Fitting a headlight protector to the BMW R1200 GS

[@TheJerseyBiker]

Why have i not seen this before... Great vid again TMF!! The closer I get to picking up my bike and leaving on my RTW trip next year, the more I'm watching your VLOGs for tips and tricks :-)

[@TheMissendenFlyer]

So what bike are you taking JB?

[@TheJerseyBiker]

TheMissendenFlyer - an R1200 GSA Triple Black 😁👍🏼

[@Dazmpower]

Great video, bought one this week and your tip on using masking tape made it so much easier to assemble. Thanks.

[@richardsherwin3259]

Another great clip. Definitely adds to the industrial look of the bike. Cool!

[@TheMissendenFlyer]

Thank you Richard....

[@PlymouthbikersCoUk]

Nice vid again, great tutorial and explanation. Shall have to get one for my GS once they become available in the UK

[@TheMissendenFlyer]

+ThePlymouthbikers Thanks for the kind comment - good to hear from you again!

[@gograveltv]

Hi. Our Uk website is online now www.gogravel.co.uk

[@27craigbrown]

I have an sw motech headlight protector on my GS due a stone damaging plastics around the light housing when the bike was one month old. It looks pretty much the same as your product but at night the light spread is impacted by the guard and if I had the choice, I'd drop it for night riding, though a replacement LED unit puts me off doing this. It's lead me to consider additional lighting for the bike to overcome the light lost after fitting the guard. You already have additional light so it may not be such an issue. I'm enjoying the videos and time taken to prepare them. Keep them coming. I'd be interested to see a video on your tyre ware and what tyres you plan on using next if poss.

[@TheMissendenFlyer]

+Craig B Thanks for the kind words Craig, and interesting to hear your experience of the light impact - as you say I have the Aux lights (which are great) so hopefully won't be too much impact for me at night....but will see. I replaced my rear tyre this year and went for the OEM again (Conti-trail attack IIRC), I've had no issues with them. I am planning on doing a "Long term 2 year ownership" type review in the next few weeks so will look in more detail then...cheers and thanks for stopping by - TMF

[@gunton21]

yes very informative. thanks. would be very interested in their products when they come on sale. although I have never had a headlight break in 45 years of motorcycling you never know ! currently looking for spots and crash bars for my explorer. ps. love your garage and additional toy!. I have a Yamaha xt 600 for those days when the roads are covered in mud and still need my bike fix!!

[@TheMissendenFlyer]

+Peter Gunton Hehe, yes I've never had a light go (or a radiator), you gotta laugh!! Thanks for the kind words about my garage, what toy are you talking about, the CRF??? That isn't a toy, it's a serious bit of kit!!! (although a new toy coming soon....watch this space ;0)

[@Mikolaj_u]

+TheMissendenFlyer Go on, give us a clue re new toy :-)

[@TheMissendenFlyer]

+Mikolaj1406 All will be revealed in the next day or so.....delivery later today, Caio.... ;0)

[@simone50mm]

are you thinking together the gs off road,with all the new kit. i got my gs 800 off road some time yes bulky but those gs are great anywhere you put theme. have to say your 1200 looks really good

[@TheMissendenFlyer]

+simone pozzoni Thanks Simone - I'm not quite brave enough to take the GS off-road yet (it's much more capable than I am) - I'm still learning about the rough stuff on my little Honda CRF 250L :0) One day.....thanks for stopping by, good to hear from you again - TMF

[@simone50mm]

Always waiting for new videos,the little Honda looks really good fun,love the exhaust sistem

[@TheMissendenFlyer]

+simone pozzoni me too ;0)

[@benjicheng1162]

Which one do you prefer glass protection or metal frame protection. Most time on road and highways. I need some suggestions, thanks!

[@TheMissendenFlyer]

I think metal frame only because it's easier to clean.....

[@johnball4983]

Hi. I wasn't sure if I would ever fit one of these? I don't like to be compelled to buy something on the off chance I damage the headlight. On the other hand it would be very expensive to replace. :-(. A bit of a dilemma when you think of all the other bits & pieces you can buy to protect this bit and that bit? It just goes on and on? But I really love this bike so............?

[@TheMissendenFlyer]

+John “Johnnyblot” Ball Yeah I'm completely with you John, it'll get to the point where we fit protectors to the protectors, or the entire bike will be covered in armour and weigh a ton! I must admit I probably wouldn't have gone this route if it wasn't for the fact I got them sent to me for free...it is a dilemma though, you'd be gutted if a stone did trash the light, or the rads...I'm now thinking I need something on my driving lights, they were £400!! :0O

[@DNL1200GSA]

Hey mate, great vids and explanations. I'm looking at one of the GoGravel HL protector for my GSA. Do you getting any glare throw back at night? My old 07 GSA did, so I fitted a beak to the headlight. How has this particular protector been for you? Cheers from Aussie, Dave

[@TheMissendenFlyer]

Hi there DNL1200GSA - I don't tend to ride the bike much at night, but when I do I haven't noticed any glare..hope that answers the question. Thanks for the kind words, all the best - TMF

[@Mcf532]

Hi, nice video, as all of your videos are. Just buying a new R1200 GSA TE and quite fancy one of these. Do you know when they will be available? I checked this morning and they still seem to be only SA Cheers, Mark

[@TheMissendenFlyer]

+Mark Furnival Hi Mark - No I don't have any further information I'm afraid, I'm sure if you drop 'em a mail than can advise??? Thanks for your kind words, exciting times ahead waiting for your new bike eh?

[@Mcf532]

+TheMissendenFlyer Yes. Really looking forward to getting it. I borrowed the demo and did 450 miles two up through Snowdonia which was fab. It is a really great bike. I'll email the company and post their response for everyone's info.

[@gograveltv]

Hi Mark. Our Uk site is online at www.gogravel.co.uk

[@CaptainK007]

Nice video as usual. Cleaning. I have the Puig version and it all fits very nicely but why the heck don't they do a flip one. I do a bit of track riding and find that crud, flies and all sorts of run off collects and dries off behind the screen. Im forever taking it off to get the crud out. Probably a flip down screen would be best. So when your fettling next time? :)

[@TheMissendenFlyer]

..I'm always fettling Steve....

[@GummyBoar]

Looks awesome :)

[@TheMissendenFlyer]

+GummyBoar Thanks GummyBoar, looks to be quite a decent bit of kit.....

[@scottbeattienet]

Seems easy enough... I think it would look better if the supplied black nuts/bolts to secure the plastic to the frame.

[@TheMissendenFlyer]

+Scott Beattie Yeah it was a straight forward install....and yes, black bolts would have been nice, you're right...cheers for stopping by Scott - all the best - TMF

[@SJCB27]

Good Morning Mate. Sod the headlight protector... I want one of those mini tool kits! Seriously; fitting those lenses does look (in your words) "a bit of a faff". My oil-head GS has a Touratech protector, which was a real doddle to fit. Also; wonder how the Go Gravel protector compares to the BMW part? Stay safe, KR, Buzz.

[@TheMissendenFlyer]

+Buzz Shiteyear I've not seen the BMW or Touratech versions, do they fit on the same way with arms from that side bolt?? ...the "faff" was cured once I came up with the masking tape solution by the way...

[@SJCB27]

+TheMissendenFlyer The Touratech version is one-piece of 4mm thick perspex, profiled to match the shape of the lights and is held on with two stainless legs which go under the indicator stalks. The BMW version is also a single piece of perspex but profiled in three dimensions and is fixed using stand-off spacers and longer bolts into the headlight glass fixing holes. If I had a water-cooled GS, I think this is the one I'd get. Google: R1200GS HEADLIGHT GUARD and have a look at the photos of the one with the maroon beak... And I still want one of those mini tool kits!

[@TheMissendenFlyer]

+Buzz Shiteyear ...actually I think the SW Motech one looks best...still beggars can't be choosers! ..by the way I think I got that toolkit at Costco, one of those transient items they sometimes have....cheers - TMF

[@dustyseasea]

Hi would you know if metal grille are road legal ???

[@TheMissendenFlyer]

I don’t see why they wouldn’t be??

[@dustyseasea]

Thank you!!!

[@nikoscosmos]

I find the ability to fit amber covers interesting - the propensity of white DRLs in most cars tends to reduce the impact of bike lights. Amber would certainly make bikes stand out more against this "noise"?

[@TheMissendenFlyer]

+Nick Laskaris That's a good point actually Nick, I hadn't thought of that....wonder what the legality of that is???

[@nikoscosmos]

+TheMissendenFlyer According to this legal www.ukpoliceonline.co.uk/index.php?/topic/44380-yellow-headlights/ I have been running amber aux lights for several years now - have not yet been sent to prison!

[@TheMissendenFlyer]

+Nick Laskaris Great - thanks for the clarification Nick!

[@michaelwilliams3861]

Very late viewing this vid TMF, why do you think they went with two lences? and what they like after all this time? if they are still on. Great vlog as usual mate.

[@TheMissendenFlyer]

No I took it off - too much hassle to clean I decided!

[@michaelwilliams3861]

Fair enough, there are some on the market that pop off so you can clean them easier, you probably know that. Why do think they are needed? are the lences particularly weak? you never see people protecting car lights etc.

[@TheMissendenFlyer]

Exactly - another reason I removed them, different if you ride off road a lot....

[@leonardmcneill7594]

Good evening sir, Lots of these "protectors" are NOT suitable for the LED headlights on the more modern R1200 VS bikes. Apart from suitability for the LED lights another UK problem - is it street legal? The stainless steel ones from Touratech, it states in their manual, are NOT street legal. Can't think why but that is what they state.

[@TheMissendenFlyer]

Interesting...I ended up taking these off anyway as I don't take the bike off-road and frankly they were a pain to clean behind!

[@Killerpandahrr]

Would a single piece off Perspex not make installation a lot easier

[@TheMissendenFlyer]

+BigA Yes! (I thought that) - that said, it wasn't difficult fitting these two pieces, good point though....

[@leonardmcneill7594]

If like so many people in the UK you ride/drive on the currently dreadful roads, well you might as well go "off road." These lights cost around £1000 to replace. Perhaps some future investigation/video?

[@TheMissendenFlyer]

Yes good point - but having said that (touching wood) I've always ridden on British roads with a variety of bikes and haven't yet lost a headlight to a stone...so in my unscientific survey, I'm not convinced about the need if you're an "on road" only rider like me...

[@CraigusUK]

good video, Look like nice pieces of kit the go gravel gear, itwill be interesting to see what the prices are like when they hit uk shores, great scoop for the Chanel having a few exclusives like that, also good to see you invested in a nice set of allen keys great addition to the man cave made me very happy ;-)

[@TheMissendenFlyer]

+Tiger8 Thanks Tiger8, yes they do appear to be well made - out of interest what would you be willing to pay for a protector like this? I know the guys in S.A are interested in feedback on pricing and are actively looking to come to the UK. I have tended to buy Touratech in the past, they are expensive but great quality, from what I can see the GG stuff is on a par with that....

[@CraigusUK]

+TheMissendenFlyer I think if they aim at -25% off the OEM parts thats enough to grab peoples attention unless its an obviously superior product then maybe OEM price or more if the product warrants it. Any company should know manufacturing, overheads and admin costs + ?% profit rate they are happy with, there is to much of this whatever we can get away with mentality these days.

[@KANALINSTÄLLNINGAR-123]

Should've been black bolts instead, would've been a nice touch!

[@TheMissendenFlyer]

+Marcus Östlin Yeah it would, I don't mind the look of the silver though to be honest, think it gives it a bit of ruggedness somehow....

[@ironhorsegladiator5034]

Forget this, so what kind of a diet did you go on??

[@TheMissendenFlyer]

...just stopped eating anything junk, try not to have breakfast (with the exception of occasionally porridge or bran), avoid processed foods (ham, sausages, pies, biscuits, cakes, etc) and exercise every day....tough but well worth it....