| The BMW GS series of motorbikes is seen as one of | | | | on the side of your bike results in a "triangle" of lights |
| the most of popular range of motorbikes in its class - | | | | shining out of your bike: one main headlight with two |
| the dual sport / adventure bikes. They are even | | | | extra lights below and to the side of it. If you've |
| extremely popular outside of their class, perhaps | | | | ever seen a big GS bike kitted out with this kind of |
| losing out only to Japanese racing bikes and Harleys. | | | | setup you'll know what I mean. Although a little |
| If you own a BMW GS bike and haven't yet taken it | | | | extravagant, these extra lights DO make you more |
| on overnight (or longer) trips, it's high time you do so | | | | visible in the rear view mirrors of car drivers. |
| because this is what they were built for. This article | | | | Hopefully they will realize a motorbike is approaching |
| suggests five common accessories you can add to | | | | before the swerve out of their lane and nail you. |
| your bike, which you'll surely appreciate regardless of | | | | Finally, aftermarket brake lights are available that |
| whether or not you are already a seasoned | | | | shine brighter and can be configured to blink or flash |
| adventure motorcyclist. | | | | rapidly when you brake. I'm not sure if they are legal, |
| Motorbike Luggage carriers/panniers | | | | and they may be annoying to car drivers but they |
| Motorcycle luggage carriers are probably the first | | | | allow motorists driving behind you to notice you |
| type of BMW GS accessories you should be looking | | | | quicker - very useful in case traffic slows down |
| at. Not much point in taking overnight trips if you | | | | abruptly and you're worried about getting rear ended |
| cannot carry any substantial amount of luggage with | | | | by inattentive drivers. |
| you, right? There are several options available: | | | | Aftermarket exhausts |
| Tankbags are placed just in front of you, between | | | | Motorcycle exhausts are toys for the boys. They |
| your seat and the handlebars. These are usually quite | | | | rarely offer practical improvements, other than a |
| small bags, very convenient for storing items you | | | | great rumbling sound for that extra satisfaction when |
| need to get to quickly like your wallet or camera. | | | | you're revving the engine at a red light. It has to be |
| Topcases are another option which are mounted on | | | | said that aftermarket exhausts are usually also lighter |
| the back of the bike. You may or may not need to | | | | than the OE ones and might save a couple of pounds |
| install a rack or adapter plate to hold the case, | | | | in weight - who doesn't want a lighter bike? These |
| especially if you're installing a non BMW topcase. | | | | exhausts usually also give you a little bump in |
| BMW GS panniers or "side bags" as they are | | | | horsepower - not as much as with aftermarket car |
| commonly called hang off the sides of the bike, at | | | | exhausts, but maybe noticeable nonetheless. One |
| the back. Soft panniers offer less protection to its | | | | thing to look out for is that exhaust doesn't get in |
| contents, hold smaller volumes but are less bulky. | | | | the way of any panniers or pannier racks you have |
| Hard panniers are manufactured from metal (usually | | | | hanging off the side of the bike. Exhausts aren't |
| aluminum) can be costly and are definitely heavier | | | | cheap but will only widen your grin and give your bike |
| and bulkier but usually offer excellent protection from | | | | more of an individual character. |
| crashes, water and dirt. They can sometimes hold up | | | | Fairing & windscreens |
| to 40L each, which ads the same capacity as a very | | | | Motorcycle fairing is the "shell" that's placed over the |
| large backpack right on the rear of your bike - get | | | | frame at the front of the bike and is designed to |
| 'em if you can afford 'em. If you can't fit all your | | | | reduce air drag. It improves the aerodynamics of the |
| stuff in a pair of these panniers, a rollbag and tank | | | | bike and protects you from wind blast and debris |
| bag then you seriously need to reconsider the | | | | flying your way. Assuming you haven't mounted a |
| amount of stuff you are taking. | | | | fridge sized box on the back of your BMW GS, its |
| Motorcycle Lights | | | | aerodynamics are probably good enough for |
| Motorcycle lights are a useful addition which add an | | | | overnight trips. However, the protection from wind |
| element of safety to your riding experience. You can | | | | and debris offers a substantial improvement. |
| see better, and you're also seen better. Xenon | | | | Modifying the fairing on BMW GS bikes is usually done |
| headlights are available and these make your bike | | | | by the real pros and in rally conditions, but casual |
| stand out more when you appear in other driver's | | | | travelers can seriously benefit from an extended |
| mirrors - the extra visibility could save your life one | | | | windscreen which can save strain on your body and |
| day. Several companies manufacture additional light | | | | neck when driving at moderate to high speeds during |
| sets that are mounted on the front of bike, to be | | | | highway cruising. |
| used in foggy or other low visibility conditions. These | | | | For the real fanatics, Touratech is able to convert |
| are ultra bright lights which allow you to see the road | | | | your GS motorbike in to a fully fledged Paris - Dakar |
| in front of you and any possible obstacles better. | | | | clone. Their "desertio" range of bikes renders the |
| Perhaps they should not be used only in low-vis | | | | original GS bikes almost unrecognizable. Conversions |
| conditions: I've heard car driver sympathetic to us | | | | like this come at a price, but if the environment is |
| motorcyclists say that (while being as attentive as | | | | appropriate you'll appreciate these full on make-overs. |
| they can) "I just don't notice bikes on the road. I | | | | It's clear that adding BMW GS accessories to your |
| don't notice ONE light at all". Anyone who drives a car | | | | bike are a great way to make your bike safer, |
| through cities should be able to confirm this - a single | | | | unique, better looking and more travel-worthy. |
| headlight just doesn't stand out. A set of extra lights | | | | Happy trials and ride safe! |