Touratech Bmw R1150gs
TOURATECH BMW R1150GS
Globe trotter
Dakar-bound? Apart from Off-Road Editor Jimmy Lewis, us neither. But that didn’t deter our quest for a BMW R1150GS loaded with ’round-the-world add-ons. All the better for reaching far-off locales like the company picnic, right?
Germany’s Touratech sells a smorgasbord of adventure-travel accessories, most of which are intended for the long-running GS series. U.S. distributor Ride West BMW (888/527-7433) handled the install, and delivered the Beemer to Sonoma,
California, jumping-off point for our $20K roundup.
Most obvious among the many changes are the gargantuan 10.8gallon gas tank and aluminum panniers. The trio tacks $2300 to the GS’s $14,190 suggested retail, but endows the bike with added carrying capacity and vastly greater range-not to mention an even more purposeful, bound-for-the-boonies appearance.
We also requested a big-beam light kit and GPS, neither of which found their way onto the bike. Ditto a different fairing/windscreen combo, matching top trunk and a more aurally satisfying exhaust.
Furthermore, the GS was delivered devoid of one of the two cordura knapsacks that zip to the tankbag-stolen, apparently, en route from Ride West’s Seattle headquarters. No explanation was offered for the tankbag base’s crude gas-cap cutout, which appears to have been hacked-out with a butter knife. A bucks-up Beemer deserves better.
Other updates include bar risers, beefed-up steering stops, hand and cylinder guards, dual skidplates, rear fender extension and a broader, flatter (though sadly not as comfortable as stock) seat.
Total expenditure? $18,644. Now, praise the Lord and pass the topo maps.
Matthew Miles
