So you just got home with a new B-GA and am searching for aftermarket items for the new bike. Can you list the one aftermarket item you bought that you really felt you needed?
So you just got home with a new B-GA and are already searching for aftermarket items for the new bike. Can you list the one aftermarket item you bought that you really felt you needed?
So you just got home with a new B-GA and are already searching for aftermarket items for the new bike. Can you list the one aftermarket item you bought that you really felt you needed?
Haven't seen very many complaints about the windscreen for the GA but the stock one for the B was too short and not wide enough for me so I replaced it with a taller & wider 7JUROCK and it made a tremendous difference in decreasing the head buffeting and wind noise on my B. There are several aftermarket companies that make similar windscreens (Aeroflow, Wunderlich, Puig, for example).
I had the dealer switch out the stock K 1600 B windshield for the GTL windshield which is:cheers::smile: larger and flared slightly. Better wind and rain protection. I had to negotiate the deal when purchased new. Windshield is $600.
If you consider a $500 Nav V or a $800 Nav VI "crappy" then you must have some really great smartphone.
BMW Navs work with custom GPX files. The screen on my Nav is bigger than my phone. My Nav is waterproof. I have 1 less wire to worry about. I keep my phone on my body in case I have an emergency - it will be close at hand instead of who knows where if I had to mounted to the bars. Blah, blah, blah.
The only thing I've added or modified to my GTL was grip puppies, Oil SuperPlug, NAV, drilled out exhaust outlets and have a date for RDL to build up my stock seat this month!
If you've got some tech savvy and don't mind channelling your inner geek, then there are some excellent and very inexpensive sat nav options. You can buy a rugged weatherproof android phone for $60 on Amazon and outfit it with any/all of several great apps that can have as much or way more detail than the NAV IV/V/VI devices. All apps referenced work without cell coverage. But, as I mentioned, it'll take some measure of effort and knowledge to get there.
All that said, it's not worth it to me and I truly believe the zoom control you get over the BMW NAV makes that device worth the price of admission. Just having that easy +/- zoom with the wheel eliminates the need for a second sat nav for me.
I'm not that knowledgeable of the apps folks use but I do have one of these on my iPhone called Map Out. A buddy of mine used that app on his phone to take him from DC to over the Colorado Rockies on the Trans America Trail (off the pavement ride) where nearly 50% of the ride is out of cell coverage.
One of the very first things I put on every bike I buy is a power distribution module and I like the PDM 60. It seems pricey to install it for the first bit of non-CANBUS power you'd like to add but I always think of several other things and most of the circuits on the PDM60 get used. Charging solutions in the top box and tank bag, aftermarket lights, camera systems, etc. No CANBUS related worries for switched power to all my accessories with a digital fuses that reset by cycling the power to the module.
Not sure that I understand how a smartphone is of any use as a nav device when there is no service in the area where you are riding. If there is no service, how does it know where you are located in order for you to follow a route?
For example, we ride in the blue ridge mountains quite a bit and there are large areas where there is no cell coverage whatsoever.
Seems to me that a phone would be of zero use for any purpose without service. I guess you could use the map app but I am not even sure that works when there is no service.
Thinking of adding chubby antennae and Wunderlich dash bag, along with a Nav VI ( for Christmas). Plus I’ll need a cover for the GA - any recommendations for one that will fit?
I have this one that fit my RT perfectly but will not fit my B - it is not long enough or wide enough at the rear to get the panniers covered. I am using it but it is more or less draped over the bike rather than fitted.
With the GA's big topcase, you will need something even bigger than the B would use - I would think something for a Harley Ultra or similar would prolly work.
wow this has gone completely off topic - poor OP wanted advice on farkles and ended up in discussion about gps and phone
On topic - if you will be doing your own maint - RL superplug - get it installed by dealer on first service - if B - i would get the bike with a Centerstand , if not i would get that added for tire changing
Besides that the major item i'm looking at is side case protectors and my wife wanted pillion floorboards
Off topic for sure. I posted a pic of an aluminum phone holder and a forum member called me too cheap to buy the NAV VI, lol. But hey, I’ve got thick skin and been called worse. I have a top of the line bike that has more tech than any other bike made and get called cheap. :grin:
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