Farkles on the RS

[Oldrider51]

Welcome, good looking RS. What happened to the lower pieces of the bodywork that fits around the exhaust headers o. Most RSs I have seen. Also, you might want to look at the Machineartmoto.com Mudslinger to keep the rear shock protected. There are lots of farkles for it, just depends on how much you want to do. Enjoy the bike and ride safe.

[Lee]

What happened to the lower pieces of the bodywork that fits around the exhaust headers .

Not all of the RSs have those pieces. The Lupin colored bikes did not.

[Lee]

Welcome to the site. My wife and I had the same color RSs as you and we also had a couple K1300Ss, similar to your K1200S.
You have some nice roads east of you up in the hills.
MachineartMoto head cover protectors help to prevent damage to the head covers for low or no speed drops.

   

[Oldrider51]

What happened to the lower pieces of the bodywork that fits around the exhaust headers .

Not all of the RSs have those pieces. The Lupin colored bikes did not.

Okay, did not know that.

[Motorhead1977]

Nice ? enjoy your ride and yeppers, lots of farkles available.

[Lee]

MachineartMoto head cover protectors help to prevent damage to the head covers for low or no speed drops.

Oops, I didn't see the text below the picture showing you already have crash bars

I see you have a tank ring mounted. Is it SW Motech?

[Psychobabble]

MachineartMoto head cover protectors help to prevent damage to the head covers for low or no speed drops.

Oops, I didn't see the text below the picture showing you already have crash bars

I see you have a tank ring mounted. Is it SW Motech?

It is! Evo series, which I also have on my Tuono. Only downside is that they’ve stopped making that series of bags. I have one of the micro bags and had intended on picking up something bigger (especially for the Tuono occasionally), but with the cases it’s really less of a need anyway.

[Grumpy Goat]

It is! Evo series, which I also have on my Tuono. Only downside is that they’ve stopped making that series of bags. I have one of the micro bags and had intended on picking up something bigger (especially for the Tuono occasionally), but with the cases it’s really less of a need anyway.

I have an SWM Daypack EVO that I am no longer using, in case you’re interested. It was bought for my S1000R and then used on my Tracer 900 GT.

[Psychobabble]

I have an SWM Daypack EVO that I am no longer using, in case you’re interested. It was bought for my S1000R and then used on my Tracer 900 GT.

That’s the one I currently have… Thank you though! I think something like the “Sport” model is what I want.

I miss being able to use my magnetic Tour Master tank bag like I did on my VFR and several other bikes I’ve owned:

   

I swear I’d been able to stuff a Julian apple pie and a couple of loaves of bread in it (expanded) on rides through our local mountains. 

[Lee]

I swear I’d been able to stuff a Julian apple pie and a couple of loaves of bread in it

Good pie in Julian.
Ramona Cafe in Ramona used to be a good place to eat. Don't know if it's still good, the last time we were there was 2009.

[Psychobabble]

Good pie.
Ramona Cafe in Ramona used to be a good place to eat. Don't know if it's still good, the last time we were there was 2009.

They're still popular with the bikers from what I can tell, but I've never actually eaten there. I live not terribly far down the hill in Santee and when I ride through Ramona, I'll typically cut through the Barona reservation (Wildcat Canyon) and be on backstreets (San Vicente/Hanson/Keyes) to avoid Main St. and connect with Old Julian Hwy for some fun. Once in a while if I'm riding with others we'll occasionally hit up one of a couple of places in Julian, Mt. Laguna or Pine Valley, all typically decent grub.

[Ray]

Anyone have particular must haves/dos for the RS?

Absolutely must haves or dos? No.
None I think would be universal. 

Ride it for a while. Your must haves will become apparent. 

For me:

• K1300 metal pegs to replace the squishy rubber tubes on the OEM pegs. 
  
• Sport seat 
  
• OEM cylinder head guards (that get more ventilation than some of the (nicer) machineartmoto guards - ventilation might be important on high-rev, summer days in your neighborhood) 
  
• Tractive suspension through Jeff Favorite at the Beemer shop. 
  

That's about it. I did throw some sliders on and twice scratched some of them.

After 55,000 miles including a fair amount of gravel, one of the mechanics suggested a radiator guard - R&G makes an easy-to-install and remove version I now use. 
In the same vein, I went ahead a got a machineartmoto mudsling to protect my shock. Also, easy on - easy off. 
I don't consider these "must haves," though longterm, good radiator function has become a must have on these big bikes.

[Grumpy Goat]

Absolutely must haves or dos? No.
None I think would be universal. 

Ride it for a while. Your must haves will become apparent. 
...

I agree on the "no universal must-haves".

In all these years I have owned the bike, the only thing that is not tied to rider preference is the windscreen / wind flow. It is almost a universal criticism that the stock windshield is, how can I say, less than ideal. I agree that there can never be one solution for all body dimensions and proportions, but no one seems to have positive comments on the windflow from the stock windshield.

To me, that is the only "must-have" upgrade to this bike. Maybe the mudsling and cylinder head protection are both a close second. Others are based on individual taste.

[Oldrider51]

Almost every accessory added to your bike is based on your individual taste or want. Some are thought to be necessary for protection of more expensive parts, like the Mudslinger to protect the rear shock, the cylinder head protection, and the headlight protcetion from Aeroflow. Almost everything else is just a farkle and I am lots of them probably.

[maxredline]

^ Shock, cylinder heads and front of engine protection

[JtL]

None come under the heading of essential, but all have the place and purpose

- Wunderlich crash bars as I think they are protective and still look very good, without looking like scaffolding around some government institution. Have to remove the stainless steel 'engine fairings' so I replaced them with the small plastic version which work with engine guards.

- Wunderlich tubular handlebar conversion, just a bit more comfortable and to my mind improves handling
the overall feel of the bike

- Tractive rear shock, a legacy item from the R1250R that I kept for only a year, from Jeff at Beemershop

- Wunderlich "breast plate" to protect the front of the engine, along with a small front fender extension. Hate getting mud everywhere.

- Someone's radiator guard which was a gift

- Hornig mirror base extensions & convex split mirror overlays, so I can see more than my shoulders

- radar detector and laser jammers - speed limits are so overrated

- MotoMate GPS relocator

- battery tender pigtail at the back of the bike

- Clearwater Darla lights for conspicuity (one of the reasons for crash guards as opposed to the plastic head protectors)

- Wunderlich tank bag (sounds to be the same as yours, the very small one mounted on pins on the tank)

- Seth Laam custom seat

- panniers but no top box

- Remus muffler (wouldn't get that again, but was effectively a freebie with the bike, probably should sell it)

- better horn to replace the feeble mouse fart

- hidden garage door opener, and additional power outlets, USB and BMW plug style

- Australian-market BMW rear mudguard to replace the stupid skinny standard item

- MoMa hugger (similar reasons to above but mostly to protect the exposed shock (another stupid design sacrifice in favor of fashion imo)

- dash cams front and rear. Proved their worth when I was rear ended on the RT.

- Clearwater 'Billy" brake light

- side stand foot enlarger (Louisiana tarmac can be problematic when it gets REALLY hot)

- smaller WRS windshield (wonderfully quiet)

[Motorhead1977]

I added a set of the Wunderlich sport crash bars to my '18 RS sport with the brushed metal lower engine fairing and those bars allow me to have both.