People, their bikes and.......

and the modifications they deemed fit.

Thought to share this with you, not to make fun of this guy(s) but to illustrate how very different our views of the same thing can be……..which is not necessarily bad.

I for one do not expect someone else to think the same way I do but every now and again, I’m simply amazed by the view point of some.

To sidetrack a bit, saw pictures the other day of a previous Honda Transalp owner and now GS owner……….he replaced all the BMW decals and badges on the GS with………Honda Transalp stickers, badges and markings



Back to my story.........

Came across this photos of a K1200S. The owner was not happy with his stock - in my view very sleek and appropriate to the sportiest bike in the BM lineup – panniers, so he made some modifications.

......................................................................................for those not familiar, this is BM's OE answer






Now, I normally don’t react to a topic if I can’t add value but I could not force myself to “click” away from this one.

This was my reaction:

''very interesting.........and about as sexy as a Ferrari with a roof rack.....imo.

won't even try and describe the bike when the brackets are exposed with the bags off

then again........it's your bike and your money, fact remains - people are fascinating creatures.

In general now.........

Question in my mind........will a manufacturer ever be able to answer all the buyer's needs?.......think not.

Maybe it's an identity crisis thing with "S" owners. Never seen a GT owner who try to convert his bike to a S, however, there are quite a few S owners who desperately want to convert their bikes to a GT.

as I always said, whatever rocks your boat........just had to get it off my chest’’

Sjoe, and I thought Deonp needed some guidance when he decided to put a center stand on his S

Yes, I must say, I agree with your Ferrari with a roofrack analogy. I guess some folks want the sportyness of an S and the touring capability of a RT or GT but can't afford to buy both. Still, "om sy gesig so te skend" is a sin
As for the BMW Transalp, I am speechless Wonder what Honda has to say

Still trying to figure out what i am seeing here - the brackets without the panniers look very bad.

Bavaria does have panniers and purpose made brackets for the K1200S, that does not defray from the bikes looks as it is off the bike when the panniers have been removed.

Agree with Jamie - fits in with the Deon analogy iro the middle stand on his K1200S. There are certain things you dont do to a bike. Regards and safe riding.

LeRoy Olivier wrote:Still trying to figure out what i am seeing here - the brackets without the panniers look very bad.

Bavaria does have panniers and purpose made brackets for the R1100S, that does not defray from the bikes looks as it is off the bike when the panniers have been removed.

The K1200S has BMW panniers (albeit smaller than the RT/GT series) that looks good when on, and when off you see no ugly brackets, like all new BMW models with removable panniers. I think it is the same panniers that fit on the 800 series. The problem here is that the suspect above wanted bigger panniers, something that BMW did not see fit to make for the S, and rightly so. I'd rather put a backpack on the pillion for the extra space required.

Although I'm personally not a big fan of a tankbag, BMW has plenty storage space on offer with their own luggage systems.



granted, the price of BMW OE luggage might force one to look at alternatives, but certainly not the space.

Be it as it may, I'll rather go without than to install those brackets on my bike

Tend to agree with you - use the equipment designed for the specific model. The way you packed your S above did not defract from the bike itself and still looks good. No unsightly brackets once you have reached your destination.

LeRoy Olivier wrote:Tend to agree with you - use the equipment designed for the specific model. The way you packed your S above did not defract from the bike itself and still looks good. No unsightly brackets once you have reached your destination.

Agreed, if you don't like the luggage on the S because of its price or befause it is too small, buy a different bike that gives you what you want

The topic of the thread is ".. and modifications they see fit..."

From my side the bike is standard, bought the panniers with the bike, added the tankbag later when I needed more space. Oh, and bought RAM mounts to add my GPS. I didn't buy OEM GPS because of price (mainly) but also because of the ability to transfer to the car.

I SERIOUSLY considered another single seat with a storage pod at the back, but the shipping was killing me, so had to let that one go

I really must agree with all about spoiling the looks of a beautiful bike especially with a top box the size of a Speed Queen washing machine !

I really dont think that the centre stand that I had installed on my K1200S was that offensive. It was purely a practical measure of storing my bike in a rather confined space in my garage.

Once the stand was folded away while riding, it was barely visible. I surely cant believe that affected the bikes looks like those huge panniers and top box.

deonp wrote:........I really dont think that the centre stand that I had installed on my K1200S was that offensive.........

most certainly not...........and even if it was, so what.

only tried (and succeeded) to lure you out of hiding

Still want to buy a top box and panniers for my GS any pictures around so I can see what it will look like? And some advise will also help iro what to buy and what not

I have seen nice top-boxes for the 650GS but must admit that I have not yet seen panniers. The only problem with the top-boxes I have seen is that the mounting bracket goes over the back "cubbyhole" of the GS, so if you want to remove your seat, you have to loosen one side of the bracket and swivel it to one side in order to open the cubby

MadnohB wrote:

deonp wrote:........I really dont think that the centre stand that I had installed on my K1200S was that offensive.........

most certainly not...........and even if it was, so what.

only tried (and succeeded) to lure you out of hiding

Absolutely - what u do to your bike is your business After all, you paid for it!

Rejuvenated wrote:

MadnohB wrote:

deonp wrote:........I really dont think that the centre stand that I had installed on my K1200S was that offensive.........

most certainly not...........and even if it was, so what.

only tried (and succeeded) to lure you out of hiding

Absolutely - what u do to your bike is your business After all, you paid for it!

...but that said, when u do something really fugly to a K1200S that spoils the appearance of the bike.... ...but that is my opinion.

Haven't heard that one in long time (fugly)
I an remember all the things we used to ad on to the ford escort now that was fugly

LeRoy Olivier wrote:Agree with Jamie - fits in with the Deon analogy iro the middle stand on his K1200S. There are certain things you dont do to a bike. Regards and safe riding

Please see pic below, as you agree with Jamie. Please show me how the centre stand on my K1200S looked as bad as those panniers and top box.
Can you even see the centre stand in the pic ?

We are talking about "back-yard" conversions !
The "fluff on a dashboard" , the "gold tissue box on the back window" !
Not a centre stand that, to me, is unobtrusive, yet practical AND is a BMW part !

Can you see it here either?

MadnohB wrote:Sjoe, and I thought Deonp needed some guidance when he decided to put a centre stand on his S

ok point taken........I'll back off.......for a week ........but don't even think about a top box on a K12

btw, nice pics

Thanks for the compliment
First pic taken at God's Window. First ride after breaking my leg !
Second pic taken between Sabie and Graskop - my favourite ride !
Pretty safe with the 1200GS Adv as it already has a centre stand and brackets for BMW panniers. So should be quite safe there.

Could actually see the middle stand - just behind your left leg - but as you mentioned - very unobstrusive. Knew it was there - therefore knew where to look. Jamie - maybe we should stop yanking Deons chain on this topic.

last year i saw a SLK merc with Hella spotlights on the front bumper. wonder if it is the same guy?

this one might top the chart..........................

What a waste of a K !

Love the paint job - NOT !

People like this shouldn't be allowed to own bikes !

Could this possibly be from the US of A ?