I weigh 130 pounds. These settings set up the bike to have used up about
1/3 of its suspension travel when I’m on the bike and it is lightly
loaded, and the rear suspension has the correct rebound action.
My original inclination was to leave the bike stock. I was pretty happy
with the bike in stock form ... I didn't have an overwhelming urge to
replace its exhaust or seat. But I did add some gizmos to the electrical
system ... and bars and bags ... and realized that I was slowly building
an Urban Assault Vehicle. So now I have a plan and it's slowly unfolding.
| Item |
Brand |
Description |
Cost |
| Headlight Modulator |
Kisan
pathBlazer
|
: a little box wired in series between the headlight and the rest
of the bike, makes the high beam flicker four times per second. A
photocell turns it off at night. Its purpose is to make cage drivers
aware of me hopefully reduce my chances of getting hit by a cager
making a left turnin front of me. Such devices are expressly legal
in all 50 states. |
$70 |
| Brake Light Modulator |
Kisan
tailBlazer
|
: a litle box wired in series with the taillight and the rest of
the bike, makes the taillight flash for the first few seconds that
the brake lights are lit up. Its purpose is to make cage drivers aware
of me when I'm braking and hopefully reduce my chances of getting
rear-ended.This device is legal in California. |
$60 |
| Running Lights Modification |
|
Make the front turn signals light up a little bit all the time
to act as running lights. This would help cagers better gauge my
approach speed.
|
|
| Brush Guards |
BMW |
Plastic shells over the handlebar grips to protect my hands from
wind, rain, and rear-view mirrors. |
$40 |
| Engine Guards |
BMW |
Tubular steel frame that bolts to the engine and protects it in
case the bike falls over. |
$150 used |
| Saddlebags |
BMW
System Cases
|
modular plastic luggage custom-fitted for the BMW R1100 motorcycles.
|
$350 used |
| Loud Horn |
Fiamm |
Replacement horns that are louder than the original. The idea is
to get cagers' attention. |
$20 |
| Auxiliary Taillights |
various |
Police motorcycles get a red and a blue light in the back; civilian
motorcycles can get the same bracket but with two red lights. They
give improved nighttime visilility. |
$85 |
| Lock and Cable |
Kryptonite |
Motorcycle lock with tubular key; steel security cable. Make it
a little more difficult for thieves to take the bike. Encourage them
to consider stealing a different motorcycle. |
$50 |
| Brighter Headlight Bulb |
Narva |
With Xenon gas in the bulb, the halogen bulb can run more brightly
for the same power consumption. I got the legal maximum 60/55W bulbs,
but brighter ones are available. |
$20 |
| Auxiliary Driving and Fog Lights |
PIAA |
The driving loghts will serve three purposes. At night, they will
supplement the high beams. During the day, theywill make me visible
farther away. As a larger light source for cagers to see, drivers
should be better able to judge my distance and approach speed.
The Fog Lights will serve two purposes. In the fog, which is frequent
in the San Francisco Bay area, they will illuminate the road better
than ordinary headlights. In city traffic, they will illuminate
the ground ahead of me, which will help me see pedestrians better
without having to use high beams.
|
$500 |
| Hard Parts |
Touratech |
The BMW R1100GS has two weak points in its design that in a tipover
or under heavy load can cause more damage than they ought to. To
reinforce the vulnerable parts of the frame, TouraTech makes Hard
Parts.
|
$275 |