Author Topic: Farkles: The good, the bad and the ugly - Vendors? (Read 5797 times)

Lord Knormoer · « **on:** January 21, 2014, 06:35:00 am »

What have you fitted to your K50 and of those, which do you like and which not?

What are you planning or thinking about but cannot source or maybe not convinced about the value.

Some mods are functional, some look great and some just seems to add no value.

My list:
BMW enduro bashplate +1
BMW LED Spots +1
BMW crashbars +1
BMW headlight guard +1
SW Motech wide footpegs +1
SW Motech brake pump protectors +1
SW Motech brake reservoir guard -0
Touratech frame guards +1
Touratech handguard extensions +1 in winter
Touratech Final Drive cover +1
Touratech Crash Bung +1
Rockfox radiator guards +1
Tooltube/Goosetube +1 (Replaced by Wunderlich frame bags)
Wild@Heart sidestand support (big foot) +1

In terms of extras, my bike is fully specced including cruise control, navigation, top box and panniers.

Wishlist/ToDo list:
Two finger levers - not sure this will actually help, I already ride two finger style with normal levers.
Hella power socket - fused and relayed but direct from battery for running compressor. Have the parts, must do.
Handlebar risers - not 100% convinced I need them yet, I am not that tall.
Adventure screen - I like the 2014 Adventure screen, wonder about the cost though.
Upper crashbars - not sure I need them, not sure they add value apart from offering mounting point for crashbar bags, not convinced I really like the look.

I'm curious to hear from my fellow K50 owners.

kwassi · « **Reply #1 on:** January 21, 2014, 06:52:58 am »

Ek is nou nie 'n Lc eienaar nie, maar my vraag is hoekom sal jy gaan vir Bmw farkles en nie ander brands nie?
Ja jy het Sw motech ook, maar as ek dink aan Bmw farkles kry ek altyd die idee dat dit heelwat duurder as selfs as motech is.

Lord Knormoer · « **Reply #2 on:** January 21, 2014, 07:15:46 am »

Simple answer, when I bought the bike almost nobody had stock of any alternative items.

Crashbars is a good example, I wanted stainless which limits to BMW and Touratech. With no amount of effort could I even get an estimated delivery date on cashbars from Touratech. At that point the alternatives, that I was willing to fit, could also not supply.

Same for lights, only BMW could supply an integrated harness with switchgear, bracket and lights. Might have saved a few rand buying the lights elsewhere.

Bashplate, wanted aluminium for weight, could not get stock of an alternative.

Headlight Guard, don't like velcro strips and other such brackets on a R200k bike. The BMW option integrates well and is good quality.

I can go on but for me it's simple. Anything I fit needs to be of such workmanship that it looks factory fitted. In addition, the fitment cost was minimal since I ordered most of the gear with the bike.

The above list is the only BMW kit, the rest is Touratech, SW Motech, Rockfox etc.

Hope that answers the question.

BikerJan · « **Reply #3 on:** January 21, 2014, 11:06:26 am »

Mine has the following:

- BMW Headlight protector ( Think this is essential for gravel roads, and looks good)
- Touratech stainless radiator guards ( Essential for gravel roads to protect radiators)
- Touratech hand guards (White) plus spoilers (Black) ( Work like a charm when it is cold or raining)
- BMW aliminium bash plate (Essential for dirt and jeep tracks)
- BMW crash bars ( Essential, already saved me a lot of money on the previous LC I had)
- Touratech upper crash bars ( I think essential to protect radiators in case of a tumble)
- SW Motech wide foot pegs ( Much more comfortable)
- Touratech frame protectors ( Mine is already scuffed badly,
- Touratech power socket directly from the battery (Needed for the compressor to pump the wheels, battery not readily accessible)
- Touratech adjustable break lever ( A much better compromise for standing and sitting)
- BMW GPS
- Touratech aluminium head protectors
- Ackrapovic Exhaust ( Thanks PistonPete)

The only other thing I am considering is the BMW LED Spots, Touratech has developed a bracket so that they can be fitted with the Touratech top crash bars. Not sure if it is worth the money though?

- My bike is also, as all the other 2014 models, fully specced with cruise control, etc etc. I did not fit the panniers and top box. I use the BMW small soft top bag, and Touratech's bag which fit onto the passenger seat cleat, when the seat is removed.

Lord Knormoer · « **Reply #4 on:** January 21, 2014, 12:22:08 pm »

Quote from: BikerJan on January 21, 2014, 11:06:26 am

The only other thing I am considering is the BMW LED Spots, Touratech has developed a bracket so that they can be fitted with the Touratech top crash bars. Not sure if it is worth the money though?

I was recently forced to travel off-tar at nigh during a rain storm to help a riding buddy. More light is good :-)

You could get similar or even better quality spots for less money than the BMW part but the integrated wiring harness from BMW is great. It looks factory fitted and works with the main lights without compromising the wiring of the bike. Another point to consider is that the BMW LED spots provide peripheral lighting to compliment the LED headlight. Most OEM spots I have seen will just add more light where you already have good lighting.

BikerJan · « **Reply #5 on:** January 21, 2014, 12:31:25 pm »

How much are they fitted?

Lord Knormoer · « **Reply #6 on:** January 21, 2014, 12:32:41 pm »

~~Will have to dig out the original invoice,~~ I fitted mine as part of the purchase.

About R5k which included the bracket, harness etc.

Crankshaft · « **Reply #7 on:** January 21, 2014, 08:02:49 pm »

Hi hi almal,

Fitted:
Rockfox headlight gaurd
SW Motech bottom crashbars
SW Motech cylinder head gaurds
SW Motech rear brake reservoir gaurd (jammer oor die spelling)
Trax topbox
Standard exhaust tip - carbon fibre look (water transfusion)

To do / wish list:
Front mud gaurd/nose cone (same as the GSA)
Wider screen
2-finger levers
SW Motech bash plate + extender
Wider pootpegs
Trax panniers
50/50 tyres sodat ek die factory fitted tyres kan replace wanneer hulle due is.
Miskien 'n Zumo 660 (heel onder aan die lys

)

Crankshaft · « **Reply #8 on:** January 21, 2014, 08:05:03 pm »

Shit!!!!!!

Ek het vergeet van die radiator gaurds en frame protectors wat ek ook wil opsit

Weedkiller - Adie · « **Reply #9 on:** January 21, 2014, 10:22:01 pm »

rockfox - Jou versekerings firma - ons maak seker die skade is min as jy 'n oopsie het.

rockfox kan jou met upper crashbars, Radiator guards en headlight protector help.

Ons bashplate en luggage rack is binnekort beskikbaar.

Kyk by rockfox.co.za

Heelwat nuwe produkte in finale ontwikkeling.

zebra - Flying Brick · « **Reply #10 on:** January 22, 2014, 05:07:50 pm »

Quote from: Lord Knormoer on January 21, 2014, 12:22:08 pm

Quote from: BikerJan on January 21, 2014, 11:06:26 am
The only other thing I am considering is the BMW LED Spots, Touratech has developed a bracket so that they can be fitted with the Touratech top crash bars. Not sure if it is worth the money though?
Another point to consider is that the BMW LED spots provide peripheral lighting to compliment the LED headlight. Most OEM spots I have seen will just add more light where you already have good lighting.

OEM or after-market? Just to clarify?

The LED spots we sell, certain of them are available in flood or spot, which equates to 45 degrees flood beam or 25 degrees spot beam.
Hope that throws a little, erm, LIGHT on the subject!

Flood Beam (45deg) / Spot Beam (25deg)
Cheers
Chris

Lord Knormoer · « **Reply #11 on:** January 22, 2014, 05:45:02 pm »

Quote from: zebra on January 22, 2014, 05:07:50 pm

Quote from: Lord Knormoer on January 21, 2014, 12:22:08 pm
Quote from: BikerJan on January 21, 2014, 11:06:26 am
The only other thing I am considering is the BMW LED Spots, Touratech has developed a bracket so that they can be fitted with the Touratech top crash bars. Not sure if it is worth the money though?
Another point to consider is that the BMW LED spots provide peripheral lighting to compliment the LED headlight. Most OEM spots I have seen will just add more light where you already have good lighting.
OEM or after-market? Just to clarify?

The LED spots we sell, certain of them are available in flood or spot, which equates to 45 degrees flood beam or 25 degrees spot beam.
Hope that throws a little, erm, LIGHT on the subject!
Flood Beam (45deg) / Spot Beam (25deg)
Cheers
Chris

An interesting industry variance

I am used to using OEM when referring to Other Equipment Manufacturer and calling the original by it's given brand name like BMW/KTM.

In the end, if you ride a K50 with LED lighting you have no/little need for more 'spot' lights and could benefit more from 'flood' lights so you can see critters creeping up to the road side preparing to jump you at night. These lights are also good for daytime visibility and will not melt the rear lenses of the cars in front of you.

Lord Knormoer · « **Reply #12 on:** January 22, 2014, 07:03:54 pm »

Now I was wondering why nobody's bothered to sell these Wunderlich bits to me:

http://www.wunderlich.de/shop/rahmentasche-6108.html?___store=en&___from_store=en

http://www.wunderlich.de/shop/boxerbag-r1200gs-lc.html

I would buy both tomorrow.

Draadwerk · « **Reply #13 on:** January 22, 2014, 07:08:00 pm »

Blingking verkoop Wunderlich. Ek laaik daai eerste een wat aan die raam vasmaak.

Dalk moet ons hom bietjie vra?

Lord Knormoer · « **Reply #14 on:** January 22, 2014, 07:13:27 pm »

Ek vra niks

kom ons kyk hoe lank vat dit

Daar is tonne ander goeters wat my sal bankrot maak maar die twee outjies kan ek gebruik.

Draadwerk · « **Reply #15 on:** January 22, 2014, 07:16:21 pm »

Die een onder die carrier lyk baie klein- dink nie jy gaan veel daarin kan pak nie

Lord Knormoer · « **Reply #16 on:** January 22, 2014, 07:25:36 pm »

Quote from: Draadwerk on January 22, 2014, 07:16:21 pm

Die een onder die carrier lyk baie klein- dink nie jy gaan veel daarin kan pak nie

Puncture repair kit?

Mine is under the pillion seat meaning I have to remove luggage on an outride.

This will be better.

Crankshaft · « **Reply #17 on:** January 22, 2014, 07:30:35 pm »

Ek hou van die 1ste een. Lyk vir my baie beter as die crash bar bags wat 'n mens kry. Kan jou medical kit daarin sit en selfs beursie met paspoort ens.

Draadwerk · « **Reply #18 on:** January 22, 2014, 07:33:33 pm »

Quote from: Crankshaft on January 22, 2014, 07:30:35 pm

Ek hou van die 1ste een. Lyk vir my baie beter as die crash bar bags wat 'n mens kry. Kan jou medical kit daarin sit en selfs beursie met paspoort ens.

Jip. Wie gaan Blingking vra om vir ons te kry?

Dawid S · « **Reply #19 on:** January 22, 2014, 07:51:09 pm »

Crank
Waar kry jy 2-finger levers.