Preparations
Okay, even if this bike is one of the best ones out there for LD riding, a few mods are in order. Fortunately the guy who owned the bike before me had made quite a few useful mods such as
Throttlemeister (a friction cruise control to allow hands-free operation on the highway)
Handlebar risers, about one inch higher than stock
footpeg lowering kit (again, about one inch lower than stock), really lets you stretch out.
External fuel filter modification (relocates the fuel filter from inside the tank)
Touratech "hard part", a type of protector for the front telelever in case of a getoff in the dirt.
Sidestand plate, so that it doesn't sink into the sand when parked.
PIAA 540 driving lamps
Odyssey gel battery (more powerful, less maintenance)
Here is a picture I took not long after getting the bike (bought it in August 2003). The saddlebags and top case are plenty big, but that top case is in the way for something more important...
Shortly after getting the bike, I discovered that the gas tank only looks huge. Still only holds 22 litres, and only good for about 300 km before hitting reserve. Luckily still had the aux. tank laying around...
Had to go out and buy a fuel pump, as the height difference between the aux. tank and the main one would probably not be enough to allow for gravity feed.
Here's a completed view of my aux. tank setup. you can see the tank where the passenger seat should be. There's a brass fitting and a black air vent hose that breathes below the license plate. In front of the aux. tank is another plastic case that holds an expanded toolkit (containing tire repair kit, spare alternator belt, more tools). Just under and in front of the seat, you can see the red tubing with a small yellow lever. That's the shutoff valve for the system. The fuel pump is relayed and the activator switch is located up front near the instrument cluster.
Of course, I also had to add a few gizmos to the cockpit, namely a GPS and an AM / FM / weather radio. I have custom-made earplugs / headphones from the earplug company that lets me listen to tunes very easily by blocking most of the wind noise. I also added a small digital temperature guage just to the right of the yellow radio.
Since the bike's purchase, I managed to put on about 10 000 km before putting it away in December. Plenty of "get to know" time and some quality dirt road riding, something there's plenty of around where I live.
I also got to buy some 'accessories' for myself; modular helmet to give me a more nerdy look, and the obligatory Aerostitch Roadcrafter suit, that every BMW rider needs in order to 'look the part'.