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Great ride. Had a 2012 road that I started with and upgraded when I found a deal on a used XC. Larger front wheel and better suspension were huge. That said, the the stock suspension sucks for someone bigger than average. With some upgrades it has been a great dual sport and tourer.

You hear it all the time while riding gravel roads, the sound of rocks pinging off your exhaust headers. While it can be a beautiful sound to some, it doesn't take long to put dings, scratches and dents on the water cooled boxer's exhaust manifolds because of their exposed design. Even on paved roads, you'd be surprised what the front tire kicks up into your exhaust pipes. With these heavy-duty stainless steel guards from Touratech, your exhaust headers will be safe from flying rocks and debris no matter what kind of roads you're on.

A rock thrown up into your bike's radiator from another vehicle or motorcycle can be a trip ending event if you don't have the proper protection. The Touratech stainless steel radiator guards will protect your vulnerable radiators from impacts that can damage one of the most vital components of your bike's engine. These stainless guards are laser cut to exacting standards and feature louvered fins with air-flow ports that have been engineered to deliver the maximum volume of air to the cooling system. https://www.youtube.com/watch?x-yt-cl=84359240&v=OrDDG5ZyeEs&x-yt-ts=1421782837

Dings, scratches, scrapes, or even a cracked valve cover can all be results of a simple tipover on the liquid cooled R1200GS. With its wide boxer-style engine, the valve covers hit the ground when the bike goes over. Touratech aluminum cylinder head guards offer lightweight and low-profile protection for your BMW's engine. BMW R1200GS / ADV & R1200RT, 2013-on (Water Cooled)

Upper Crash Bars - BMW R1200GS Water Cooled A cracked plastic fairing or leaking radiator, after a simple tip-over, can put a dent in your pride and your wallet. Protect your BMW R1200GS Water Boxer by adding Touratech Upper Crash Bars to your OEM BMW or Touratech engine crash bars. A vital component of the liquid-cooled boxer engine is its radiator, and while BMW did a good job of keeping it tucked-in and out of the way, the bottom corners are still vulnerable and can become a liability on a long adventure. Touratech Upper Crash Bars keep your radiator protected during a tip-over and also prevent damage to expensive body and fairing pieces on your water-cooled BMW R1200GS. Made of strong 1-inch diameter stainless steel tubing, these bars are tough and also contribute the adventure aesthetic of this capable machine. Unlike other designs, Touratech crash bars compliment the overall look of the by following the lines of the stylish R1200GS. The Touratech Upper Crash Bar System is quick and easy to install, and also provides a solid location for mounting lights. They are fully compatible with BMW OEM crash bars, Touratech engine crash bars, and Touratech LED auxiliary lights. If you have BMW OEM LED lights installed, you will need to purchase our adapters (045-5200) to mount the lights to the upper crash bars. > Made of 25mm diameter, 2mm wall thickness stainless steel tubing > Protects the expensive upper fairing and vulnerable radiator > Fits with either BMW OEM or Touratech crash bars > Stainless steel bars will not rust > Available in electo-polished stainless steel (silver) or epoxy-coated (black) finishes > All hardware included for easy installation > Accents the styling lines of the R1200GS > Fits BMW R1200GS Water Cooled models, 2013-on > NOT compatible with BMW OEM auxiliary lights. > Made in Germany by Touratech

The throttle potentiometer is a key part of the fuel injection system and is exposed on the stock BMW R1200 motor. Your riding boot or other objects can snap this fragile electrical component leaving you stranded. Precision crafted from laser-cut 3mm aluminum, Touratech has built a lightweight and strong guard that protects this delicate component of your fuel injection system ensuring that your trip continues as planned. Available in either black or silver anodized finishes, the Touratech throttle potentiometer guard compliments the capable personality of the bike. The guard comes with everything you need to get it installed. Installation takes only a few minutes. Watch the installation video above for more details. The R1200 right side throttle potentiometer is well protected so only one cover (LEFT) is required. Fits BMW R1200R, R1200RT and R1200GS and R1200GS Adventure motorcycles. Fits all model year R1200 motorcycles ONE cover for left side ONLY Easy installation 3 solid mounting points Silver or Black anodized finish Made at Touratech factory in Germany

This is a great bike. Fun to ride on and off road.

Touratech has set a new standard for adventure touring comfort with the Aventuro Carbon helmet. This Lightweight, carbon fiber construction helmet is comfortable, features a no-drag visor, and easily transforms between street, dual-sport and dirt configurations. While there is no shortage of helmet options on the market, there are surprisingly few good choices for the ADV touring crowd. Some of the most popular adventure riding helmets are heavy, have excessive wind noise and are limited to just one configuration. Because of these limitations, Touratech has set out to make the ultimate helmet for adventure touring. Lightweight We started with weight. Let's face it, ADV riding and distance touring means hours in the saddle and riding with a heavy helmet takes its toll on your neck and shoulders contributing to fatigue. Touratech has used strong, but lightweight carbon fiber to weigh-in significantly less than most of the popular dual-sport helmets. No-Drag Visor The Aventuro Carbon helmet was designed by motorcycle travelers and its features reflect this. The visors on most helmets tend to grab passing air, which limits your range of motion and puts strain on your neck. The helmet's No-Drag Visor is designed with massive ports that allow air flow through the base of the visor. Like a pressure release valve, it dumps air to reduce pull on the head reducing strain and maximizing rider comfort. In sunny situations, the tip of the visor can be extended with a quick pull on its adjustable end. The Aventuro Carbon has been sculpted to cut through the wind with less turbulence and noise for the rider. 3 Modes - No Tools Like a Transformer, the Aventuro Carbon helmet can be converted between street, dual-sport, and off-road modes on the fly with no tools. The visor can be removed for a long ride on the tarmac and installed quickly for a few days of riding adventurous roads in the mountains. The shield can also be removed completely to accommodate goggles for dusty riding or full-blown, off-road riding. Whether it's a street bike day, adventure ride or single-track weekend in the woods, the Aventuro Carbon can do it all in light-weight comfort while providing the highest levels of protection. Key features: > Crafted from lightweight, carbon fiber for increased rider comfort > No-drag airflow visor reduces wind grab and strain on neck & body > Transforms between Street, Dual-sport to Dirt configurations with no tools > Easy open, easy close vents designed to keep rain out > Pin-Lock ready shield (Pin-Lock insert sold separately) > Intercom system ready, with speaker cavities > Ergo padding system >Washable, Antiperspirant, hypo-allergenic, Coolmax lining > Emergency cheek pad removal system > Liner cut away to accommodate glasses >Designed for goggles with quick-strap ready embossments and strap-lock shape > Set up for action camera mount > Extra long chin strap allows removal of helmet without completely unfastening 2DD buckle > Exceeds all DOT and ECE 2205 standards for helmet safety

I've been riding for for about 28 years on many different genres of bikes - from dirt, to cruiser, to crotch rocket. I have to say, this bike is by far the best I have had the pleasure of owning and riding. It's versatility, quality, and capability coupled with it's reasonable price point make it a win win!

We have combined the best protection bars for your R1200GS into this easy to install complete crash bar package. This kit comes with both the Touratech Upper Fairing Crash Bars and the Lower Engine Crash bars to give your motorcycle's cylinders, radiators, and fairings, the protection they need for any adventure. > Complete kit with upper and lower crash bars included > Made of strong 25mm diameter, 2mm wall-thickness stainless steel tubing > Available in electo-polished stainless steel (silver) or epoxy-coated (black) finishes > Upper bars protect the expensive upper fairing and vulnerable radiator > All hardware included for easy installation > Accents the styling lines of the R1200GS > Lower bars' stainless steel tube cage design protects by completely wrapping around the cylinder > Complete front cross-brace effectively transfers force > NOT compatible with BMW OEM auxiliary lights. > Design prevents excess force into frame or engine > Compact design maximizes maneuverability off-road and preserves lean angle for the twisties > Easily removed for service > Compatible with Touratech cylinder head guards > Fits BMW R1200GS Water Cooled models, 2013-on > Made in Germany by Touratech

http://www.touratech-usa.com/Store/126/PN-044-5880X/Touratech-Explore-HP-Rear-Shock-BMW-R1200GS-Adventure Touratech Suspension Features VideoThis video shows the features for each of the different levels of Touratech Suspension shocks. Why Touratech Suspension? Touratech Suspension is the world’s first purpose-built shock absorber for long-distance touring with a fully-loaded motorcycle. Right out of the box, it has the strength, features and adjustments to go the distance on your R1200GS or GSA hauling luggage. The Touratech Explore HP shock is over-built by design with heavy-duty materials, over-sized components, 50% more spring pre-load adjustment, and adjustable rebound dampening that’s tuned for optimal performance with a fully-loaded motorcycle. With an Explore HP shock, the preload can be quickly adjusted by turning the knob with your hand. It’s recommend to upgrade to an Explore front shock, when you upgrade the rear shock on your R1200GS or GSA. Click HERE to see the Explore front shock. “I could not be more satisfied with my Touratech Suspension. It worked flawlessly for 15,000 miles on my journey from Seattle to the southern tip of Argentina. I now recommend it for my GlobeRiders clients and any adventure motorcyclist that is heading out on a serious ride.” –Helge Pedersen Why do I need this? Motorcycle Manufacturer’s Shocks - The shocks found on new motorcycles are designed to be inexpensive and fit the needs of the average 170lb rider with 15lbs of luggage. As a result, they often meet the minimum standard for function. The performance of a stock shock is typically not confidence inspiring. With heavy loads, stock suspension “bottoms out” easily and doesn’t have sufficient preload or damping adjustment range. They aren’t serviceable and, with heavy loads, are prone to blown-out seals and other failures. The rider often feels the bike is too spongy and doesn’t handle properly. Aftermarket Shocks - Most after-market shocks are made with performance riding in mind, but aren’t built for use on a fully-loaded R1200GS or GS Adventure. Most can only withstand the weight of the rider and don’t offer good handling, or have adequate preload adjustment. They also aren't durable enough to go the distance with a fully-loaded touring bike. How is Touratech Suspension Different? •50% more preload adjustment than other shocks on the market. A generous 15mm of adjustment allows proper pre-load set-up for a fully-loaded R1200GS or GSA. Most shocks have 8-10mm which is not enough to accommodate long-distance quantities of luggage or a passenger. The Explore HP shock offers a convenient preload adjustment knob which hydraulically changesthe preload setting of your bike to compensate for the addition of a passenger or luggage. •A floating piston separates the air and the oil to prevent oil foaming. This technology ensures that your shock will have smooth and consistent performance even in punishing environments. •Cold forged 6082 T6 aluminum shock body machined to exacting standards offers high-strength and maximum heat dissipation. •High-strength stainless steel bushings ensure the mounting points of the shock will go the distance. •Low-friction seal with integrated Teflon back-up ring maximizes performance and extends the life of the shock. •Oversized 16mm high-strength shaft made of chrome-moly steel for maximum strength and durability. •Available in a range of spring rates to match the rider’s weight requirements. •Dampening set up for fully-loaded R1200GS or GSA right out-of-the-box. Key issues to consider when selecting a shock Hydraulic Preload Adjustment -With a Touratech Explore HP shock, the spring preload can be adjusted hydraulically by turning the knob with your hand. If you don’t anticipate changing your preload often, the Explore shock may be an option since it costs less and offers all of the same features except the quick-adjust preload knob. 50% More Spring Preload Adjustment- When you load your R1200GS or GSA with luggage and all the gear for a weekend trip or extended tour, the bike will sag under the weight of the load. Most shocks are NOT designed to handle this. With Touratech Suspension, you can adjust the pre-load to bring the bike back to level. Because of the full 15mm of adjustment you can raise the back of the motorcycle as much as 1.8 inches to compensate for the load which restores proper geometry for optimum handling and overall feel of the bike. Most shock preload adjusters only have 8-10mm of adjustment which can only raise the back of the bike by 1.2 inches. Floating Piston Superiority – Touratech Suspension uses a Floating Piston design which offers the best dampening performance because it physically separates the nitrogen gas from the oil. Most shocks use oil emulsion dampening which allows oil to mix with the nitrogen gas in a foaming process that basically ‘thins’ the oil and prevents the shock from working properly. When the oil is 'foamed' the bike bottoms easily and also springs up too quickly resulting in erratic handling and an unsteady ride. With the floating piston design of Touratech Suspension there is a physical separation of oil and nitrogen gas which means you can ride rough roads all day long and enjoy consistent high performance. Why buy a shock whose performance gets worse the harder you ride it? Before you invest in new suspension for your R1200GS or GSA make sure it’s a floating piston design. Stainless Steel Bushings - While many aftermarket shocks use aluminum bushings where the shock mounts to the motorcycle, Touratech Suspension uses high-strength, non-corroding stainless steel. This creates a strong and rigid connection which is important for a loaded R1200GS or GSA. The stainless steel bushings protect against corrosion and seizing and offer low maintenance and longer life. Low-Friction Seal – Our seals have a backbone that virtually eliminates friction interference on the dampening activity. On other shocks, the seal deforms as dampening pressure increases and causes stiction on the shaft. Touratech Suspension is equipped with a proprietary low-friction seal that is supported by Teflon back-up ring. This Teflon backbone keeps the seal from deforming and eliminates stiction on the shaft even at high pressures. The result is better performance, increased reliability and longer service life, even in harsh environments. Oversized high-strength shaft – While most manufacturers use a 14mm carbon steel shaft, Touratech suspension uses a 16mm high-strength chrome-moly steel alloy. Aluminum Shock Body – Some manufacturers use a steel shock body to reduce cost. Touratech suspension uses cold-forged 6082 T6 aluminum for the shock body because it’s lightweight, strong and durable. It also dissipates heat 30% more effectively than steel, which results in more stable and predictable dampening delivering better handling and a smoother ride. A cooler shock will also have more consistent dampening and a longer service life. Adjustable Rebound Dampening – Right out of the box, this shock is ready for adventure with its rebound dampening levels set for touring on a fully-loaded R1200GS or GSA. The rebound dampening is also fully adjustable so the ride can be customized to your preferences. Custom Springs – Touratech Suspension is available in a range of spring rates so we can ensure your shock has the proper spring for your application. Fully Serviceable – All Touratech Suspension is fully serviceable and can be customized or re-built by Touratech-USA or any qualified suspension technician. Summary – Touratech Explore HP Shock The Touratech Explore HP is an excellent upgrade from a stock OEM shock and a great alternative to other aftermarket shocks that have only oil-emulsion dampening or don’t offer enough pre-load adjustment. If you need a shock that will perform well for fully-loaded touring, this shock will improve your ride right out of the box. With 50% more preload adjustment than other shocks and the convenience of a hydraulic adjustment knob, the Explore HP is a great choice for your R1200GS or GS Adventure. Note: If you want the ultra convenient push-button electric preload adjustment consider upgrading to the Touratech Explore HP e (electric preload adjustment) Shock. If you want a shock with adjustable high and low-speed compression dampening and a remote reservoir, consider the Touratech Expedition Shock. For a step-by-step installation guide complete with pictures click HERE. Under the 'Instructions' tab please click on the link for the rider's profile, answer the questions, and paste them into the comments field during checkout, or email to [email protected] . This will help us ensure your shock is sprung specifically for your application.

Improved in all areas of performance and handling ..... Except - the combination of the lighter flywheel/crankshaft and wet clutch is going to take a looooong time to get used to.

I have to add a full review to add the bike to my garage? Yeah, I'll come back to this. Theme will be: never buy the first year of any model.