R1150R For Touring?

[waltrider]

I've been riding for about 2 years now. My 2004 R1150R is my first bike, and I've put on about 8400 miles in the last two seasons. This year I rode from MI to Americade in NY, as well as the BMW rally in OH.

I love the R, but I do get a lot of wind noise in my helmet, even with ear plugs. I'd like to start doing more longer rides like the Americade trip, or next year's rally in VT. I've been toying with the idea of getting a new 06 FJR1300A (R1200RT is just too high priced in comparison), but I'm wondering if that will really be a night and day change in my ride, or is it just me. Speed isn't my main criteria.

I've got a reasonable winshield, but I can't go too big, or it will detract from the look of the bike (gotta look good you know).

Any else out there that does a fair amount of long rides on an R? Should I really be looking for an additional bike just for touring? What criteria should I use to determine what to do?

[MIXR]

Horses for courses.

I do a lot of touring and cover some big distances, all with a stock seat!

Mostly hit 500 to 700 km on my day rides, up to over 1100 km on several day rides. Next week is a 5 day run that will cover over 4000 km.

The R is a GREAT touring bike. I've added a slightly larger screen than the fly. That's about it for touring comfort.

You need to give it a good whirl, then see what your opinion is. If it is still less than ok - You may have purchased the wrong bike! Minor mods may make the difference, but some people have tried to turn the R into and RS or RT - That doesn't work!

Just give it some time and some longer trips. It's a fine tourer.

[big papa]

I wasn't happy w/ my Rockster until I fitted it w/ a windshield(not a barn door), Sargent seat, lowered pegs and bar backs. Now I can blast long distances at 90+ mph w/ ease. I was ready to sell for a while, not now. You may need to make small adjustments or additions to make the bike exactly how you want it.

[M1ka]

I have managed to go coast to coast, border to border on my Roadster with out a shield. I have lowered the pegs. When I tour I add a fake sheepskin from Aerostich.

Wind noise even with earplugs makes me wonder if your problem is with the helmet not the bike. Does it fit right? Look at other helmets. Way cheaper than dumping a great bike for an unknown one.

Give it some time. Think through what would make you more comfortable and address the problems one by one. The fun thing about a naked bike is making it your own by what you do to it.

[TonyT607]

Waltrider, you might also try another helmet - my Jarow Mono X2 is noisy, even with earplugs or my Etymotic earphones, but my Schuberth Concept is much quieter (and a much better made helmet).

The newer Schuberths are supposed to be even quieter. That said, I can cruise all day on my R at 80 MPH (sportster screen) without any difficulty or fatigue of the body or ears.

Might be cheaper than trading in your Roadster. I am very happy with mine as a touring mount.

[camfarm]

From your description, you might be tremendously happy with a Kawasaki Concours.

[JimC]

I love the R, but I do get a lot of wind noise in my helmet, even with ear plugs.

I've got a reasonable winshield, but I can't go too big, or it will detract from the look of the bike (gotta look good you know).

What criteria should I use to determine what to do?

"Reasonable windshield"?

If you want to quiet things down, dump the windshield. Frequently, they are more trouble than they are worth, wind noise, buffeting, etc.

I ride with no windshield, and ride with a notoriously noisey helmet (Nolan) with ear plugs in, and speeds between 70-80mph, in the "clean air" that a naked bike provides, it is very, very quiet.

BTW if you are worried about detracting from the look of the bike, you've already dorked it up with the "reasonable windshield".

[R4R&R]

True - no windscreen is the quietest. I take mine off in the summer but put it back on in the colder months. I really like the look and feel of the bike without any windscreen. You should try it without if you haven't already. The only drawback I see is the added wind pressure on the upper chest at long stints of highway speeds, but you will get used to it.

[ctRrider]

The FJR looks like a real nice bike. It has been improved for 2006. It came in fifth in a comparo this year and won a comparo two years ago.

http://www.motorcycle.com/mo/mccompare/ ... ndex.motml
1st RT
2nd Honda ST1300
3rd Buell Ulysses
4th VFR 800
5th FJR 1300

Here is a recent review of the Concours vs the VFR.

http://www.motorcycle.com/mo/mccompare/04_Living_With/

I ride with the BMW touring shield, a Bill Mayer saddle and 1 inch bar backs. I always ride with ear plugs. The wind hits my helmet, a Shoei RF 1000, just above the face shield. I adjusted angle the touring shield with plastic washers to move the air so it hits me higher. I am pleased with it , but everyone is different.

Shields, wind noise and helmet noise are very personal. I have an 03 RR with 44,000 miles on it and a number of longer multi day high milage trips. I was very comfortable last June when I took it on my IBA Bun Burner Gold. I felt comfortable on the bike after 1524 miles in 23 hours. My only complaint during the ride was that the bottom of my feet got hot from all the heat rising off the pavement. The soles of my boots actually felt stickey on the foot pegs.

I would love an RT because you can adjust the shield for comfort and no wind noise. But I would not want it as an only bike. I would need to keep my RR for everyday and fun twisty riding.

CamFarm is right, look at the Concours. You can pick up a new one around $9,000 and good used ones go for $5,000. Or even look at the Ducati ST3/ST4s. Maybe a used one as a second bike is in your future!

[DonaldLL]

Walt,

A couple of weeks back I asked a similar question of myself and of the board members. I have taken a couple/few tours on my R and, yes, it can and does make the tour. I just thought maybe I might want something a bit more specific to the task rather than our "jack of all trades" R1150R.

I looked at the Goldwings, the 1200LT, the Yamaha Roadstar Siverado, Yamaha Royal Tour Deluxe, the Yamaha 1300FJR, Honda 1300ST, BMW R1200RT (2 of 'em). The only one I did not actually see was the FJR... all others I saw on the floor at a dealer and considered price, warranty, ergonomics, style, etc.

If money were not a consideration I'd probably have 1 of each, why not? As it is we have 2 bikes and I wanted to replace (not add) 1. After much consideration, I decided to keep my R. Why?

I didn't want to spend $20k for the R1200RT which is the bike I preferred. I like the Goldwing but not as my only bike.... not yet. I liked the K1200LT but again not as my only bike and at $21.5k... nope. The Yamaha Roadstar and Royal Tourer are nice bikes but not really my style.... I was forcing the issue by looking at these. I'd take either one but not as my only motorcycle. The Honda 1300ST just didn't "do it" for me. The FJR I am not so certain about a bike that I have never seen, ridden, or sat on, that I'd give up my R for it.

In the end, my R is paid for, it is fully accessorized, I like it, it can and does make the tour, and for now, to replace it I felt like I was just trying too hard to just get something new. Maybe sometime in the future I'll replace it, but not now.

I'd suggest you go do the same, if you have not already. Go out look at as many bikes as you can. Look, touch, feel, read about them, go to other forums, read what the owners themselves are saying. If you are in a position to buy an additional bike, that sounds like fun! Why not? If you are looking to replace your 1150r, the search is fun but I came to the conclusion that for now, mine stays with me.... you may do the same.

Donald

[tor1150r]

I have toured quite a bit this past summer on my 04 R. All I have on it now is the BMW flyscreen. It keeps most of my jacket free of bugs - and that's about it. I like the openess and the feeling of being 'out there'.

The R has served me well for touring solo or 2-up with system cases and tail bag.

I will admit that the wind can be fatiguing at times. Makes for a good night's sleep though!

I am trying to put together a 4-5 month tour for next summer (lining up the ducks and bucks). I will do this, if it comes to fruition, on the R with my wife on the back. I am not worried at all about the R's touring ability with regard to comfort and reliability.

All this considered, I DID purchase a higher windshield on MIXR's recommendation (bikescreens.com) that I will install in the spring. I'm getting older....8 hours of wind is getting tough!

[Ian Leadley]

I have a vario windscreen. It comes in two parts with the top portion being height adjustable. It is a fairly quiet and effective windscreen but nopt extremely large. I use a full face helmet, barbacks, peg lowerers and hard bags. I also use a rear seat bag as well. The R1150R tours very well. It is fine for two, exceptional for one. I like it better than the full fledge touring bikes because it is so much more maneuverable in strange cities, coffee shops etc. I also like having the feel of a real motorbike ie. a little wind and feel of the road. I didn't get that with Goldwings and 1200LTs that I test drove with the wife. I have no problem with the stock seat (Nova Scotia to Ontario, to Florida and reverse. The engine is simple and will last. It is also much cheaper than the RT. Good luck.

[honestjoe]

buy a VFR

[Guest]

As usual, great feedback from the Forum. I appreciate all the great ideas. I will at the very least, get the fit of my helmet checked. I do have an Arai Quantum F, and a Nolan 100E. I love the fit of the Arai, but maybe I need to do a little more custom fitting.

I'm definitely still a newer rider, and maybe I'm expecting perfection.

Thanks for the ideas guys.

[Guest]

I guess it helps if you log in first.

Thanks.

[dwb]

I started riding a little over 2 years ago, with a F650CS and after 7 months and 9K miles of recreational riding traded for ‘04 R1150R. With my Schuberth Concept helmet, the wind noise on the ‘R seemed worse than on the CS. For evaluation purposes I test rode a pair of used R1150R’s, one the BMW sport screen and other the touring screen, and came to the conclusion that the wind noise was worse with both or those screens. I ended up buying the fly screen which helps reduce pressure on the chest at highway speeds and diverts bugs from the chest to the arms and shoulders, but doesn’t really help with wind noise. I suspect much of the noise is from the turbulent air that enters below the instrument cluster and strikes the bottom portion of the helmet.

After 20K miles of day-rides and touring, I’m still quite pleased with my “R. Although I could do with out the bug splats on my jacket and helmet, the wind is really not a bother and often enjoyable. But the wind NOISE is both fatiguing and damaging.

Toward the end of a 4000 mile trip this summer, my ears became quite sore from prolonged use of ear plugs. Upon return I purchased a Schuberth S1 helmet which is noticeably quieter than the Concept. I still wear ear plugs, but I can use softer less effective plugs with the S1. I’d suggest experimenting with different helmets and ear plugs.

Good luck.

[pbenoit]

You might ask others about a Parabellum Scout Fairing for the R1150R. I know someone who has this fairing on a R1100R and loves it. I believe one or two members of this site have put them on their R1150R. They are advertised in the BMW MOA and BMW RA mags and have a website at http://www.parabellum.com. They aren't cheap at $449 unpainted and $699 color matched, but could be just what you are looking for.

[bobclift]

I love a long ride on my RR, but only after a lot of "personalization." When I got the beakster (a 2004), I bought it with the touring shield installed and experienced some severe buffeting (I'm 6'3"). The first thing I did was add Aeroflow tank wings. These are the single best anti-buffeting investment I've made. They really calm the air - air yo may not know you're getting - coming over the oil coolers from under any typical windshield.

Next, I replaced the BMW touring shield with the Parabellum super tour. That helped cut noise and bring the wind up to just about my helmet's visor. I have to say it was ugly and a real bug collector. It mounted closer to vertical with very little backwards tilt. Although it helped with the wind, I wasn't happy.

Before my last road trip (to Daytona for Biketoberfest and a chance to ride everything in the BMW demo fleet!) I replaced the super tour with a Parabellum Scout (had mine painted locally). I bought it with the 10 inch shield for around town and the 18 inch for the road (second shield 50% off with purchase). It's a beautiful product and looks "classic" on the RR. It was easy to install and gives a great ride. The fairing rises about five inches above the headlight so the 18 inch windshield makes for a total of 23" (same height as the super tour). One major difference is the rearward angle - much greater the the super tour. Charlie at Parabellum told me one factor in buffeting is the distance between the top of the windshield and the rider's helmet. I guess he was right because now this (pks the air balance vent on the Scout), have reduced or eliminated buffeting altogether (don't know what would happen without the tank wings now but I'll find out).

I have lowered my pegs with the Wunderlich kit, installed Gen Mar risers and a Sargent seat. I'd ride the RR anywhere now without hesitation. It's a great ride smooth, classic look, and it retains the roadster character I wanted when I bought the RR.

Now for the "but." On the demo rides, I had two nearly hour long excursions on the new RT (really great opportunity - look for the demo fleet folks near you). There are a number of differences (too many to mention) but from the wind perspective, the RT fairing with electricaly adjustable windshield makes riding even more wind accomodating. You can (obviously) take on as much wind as you're comfortable with at any time, accounting for preference, fatique related to distance, weather conditions, speed, etc. I love this feature (as others have noted, it comes at a price!).

For me, I've decided very little comes perfect out of the box. Making it fit is part of the sport and adds greatly to any ride. Have fun and experiment cautiously - ride and refine until the mix is just right for you.

[Paul Mihalka]

I did about the same thing with my R1150R. I had a '99 R1100RT but I wanted a lighter handier bike, but capable to do the same touring I did with the RT. I sold my RT with 170K miles. Bike comfort mods: Parabellum Scout fairing with 18" screen tilted as far back as possible, even if it does not line up with the headlight. Verholen footpeg lowering kit with Suburban Machinery shift lever. Handlebar barbacks. Custom Russell Daylong rider seat. I have lousy legs with a problem of swinging my leg over the bike, so I left the rear of the bike as plain as possible. Bike has the Rockster rear seat plate and no luggage rack. I have the R1100R bag mounts that don't take a luggage rack. The bikes works great. This September I did a ride to Torrey Utah, via Colorado going out and via New Mexico and Arkansas coming back, about 6K miles, and the bike was as comfy as a RT, but much easier to move around.

PS: You can see pictures of my bike if you go to past posts on May 8, and look for "Paul Mihalka's sweet 1150R" , courtesy of GJBushman.

[solitario11]

I have the touring shield and is super for colder and wet riding but the noise is HIGHER for sure, my sport shield is almost noise free with the right helmet, my nolan flip sucks, is really noise but my hbc is quiet so you figute,,, you will eventually find the right combo for you, is not the bike thats noise. Funny but my sport gixxer is actually very quit because of the right helmet and the riding position into the wind makes it quiet.
ralphie