wordsmith

We are all different...

Yes - except for the weight!

Good luck with the new GT, sorted - it looks good (same as mine actually). I too transferred from a BMW - getting too big and heavy for my ageing frame - to a Gen1 Tracer, now the newer GT, and have never looked back. Enjoy!

I am baffled, which is not a hard thing to achieve! Breaking the habit of a lifetime, I actually sat down and very carefully read the Instruction Manual that comes with the kit. It's a bit confusing, for the Manual refers to what appear to be two (2) versions of the kit, in one of which (mine) the 'external sensors' are mounted onto the tyre-stem, externally on the wheel rim. In the other version the Manual refers to and illustrates 'internal sensors', looking quite different to mine and obviously mounted inside the tyre (see pix below). Now, I assume (which one should never do) that the manufacturer has chosen to save a bit of money by having the one Manual cover both sensor versions, but it's not at all clear. Am I correct? Next - there is a short USB lead in the kit, and I see a narrow slot covered by a rubber 'flap' on the rhs of the Monitor, with the usual USB symbol embossed on it, but there is no mention in the Manual of this. Can I assume that the USB is connected to the Monitor at all times, or is it used only infrequently to 'top-up' whatever battery(ies) may be inside? And - colour me dim if you must - the clear plastic clip into which the Monitor fits (there are two types and I've gone the 'bar-mounted route) looks a bit brittle and flimsy to me. The press-to-release 'tab' which engages with the Monitor to lock it in place in the clip, and unlock it to allow removal of the Monitor, also looks rather fragile. I don't want to press it too hard and risk it snapping-off (see pic below, 'tab' highlighted). Again, am I on the right track? LATER EDIT: musing over all this, there is one other very important omission from the Manual, which does not refer to the fact - obvious when you think about it - that the two sensors are not identical. One is marked R for rear, the other F for front, and it would not be smart to install them incorrectly. The printed marking of R and F is very indistinct, hardly readable on each sensor, and there is also another printed code that clearly implies that the two are different. (Final pic below...) One good thing is that it seems to me that I may not need the services of 'my' tyre guy, which I'd assumed I would, in the mistaken belief that the sensors would be mounted internally, requiring removal of the tyres. It looks as if the sensors merely screw onto the new, right-angle metal tyre-valve stems after a securing nut from the kit is screwed onto the stem. Is this correct? I'll be buying the new stems later today, and off we go - I hope! I mentioned earlier that I had an OE built-in TPMS on my later BMWs, but this aftermarket system appears to have more functions and to be more comprehensive in its functionality than BMW provided. I'd appreciate comments from guys here who may have installed a similar kit to mine, just to give me some comfort! I have sent these queries to the vendor, but am not hopeful of a speedy response.

FWIW - this 'other' thinks it may be a bit early for any significant changes/ upgrades to appear, given that the GT iteration is only about a year old. Maybe some colour options at most, but I am willing to be wrong! Personally, since touring and longer one-day outings are my thing, I'd like to see a version of the GT with the following: revised gearing with 6th being an overdrive larger tank, to (say) 20L better seat belt-drive. IF any significant changes are being made, I'd expect to see the new model(s) on display at upcoming European motorcycle shows, usually held in the (northern) autumn.

I'll do the right thing and fit metal stems, but the instructions that came with my newly-delivered kit makes no mention of this or of the apparent danger of installing on rubber stems. Caveat emptor an' all that! Thanks again for the heads-up!

A final update on impressions, which is part of my new post about 'a 1000km + circuit in SE Queensland...' under the 'Ride Reports' heading on this Forum. My assessment of the suspension changes is positive without, I hope, being overly gushing and optimistic, which is often hard to avoid when one has spent up big on something like this. The K-tech parts and guru Joe's setting-up have worked well, even very well. The harshness and ultra-quick reactions to even minor road-surface irregularities are largely ironed-out, although major lumps and bumps do get through, though dampened out a lot, and there is no 'wallowing' on corrugated surfaces. I do feel from earlier brief outings that the rear shock could be softened just a little, as I felt that was where most of the reactions were still being felt, so I'll be talking to Joe about this shortly - I'm sure it's only a matter of dialling-out a little compression on the shock remote (but I'll let him guide me!) But at no time was I bounced up and off the seat, something that couldn't have been guaranteed with the OE suspension. A caveat might be that anyone doing this sort of an upgrade and expecting a magic-carpet ride as if on a lawn-bowls or billiard-table surface might be a little disappointed - there is no magic, but I'm very satisfied with the outcome. Would I do it again? - yes, definitely. Do I also now need that cherry-on-top-of-the-icing-on-the-cake BAGSTER seat - yes, if considering future long multi-day rides, no if confining myself to shorter local outings. But I'll possibly get one anyway!

The TPMS kit arrived while I was away. Very well-protected inside what looks like custom-moulded foam packaging insert, the kit contained quite a lot more than I had expected! And as far as external appearances are concerned, each item appears to be beautifully made and finished. A quick squizz at the accompanying Manual shows it to be written in a pretty good version of English that both I and the installer I should be able to understand and follow. The display monitor has two methods of attaching to the bike by either (a) a clamp with a protective inner rubber sleeve (all provided) onto the handlebar or (b) an adhesive-backed mounting clip on any flat surface. I'm pretty busy right now but will get to the 'my' tyre guy asap to seek his counsel about installing it, then if happy I'll hand it over to him. I intend to specify (as suggested here) right-angle metal valve stems, and of course he will be able to balance the wheels again after the installation process. BTW - answering any queries about wheel balance, the external sensors weigh-in at a mere 10g each! The sensors are the two small black round items - one upside down - to the lhs and slightly above the kit's spanner... location of monitor on h'bar centre

Thanks! Did you also fit the metal valve stems as strongly suggested here?

About 14-15 days, but really - whatever it takes! Up to Cairns via an inland route (Monto, Emerald, Charters Towers, Palm Cove for two nights), then Cooktown for three nights, then back home slowly down the Bruce with a two-night stopover at Airlie Beach. Maybe leaving it a bit late to avoid the onset of The Wet, but it's the best I can do with many other commitments here to dodge between and find a window.

Thanks, dazz. If/ when I get it I'll be more than happy to meet up halfway so you can see and sit in person. Meantime, I'm deeply into planning my long-delayed ~4500km ride to Cooktown mid-October: I cannot wait, even if it means doing it with the stock seat on the GT.

And the approx cost pls.

Is this racist? 😀

Haven't seen 'oils' mentioned for a while...

Following on from the above post, here's a pic from August 2018 of the BAGSTER seat that I had made for my last-but-one Tracer. You can see that it's pretty simple in design, yet I think quite attractive in its own way. The GT seat, from pix shown, is a little different in some detail but follows the same general shape. Main thing is, though - it worked like a charm, and I'll follow similar lines but with Cobalt Blue stitching (matching 'blurple') if/ when I order a new BAGSTER seat for my GT. Incidentally, MOTOSTORM.IT have replied that they still don't have full info on a new GT seat, so it's all looking a little murky. I'll follow-up later today with an e-mail direct to BAGSTER in France: they should know.

Less is definitely gonna be more if I proceed with BAGSTER. Keeping it simple, on my last BAGSTER seat I chose two plain complementing black fabrics for the seat, the actual rider seat part being non-slip, and simple red stitching. I'll dupe that in a nice blue stitching that on the website seems a good match for my blurple bits. But still pondering...

I do make the connection - very often in life less is very much more! Still 'n' all, I recall going through this before and I came out the other end in good shape. It's nice to have a choice, but not too much.

Thanks, bugie - I didn't think to look there, not that it shows any dimensions, but the tyre guy may be able to decipher the info.

Yeah, I must make quite sure that it's the correct part, not that I'm ready to order just yet as I plan my long-deferred 2 x 500km rides from Sunday next (to Bargara and back) to see how the new susp feels and if a new seat is really necessary (as opposed to being desired). Meantime I intend to get back to Carlisle with that pic of the GT seat with the metal plate in the pillion perch - a seat-locking mechanism - to see what's what. I've also had a play with BAGSTER's configerateur - 'configurator', would you believe? - to model what I'd like in the way of materials, decorative embroidery (to GT or not GT?, that is the question), colour of stitching, etc - it's almost infinitely variable.

Here's my reply just in from the Oz BAGSTER distributor, Carlisle Tyre and Accessories. I have also sent off an e-mail to motostorm.it who I bought my last BAGSTER seat from, receiving a very good price and excellent service all round. Yes, this seat is available to order. It will be part: 5372Z - BAGSTER READY SEAT TRACER 900 GT (CUSTOM W/BULTEX) - $549.95.

Not so! 'My' tyre guy doesn't stock them, and I'm not bothered about saving a few cents, just gotta make sure they fit.

Just looked up Silverstone - the seat shown as suited for a 2019 GT is NOT the correct item, according to its visual comparison with my GT seat. It does not have the same rider's seat shape, and the small dished metal plate at the front of the pillion seat (a sort-of push-to-fit) is absent - see pic below. But I do not know if the 2019 GT and Tracer seats are identical: if not, this may well be a Gen2 Tracer seat but not a GT seat. A little later today I'll send a reminder to motostorm to see what they can add.. I'm still awaiting a free plane ticket and an all expenses-paid trip to France to visit the factory, in light of my 'glowing report', which I must say I'd forgotten about! Have passport, can speak French, will travel... BTW - how're things up your way bush-fire wise? Getting a bit close for comfort.

Thanks, daz, it may be, but in the past when I have tried to use Silverstone they say they do not ship to Oz - something about protecting the local Oz distributorship for BAGSTER. I have an enquiry in-hand with two other suppliers, motostorm in Italy (had great service and price from them before) and local distributor Carlisle Tyres and Accs in Sydney. Will follow-up with them and let you know the current state of play...

Thanks again, guys. From the look of things the tyres need removing so the metal stems can be installed - I'll get onto the local bike tyres specialist and find out what's involved. I appreciate the advice. LATER EDIT: there seem to be different sizes of stems to fit different installation holes in the rims. Any ideas which is the size for our GTs? The tyre guy can install, but wants to see them first. The stems only cost a few dollars a pair, but it would be my luck to order the wrong ones and have to wait for replacements to arrive! TIA...

Just mulling this over - where does one find and/ or have fitted metal valves? I don't recall having seen such, except for the screw-on right-angle stems that ease access for servo tyre-hoses. TIA...