Off-road tech
What a big motorcycle needs off-road – and how to keep it in shape. For every topic you’ll find the right products in the shop.
01
21-inch front wheel for the BMW GS
Off-road-minded riders of the BMW R 1200/1250 GS and GS Adventure (K50/K51) wanted this for a long time: a 21-inch front wheel instead of the stock 19-inch – with German TÜV approval.
Why 21 inches? A bigger front wheel rolls more easily over ledges, rocks and roots, and 21 inches gives you the widest choice of knobbly off-road tyres.
02
Tyre basics
Off-road, the tyre matters more than any other part. The coarser the tread, the more grip on sand, gravel and mud – and the faster it wears on tarmac. If you ride most of the way to the trail on the road, a compromise tyre serves you better than a pure knobbly.
Off-road, many riders drop their pressure a little so the tyre moulds itself to the ground. How far you can go depends on tyre, rim and weight – with an inner tube, too little pressure risks a pinch flat. Back to the manufacturer’s pressure before you hit the road.
Keep an eye on age, too: rubber hardens over the years, even with plenty of tread left. The production date is the DOT code on the sidewall – week and year in the last four digits.
03
Care and winter storage
A motorcycle that goes off-road needs more care: sand and mud take their toll on the chain, bearings and seals. Over winter it’s best kept up on a stand so the tyres don’t develop flat spots.
- Wash it after every ride, then clean and lube the chain.
- Change the oil before winter storage.
- Fill up the tank so no condensation forms.
- Hook the battery up to a maintenance charger.
04
Ready for tours and events
Before a tour or UBBOM, check what suffers first off-road:
- Tyres: tread, age, pressure.
- Brakes: pads and fluid.
- Chain and sprockets: tension and wear.
- Air filter: dust clogs it fast.
05
Tools: the right torque
Axle nut, brake caliper, handlebar clamp: every bolt on a motorcycle has its torque setting. Too tight and you strip the thread, too loose and it works itself free off-road.
A digital torque adapter turns your ratchet into a torque wrench – compact enough to take on the trip. The SBV Tools adapter measures from 1 to 205 Nm and comes with a calibration certificate.