First Day-Long Ride on my R1150R

[Bruce_Almighty]

Greetings All,

Just came from a day-long ride in central CA. Started off in Hanford, headed west on backroads to Coalinga and then on to King City. From King City, I rode south and then west through the Fort Hunter Leggit Military Resevation and came out on the Pacific Coast Highway north of Gorda. Rode south through Gorda and stopped at Ragged Point for coffee. From there, through Cambria, east to Paso Robles and then home to Hanford. I'd call it around 250 miles for the day. Not a marathon ride, but it was the first time I had my RR out for so long. Here's some observations:

-As BMW Motorcycle stock seats go, this one is pretty good. Better than the '04 Montauk I used to own and slightly better than the seat on my '06 LT.

-Normally, I ride my LT two-up, so, when riding the RR solo, it's like 400lbs lighter! Very nice. Not wore out, etc.

-The bike never felt out of shape through any corner or intersection. I even managed to get a little wide in some sand without panic. I'm fairly certain I would have been picking up the LT!

-Did I mention the last 120 miles was in the RAIN? Even though my RR has no windshield or hand guards, it wasn't that bad on the way home.

The R1150R IS the motorcycle I SHOULD have bought back in '04 when I bought the R1200C Montauk.

Well, I wonder how long it's going to take for all of my gear to dry out?!

[snowprick]

Greetings All,

Just came from a day-long ride in central CA. Started off in Hanford, headed west on backroads to Coalinga and then on to King City. From King City, I rode south and then west through the Fort Hunter Leggit Military Resevation and came out on the Pacific Coast Highway north of Gorda. Rode south through Gorda and stopped at Ragged Point for coffee. From there, through Cambria, east to Paso Robles and then home to Hanford. I'd call it around 250 miles for the day. Not a marathon ride, but it was the first time I had my RR out for so long. Here's some observations:

-As BMW Motorcycle stock seats go, this one is pretty good. Better than the '04 Montauk I used to own and slightly better than the seat on my '06 LT.

-Normally, I ride my LT two-up, so, when riding the RR solo, it's like 400lbs lighter! Very nice. Not wore out, etc.

-The bike never felt out of shape through any corner or intersection. I even managed to get a little wide in some sand without panic. I'm fairly certain I would have been picking up the LT!

-Did I mention the last 120 miles was in the RAIN? Even though my RR has no windshield or hand guards, it wasn't that bad on the way home.

The R1150R IS the motorcycle I SHOULD have bought back in '04 when I bought the R1200C Montauk.

Well, I wonder how long it's going to take for all of my gear to dry out?!

Go on, rub it in, make me feel bad.

[Byrdguy]

I'm there with ya, I put 700 miles on my 02 last weekend. I went from home (NW FL.) to B'ham AL. to The "Vintage Days" at Barber's Motorsports complex. The trip was great and the ride was great. The Barber Museum is a must visit for any motorcycle fanatic and the vintage races and giant swap meet were icing on the cake. I even went to a great BMW dealership there (Bogarts) and test rode a new GS. I really liked it, but my Beakster still put a smile on my mug when I got back on it so I saved about 10Gs by riding it back home!!

[cbesey]

Lots of great roads on eaither side of 101 through the central valley - Pashnit has write ups on most of them. I regularly use the R on work trips between San Francisco and Santa Barbara and it/I easily eat up 400+ mile days, the only complaint being the seat (tho an alaskan pad goes a long way to help until $ along for a Sargent comes along).

Get the ergos set up the way you want them and ride this bike forever.

[OU812]

I just picked up an 02' LT, and yes it is heavy! I still have my 04' roadster, and plan to ride it as long as my wife lets me keep two bikes.

[NAIAD]

More confirmation notes about what makes the 1150R such a great machine! Very adaptable and consequently very capable.

I've ridden everything from 305 Honda Scramblers (a LONG time ago) to Gold Wings, Katanas, GPZs, and just prior to the R, a Ducati 900SP. All great bikes, but none with the versatility of R bikes!

Thanks for sharing your ride!

BJ

[Just-Beeming]

Bruce
Thanks for sharing. Your report brings back warm feelings of my first longer rides on the bike. I recal when a 200 miler was something I had never achieved with the comfort and thrill that this bike delivers.

You will come to love this capable, flexible bike and you will spend many happy hours together.

As for how long it takes gear to dry out....It seems to have an uncanny way of drying out just in time to go get it wet again. ha.
Sounds like some rain gear is on your Christmas list.

Thanks for bringing back some good memories.

Just Beeming

[silvertwin]

1st post.

04 purchased new in May 05. Farthest North, Fairbanks. South, Key West. Mileage now 51,200 plus. Third rear seal, all warranted, everytime Bloodworhworth does it, the clock starts again. I'm a high milage guy. I think I'll keep it a while longer...