Author Topic: need help with touring accessories new member (Read 3625 times)

FREDMAG · « **on:** May 30, 2007, 11:15:40 AM »

I have done some searching, and still I need some help. I have just bought 2 months ago a 2004 1200s and I love it. But I am leaving in 4 weeks for a 2 week trip. What I need to know is this, do I go with a standard 2" riser, or the riser that comes up and back? I am about 5,11''. And i find that my throttle hand goes numb after about an hour or so.

Also I am strongly thinking of putting the touring Laminar Lip on the bike as I have the stock sheild on now and I like the idea that I can remove it when i get back home. What are the thoughts on the touring lip.

And also I have a set of GIVI bags, the monokey set, I think they are the 41's and the 46 top. However they came off of a FZ6 so the brackets won't fit the bandit. So I am wondering if I should buy the wingrack? Or should I go with the tubular mounting racks?

I know at the end of all this no one can say really how this will all fit me, but i am just looking for opinions so i can therefore make an educated guess.

But since I am ordering this and I need to leave on July first I have to do something asap in order to allow for shipping. Thanks,

Dave 02 1200 · « **Reply #1 on:** May 30, 2007, 01:23:54 PM »

Fred,

It all depends on what you plan to take along and what kind of riding you will encounter.

If you will stay in motels and eat in restaurants, a small toilet kit, socks/underwear, and one change of outer clothes should fit in a small bag bungeed to the passenger seat. However, if you plan to camp and cook out, additional capacity is needed. Think about racks/tankbags, and saddlebags, etc.

Windshields, handlebar changes, etc. may not be needed at all. My advice is to take a shorter test ride for 200 miles or so one afternoon. If there is a problem with wind buffeting or butt burn, solve it. Otherwise leave the bike alone and spend your time looking at maps and planning an interesting route.

Many comfort-related problens can be resolved by simple pre-ride stretching exercises to limber up and by taking a short stretch break every hour or two.

Wear foam ear plugs to reduce wind noise related fatigue. A sheepskin pad can help with butt burn.

If you will be on the interstate, try to stay alert and move around on the bike to keep your circulation up. (I use interstates when I must to "get there fast" but I find them boring and dangerous-because they are boring)

If you are planning to take secondary roads at a varied pace you should have an easy and enjoyable time of it.

Enjoy the ride.

Good luck.

Red01 · « **Reply #2 on:** May 30, 2007, 05:14:07 PM »

With risers or new bars that are much higher than stock, you need to get a longer front brake hose from the bar to the T-block - or replace them all with braided lines (best option). Which risers is a personal choice you have to make. When I first got my B12, I thought I was going to want risers or different bars (which won't cost you any more that risers and look much cleaner). After riding it in the stock form for a month, I decided I was OK with the stock form.

If your hand goes numb after an hour, consider lightening your grip on the throttle. If your riding is at a constant rpm, a throttle lock may be an option worthwhile. A ThrottleRocker or CrampBuster can also help cure the numbness and can be used at all the time. Some folks hate these things, but I love mine! I can put my hand on the bar ends and use my thumb for the throttle or operate it with an open palm. Gives you options.

I've got no experience with the Givi compatible racks, but IMHO, the Wingrack is pretty darn ugly when the bags aren't on the bike, so based on looks, I'd go with one of the tubular ones from Givi or 5-Star.

I have the Zero Gravity Double Bubble screen on my bike and I like it for trips or daily rides.

FREDMAG · « **Reply #3 on:** May 30, 2007, 11:18:38 PM »

5-Star rack? Is there a website for that? I just checked briefly on Twistedthrottle, but it doesn't show any pics for the 1200 bandit. However it did show for the FZ1 and I like how it uses the stock lights in the stock mounting position for it. I kind of figured I would have to install a longer brake hose. This is good info though. Keep it coming.

Red01 · « **Reply #4 on:** May 31, 2007, 11:43:51 AM »

I couldn't find the Five Stars racks for the Bandit on TwistedThrottle either, I know back before Twisted Throttle bought out RiderHaus, RiderHaus carried it... maybe they don't make them for the B12 anymore then? You could contact TwistedThrottle and ask.

Nitro · « **Reply #5 on:** May 31, 2007, 09:19:49 PM »

Twisted Throttle did have the Five Star racks for Bandits. I emailed asking if they could still get them and put this post location in the email also. The Five Stars look about twice as good as the Givi tubular racks, and about 4 times as good as the wingrack!

Nitro · « **Reply #6 on:** May 31, 2007, 09:25:29 PM »

JF Motorsports is the manufacturer (or just the designer) for the Five Stars racks. http://www.jfmotorsport.de/shop2k5/catalog/index.php?cPath=174_229
They still make the racks, it appears.

Anyone speak German?

Nitro · « **Reply #7 on:** May 31, 2007, 09:42:36 PM »

Click here.
This looks suspiciously like the Five Star(s) mounts, but I can find very little information. The Hepco & Becker site isn't very helpful.

FREDMAG · « **Reply #8 on:** May 31, 2007, 09:53:48 PM »

Personnally I don't like the look of any of them on the bike without the bags, but I don't mind gearing the bike up for an hour or so before I leave for a trip. On my V65 Magna I used to haul a trailer and it would take me a good 40 mins or so to get ready.

I do like the look of the 5-Star rack on the 97-01 but I haven't seen any pics of it on the 02-06's. Did they make them for them? And also if it is coming from Germany would they get here in 4 weeks?

pmackie · « **Reply #9 on:** June 03, 2007, 09:39:25 PM »

Hi Fredmag

I just got back from an 8 day, 3000 mile trip on by 2nd gen 600. I have Kappa bags (similar to Givi, with the same ugly mounts). They sure are convienient, but really let you take WAY too much stuff. You don't feel them at speed, but do as you leave parking lots, etc.

I have no issues with hands cramping, but based on my former dirt bike racing experience, I keep a very light grip on the bars, and in fact normally "cover" the front brake lever with one/two fingers all the time I ride. You don't really need a death grip on the bars, normally just squeeze harder with your knees in the bumps and technical stuff (unless your hanging off).

I use a sheepskin, and I find it helps reduce the chaffing between my thighs.

As for bars, I'm 5' 11-1/2" and 185 lbs, with 33" sleeve, 32" leg inseem and find the stock bars just about right. Try rotating the bars a little forward and backwards taking a short ride each time, as mine are NOT in the stock position. Also, make sure your levers are "in line" with your arms when your fingers are on them in your normal riding position, so your not reaching up (the most common mistake) or too far down, as this leads to wrist cramping and arm pump.

FREDMAG · « **Reply #10 on:** June 18, 2007, 10:37:30 PM »

I ended up buying a set of Genmar risers. I wasn't going to but then I was at a Demo ride one Saturday and a guy with a 1200s came in with the Genmar risers, I sat on his bike and for touring they felt great. I installed them on Saturday and they are a lot better, however my plan is still going to be when I come home from my trip to take my bike and bring it from being a touring bike back to stock. I like the handling on turns a lot better with the stock risers. But for touring they are awesome.

I also bought and installed the touring version of the Laminar Lip. All I can say, is it is awesome. And with 30 seconds you have it off. Really worth the money. No wind or buffeting at all. The only thing left is to install my brackets for the GIVI bags. When I am all loaded up I will take some pics and post them. Thanks,

Fred

Slonishku · « **Reply #11 on:** July 20, 2007, 04:27:08 PM »

That's my Bandito on the Twisted Throttle page re: Givi 5 Stars. After being on the bike for about 4 years now, they rack has held up great and is absolutely rock solid, as are the Givi cases I got with it. They've been an indispensible addition to my Bandit for everything from commuting to work to motocamping to Iron Butt rides. The only downside is that, with both Givis on as sidecases, lanesplitting is a little more tricky. With a single Givi as a topcase this, obviously, is not an issue.

Oh- also, the editor in that article stated something about me having to mod the rear turn signals. Not true- no mods required on my G1 B12, and they remain reasonably visible.

Alex