Skid Plate - Clearwater - Tires - oh my

[resoluterider]

Howdy All,

I'm relatively new to the ADV world and ride a 2016 R1200 GSA.

I've had recommendations to add a stronger skid plate. I've looked at Blackdog, Touratech and Altrider options. The Blackdog seems the best but it's heavy and I'm not that cool off road, I do mainly dirt roads, fire roads, nothing you'll see on GS Trophy anytime soon. The upside of that one is they say it's the easiest to mount and remove (which is good for maintenance).

Suggestions for Clearwater Lights have also been forthcoming, they're pricey but they seem legit.

Lastly, I'll be going from Anakee 3s to a Heidenau 60 in the rear and a TKC80 in the front. Any thoughts or recommendations on tires and combinations are appreciated.

Thanks in advance... all best

 

[nelliott]

lights

Don, deilenberger, posted this link awhile ago, I suggest you read the information and reasoning he provides for his choice.

I will be following his lead for some new driving lights...

http://www.r1150r.org/board/viewtopic.php?f=20&t=34545

Thanks Don.

 

[marcopolo]

...I do mainly dirt roads, fire roads, nothing you'll see on GS Trophy anytime soon...
If you only plan to do dirt roads, and the like, why get an aftermarket skid plate at all? I have a '15 GSA, by the way, and I'm only doing those types of roads, and I did not change out the skid plate.


Suggestions for Clearwater Lights have also been forthcoming, they're pricey but they seem legit.

As for Clearwater lights, they are indeed well-made, and pricey. What model you get depends on what you want them for. I simply wanted to be seen better by others, as I rarely ride when it's dark out. That's why I chose fork-mounted Darlas (plus the Canopener and the Billie Jr. brake light). With the LED headlight, the OEM LED driving lights, and the Darlas, I think I've ticked off the conspicuity box.

I haven't much to add on tires, as I've stayed with Anakee III's, given 98% of my riding is on pavement.

Although you haven't mentioned it, if you have the LED headlight, I recommend you consider a headlight guard. That light is something like $1,600, and that doesn't include a few internal parts that add another $500, or so. I got the AltRider guard (the clear one, not the metal grate)

/QUOTE]

 

[wbrownell9]

You could just stick with the OEM fog lights on the GSA - I find them adequate for enhacing daytime visibility. They make a nice triangle. Not terribly useful for night (or fog) illumination though.

I too have the Altrider clear guard. Be sure you get the one for the GSA, not the GS. I like it because I can just pop it off and lay a wet rag on it (or submerge it in a motel sink) for a while and the bugs come off easily. It's hard to soak off bugs from a vertical surface.

 

[glenfeld]

" I chose fork-mounted Darlas (plus the Canopener and the Billie Jr. brake light)."


Ditto for me. This is the 3rd RT I'm putting Clearwaters on and I'm happy. Hard to not like high quality.

 

[John M]

an LED alternative to consider

Welcome!

I would absolutely buy the clearwater lights, but they were outside of my budget. I opted for ADV Monster - http://stores.advmonster.com/led-lights/ and put one flood and one spot (spot on the left down the middle and flood on the right point toward the shoulder to highlight deer on the side of the road. With the dimmer switch they were about $150 total and work well. Not as good as Clearwater - but pretty good and far less expensive.

 

[daboo]

Clearwater lights came on my bike as one of the mods the previous owner had made. I've always used ADVMonster lights in the past. In my opinion, I can't see the difference, except that the Clearwater lights will cost you a fortune. But it is your money.

Chris