Rocker-cover protection and other Qs

[POB]

Hi folks -

I have, once again been spending money on my bike. Today it was the turn of a Givi topbox rack (gulp). Not the prettiest thing in the world, but needs must and the side cases are a no-go for balls out filtering. Does the 46l box affect handling at all?

I was amazed yesterday by how good the bike is with a pillion - my gf went on it for the first time (and she's used to a VFR with a ma-hoosive box on it and a nice squidgy 11RS, also with a box), and we were carving roundabouts with ease. Only issue is the tall-ish first gear, so the bike requires more revs and more clutch than my old R1100RS.

I have been toying with the idea of getting some BCR-style rocker covers for the bike, not because I anticipate grounding them, but because in the event of a low-speed drop I would like the motor to stay oil-tight! I also suspect that the magnesium rocker covers aren't that road-proof. Instead I would like to get the plastic 'sliders' that come as standard on some other models.

Anyone fitted these (and crash-tested them)?
PS > I am also watching a few very interesting items on eBay!

PPS > Gromit - if you were to fit the y-piece for me, would I be able to get it delivered to your place, instead of trying to carry it down the motorway? Cheers.

PPPS > When fitting a sports exhaust on a carbed bike, especially with a free-flowing air filter, you are always advised to rejet to avoid leanness and subsequent engines going bang. Does the lambda sensor in the y-piece allow the FI 'brain' to richen up the bike a bit, or would I definitely need a chip / power commander or similar?

Sorry for aggravating newbie questions.

[winger]

Re the Carbon covers do your home work there are several different ones,all of a muchness the different ones being the raceing kevlar ones were you can still see the plug lead, and the full carbon that replace the originals.

[Jason M]

Hi

Those BCR carbon headers are for showboating only - useless in a real crash and even dropping the bike will have them crasking and splintering. I've crashed with the plastic ones but they don't save all the damage (though they're good and better than the carbon ones!)

What you need is a pair of these

http://www.2ridetheworld.com/spnsors/st ... d_page.htm

http://www.jimmyjib.com/guards2.htm

Tasty & bulletproof!

Jason

[sproggy]

Does the 46l box affect handling at all?

If you filled it with bricks it probably would I use a 46 litre Givi Maxia every day including motorway riding at 'motorway' speeds and the box seems to make no difference at all, riding two-up or solo. This surprised me because when I used the same box on my Blackbird it got a bit wandery over 90ish.

I was amazed yesterday by how good the bike is with a pillion

My wife loves it - finds it far more comfortable than the 1200GS. If you have pannier rails fitted you'll find they may cause pillion discomfort as they force the pillion's legs out or fowards. I removed mine and will fit them only when I want to use panniers (2 or 3 times a year).

Instead I would like to get the plastic 'sliders' that come as standard on some other models.

Anyone fitted these (and crash-tested them)?

I have them on mine, although I don't think they're intended as sliders....... Had them on my 1150GS too (exactly the same part) and it survived an engine/lorry/road/kerb interface in France without loss of oil. The head protector needed replacing afterwards but that's fine by me - without it the valve cover would probably have failed and I'd have been stranded. Highly recommended at the price.

[Dog Tyred]

Hi

Those BCR carbon headers are for showboating only - useless in a real crash and even dropping the bike will have them crasking and splintering. I've crashed with the plastic ones but they don't save all the damage (though they're good and better than the carbon ones!)

What you need is a pair of these

http://www.2ridetheworld.com/spnsors/st ... d_page.htm

http://www.jimmyjib.com/guards2.htm

Tasty & bulletproof!

Jason

Agree with Jason about the BCR carbon covers. while they do offer some protection to your CH in the event of a drop or maybe even a slow speed spill, they tend to end up badly damaged and require replacement. And at £292 each from your local BMW dealer they are an expensive crash protection option. Stiil, they do look the dogs Pity you can't buy the original cf race covers as at least these were built to stand a biff!

Pity someone doesn't provided a pressed aluminium or steel cover (maybe lined with rubber) to match the original cy/head cover but which could be replaced cheaply in the event of a spill.

Not sure I agree about the Stanton guards being 'tasty' though. Effective maybe, tasty er.....no

[PBBoxer]

Have to disagree about the BCR Carbon ones not being Brilliant

They are totally fekkin useless / shite / no good

The screws that attach them into the Rocker covers (which are non-standard, so add another £120 quid to your bill, as the screw centres are different and the BCR Rocker covers are therefore specialised), tend to punch straight through the Rocker cover in a drop.

Sadly I can say this through experience. Once from a proper drop at approx 50 mph, once from a kind lady knocking over the bike in a car park, stood.

[POB]

I went for the BMW oem pllastic jobbies. Although at a later date I may go for some third-party CF covers. Perhaps once I have escaped the cut and thrust of London commuting. Oh, I also just got a Give E52 box.

I also managed to get a belly-pan on german eBay the other day, which I am looking forward to fitting. On that note, does anyone know where I can find a DuPont code for Marrakesh Red? I need to get the belly-pan sprayed up and I want it to be an exact match.

Minor service booked in tomorrow. If he'll lend me a pair of wheels I am planning to send mine off to be powder coated satin / matt black. Then they're getting a red pimp-stripe round the rim.

[Blackal]

Hang on......... I'm not following this

I've read the entire thread, and whilst I started off thinking POB had a 1200s, I am now thinking it is a 1100s?

I've had a look for a pic of his bike in the other sections, but no joy.

What bike are we talking about?

(sorry - I feel a bit left out here - Just call me Al Zheimer)

If it is an 1100s/BCR - I have the Givi E46 topbox fitted, haven't noticed the bike weaving and also have tried the City Lids on the panniers, which aren't too bad (to keep the weight low down) and won't affect filtering ability.

Unless you are carrying a pillion, I like a tailpack - as you can load it like you wouldn't dare with a topbox.


Al

[POB]

It's an 02 R1100SS. Blackal - got any tips about fitting the Givi rack? Bought it online for £60, then found it on Motorworks for £41.

Would not like to use a tailpack - chances are that the topbox will do for in the week, with the touring cases staying in the shed for the occasional (LONG) commute, festive present delivery and trips to the Picos, Alps and Pyrenees.

Sorry to confuse...

[Blackal]

Right - that's me up to speed now

One thing I noticed about fitting the rack is that, you may have to fit the arms, see if they line up to the rack brackets, and then ......... when you notice that they don't - take the arms back off for some "gentle persuasion" in a vice.

Don't be tempted to bend them while on the bike

What you don't want, is the polycarbonate base plate to be under bending stresses when fitted.


I must admit, I find the 46 ltr box to look a bit ungainly on the Cup, but after buying the box - - - - - - I wasn't going to sell it.



Al

[POB]

Cool, thanks Al. Got any pics of the rear end of that honey? E52 was £100 on the 'bay (ouch!!) Glad I didn't buy it new.

[Blackal]

Hi,

Cheers!

'fraid no pics on this pc - will have a hunt in the next day or so.

I bought the city lids off Ebay for around £75 (coincidentaly - already painted in the correct blue). Not cheap, but handier than the normal system lids. Top box was £100-ish (Ebay)and is a Honda colour?

Al