R1150R Center of Gravity

[Stever]

Hi all,
I'm replacing a 1979 R65 with a beautiful R1150R I saw on Craigs List. Or I should say, about to replace. There is just one thing that concerns me: The new (to me) 2004 bike seems to have a high center of gravity. I must admit to having tipped my R65 about three times in the five years I owned it, admittedly while stopped, completely stupid ass maneuvers. Each time I just picked up the bike, dusted off my ego and rode on. The R1150R seems to have a high center of gravity, is this just my imagination? What happens when it tips over? OK, that has probably never happened to anyone on this list, but maybe you have heard of it happening to someone else
Expensive damage? Guy I am buying it from rode over some wet RR tracks and bike flipped, turn signal tab put a small dent in the tank.
Also, any recommendations for a windshield? I'm 5'8", don't need a tall one but don't relish trip from Vancouver to Anchorage without one.
All advice, admonitions, recommendations and experiences welcomed.
Thanks, Steve

[wncbmw]

My 1150R Roadster replaced an 1100GS because I got tired of 0 mph tipovers, so my answer would be, no it does not have a high center of gravity. Certainly not compared to the GS! But compared to an R65, it might seem like it! Certainly, it is heavier. If you can close to flat foot the bike, it should not be a problem.

As to what is damaged, the black plastic valve covers usually take the hit first, along with the bar ends. Nothing too expensive!

[Buckster]

This bike feels real heavy at a stand still. At speed, it feels really light. I'm 5'7" and I am on my tiptoes. I havent dropped it, but the weight really scared me at first.

[towerworker]

I thought the same when I first started riding R's but quickly got used to it. The handling though is quick and responsive. I'm 5'9" and have no problem flat-footing the bike even with a Sargent seat.

Even short old farts like MikeCam handle it really well.

Wayne

[challey]

The R1150R is a fairly heavy bike but as others have noted, the weight is not apparent when moving. I don't think that the CG is high - most of the "awkwardness" is really just the relatively high curb weight - in fact the mass is well-distributed making the bike a joy to handle at speed.

As to dropping the bike, I'm pretty sure that more than a few of us have done so - in my case twice (once because I did not put the sidestand down properly, the other when I came to a stop and put one foot down in a 6" depression at the edge of the pavement). My inseam is only 29" and though I can't really flatfoot the bike, even after lowering the seat slightly by removing the frame spacers, I get about 3/4 of my foot on the ground and don't feel at all uncomfortable.

Good luck with the new ride.

Charlie

[cswett]

I'm 5-5 with a 29-inch inseam and I have had no trouble so far with the higher CG on my 2004 R. But it helps to have the low seat option.

[morrie]

Compared to the GS and RT, the R has a considerably lower center of gravity and is quite a bit lighter. If it still is a problem for you, you might consider getting the BMW low seat which will move all your body weight lower as well. It's unfortunate that BMW did not make the seat height adjustable on the 1150R, as it is on the 1100 and 1200 R bikes. The BMW seats are not that great, as most here know, but you can make them a lot more ridable by putting some washers under the front seat mounts to keep you from sliding forward every time you stop.

[iowabeakster]

I've dropped mine 3 times in 5 years, all on the same side. I've had very little damage. I do recommend having some sort of protection for the valve covers. Those are pretty expensive.

The bike is a pig. Lifting it is not fun. I am skinny, but I can get it up. (...did I really just post that? )

Personally, I have the tiny "speedster" screen. It is the smallest available from BMW. The tiny screen and a tank bag give me a very comfortable ride at all legal speeds. Being the smallest screen, it does not give much protection in bad weather.

[Samiam]

What are these frame spacers you're talking about for lowering our seats? I haven't found anything like this. And, assuming I have them , how much can the seat be lowered? Since the pegs are kinda high anyway, does the riding position suffer? I'm 5' 9". At least I was in the Army, 40+ years ago.

[morrie]

I didn't see any mention of frame spacers in this thread. The 1150R does not have an adjustable seat. The 1100 and 1200 R bikes have seats that are three-way adjustable for height. The only way to lower the seat on an 1150R is to buy the BMW low seat, or perhaps get an aftermarket seat that is designed that way. I'm not sure if anyone makes them. IMO, BMW needs to put better stock sets on its bikes. It's galling to spend $15-20,0000 for a bike and immediately have to buy a seat and windshield that actually works. Most people find that they slide forward on the stock seats when they stop. Many who retain the stock seats put some washers under the front seat mounts to get the front higher to eliminate the forward slide.

[garr2]

The curb weight and seat height increase the chance of a low/no speed tip over. Combine this with a poor foot hold on a loose road surface (gravel, oil, sticks, gum nuts) or an uneven road surface (potholes, slope) and you can see the potential for trouble. You need to think about the surface you are about to put your foot onto because once the bike gets to the tipping point it's going to be a struggle keep it upright.

You also need to be gentle with the servo brakes when doing very low speed turns - like in carparks. They have a tendency to grab which can put you off balance. Being off balance and lunging at a loose/sloping road surface with your foot increases the likelihood of a tip over.

I haven't had a tip over yet but I've had enough close calls to make me wary. My scariest moments have been in my driveway - which is perfectly flat but can have a sprinkling of sticks and gum nuts that fall from the trees. Putting your foot down on to one of those is like being on roller skates.

[Samiam]

[quote="challey"]I can't really flatfoot the bike, even after lowering the seat slightly by removing the frame spacers, I get about 3/4 of my foot on the ground and don't feel at all uncomfortable.

There's the quote about the spacers. Challey, are you talking about the longitudinally striated wheel looking hickey-things up near the tank? If that is what you're talking about, will the seat still be secure after their removal??

Thanks, Challey!!

[Luke_Warmwater]

I have a low seat for sale in perfect condition. PM me if you are interested.

[Stever]

Postscript: I bought the 1150R and I am having no problem with tipping, other than the usual with any big bike. I appreciate all of the comments I recieved, these really helped me make my decision. With my 29" inseam I find I am able to flatfoot no problem. I have ridden the bike from Seattle to Portland the last few days and I have really appreciated the stability of the bike, as I was riding in rain and high crosswinds. This is a great bike! I am possibly have some electrical problems I have related in another thread, but again, thanks!
Steve