Some thoughts and questions about my new '08 R1200R

[BoxerSteve]

I just bought an '08 R1200R after selling my '02 R1150R. The bike is awesome so far!

Some of the differences I've noticed from my old ride so far, and a couple of questions please.

When on the centerstand, the R1200R has quite a bit of weight on the front wheel. Every other BMW I've had, when on the centerstand, was balanced pretty evenly front to rear and a simple matter to work with the front or back wheel. The R1200R though has quite a bit of weight on the front and apparently I would need to jack it up a bit to get the wheel off. This also means I can't easily pivot it while on the centerstand, something I like to do now and then. This doesn't mean it has the lowered suspension does it? The PO assured me it didn't.

No toolkits come with the R1200R? There doesn't seem to be anyplace to even store one, or even the registration papers? If this is right, it's the first bike I've had with no storage compartment at all.

Front brake rotors: are these supposed to be slightly loose? As in, floating calipers? They seem loose and rattle a bit, one side worse than the other, though the bolts holding them are plenty tight. The back brake rotor isn't like that; it is pretty tightly held to the wheel. I just read on the 'net that the bike does have floating calipers front and rear; but the front ones on mine seem maybe too loose, especially on one side. Noisy too over bumps at lower speeds. For some reason I don't notice it so much at higher speeds!

Other than that the bike is just amazing! Well except it doesn't have enough legroom for a relatively tall guy like me, a custom seat is in the works.

[websterize]

Just think of that small dent on the tank as patina.

There should be a toolkit pouch fastened to the underside of your uncomfortable seat.

[deilenberger]

I just bought an '08 R1200R after selling my '02 R1150R. The bike is awesome so far!

Some of the differences I've noticed from my old ride so far, and a couple of questions please.

When on the centerstand, the R1200R has quite a bit of weight on the front wheel. Every other BMW I've had, when on the centerstand, was balanced pretty evenly front to rear and a simple matter to work with the front or back wheel. The R1200R though has quite a bit of weight on the front and apparently I would need to jack it up a bit to get the wheel off. This also means I can't easily pivot it while on the centerstand, something I like to do now and then. This doesn't mean it has the lowered suspension does it? The PO assured me it didn't.

Guess you never owned a K bike.. (which are super nose heavy..) I use a floor jack and a block of wood under the sump to lift the front wheel. If your rear wheel touches the ground when doing this, you are likely to knock it off the centerstand, so watch for that.

No toolkits come with the R1200R? There doesn't seem to be anyplace to even store one, or even the registration papers? If this is right, it's the first bike I've had with no storage compartment at all.

There is a minimalist tool kit that attaches under the stock seats. There is some storage space of sorts back in the tail section - at least enough to put your registration and owner's manual in a waterproof bad. Lots of people get tank bags.

Front brake rotors: are these supposed to be slightly loose? As in, floating calipers? They seem loose and rattle a bit, one side worse than the other, though the bolts holding them are plenty tight. The back brake rotor isn't like that; it is pretty tightly held to the wheel. I just read on the 'net that the bike does have floating calipers front and rear; but the front ones on mine seem maybe too loose, especially on one side. Noisy too over bumps at lower speeds. For some reason I don't notice it so much at higher speeds!

Rattle is too loose IMHO. They are floating rotors, not rattling rotors. There may be some worn springs on the mounting nubbins allowing the rattle, or the nubbins themselves may be work. Rattling rotors isn't normal.

BTW - you seem to be confusing rotors and calipers. The rotors are what rattles. If your front calipers are loose, STOP RIDING THE BIKE IMMEDIATELY.. the front calipers should be firmly bolted to the fork sliders, and the rear caliper isn't "floating" it's sliding, and the rear disk is a fixed disk. Dunno who posted what you read on the interwebz, but they were wrong, or you misunderstood them.

Other than that the bike is just amazing! Well except it doesn't have enough legroom for a relatively tall guy like me, a custom seat is in the works.

[BoxerSteve]

There is a minimalist tool kit that attaches under the stock seats. There is some storage space of sorts back in the tail section - at least enough to put your registration and owner's manual in a waterproof bad. Lots of people get tank bags.

It seems that no toolkit came with my bike, unfortunately. I got the bike, and that's it. No owner's manual, no toolkit, hardly any paperwork, no nuttin'. But I got a great deal on the bike so what the hell.

Rattle is too loose IMHO. They are floating rotors, not rattling rotors. There may be some worn springs on the mounting nubbins allowing the rattle, or the nubbins themselves may be work. Rattling rotors isn't normal.

I'll have to investigate the rattling rotors. Front and rear wheels are coming off this weekend, for new tires and to fix the rattling rotor syndrome. "Nubbins" should not be worn; the bike has only about 7000 miles on it.

BTW - you seem to be confusing rotors and calipers. The rotors are what rattles. If your front calipers are loose, STOP RIDING THE BIKE IMMEDIATELY.. the front calipers should be firmly bolted to the fork sliders, and the rear caliper isn't "floating" it's sliding, and the rear disk is a fixed disk. Dunno who posted what you read on the interwebz, but they were wrong, or you misunderstood them.

Oops! Yes I goofed up the terminology, thanks for correcting me. Anyplace where I said "caliper" I meant "rotor". The calipers are not loose.

Thanks for your responses, Don and Bill!

[websterize]

Steve, here's a PDF link to the 2008 R1200R rider's manual.

[BoxerSteve]

Steve, here's a PDF link to the 2008 R1200R rider's manual.

Thank you very much Bill!

I was in my local BMW boutique yesterday and wiggled some brake disks on various new bikes, including a couple of R1200Rs, they were loose too, though not as loose as mine. I'm taking the wheels in for new tires this weekend and will have a look at the situation then.

[Ric]

Tool Kit: http://www.cruztools.com/products/kitsmetric.html