual shocks?
This is the first time I stayed with ESA... I prefer Manual
What happened to the KTM 790R? Isn't that more off-road capable in stock form?
Without any debate yes... The problem is my 790 spent more time at the dealer than in my bike garage so after one year I gave up on it. I was hoping that all the issues would be sorted out by the end of one year.
It's a shame because I still LOVE riding the 790/890 and the new 1290
Thanks for your reply; yes. I'm traveling from LA to Ushuaia on a 890R, the bike is super fun but reliability is a concern
8:21 how did you do a u-turn on that tiny patch of dirt?
Method 1 of 6 😁
ruclips.net/video/bmisVkMjX34/видео.html
What front fender are you using with the 21" wheel
F800GS
@@BretTkacs thanks, are you running tubes in the skinny wheels?
@@saddlebag4097 tubeless
The only thing I have to disagree with you Bret is that anyone can alter their bike to match yours, but at the end of the day, if a rider is not an avid rider like you, all these expensive upgrades would serve no purpose for someone that cannot even ride a GS. QUESTION: Why do you have a different brake reservoir cover than the original OEM one that is on your clutch lever?
The side stand switch, footpeg, rear brake step, shorter levers, velcro strap and a handlebar that fits the rider better are not crazy expensive. Even the plastic frame guards are cheap on ebay.
My goal was to share free to outrageous...
@@BretTkacs Agreed, the suspension and tire modification you made there alone cost way North of $10,000 with labor.
You would have people compromise safety in the interest of saving energy by not having to put up their kickstand? And I have to say that it seems you're just plugging products by changing out the rims! You have a lot of great videos, but I couldn't finish this one.
"I want a winch!", says the guy who doesn't have a motorcycle that runs, let alone an ADV bike. LOL. I did some searching on McMaster-Carr, Harbor Freight, and Grainger. There are some possible replacements. I got distracted and never got my Mechanical Engineering friends involved. Sorry.
I do like your Reviews..But 🤔❗️
Most of the Professional Bikers did Not Tell the Subscribers the Parts Prices of what they changed and that not what we looking for...if I choose some modifications you did and check out the price some time it's so expensive...or I can't do it...
So for a Proper review..please tell us the cost for every Parts you Changed next time..that is what usually matters for Us....
Thank you
Or you can look it up on a quick google search🤷♂
Big bikes off road are not that much fun and the damage from dropping them almost always tears something up.
I can't relate to the GS money wise or anyways. I ride light... Why the big displacement?
Video irrelevant to my riding.... just me.... no apologies
Oops - I use the kickstand to shut the engine off when I stop 😈
Number 1, buy a bike 150 pounds lighter
Disabling side-stand safety switch? Think twice before doing that, as it's there for a reason. I know more than one biker that has crashed because of faulty side-stand switch and they rode off with side-stand down, only to crash in first left hand turn.
1. Reducing weight.
2. Just skip to 12.
12. Reducing weight.
😆
I can to 95% repairs.... 85 % side of road... we all break down... i save $100 hour minimum... plus the i did it reward
I'm really surprised that you're able to use a wireless charger because they overheat phones when it's warmer than 80 degrees. I've tried 4 or 5 different models with the same results at the most inconvenient times (navigating in the middle of nowhere in Eastern Washington).
I have been using it all season without any issues. It was 114 degrees on the hottest day (Yakima WA). Only thing was I ended up using the screw mount option due to the heavy offroad use and vibration
i use my quadlock wireless charger every day. we had two months straight of >100°f highs and it never overheated my s21.
@@512mbflashdrive did you ride all day? You guys aren't going to see thermal shutdown if you only ride a couple hours. The Quadlock overheated my phone on a 80 degree day in Seattle so I threw it away.
@@bretthawton damn, sucks! i've put 21k miles on my bike this year to date. longest ride was 30 hours straight from Missouri to Oregon. no thermal issues. seems like you have a phone issue.
@@512mbflashdrive perhaps but the same thing happens to my wife's phone. Do you stream music and use navigation while riding? These functions also generate a lot of heat.
Don’t do the side stand!!!!! If you use your bike on and off road the side stand down IF forgot will catapult you off the road in a corner. You shouldn’t disable the safety devices on your bike. Ask me how I know
How to outfit a BMW. Sounds better
Ayyy so much dollars 😅
i don't understand why you'd do the first one tbh
Maybe I will have to do a video on just this topic
@@BretTkacs I've done a fair amount of off-roading on my bike and I just can't think of a scenario it would help, other than failure? Then again I'm not always offroad like you are
@@leahheffernan4644 failure has been and issue multiple times, once for me and several times for others. There are definitely other times that it is easier and safer to start from the right.
Real rough roads can make your stand drop slightly when you hit a hole, which kills your engine.
@@DonHavjuan damn near crashed my F800GS on a trail once when the engine shut off when I needed power due to the side stand switch. Later that day it failed and left the bike dead. I bypassed it on the trail to get out.
We had a rider on a KTM890 end up dead on the trail this summer due to the "safety" switch but KTM can't be bypassed like others so we had to truck it out with a recovery vehicle.
its 8 minutes thirty six seconds
I could have trimmed that statement and cut it to 8 min 😉
I would 100% disagree with over riding the safety on the kickstand. Using the excuse of "saving energy" should never be used to disable an item on the bike. If someone, including yourself Brett, happens to mount the bike like you did/do in the video, and make a minor mistake by coming off balance and tipping the bike slightly to the left, the kickstand will/can hit the ground, causing the bike to pitch right and toss the rider. If you really believe that over the time of a ride that "saving energy" that is used to get on the bike from the low side (kickstand side) will make or break your ride, you are doing a great dis-service to your viewers. Eat some Wheaties!
That switch is only one way to meet the safety requirements for the road and is not required on off-road bikes. Most bikes still include the side stand feature to self retract if struck going to a left to hand corner.
GS/A just continues to be the most expensive bike ever. You buy stock expensive and then make all these adjustments to suit your riding +frackles and it's $$, we aren't even talking gear and then in a few years after '000kms, u gotta sell it and start again 🤦🏿♂️
Nobody says motorcycle riders are smart 🤓
@@BretTkacs 🤣
Sold my BMW and bought a lighter bike
The most effective and affordable method for sure 😃