What's the best accessory...

[fastbob]

Don't they mean removing the original rubbers?How does that work with heated grips?

The grip puppies slide over the original grips and can easily be cut off to return the bike to stock. I like them for the simplicity and that they don't affect heated grips. They are very grippy neoprene sponge that doesn't soak up water, best put on using soapy water as lube then left overnight to dry out. You might describe them as oversize grips that act somewhat like shock absorbers for your hands.

 

Oh , I see ! Actually they do sound rather appealing . I will look into these . Could be useful on the bone shaker .

[Mickly]

Not a great idea when you're lying on your back and the bike is further down the road on its side revving it's tits off .

 

wow say one thing and you hear somthing else. the hidden kill switch is the must have accessory. that does not mean you have to disable anything. how does hidden switch make me lie on my back? why can't you shut off a bike that has a hidden security device? you make absolutely no sense. are you Canadian? If it's good enough for the road warrior its tits.

 

I was just pointing out the benefits of having the kill switch prominently displayed so that in the unfortunate event of an accident a member of the public or fellow motorcyclist can find it quickly and turn off the engine . As I'm sure you are aware , an engine running whilst in a horizontal position is likely to suffer permanent damage due to oil starvation . Doesn't your bike have an ignition key ?

 

What I think [mention]ftw[/mention] was alluding to was an ‘additional’ kill switch hidden away to prevent theft, leaving the normal key and bar mounted switches to do the same thing if necessary. I installed one on a Mini Marcos I had, It killed the power to the electric fuel pump & ignition, but a pita when a family member forgot it was there and drained the battery trying to start it.

[fastbob]

wow say one thing and you hear somthing else. the hidden kill switch is the must have accessory. that does not mean you have to disable anything. how does hidden switch make me lie on my back? why can't you shut off a bike that has a hidden security device? you make absolutely no sense. are you Canadian? If it's good enough for the road warrior its tits.

 

I was just pointing out the benefits of having the kill switch prominently displayed so that in the unfortunate event of an accident a member of the public or fellow motorcyclist can find it quickly and turn off the engine . As I'm sure you are aware , an engine running whilst in a horizontal position is likely to suffer permanent damage due to oil starvation . Doesn't your bike have an ignition key ?

 

What I think @ftw was alluding to was an ‘additional’ kill switch hidden away to prevent theft, leaving the normal key and bar mounted switches to do the same thing if necessary. I installed one on a Mini Marcos I had, It killed the power to the electric fuel pump & ignition, but a pita when a family member forgot it was there and drained the battery trying to start it.

Oh , I see . A concealed extra switch . Thanks .

[manxie49]

Mine would be the Tomtom 550, helped massively with my crap sense of direction and Denali high intensity day time running lights

[fastbob]

Is it really necessary to buy a satnav these days ? Can't you just use a smartphone ? Having said that I don't think a phone would last too long on the handlebars of my Harley . I probably wouldn't be able to see it either . Besides the shaking, I'd probably have to wear bifocals .

[rennie]

I don't buy many accessories!

I'd say the best thing I've added to The Cruiser is the screen, makes a big difference.

Can't remember buying anything extra for the Fazer1000.

The best 1 for the Blade would have to be the double bubble screen

[Gerontious]

Is it really necessary to buy a satnav these days?

 

Probably not, but there are plus points. A dedicated motorbike sat nav is waterproof and tough. It's easier to produce routes to download to the unit or borrow someone else's... There are a load of websites where people share their routes. It will always work as its not reliant on a phone signal. It's normally hard wired to the bike and can easily be secured so you can leave it without worry. Leave it connected and switched on overnight will not drain your battery, Most can be partnered with a phone so if you have the extra bits and pieces phone calls can be answered despite the phone being in your pocket. Obviously a phone can do a lot of this but they are at the end of the day fragile, high value items that are not normally waterproof and so mounting the phone plus protecting it from the elements can become an issue. The latest generation sat navs don't even need a sunshade.

One final point.. They hold their value really well. Second hand prices for my antique are circa £200 and despite its age my unit is still fully supported, 10 years old.. And it had a software update only last week.

[geofferz]

Is it really necessary to buy a satnav these days?

 

Probably not, but there are plus points. A dedicated motorbike sat nav is waterproof and tough. It's easier to produce routes to download to the unit or borrow someone else's... There are a load of websites where people share their routes. It will always work as its not reliant on a phone signal. It's normally hard wired to the bike and can easily be secured so you can leave it without worry. Leave it connected and switched on overnight will not drain your battery, Most can be partnered with a phone so if you have the extra bits and pieces phone calls can be answered despite the phone being in your pocket. Obviously a phone can do a lot of this but they are at the end of the day fragile, high value items that are not normally waterproof and so mounting the phone plus protecting it from the elements can become an issue. The latest generation sat navs don't even need a sunshade.

One final point.. They hold their value really well. Second hand prices for my antique are circa £200 and despite its age my unit is still fully supported, 10 years old.. And it had a software update only last week.

 

Meh - my phone is totally waterproof and it doesn't need to be rugged - I don't think it could possibly fall off (except perhaps in a crash). Pairs with my comms unit so I can do hands free voice command navigation if I want to add a petrol station en route etc.

[fastbob]

Is it really necessary to buy a satnav these days?

 

Probably not, but there are plus points. A dedicated motorbike sat nav is waterproof and tough. It's easier to produce routes to download to the unit or borrow someone else's... There are a load of websites where people share their routes. It will always work as its not reliant on a phone signal. It's normally hard wired to the bike and can easily be secured so you can leave it without worry. Leave it connected and switched on overnight will not drain your battery, Most can be partnered with a phone so if you have the extra bits and pieces phone calls can be answered despite the phone being in your pocket. Obviously a phone can do a lot of this but they are at the end of the day fragile, high value items that are not normally waterproof and so mounting the phone plus protecting it from the elements can become an issue. The latest generation sat navs don't even need a sunshade.

One final point.. They hold their value really well. Second hand prices for my antique are circa £200 and despite its age my unit is still fully supported, 10 years old.. And it had a software update only last week.

 

What a splendid answer , cheers

[Smithers]

Is it really necessary to buy a satnav these days ? Can't you just use a smartphone ? Having said that I don't think a phone would last too long on the handlebars of my Harley . I probably wouldn't be able to see it either . Besides the shaking, I'd probably have to wear bifocals .

 

I'll give you another 6 months before you get shot of that entry level Harley and buy something decent.

[fastbob]

Is it really necessary to buy a satnav these days ? Can't you just use a smartphone ? Having said that I don't think a phone would last too long on the handlebars of my Harley . I probably wouldn't be able to see it either . Besides the shaking, I'd probably have to wear bifocals .

 

I'll give you another 6 months before you get shot of that entry level Harley and buy something decent.

 

I'll still be paying for it in 6 months but I have no plans to buy another bike anytime soon . This is the bike I want and I don't subscribe to this " Entry level " idea at all .

[Joe85]

Is it really necessary to buy a satnav these days ? Can't you just use a smartphone ? Having said that I don't think a phone would last too long on the handlebars of my Harley . I probably wouldn't be able to see it either . Besides the shaking, I'd probably have to wear bifocals .

 

I was using my iPhone and a ram mount for years. Only about a month ago I read on the BMW forum that it was common for people iPhone cameras to go batshit crazy after prolonged use attached to motorbike handle bars. I’ve have commuted thousands of miles with my phone in the ram mount without issue, however about 3 days later, as if by coincidence, it started happening. Now my iPhone camera just can’t focus, it rattles like crazy. So I invested in a TomTom.

Also, without a charger, the phone dies pretty quick as a GPS.

[geofferz]

Is it really necessary to buy a satnav these days ? Can't you just use a smartphone ? Having said that I don't think a phone would last too long on the handlebars of my Harley . I probably wouldn't be able to see it either . Besides the shaking, I'd probably have to wear bifocals .

 

I was using my iPhone and a ram mount for years. Only about a month ago I read on the BMW forum that it was common for people iPhone cameras to go batshit crazy after prolonged use attached to motorbike handle bars. I’ve have commuted thousands of miles with my phone in the ram mount without issue, however about 3 days later, as if by coincidence, it started happening. Now my iPhone camera just can’t focus, it rattles like crazy. So I invested in a TomTom.

Also, without a charger, the phone dies pretty quick as a GPS.

 

I have a 12v charger on my bike but thanks - you've inspired me to pack an adaptor

[skyrider]

Is it really necessary to buy a satnav these days ? Can't you just use a smartphone ? Having said that I don't think a phone would last too long on the handlebars of my Harley . I probably wouldn't be able to see it either . Besides the shaking, I'd probably have to wear bifocals .

 

I was using my iPhone and a ram mount for years. Only about a month ago I read on the BMW forum that it was common for people iPhone cameras to go batshit crazy after prolonged use attached to motorbike handle bars. I’ve have commuted thousands of miles with my phone in the ram mount without issue, however about 3 days later, as if by coincidence, it started happening. Now my iPhone camera just can’t focus, it rattles like crazy. So I invested in a TomTom.

Also, without a charger, the phone dies pretty quick as a GPS.

Hi joe which bmw forum are you on

[Joe85]

Is it really necessary to buy a satnav these days ? Can't you just use a smartphone ? Having said that I don't think a phone would last too long on the handlebars of my Harley . I probably wouldn't be able to see it either . Besides the shaking, I'd probably have to wear bifocals .

 

I was using my iPhone and a ram mount for years. Only about a month ago I read on the BMW forum that it was common for people iPhone cameras to go batshit crazy after prolonged use attached to motorbike handle bars. I’ve have commuted thousands of miles with my phone in the ram mount without issue, however about 3 days later, as if by coincidence, it started happening. Now my iPhone camera just can’t focus, it rattles like crazy. So I invested in a TomTom.

Also, without a charger, the phone dies pretty quick as a GPS.

Hi joe which bmw forum are you on

S1000R forum mate.

[Gerontious]

Is it really necessary to buy a satnav these days?

 

Probably not. (with caveats)

 

Meh (plus reasons)

 

Excellent.. my post doesnt apply to you. good.. so my 'probably not' was probably correct in your case.

[Martyn850]

This...

Sidestand extender so I don’t have to worry about carrying a puck around with me or worry when stopping somewhere the grounds a bit soft.

[geofferz]

Probably not. (with caveats)

 

Meh (plus reasons)

 

Excellent.. my post doesnt apply to you. good.. so my 'probably not' was probably correct in your case.

 

Correct!

[Smithers]

This...

Sidestand extender so I don’t have to worry about carrying a puck around with me or worry when stopping somewhere the grounds a bit soft.

 

I like that.

[skyrider]

I was using my iPhone and a ram mount for years. Only about a month ago I read on the BMW forum that it was common for people iPhone cameras to go batshit crazy after prolonged use attached to motorbike handle bars. I’ve have commuted thousands of miles with my phone in the ram mount without issue, however about 3 days later, as if by coincidence, it started happening. Now my iPhone camera just can’t focus, it rattles like crazy. So I invested in a TomTom.

Also, without a charger, the phone dies pretty quick as a GPS.

Hi joe which bmw forum are you on

S1000R forum mate.

ok thanks joe

[Baldrick]

+1 on the Tom Tom Rider, fantastic bit of kit.

But probably the handiest accessory I've fitted is a 12V socket, on the handlebars, very useful for charging phones, Ecigs etc on the move.

[Gerontious]

But probably the handiest accessory I've fitted is a 12V socket, on the handlebars, very useful for charging phones, Ecigs etc on the move.

 

That is next on my list... but on the side of the bike. (there is a perfect spot) 15A and 'always live'.

The bike does have a socket as standard, near the clocks, but its only rated at 2A, which isn't enough for my purposes. "Always Live" means it can be used 2-way. power out and power in for a charger. Socket I want is a DIN (hella type) So I can use the various things I bought for the Beemer without having to use a ciggie lighter adapter.