[Rahulkool]

These noise blocking earplugs are the best riding gear which i have gotten recently. I just couldn't believe, how effective these are in reducing fatigue. I am using these for a few months now, done around 4-5k kms. Also using these doesn't isolate you completely from the ambient noise, you will be able to hear vehicles around you , horn etc. But the wind noise is way down, which is the main reason for fatigue. Now i just can't ride without. Also these earplugs block the engine clatter, or any mechanical noise, you will just hear the mild exhaust note. Helmet comm works much better, even at 100-120 i can clearly hear and talk on comm.

[CrAzY dRiVeR]

Originally Posted by Rahulkool

These noise blocking earplugs are the best riding gear which i have gotten recently

Which brand is this? I have been using the plugs from Pinlock but may try another set in a couple of months.

[Rahulkool]

Originally Posted by CrAzY dRiVeR

Which brand is this? I have been using the plugs from Pinlock but may try another set in a couple of months.

Hey, unfortunately i dont know the brand, nothing mentioned on the packing or the product. Someone gave it to me in a auto expo at CF Moto stall. But similar products are available on amazon.

https://www.amazon.in/Loop-Quiet-Noi...dp/B08MFDT65P/

Buy the ones made completely out of silicone without any hard plastic. As some products have outer loops made out of hard plastic, which might create discomfort inside the helmet.

[nitro.1000bhp]

Originally Posted by Invstamith

Thank you! Evaluating BMW Motorrad Panniers, Lone Ranger Semi Rigid Saddle Bags and Dirtsack Core 30. Will decide soon and post a review.

Hi Invstamith, I am planning to get the core30 too. If you do go for it do let me know how it fits and how easy of difficult it is to get on and off.

Cheers.

[Invstamith]

Will do. Scheduled to arrive in 2-3 days.

[Invstamith]

The Bags are now installed. Pretty straightforward and simple DIY. You’ll only need an Allen Key. Looks good on the bike as well.
My luggage setup is now complete with BMW official Top box.





Missed out on Adding a few pictures.

[Rahulkool]

Finally got around to installing the barkbusters. I have these from long time, cousin gifted me these when i bought the bike. I was planning to get the plastic guard as well and install but didnt ordered till now. Couple of riders warned me that levers could be expensive to replace, so thought of installing these. Now i feel that these might save the levers but end up bending the handlebar, which could be even bigger expense

I like the stock plastic guards better.


To remove the stock plastic guards, you will have to remove the rear view mirrors and the bar end weights.


Right - stock bolt, Left - new longer bolt for barkbuster.


Bar end mount, barkbusters come with 2 big spacers, both needs to be used for 850GSA, one of them is inside the bar end weight in the below image.


On full turn the metal guards are too close to tank as well as front fairing, so there was not much scope for adjusting the barkbusters. I had to adjust both levers to make sure that those stay inside the metal bars and impact is on the metal bars incase of a fall.

You can see how close it is to the front fairing on full turn.


Both sides installed, didnt like how these looks, need to get the plastic covers or will switch back to the stock plastic guards.


Bike does not come with a tyre hugger, lots of mud and slush on the rear of the bike in rains, top box gets completely filthy. So much so that after last ride the no plate was not visible.

I could not find any other decent rear tyre hugger locally for 850GSA, most of the stuff available is generic ones and i was not sure of fitting as it mounts on the axle bolts.

So ordered this mudguard from ebay. Had to use a shop and ship service as this listing was not shipping to India. With shipping, custom duty and GST it ended up costing almost double

https://www.ebay.com/itm/335122579232

This is specially designed for 850GSA and comes with following parts.


This is a single pc aluminium fitting, it replaces the chain adjustment mechanism on the right side swing arm.



Removed the axle slider for installation.


Only to realise that axle bolt on the BMW is 34mm and i dont have any socket bigger than 28mm.


So went and bought 34mm socket. Placed some wood below the tyre so it does not move when i remove the axle.


Top is the stock chain adjustment part on the right swing arm, below is the replacement part. you can see the replacement part is more protruding around the center hole. More on this later.


This is how it slots in and there is a screw on the back to adjust the chain.


Cleaned and added some grease on the axle before pushing it in.




Now the wunderlich axle sliders wont install, because the chain adjustment part was much bigger and protruding more. So needed to take off little bit of plastic from the axle slider. I tried doing it myself but it was hard plastic and will need a drill + vice at least. I had a drill but no vice, this being a small part would be difficult to handle.

Asked one friend and he took me to one of his known places which does metal work and have a lathe.

Upon reaching we took measurement with a vernier caliper and this guy used a huge CNC machine, way too overkill for the job, but result was perfect fit.





This is how it looks after installation. Very study and doesnt move around while riding.

[nitro.1000bhp]

Nice one mate!

Barkbusters are absolutely worth it. I have dropped my bike many times, some on hard and some on soft surfaces and never bent my handlebar. It tracks straight even now.

Cheers.

[Rahulkool]

Photography and breakfast ride

Did a 250kms loop ride around Chennai, one friend joined in Ninja 4RR with his camera equipment.

Theres no replacement for sensor size


The setup


and the result


Posing on the Ninja


Helmet was digitally added


Small river on the way


Lovely temple and pond








Healthy breakfast at the Idler's farm






Empty parking


Black coffee with nice view

[PrasannaDhana]

Amazing pics brother!

Glad to see the ninja guy being active in riding. Great pics of the motorcycles. But pls eat better food, the food look sad.

Meanwhile show some love to the Abarth too. Or give it to us, lesser mortals who roam around in cages.

[Invstamith]

A BMW fanboy had quipped " The beauty of the GSA lies in its width!', and your photographs do absolute justice to the statement. No wonder, the last picture has become my wallpaper!

[Rahulkool]

Originally Posted by PrasannaDhana

Amazing pics brother!

Glad to see the ninja guy being active in riding. Great pics of the motorcycles. But pls eat better food, the food look sad.

Meanwhile show some love to the Abarth too. Or give it to us, lesser mortals who roam around in cages.

Thank bro, food is not bad and its a nice place where you can sit down and chill. Very calm and quiet, compared to other breakfast places.

Believe me you don't want the Abarth, with your kind of monthly running, turbo petrol will be a disaster.

Originally Posted by Invstamith

A BMW fanboy had quipped " The beauty of the GSA lies in its width!', and your photographs do absolute justice to the statement. No wonder, the last picture has become my wallpaper!

Yes and it has a purpose, protects you completely from the elements on the road.

Too time today to clean/polish the rim and spokes. Back breaking work but worth the result.

[Rahulkool]

Ride to Yercaud

Early morning meeting point, on the GST road. Good company of H450 and Inazuma. One friend was supposed to be joining on R3 but was running a bit late so we decided to carry on and he will meet us in the breakfast point.


Breakfast stop, brand new R3, just fresh out of showroom late evening the day before and now on the road to finish run-in


Chai/juice stop


Just before the Yercaud climb. Two more bikes have joined from Bangalore, 1250GSA and 1300GS. They had reached quite early and waiting for us.


Some more pics on the way.




Lunch stop, this place had very good reviews on google. But upon reaching they said can not accommodate without reservation. When we were gearing up to leave, the owner came down and said he will see if anything can be done, asked us to wait and after 15mins he got us a table. Owner was a bike guy and had quite a few bikes over the years.


Some might find these offensive


They straight away said no vegetarian food, not even plain dosa and chutney. Guided two of the vegetarian folks to a restaurant nearby.


Food was good, i just took a few pics initially. As it was already very late and everyone was starving. We ordered some parotta and chicken curry and that was good as well.






Noisy fellow.




Refreshing drink and great ambience as well.


As usual not much pics in the return journey. We entered Chennai very late and managed to avoid evening rush.


Just fueled up outside Chennai and after riding 40kms, bike was showing 659kms as range.


Trip stats after reaching home. 777kms trip. Bike has overall done 9385kms total, 600kms more for 2nd service.

[that_sedate_guy]

Originally Posted by Rahulkool

Lunch stop, this place had very good reviews on google. But upon reaching they said can not accommodate without reservation. [/ATTACH]

I got curious about this place especially after seeing the witty quotes on one of the pics and tried to look for it in Google. They've mentioned its only a direct face to face reservation and not on the phone. You have mentioned that they won't accept without reservation. I'm a tad bit confused. How do we get in then? Seems like my kind of place when out on a ride.

[Rahulkool]

Originally Posted by that_sedate_guy

I got curious about this place especially after seeing the witty quotes on one of the pics and tried to look for it in Google. They've mentioned its only a direct face to face reservation and not on the phone. You have mentioned that they won't accept without reservation. I'm a tad bit confused. How do we get in then? Seems like my kind of place when out on a ride.

Oh that is very strange, i will suggest calling them up before and check for reservations. Food and ambience is worth the effort.