Rear Suspension Protection

[ESquared]

Before I zeroed in on the RS as the "right bike," I did a fair amount of research on the GS line, and there seemed to be general consensus that the rear suspension was subject to wear, tear, water and crud without additional protection.
So, just wondering if anyone here has taken similar steps on the RS. This is an interesting piece, even if the one review notes that it's installed via zip-ties:

https://www.wunderlichamerica.com/BMW_Re...r_Extender

Are there other options that have worked for anyone?

[Duckbubbles]

The Machineart Moto Mudsling costs about half that and does the same job effectively.

Frank

[Grumpy Goat]

The Machineart Moto Mudsling costs about half that and does the same job effectively.

Frank

Agree 100%. The MaMo solution is quite popular and is more cost effective. I have one. Here is the link.

[Pyrrho]

There seem to be two lines of thought regarding rear protection.

First is using a rear plastic frame cover, like Wunderlich's or MachineArt Moto's. Main difference between the two besides price is that the Wunderlich attaches w/10 zipties, and MMM uses 4. Wunderlich's doesn't appear to display any external logos, which is nice, but also costs 2x MMM's. Some don't care for the visible zipties or using zipties at all to attach a fender component though.

2nd is using a bolted rear hugger fender of either CF or plastic that work to deflect muck off the rest of the rear of the bike as well. Main contenders being Ilmberger, Wunderlich, or Horning. Puig makes a popular version (likely because RevZilla sells a lot of Puig) as well but there appear to be quality issues with them.

Most owners on the forums seem to go with MMM's MudSling, I'm guessing mostly due to it being the cheapest option but that's just my impression.

[Ray]

Before I zeroed in on the RS as the "right bike," I did a fair amount of research on the GS line, and there seemed to be general consensus that the rear suspension was subject to wear, tear, water and crud without additional protection.

Are there other options that have worked for anyone?

Sure. There's always the option of doing nothing and saving money.

I might be living dangerously, but I elected to see how the minimal OEM protection worked. So far, no problems with damage to the radiator or rear components.

Though I regularly ride gravel, I try to stay out of the mud, and I try to keep the rear shock clean. I also try to avoid rain and snow, but have not been especially lucky with this bike. On the other hand, no problems with the original shock prior to recent replacement.

(If I owned a GS and rode it as it was meant to be ridden, the story might be different. Reminder, the GS forum includes a lot of guys who take pride in the mud left on their bikes between rides.)

(All that said, I should note that I did install some R&G sliders and OEM head protectors in the first hundred miles (so far, only used once), and I've looked hard at the Wunderlich front fender extender, the R&G radiator shield, and the MaMo rear shield above..., but chose to spend this year's motorcycle allowance on new suspension.)

[Pyrrho]

(All that said, I should note that I did install some R&G sliders and OEM head protectors in the first hundred miles (so far, only used once)

I'm assuming the sliders are on your front fork? If so, did you observe them making contact when your bike went down? On previous RSes of mine it was a 3-point contact of cylinder head + front/rear tire, and occasionally a bar end depending on where the handlebars were positioned when it went down.

[Grumpy Goat]

2nd is using a bolted rear hugger fender of either CF or plastic that work to deflect muck off the rest of the rear of the bike as well. Main contenders being Ilmberger, Wunderlich, or Horning. Puig makes a popular version (likely because RevZilla sells a lot of Puig) as well but there appear to be quality issues with them.

I have waited years for a hugger that didn't offend my eyes, and eventually gave up after installing the MudSling. Huggers for the RS are either shiny carbon-look or have a two-pointed trailing edge which I don't like. If it were plain black plastic with a rounded trailing edge I'd have one.

[darrell]

Main difference between the two besides price is that the Wunderlich attaches w/10 zipties, and MMM uses 4.

I’m pretty certain the MMM part in addition to the 4 zip ties also has a bolt in the center that holds the part up against the frame above it. At least mine does.

[Liteitup]

Yep, same here.

[TriangleRider]

Main difference between the two besides price is that the Wunderlich attaches w/10 zipties, and MMM uses 4.

I’m pretty certain the MMM part in addition to the 4 zip ties also has a bolt in the center that holds the part up against the frame above it. At least mine does.

It does. Also, the branding is easily removed from the MM unit.

Sent from my SM-G781U using Tapatalk

[Grumpy Goat]

It does. Also, the branding is easily removed from the MM unit.

I bought mine second hand from a guy on one of the fora, and he had used a black marker and "coloured over" the branding, but it still shows through. I had a chuckle and promised to do a proper job of removing that (since he started the job ... I didn't care if it was there) but years later it is still there. I occasionally see it when washing the bike but I don't care. I do have some matte black paint in a rattle can that I could apply if I wanted to.

[Lee]

Before I zeroed in on the RS as the "right bike," I did a fair amount of research on the GS line, and there seemed to be general consensus that the rear suspension was subject to wear, tear, water and crud without additional protection.
So, just wondering if anyone here has taken similar steps on the RS. This is an interesting piece, even if the one review notes that it's installed via zip-ties:

https://www.wunderlichamerica.com/BMW_Re...r_Extender

Are there other options that have worked for anyone?

We installed the mudsling on both of our 1200s. It was more of a OCD thing because the white rear spring is hard to clean
If you want to see how it looks I left the mudslings on our old bikes. Our 1200s are at the shop now.
I bought new mudslings for the 1250s.
Peter mentioned you wanted to test ride one of our bikes to see how you fit.
Both of our bikes are stock so the riding position will feel the same as a 1250.
It was a windy ride today but we still noticed several things with the new bikes so don't judge a new 1250 on our 1200s.
The transmission is much better on the 1250. The transmission had some updates in 2017. Our trade-ins are 2016.
Shift Assist is way better on the 1250. I didn't realize it, but Debbie said she stopped using the shift assist on the 1200 because it did not work as well as her previous K1300S. Both of us are happy with the quick shifter on the 1250. Only 180 mile ride home.
The suspension is not as abrupt on the 1250. 58,000 on mine and 55,000 miles on Deb's so the 1200 suspension was probably getting tired.
The 1200s still handled well but sharp bumps were noticeable.
The 1250 engine seems to have less engine clatter. I hope that continues to be true with more miles.

   


   

[BobAin'tStoppin']

I like the red frames Lee. Good choice on your part ;-)

[MrVvrroomm]

The gray cases look just fine on both of those

[Grumpy Goat]

Shift Assist is way better on the 1250. I didn't realize it, but Debbie said she stopped using the shift assist on the 1200 because it did not work as well as her previous K1300S. Both of us are happy with the quick shifter on the 1250. Only 180 mile ride home.
The suspension is not as abrupt on the 1250. 58,000 on mine and 55,000 miles on Deb's so the 1200 suspension was probably getting tired.
The 1200s still handled well but sharp bumps were noticeable.
The 1250 engine seems to have less engine clatter. I hope that continues to be true with more miles.

Good to see the new bikes home Lee. Congratulations. Rode my "old" 2016 1200 in to work today ... still a blast at 57+ k miles, and puts a smile on my face every time I fire it up as it starts with a "fahrt" and then does its thing ...

I like the contrast with the Tracer (which I am also growing to love) but when it comes to character, only one of these two has it in spades.

Two questions - are you going to change the exhausts (can't remember if you ever did with the 1200s) and knowing your OCD, when are you going to paint the lids of the panniers (and top box)?

[Grumpy Goat]

I like the red frames Lee. Good choice on your part ;-)

Knew you'd say that ...

[Lee]

I like the red frames Lee. Good choice on your part ;-)

Red frames are the fastest

[Lee]

The gray cases look just fine on both of those

We're happy with how they look.

[Liteitup]

I like the red frames Lee. Good choice on your part ;-)

Red frames are the fastest

And best looking:

[Lee]

Two questions - are you going to change the exhausts (can't remember if you ever did with the 1200s) and knowing your OCD, when are you going to paint the lids of the panniers (and top box)?

We always stay with the stock exhaust.
We noticed the 1250 has a little deeper sound than the 1200. Not sure why there's a difference.
No plans to paint the lids for now. I think white lids would be too much white.