BHPian racingturtle recently shared this with other enthusiasts:Other UpdatesAnnual Service:The rear brake pads were replaced during this visit, and everything else checked out fine. Below is the total bill including the cost of replacing the rear brake pads. The service team also installed the Barkbusters at no additional charge. However, they declined to fit the Denali SoundBomb Mini, and did not permit me to use their tools for a DIY installation either. The reason given was a recent incident involving aftermarket electrical accessories, so they are currently avoiding all such fitments. The horn installation is now a small DIY job for meInsurance RenewalI am now in the process of renewing the own-damage policy for the coming year. For this, I need to obtain the 20% No-Claims Bonus certificate from my recently sold Honda CB350, which will reduce the premium once applied. This is the last pic of the CB 350 before selling it. Seat-Height SolutionTo address seat height for city usage, I monitored OLX and came across an F850 GSA listing from Bhubaneswar. The photos showed it was equipped with the BMW low seat, so I contacted the seller immediately. He turned out to be an Army doctor who had barely used his bike only ~3,000 km in over two years. We finalised the deal for the low seat and Connected Ride cradle. The low seat has turned out to be one of the most impactful upgrades I’ve made. It has massively improved city manoeuvrability. On highways, however, the stock comfort seat is still superior.Top-Box Stability Issue & Pannier SearchThe top box was contributing to instability at low speeds by shifting the centre of gravity rearward and higher. I’ve since removed it and am exploring side-pannier options to distribute weight lower and wider. BMW Motorrad recommends installing both panniers for proper balance, which costs roughly 95,000. I’m also evaluating more budget-friendly alternatives: Kriega OS 18/22 (left-side mount only) – approx. 40,000 Rynox textile panniers – approx. 7,000 Rhinowalk 35L quick-release set two piece – approx. 40,000 Keeping an eye on OLX for a pre-owned BMW pannier set, which would be the most cost-effective solutionHelmetsI currently use a 9-month-old LS2 FF320 Stream II (ECE 22.06) with a Pinlock 70. For city use, I’m now looking for an ECE 22.06-certified, SHARP-rated modular helmet.GlovesI misplaced my Viaterra gloves on one of the rides and am now considering the Viaterra Grid Mk3 as the replacement. Below are some pics of the F850 GSA when I first laid eyes on it These are some of the pics from the Kodai trip The view from the deck of the Kodai Lake is amazing, especially in Dec when the mist rolls in The pics below are from December 2024 Check out BHPian comments for more insights and information.
