Farkling the BMW K1600GT (Part 3) Fitting Pannier Accessories and Protection

[@roadglide]

Nick you keep your bike’s brilliantly maintained. Inspiring. Well done.

[@nickhodgeUK]

Thanks. I like a clean bike. I think I may be slightly OCD but hey. Also I guess my technical background helps to inform what needs to be cleaned. 👍🏻

[@graemehooley9903]

Hey Nick. I could watch your videos all day mate. We are very much alike being OCD of a kind I think. The bike is looking good and enjoy your ride. Ps I have a gtl with all of that gear on and it has saved me a couple of times already. Cheers from Australia 🇦🇺

[@nickhodgeUK]

Thanks Graeme. I’m sure I am borderline, but if a job’s worth doing…..👍🏻

[@kimvanuytsel8462]

Very informative video as always! thanks for uploading this and sharing the details. This even makes me want to buy this bike even more, because dropping a bike can happen to even the best rider. And this protection gives you at least some feeling of protection. Looking forward to your next video!!

[@nickhodgeUK]

Thanks Kim. Few more to go in the series and also hoping to do one on the navigation on the TFT soon too 👍🏻

[@FreedomRider1982]

Well I'm a Harley guy but I love all bikes and that's a beautiful bike. Some informative insight as well ! Cool ! Very cool ! Just found your channel, I'm happy to support you and other fellow motovloggers. Best of luck with your efforts, I look forward to seeing (and hearing) more from you. Take care and ride safe out there 💯💯👍👍

[@nickhodgeUK]

Thanks a lot and welcome along 👍🏻

[@simonjenkinson4973]

Nick your videos are great I’ve just picked a new k1600gt up. For your info the little BMW charging cable for the top fan pocket the iPhone pro max will fit no problem.

[@nickhodgeUK]

Thanks Simon. That’s some good news. So far (although I’ve not tried overly hard) I’ve not bought the BMW charge cable as when asked it was out of stock, but it seems that’s about the most acceptable alternative despite its cost!!

[@garyogden5873]

Hi Nick just started following your videos as I am awaiting delivery of my new 1250RT after almost 30 years of Harley ownership! I have also started to collect a few things such as engine bars from Nippy Normans. Our paths might cross as some point as I see your southampton and I am New Forest so not that far apart. Nice videos. - Gary

[@nickhodgeUK]

Thanks Gary. The RT is a very capable bike falling too often in the shadow of the fashionable GS(A). My mate has had one since 2021 and loves it. We went on a trip to Nordkapp last year for the whole of June and its weather protection and economy was very good indeed. Have fun and ride safe 👍🏻

[@checker3694]

Great video, very detailed 👌

[@nickhodgeUK]

Thanks

[@claudiusdunclius2045]

Very nice, clear presentation of installation... but how do you like RIDING with these farkles? The manufacturers may be supplying you with all this free gear so you can show how to install it, but we potential purchasers want to know what's good and what's not-so-good about actually riding with these add-ons. Or, in the case of the above-pannier platforms, utilizing them to hold light gear. And don't forget to tell us how your pillion liked mounting/dismounting and/or leg positioning around them! Thanks!

[@nickhodgeUK]

That’s very true Claudius and thanks for the comment. By far the majority I use, feel I will use and have actually turned many down. It’s tough to do a fitting and review all in one as living with accessories is a different matter over time. Hopefully this helps to see the actual units, hear someone talk about them and see them in real live rather than just still images and manufacturers words. Watch the videos over time too and see if they’re still fitted 🤣👍🏻

[@fredzuccarelli]

Looking good, Nick!

[@nickhodgeUK]

Thank you Federico 👍🏻

[@richardbriggs1335]

Another great video. The pannier racks look good, I'm not so sure about the protection bars though 🤔. Looking forward to the next installment.

[@nickhodgeUK]

Hi Richard. I’ve fortunately yet to test them and they’re still on currently. The film is well worth it as I’ve marked the film a few times, as have pillion, but it just polished off 👍🏻

[@rainerkastens]

One invaluable accessory I would have thought you would include early on is the top case brake light assembly... I can't imagine why it isn't included as standard issue.

[@nickhodgeUK]

Well yes, that is a valuable addition but also hellishly expensive. The case without is £877. With its £1250 👍🏻

[@rainerkastens]

@@nickhodgeUK I bought mine as an add-on accessory for approximately $200 CAD (128 GBP), whereas the pannier crash bars from Wunderlich cost $800 CAD with exchange rates and duties. Worth looking into as an accessory vs. OEM inclusion in the top case. kzbin.info/www/bejne/iXbNfnWVid2IZ8U

[@MB-qk5it]

Excellent video. Wait until you try changing the spark plugs....clear a complete day 😉

[@nickhodgeUK]

With my history of bike changing I’ll likely not get there although one day I’ll keep one as won’t be able to justify change

[@AndyGSATractor]

Some serious iron work there buddy

[@nickhodgeUK]

Indeed. She pulls it all in style though 👍🏻

[@Dino-r8h]

Ciao vorrei comprare anch'io i supporti supplementari per le valigie laterali ma che tipo di borsa usi? Quale mi consigli? Grazie e complimenti per il video

[@rayfriedman9625]

Not that I doubt a word you say Nick, but I'd like to see a Proof of Concept on those Pannier Protection Bars. Ian from Big Rock Moto often spreads a blanket out and lays a bike a down to demonstrate points of contact and potential damage/protection points. Are you so game?

[@nickhodgeUK]

Interestingly I had a motorcycle pull out from a slow filter into the side of mine. He bounced off the bars. Slid down the pannier with his throttle grip and although it left a rubber trail that looked bad at first it wiped off the film with zero trace. His bike didn’t fair so well, mine remained upright. Now a third or a ton landing at speed……??? But then there’d be lots of other damage i feel? 👍🏻

[@vladalexandru5861]

I wonder how heavy are these luggage racks compared to the Isotta ones which are made from plexiglass (or something similar)

[@nickhodgeUK]

I’m not sure to be honest but they are really useful. I travelled a month and 10,000km and had light drybags strapped to them with light items in that didn’t need access often such as air pump, drone, etc. max load is 3kg but as you don’t drill case I am still really happy with them 👍🏻

[@roavrgroup4914]

Have you got a video on the top box or any information? Looking at one for mine but undecided whether it is worth it or not! Ta!

[@nickhodgeUK]

I have the BMW one but without brake light as it was expensive enough already. I only use it on week + trips. For example I’m off to Normandy Fri-Mon and I’ll use pannier bags in the panniers with a couple of 8L bags, very small, strapped to the pannier racks. I put really light stuff in there of little value as they’re not secure and the limit on the racks is 3kg each. It’s handy for ferry stuff for example. Back to the top box. It is very good though. Internal light, backrest, gas strut and most important, centrally locks with everything else. If you can….. I would 👍🏻

[@ericwoolley5879]

Nick, now that you’ve had time on the superlative tourer, if you only had one bike, GSA or this, what would you choose. I am considering GSA versus RT so wondered where you would come out on this chestnut of an issue.

[@nickhodgeUK]

Crikey Eric. Tough questions. I think for sure if it was GS or RT now. I’d go RT. The K1600 is different in that it’s heavy but soooo incredibly smooth and ‘manageable’ (by that I mean forgiving if lazy with the gears). The GS(A) is a phenomenal machine but if you want comfort, luggage space, weather protection, weight, etc. the RT takes a lot of beating. My mate, who’s had many bikes, including latterly a 1250GS bought an RT in 2021 and he loves it 👍🏻

[@ericwoolley5879]

Very interesting, especially coming from a seemingly GSA guy. Thanks.

[@nickhodgeUK]

@@ericwoolley5879 I’ve been pretty consistent in rating the RT. It sits in the shadow of the GS’s popularity. Much of which few people use to its full potential (still love the adventure though)

[@randymcnaught5583]

Morning Nick! Does the 2nd piece of film on the saddle bags cover into the blue pattern of the lid or just the white area? Enjoy your videos. Cheers from the colonies 🇨🇦

[@nickhodgeUK]

Hi Randy. Just the white area. I get your wish for the blue in case you knock something against it but you are (with some care), unlikely to contact it with boots mounting and dismounting. 3,000 miles since fitting and working well 👍🏻

[@pantheman1300]

Hi Nick, another informative video, still no top box?

[@nickhodgeUK]

No I have it but in truth I went away to wales for three days and was ‘well inside’ the pannier capacity. I reckon I could probably do a week in them if the weather was stable and I didn’t want different riding gear, so certainly the rails may get used with small dry bags rather than top box 👍🏻

[@paulcampbell3425]

Well done you. I made a mess of mine 😢What u doing Saturday 😂😂

[@nickhodgeUK]

What the film?? The trick I think although it was a first for me too is clean panniers and plenty of water. They seem to slip and slide around, particularly the little bits but once in place STOP and the adhesive activates in a few minutes and they look great 👍🏻

[@paulcampbell3425]

@@nickhodgeUK I'll try again. I did it with my 2014 GT. Great videos. Cheers

[@Peteyboy..]

Hi Nick, have you used the luggage rails yet to carry a bag? If so what bag fits best on the rails?

[@nickhodgeUK]

Yep. I didn’t 6,500 miles up to the top of Norway and back the long way. Had two Rhinowalk 8Ltr dry bags from Amazon . One on each rail. Worked really well. Just unclip and walk away. Here amzn.to/4dRTJ2T

[@Peteyboy..]

@@nickhodgeUK Thanks Nick, just had a look on the link and that’s exactly what I’m looking for. It’s good to have first hand feedback on these things. You should do a video on this.. I looked everywhere and couldn’t find what I was looking for. Pete.

[@giorgiolodola3243]

It costs me every time I watch one of your vlogs, Nick! Do NN's offer a loyalty card with benefits to repeat customers? ;-)

[@nickhodgeUK]

Sorry Giorgio! 🤣👍🏻

[@DevonDriverRider]

Hello Nick, great videos. Thank you for doing them. Just installed the protection bars from Nippy Norman's on the same bike as yours... and the pannier hits them when opening 😮. How much clearance have you? Regards

[@nickhodgeUK]

I’ve quite a bit clearance although you do need to guide the undoing process as the panniers lids are a little ‘floppy’ 👍🏻

[@nickhodgeUK]

I suspect it’s you that emailed NN and Norman emailed me?? I’ve gone and looked and sent him a video. Mine do ‘just’ contact if you just drop them but they don’t need any real strain to allow them to miss. I think if I’ll pulled them while fitting and finally tightening, they’d miss. That’s how close it is. He may share the video link I sent him but I’ll leave him to decide that 👍🏻

[@andyphillipsdevon]

@Nick Hodge more than likley. I did explain I had watched your videos as i needed adult supervision, really.

[@nickhodgeUK]

You came to the wrong place for adult supervision for sure 🤣

[@DevonDriverRider]

@@nickhodgeUK 😀

[@TWRider]

what is the tool that use to remove the bolts?

[@nickhodgeUK]

It’s just a standard torx 20 screwdriver I think. Probably Wera. Most of mine are 👍🏻

[@Boxer1250RT]

Lots of Iron Works on that bike.

[@nickhodgeUK]

Maybe equalises the plastic? 👍🏻

[@TheDervMan]

I must be getting old as I see the NN products as very overpriced for what they are. I’m not saying they’re bad, just double what I’d pay for stuff like that! 👴🏻

[@nickhodgeUK]

There are certainly others at less money. Some of similar quality, some of less (as my GS eBay video proved). I guess at least there’s proven back up for the price but we all want a bargain. Now where do I find cheap BMWs 🤣👍🏻

[@beemaniauk]

wow, even more weight on already over-weighted (obese) bike😅 Wunderlich (unnecessary) gadgets are so ridiculously overpriced on top of that... There are bike accessories that really make a difference but these are not one of those😉 Nick, I'm slowly loosing faith in your common sense...you used to be "the guy" to watch, your reviews on r1250 were spot on 😁

[@nickhodgeUK]

There are some accessories that are fluff but the side stand enlarger, oil cooler grill and pannier film I wouldn’t class in those. I’m dubious on the crash bars only because since fitting it’s a bit awkward to position pillions feet and the rails I’m hoping to use on next year’s trip to Nordkapp. The bike is heavy and not a GS(A), but she is pretty nimble in handling, very quick and easy to ride in any gear. Far more so than the GS(A). You’ll find my accessory fitting will end soon, as with the GS(A) as I’ll only fit stuff I’m likely to use or is useful to me or the bike 👍🏻

[@pgVeritas]

I don’t think Nick is forcing you to watch his videos, anymore than BMW are forcing you to buy their bikes. If you find the cost of the accessories too high and the additional weight, don’t fit them. Your opinions are valid, to you and a few who might not be able to handle the K’s mass and price. It sort of reminds me of people who buy a £1000 phone, but decide to protect it with an £8 case, baulking at paying £50-£100 for something that’ll do the job properly. The cost of the crash bars represent just around 1.3% of the price of the bike. It’s not like the 10% of a top quality phone case, like a Piel Frama. Motorcycling can be an expensive hobby. To get to the point of reviewing free gear, Nick has used plenty of his own money and time, and he deserves the recognition for that. Nick’s videos are calm, informative and very useful. It’s clear he also does a lot of planning before shooting them. If his content doesn’t suit you anymore, there are plenty other content providers. This isn’t a put down, but a recognition of fact, rather than a voicing of opinion.