New Member - Idiot Question

[Thundercat]

Just joined up and have a stupid question for you all.

I have settled on my next bike being a BMW (after having just sold my GSXR750). I really like the look of the Rockster, but as they are fairly rare I have only been able to secure a test ride on an R1150R.

So apart from the obvious looks issue, what are the main differences between the Rockster and a stock R1150R? Seating position, equipment, gearing, power? What?

Any advice and general sarcastic comments welcome...in case it matters I am in the UK.

[riceburner]

No such thing as a dumb question - only those too impatient to answer it.

There's a few threads listing the difference, but the most obvious ones are:
Different bars
Headlights
top yoke
headlamp mountings
"eyebrow"
colour schemes
Rear wheel is 5.5" (not 5")
Rear shock is 5mm longer.
front mudguard is similar (NOT identical) to R1100S
front forks are similar to R1100S
top gear is the same as the R1150GS Adventure - the bike will rev out in top, where the R-R won't.


Where in UK are you?

You're welcome to a spin on my bike - but it's not very standard anymore!

[\\Mike_Lea//]

Ooooh I wish you'd posted your question re: Rockster earlier, I'm just in the process of p/x mine for a KTM 990 Adventure... It's absolutely loaded with extras

Good luck tho', you won't be disappointed... they're ace !

M

[sweatmark]

Riceburner's got the details covered.

Try to find a test ride on the Rockster, or at least keep in mind the ergonomic differences between Roadster and Rockster. After your Gixxer's clip-ons, the two bikes' repsective handlebar configurations might feel weird. I would characterize the Rockster's bars as much "sportier" that Roadster, having ridden both examples 20k+ miles apiece; the Rockster is sporty in the streetfighter way, but without a streefighter's motor punch.

[MikeCam]

From an older post...
____________________
Road GS frame Rock same as Roadster
Upright handle bars Rock flat bars, slightly wider
shorter suspension than GS Rock shorter paralevel arm - higher rear
31.5 seat height Rock 32.9 seat height
61.9 rake Rock 63.0 rake R1100S forks
5" trail Rock 5" trail
5" rear wheel 170/60 tire Rock 5.5" wheel 180/55 tire
700 watt alt Rock 700 watt alt
torque tuned boxer engine Rock same tuning
6 spd overdrive tranny/or not Rock 6 spd lower 6 tranny ala GSADV
Locomotive headlamp Rock GS headlamp cluster
R1100R instrunment cluster Rock R1100S instrument cluster
std switchgear Rock self canceling TS switchgear
02/03 rubber brake hoses/04up SS Rock SS brake lines
standard Roadster shocks w/ adj Rock sport shocks (R1100S?) w adj

[riceburner]

Rock sport shocks (R1100S) w adj

Where did that snippet of information come from??

Rockster has R1100S rear shock?? Really??
(the front is definitely different - R1100S has an adjuster (preload??) that protrudes out of the top of the shock unit - Rockster doesn't.)