BMW R1200R R1150R/T F800 K1200R R1100R/T R1250R RnineT Message Board

Yes, it really grows on you. Ann and I took a ride down I-985, where the speed limit is 70, to a Staples today with really threatening skies. It cruises at 80+ no sweat, and with over 51,000 miles, the vibration that used to identify 80MPH (at 4,100 rpm), isn't there anymore. We outran those mean clouds just following some impatient guy in a new red Ford truck.

CycleRob wrote:Yes, it really grows on you. Ann and I took a ride down I-985, where the speed limit is 70, to a Staples today with really threatening skies. It cruises at 80+ no sweat, and with over 51,000 miles, the vibration that used to identify 80MPH (at 4,100 rpm), isn't there anymore. We outran those mean clouds just following some impatient guy in a new red Ford truck.

You mean that vibration goes away? That would be so sweat if it does. I'm at 5300Km's and some mornings my hands go numb. Not all the time though, I try to keep it above or below the 3900 ~ 4300 mark

Yeah, I've ridden (driven) Oak Creek Canyon several times, but it seems to have become pretty congested lately. There's also a nice ride northeast of Apache Junction (I can't recall the highway), but same deal... lots of traffic. I may try Jerome, but I've heard it's more a HD destination. There must be a hidden gem around somewhere.

dhfriday wrote:Yeah, I've ridden (driven) Oak Creek Canyon several times, but it seems to have become pretty congested lately. There's also a nice ride northeast of Apache Junction (I can't recall the highway), but same deal... lots of traffic. I may try Jerome, but I've heard it's more a HD destination. There must be a hidden gem around somewhere.

I lived in Tempe for a couple of years. Yup, you're kinda urban land-locked. Besides and beyond Oak Creek Canyon, possibly the White Mtns to the east? Or north side of the Grand Canyon? Page? Utah? Venture south of the border (where they're figuring out who's their next prez)?

Good luck (and damn the urban/traffic sprawl)!

This is my second stint in Phoenix, and it really is a different world now compared to 10 years ago. You could travel out of town and be gridlock free. Damn urban sprawl is right. I'd be all for any trip outa town regardless of traffic if lane splitting weren't so frowned upon. But people here get more than a little pissed. But wherever I end up going and whatever the traffic situation, it'll be worth it just for the ride. Actually, people rarely head south this time of year. It comes down to heat v. traffic... Pick your poison.

I lived in Tempe for 2 years, but grew up south of there (CG). I moved to NorCal when I was 20, where I learned to ride and bought my first bike at the age of 22. Thinking about the AZ desert environs, I can't imagine that I'd have taken up motorcycling if circumstances didn't get me out West. You'd love riding your R around here (and I don't mean to rub it in; I just have that couch-jumping feeling all over). The Napa and Sonoma Valleys (wine country) are only a couple hours away, as is South Lake Tahoe. The ocean and San Francisco too. The Sierra foothills are even closer, with the '49er Mother Lode towns dotting the highway. Mark Twain. Brett Hart. The Celebrated Jumping Frog of Calaveras County. Jack London. John Muir. Yosemite and Ansel Adams.

Land development (housing, traffic, etc) has grown here too. Dammit, dammit, dammit! Good luck on finding your rides.

Well, I just moved here from Santa Fe, New Mexico... which is also very beautiful and climate friendly. New Mexico has a total of 2 million people in the entire state... can't get much better than that for avoiding sprawl. I miss it for sure. I've heard No. Cal. is great as well. I have relatives in Mariposa (sp)... I may have to take a ride out for a visit.

But I won't let the the heat\sprawl ruin it for me. We'll all live in Montana some day.

Hehe, I've been to Montana many times when a friend lived there. This is in the northwestern corner, about 6 miles from the Canadian border (Eureka, MT). It's about a 1200 mile ride for me; beautiful country. Celebrities are buying up all the Montana land, so maybe everyone will soon be living in Montana!

Well, there's always Alaska I guess.

You mean that vibration goes away?

I sure hope so. I still have it at near 50,000 miles...BUT, the old red Roadster I rode back from Utah last month (82,000) had significantly less vibration at that range than mine does. It had to have a new clutch and splines just prior to that trip so I don't know if that contributed to it.

Robbie, could it be the two-up riding helps with that vibration issue?

Wanted to give you guys an update on my new rider experience... I love it! My first 1400 miles have been a fun learning experience. I've learned the following:

1.The R1150R fits like a glove.
2.Riding with a group is dangerous – I never feel safe at the end of the day.. maybe when I get better I can do more of this but for now I'm staying clear of the BMW groups.
3.The books, Twist of the Wrist II and Proficient Motorcycling have increased my pleasure x10
4.When you have your safety gear on and you walk into the store to pay for fuel the people look at you funny. I also found out I don't care!
5.Motorcycles people are very nice.. and always welling to share.
6.The more you ask the R1150R the more it gives.
7.The brakes are awesome..
8.When I crank the bike up my blood pressure drops.
9.The seat is painful.. tell me it gets better?
10.The North Carolina mountains are a great place to enjoy the R1159R
11.Deer are dangerous and I see them all the time.
12.I never know when she needs oil. She's so mysterious.
13.I keep going to the garage to look at her. Two, three, four times a night.
14.Tire pressure and shook settings matter.
15.Why did I put this off for FORTY years?
Thanks for the encouragement and advise.

Hi Catapult

Sorry but in my opinion the seat does not get any better. Some people seem OK with it but I could not cope and have just replaced it with a Sargent Seat which seems MUCH better. See my bike at http://members.westnet.com.au/martinbell/photos/
The original BM seat was hard on my butt and also seemed to effect my thigh muscles as well - it just felt bad. The new seat has transformed the bike for me.

I strapped a little bit of sheepskin on my R1150R before I did a long run last year but on the return trip I took it off without ill effects. In my case I just got used to the seat. I'm 6'1" with a 31" inside leg and the bike fits me perfectly with the standard seat I'd say.

I dropped off my new FJR late yesterday for the 600 mile service. So, today I took my 04 1150R on a ride with a couple of other FJR owners. We had a beautiful riding day, and we were off to trek up and down Monteagle mountain (southeast Tennessee) via various routes.

I took the bags off the 1150 and installed a very small topcase (the JC Whitney one that's only $59). The plan was to make the 1150 lighter to have to ride locally.



The other FJR guys were a little surprised. I think they expected to just leave me in the twisties. He he he. Little did they appreciate what a great bike the R is. It was fun watching those guys peak in their mirrors thinking I would be far behind. It was even more fun leading them around. Only a little foot peg and boot leather were sacrificed to the God of Fun.

Today's ride reinforced how happy I am about keeping the 1150 in the garage alonside the FJR.

I concur on the seat issue. We did about 250 miles today, and my Corbin seat was sweet all day. When I first got my bike I tried the stoock seat for several thousand miles, but eventually gave up. I was able to get a used Corbin off this site for about $200 - a real bargain.

Clothing can help a great deal. Whatever you do, don't wear cotton underwear, especially when using the stock seat. Once you start sweating you will be uncomfortable all day. The best thing I have found is the "work out" underwear made by Champion. It's sold at Target, is less expensive than Under Armor, and works better IMO.

I have one rule about riding in groups. Remember to always ride your own ride. When I first started riding with the local BMMW club I would sometimes find myself riding "over my head" to try to keep up. One day I just quit trying to do that. Now I have much more fun and I feel comfortable and safer. As my riding kills have improved I feel like I could ride at their pace now but, in the immortal words of Batleby the scribner (obscure lit reference that makes my sophomore English teacher proud), "I prefer not to."

VM

welcome

one word of advice...

ride it like you stole it!

ok, 6 words.