I'm convinced I'd do it a little differently (Part III of my trilogy)

[grey.hound]

So for those who have read part one or two of my NY Times best sellers:
Convince me already! http://www.bmw-scooters.com/forum/threads/808-Convince-me-already!

and I'm convinced! My new C600 http://www.bmw-scooters.com/forum/threads/828-I-m-convinced!-My-new-C600

Here is the long awaited 3rd installment.

First off, I love my C600 but there are some things I would do differently. First off, if I had any, and I mean any idea that my wife would someday ride with me I would have gone for the 650GT for obvious reasons. That aside:

I would have gone with BMW OEM accessories from the get go, and probably financed them into the package rather than piecemeal the bike together. I didn't on a few things because I either already had them or figured aftermarket would work.

I would have sprung for the Akra exhaust for looks.
I would have gone the BMW Navigator, but didn't because I already had a GPS.
The barkbuster stormguards I think will function well, but the BMW wind deflectors look better.
The TMAX tunnel bag is great, but again, the BMW bag is designed for the bike. The TMAX bag fits perfectly on the floor of my Aprilia too so it does get double duty.
The windscreen; I will probably still opt for an aftermarket (shorter screen) because it will look nicer. Actually, BMW has a "sport screen" for the C600.
I would have skipped the Dimotiv pads, and just gone with the OEM drop protectors.
I may still switch out some of these for the OEM parts; if so, I'll offer some these up for sale.

My GIVI topcase I wouldn't have done differently. I like the way it looks and fits.

What about you?

 

[JaimeC]

From what I've read, despite the fact that the BMW Tunnel Bag was "made for the scooter," the TMAX bag actually fits better... so don't beat yourself up over that.

 

[Sparkrn]

I like the BMW top case because it is a dead match in color and style. Also the key being your same ignition key is brilliant and easy

 

[exavid]

I haven't made many changes in my bike other than cutting a small slot in the handlebar cover for my Gerbing double heat controller and a drink holder I made. I also installed a 12V female Gerbing type coaxial outlet under the bars in the bar cover to plug the Gerbing controller into. Other than installing a Kaoko throttle control and the Rostra electronic cruise control waiting for the warranty expiration that's about it so far. I do have the Hiline package on the scooter as well including the BMW top box with its fancy liner/case. Now if I could only find a replacement rear tire so I can get my plugged tire off the bike.

 

[JaimeC]

Now if I could only find a replacement rear tire so I can get my plugged tire off the bike.

Don't sweat it. My buddy put over 6,000 miles on a tire I plugged for him up in Nova Scotia. He made it home to New York and rode it (two up) until he finally got around to replacing the tire. He rides a Honda VFR800, and I suspect that bike is a lot harder on tires than our scooters.

 

[exavid]

Finally found a new pair of Michelins at Bike Bandit.

 

[exavid]

I plugged a tire on my brother's R1100RT a few years back in the middle of nowhere in Idaho. We started out riding around 50mph but by the time we reached a town that had a BMW dealer we'd been zipping along at 70 on those back roads. I'm not too worried about plugging this tire with the TPMS monitoring the pressure. Just going to stay away from that 90mph stuff for now.

 

[grey.hound]

Revisiting since it's been a year. Feel free to add your own thoughts; again this is mostly for discussion. Despite having eyes for other bikes, these scooters are still the best for my purpose, especially for two up riding. As stated before a GT would be better for that purpose, but that wasn't in the picture so I have a Sport.

Get a new windscreen, Puig was my choice, and I like it a lot.
Definitely skip the barkbusters.
After my recent trip with my wife, Dr. Pulley Clutch will be installed along with sliders when the time comes
I put an Akra exhaust on my BV350, because of how much I like it's sound and appearance, I am seriously considering putting one on the BMW.
I hardly use my Garmin so maybe no navigator after all.
Wunderlich side stand enlarger is very nice, so that gets a definite yes.
Beemer Buddies grips covers, so far I like them.
Tunnel Bag, same as before, I like it and would get the BMW product (still might)
So, great bike, great accessories if you are willing to look.

 

[Snowdog]

I can remember when a tire plug was considered a permanent repair. Of course, If I was selling tires I might have a different opinion.

 

[Skutorr]

I put an Akra exhaust on my BV350, because of how much I like it's sound and appearance, I am seriously considering putting one on the BMW.

On your BV350 the Akra replaced the muffler with integral cat. With the C600, the cat is under the bike, upstream from the muffler. I've read a bunch of posts about changing the muffler on the C600, and even running it for a bit without one! Turns out that it doesn't make that much of a difference, in either volume or sound quality, as most of that is determined by the cat configuration. Others have changed the entire system, and get a really big change out of the mod. Depending upon the brand installed, volume levels, sound quality and back-pressure specs vary quite a bit...

 

[grey.hound]

Are you sure it has a cat? Not that I know these things.

Sent from my SGH-M919 using Tapatalk

 

[bicyclenut]

Originally when I bought my C650GT about 6 weeks ago I was convinced I would do minimal modifications besides move over my Givi topbox and add a couple RAM mounts. I had done numerous modifications to my Silverwing and I was convinced the BMW was going to be left stock. However i have decided to do a number of things:

As far as the GPS, the BMW V looks great and has improved on some of the faults of my Zumo 660, and I have seriously played with the idea of buying it, but I probably don't use a GPS 80% of the time and 95% of the time my phone will work unless out of cell range and my cell phone will speak directions to my Sena so why invest that money in something that is rarely used. Figured I can use that $900 somewhere else.

As far as the tunnel bag I had read the WebBikeWorld review and they didn't sound very impressed with the BMW version. I had a nice Givi tunnel bag for my Honda and I determined that it defeated one of the beauties of the scooter, the step through. There also didn't seem to be the greatest mounting system that was a quick easy on and off and just like the Honda you had to remove it to fuel up and I think with the taller BMW I would have difficulty getting on as when loaded for a long trip with a bag on the passenger seat it was near impossible to get on without the tunnel open. I use mine inside my topcase as an inner bag or as a tailbag now.

I also looked at the BMW topcase and even purchased the BMW rack when buying the bike thinking I would get it but I ended up buying the SHAD 45L, bigger than the BMW, seems to be better built than the Givi I had and you can close it without needing to lock it so if empty or when I commute to work no need to lock it for the ride. Bigger than the BMW and not sure if you could get the lock cylinder for the BMW case and it would work as SHAD make the BMW case as well. One key would be nice, but I paid 1/2 the price of teh BMW for the Shad and it has more room. Mounting it to the BMW rack required a bit of work but no modifications to the BMW rack.

Currently adding 2 USB power plugs for phone and other to the handlebar center as well as plug in for Garmin GPS. Both will have quick release plugs and use the BMW GPS power with a extra modified center cover that will allow me to put it back to stock if needed. Post on this project will be added soon.

Awaiting a pair of Denali lights as for fall commute home in dark and even daytime visibility I like the extra LED Aux lights I had installed on the Honda. Would like to create a custom mount for below the headlights but for now will go with same mount as WebBike World installation. Also adding an Admore lightbar in back for additional visibility. The new version has a built in accelerometer to determine when slowing without use of brakes to warn drivers following as well as brake light modulator.

Would be great if there were more options for hardcase sideboxes/panniers for these scooters. For now and how little I would use them my soft panniers will do, but if they would offer a good quick release system for the BMW I would be very interested in this upgrade. Until the warranty expires I won't do any performance mods but maybe Dr Pulley sliders later on.

So for those who have read part one or two of my NY Times best sellers:
Convince me already! http://www.bmw-scooters.com/forum/threads/808-Convince-me-already!

and I'm convinced! My new C600 http://www.bmw-scooters.com/forum/threads/828-I-m-convinced!-My-new-C600

Here is the long awaited 3rd installment.

First off, I love my C600 but there are some things I would do differently. First off, if I had any, and I mean any idea that my wife would someday ride with me I would have gone for the 650GT for obvious reasons. That aside:

I would have gone with BMW OEM accessories from the get go, and probably financed them into the package rather than piecemeal the bike together. I didn't on a few things because I either already had them or figured aftermarket would work.

I would have sprung for the Akra exhaust for looks.
I would have gone the BMW Navigator, but didn't because I already had a GPS.
The barkbuster stormguards I think will function well, but the BMW wind deflectors look better.
The TMAX tunnel bag is great, but again, the BMW bag is designed for the bike. The TMAX bag fits perfectly on the floor of my Aprilia too so it does get double duty.
The windscreen; I will probably still opt for an aftermarket (shorter screen) because it will look nicer. Actually, BMW has a "sport screen" for the C600.
I would have skipped the Dimotiv pads, and just gone with the OEM drop protectors.
I may still switch out some of these for the OEM parts; if so, I'll offer some these up for sale.

My GIVI topcase I wouldn't have done differently. I like the way it looks and fits.

What about you?

 

[kreiman]

I bought my 1 owner 2013 C600 Sport with 5200 miles on it in March. I got lucky as the previous owner had already had the 6000 mile service done, added a USB plug, replaced the stock exhaust with an Arrow header and Akropovic muffler, replaced the stock air filter with a K&N, added a Wunderlich side stand enlarger, a Kaoko throttle lock and replaced the license plate holder with a $475 Ilmberger carbon fiber tail tidy. Glad he bought the tail tidy. It does look nice, but I never would have paid that much for it.

My first modification was to replace the stock clutch, rollers and sliding pieces with Dr Pulley parts because I couldn't stand the stock clutch. I actually only rode it a couple of times before I replaced the clutch because I was embarrassed by the way it sounded with the stock clutch slipping and having to rev it to 4000 rpm or so to even get it to start to move. I guess my 650 Burgman with it's electrically controlled clutch spoiled me.

Next I justified splurging on the BMW Navigator V because the Navigator 3 that I bought in 2002 was getting a little long in the tooth and the last map update I was able to get for it was in 2005. I also bought 2 of the 4 button factory cradles for it, the factory BMW mount for the C600 Sport and a BMW car mount. I mounted one of the cradles on the C600 Sport and mounted the other one on my GS. That way it can serve triple duty as I can use it on the Sport, my GS and in any of my 4 wheeled vehicles.

By this time I'd already decided that the GS would still be my choice for long trips like Daytona Beach for Bike Week, Sturgis, MOA & RA BMW rallies, and to the west coast to visit friends. So I decided to just buy a Shad tunnel bag and add the BMW luggage rack to make the Sport usable for shorter trips. I make quite a few 200 to 400 mile round trips and I figure that the tunnel bag along with my Ortlieb waterproof duffel bag strapped to the luggage rack should provide sufficient storage for those trips.

I also replaced the stock windshield with a Puig, but it's a little shorter than I like so I may try an Ermax which I think is just a little bit taller.

At this point, I think I'm done. Can't think of anything else I want or need except maybe some driving lights.

 

[exavid]

I can remember when a tire plug was considered a permanent repair. Of course, If I was selling tires I might have a different opinion.

I consider plugs a permanent repair in tires on a car but not on a pick up since it often carries a heavy load. But not on a bike.