BMW Motorcycles

Chicago BMW ++

Mon, 14 Sep 2009 16:33:04 GMT

Another plug for Chicago BMW -- new parts at 20% off plus a VERY helpful parts counter guy. Called me up to warn me that BMW upped the price of one of the parts I ordered (+$15, not a huge deal), but I gave him a "while I have you on the phone" and he sounded like he knew the job I was doing ("ripped the splines off, huh? OK, you'll probably also need a new input shaft bearing, and how about a new clutch slave cylinder seal?" "Oh! Forgot about that! Yes please!")

Totally cool to work with, happy to help a customer, knowledgeable. Two thumbs up.

Police Dominos

Sat, 04 Jul 2009 22:22:15 GMT

"Ooops!"

x-posted to motorcycles, uk_bikers & bmwbikes

R1200S - 10K miles - Review

Sun, 03 Feb 2008 16:16:38 GMT

Well,

After doing this and that (full HPE system + kat not arrived yet) with my black R12S here's the 10K miles sum-up

Pros : Almost everything. Rather the best real-life sports bike around (VS TuonoR, SP2, Ducati S1000S, Suzuki SV1000 etc etc), Build quality, absolute brakes, switchable ABS, dealer support, reliability, that telelever wonder thing, safe handling on the limit, Ohlins (divine), destroys B/C roads with easy.

Cons: AWFUL turn left-right-cancel combo (Mercy BMW!), gearbox not that brilliant, heavy clutch (town), slightly "odd" seat (town), motor a bit stretched (beyond 6000rpm), "limited" spread of "real" power (and torque), some flat spots,1st gear a bit loooong (town), odd not linear throttle kinematics (why?), over exposed (to my 16 cats) Motronic forest of injection/sensor wizardry, back Ohlins overexposed to dirt.

I can't think of a better bike for the scope that it's designed. Should I go for the bad boy - HP2S? No thanks (looks terrific -mind).

SERIOUS PROBLEM : bike is losing, gradually, that terrific "new-bike"...erm...smell (especially when hot) > please advise (maybe Motul Shine and Go ? - silicone free)

R1200 (03 07) Motronic Update Notification

Fri, 25 Jan 2008 14:48:51 GMT

Well friends,

See this > http://www.bmwmotorrad.co.za/bikes/news/default.asp?Id=857

Good news : NOT all boxers are "affected". Mine (R12S Sept 07) is OK

Actions : call your dealer > provide the last 9 digits of your chassis ID number > BMW RDA on line web system can tell: yes or no...

Engine pr0n

Tue, 08 Jan 2008 19:09:42 GMT

So a friend of mine, who is an excellent mechanic, and from whom I bought this particular bike, asked me if I wouldn't mind if he did a little work on it over the winter.

And... um... well, *mind*? Dude, have a ball.

And he's been sending me pictures ever since.

Here's his main page-o-pics... and the transmission-specific page

This started out as a re-ring.

"A Little Work."

Heh.

One completely rebuilt R11S later... :-D

BMW R1200S Soundtrack

Mon, 07 Jan 2008 16:19:19 GMT

Well friends,

I'm looking for some decent (slip-on) soundtrack for my R1200S (power increase is meaningless without the front pipe assembly). Is HPE any good? I'm not a big fan of Italian made stuff (quality) Has anyone tried other brands?

See:

https://eshop.t-online.de/epages/Store.sf/?ObjectPath=/Shops/Shop00527/Categories/%22R%201200%20S%22/%22R%201200%20S%20Auspuff%22

F800GS

Tue, 13 Nov 2007 03:55:26 GMT

WOW!!! I can't believe nobody has posted about this.
http://www.bmwmotorcycles.com/etc/utils.jsp?t=announcements&idx=0
Catch the new F800GS and the upgraded R1200GS and R1200GSA at the International Motorcycle Show's starting Nov. 16th in San Mateo, CA.
Can I just say that I'd have to ride them both to decide, but I might consider that R800GS over my R1200GSA....might...I really love my GSA.

R1100R Mirror bluuuuuuuur blues.

Thu, 25 Oct 2007 22:00:38 GMT

Ok, folks, first post to the community. And I'm starting out with a search for some tech advice.

A bit of quick and hopefully not too dull background. A couple years ago I bought a used '97 R1100R from a friend to use for weekend touring with the wife (my VFR hurts her back as a passenger), and occasional commuting. After letting it sit in the garage for over 18 months (long story) I revived it (short story: new battery, fresh fuel, new plugs, carb sync, TPS adjustment) and all is good with the world. With two minor exceptions.

1: It still suffers (though only mildly) from the well known mid-range hesitation issue. That's actually less noticeable now, after the revival, than before I put it away.

2: At highway speed, the mirrors are effectively a couple of round blurs. That's actually more frustrating than the momentary hesitation.

So, anyone off hand know an easy solution for the mirror vibration? I haven't started checking through the other internet forums as yet, and I suspect there's some after market mirrors that'll cure the issue. Just wanted to start here first, and maybe add a little more life to the group.

Cheers,
L4J

racy racy

Tue, 21 Aug 2007 04:16:20 GMT



"Brian Parriott races the San Jose BMW R1200S at Road America" on Google Video
Brian Parriott races the San Jose BMW R1200S in the CCS Expert Heavyweight Superbike race at Road America, July 2007.

T'was time to tidy up the rear end.....

Mon, 20 Aug 2007 10:33:49 GMT

Well the Rear of the R1200S was never really that amazing looking. I really like under-seat exhausts but the huge silencer of the 'S' never really did it for me....

The old stock exhaust..

The new HPE slimline exhaust..

A vast improvement on looks I'm sure you'll agree. :o)
Not a vast improvement on power. Coupled with a K&N it's helped produce 2-3 BHP through out the rev range but most noticeably at the top end. Maybe next year I'll go for the front system too. Which could potentially add about 15 BHP around the mid range which would be very use-able.
I think it looks ace and sounds nice too, gives the beemer a nice low rumble. Just thought I'd share ;o)

X-posted to my journal, uk_bikers and motorcycles

A lap of Donington Park

Mon, 04 Jun 2007 15:47:33 GMT

Well as promised here's a brief description of a lap of Donington Park as seen by me on board my BMW R1200S.
I had previously ridden Donington Park on a CBR 600RR and had been used to a high revving VFR 800Vtec so jumping on the BMW with its low revving twin I found a bit strange and I hit the rev limiter few times as I was getting gear selection sorted. By the way I'm not a hardened track fiend, nor a racer and I know there were places I could have been faster and/or taken a faster line. But I stayed the right way up and enjoyed myself :o)
I was however very surprised at how many 600cc and 1000cc sports bikes I managed to get past, mainly out braking them on entry into corners, carrying more speed into the corners and out dragging them on the exit.
Here's my lap..
Across the stripe and accelerating into 5th, braking down from about 110mph down to 2nd for Redgate. Kept it wide to the left and tipped in late to give me a good exit onto Craner Curves. I kept the throttle pinned and shifting up to 4th, lifting slightly for the left hander before more throttle then heavy braking and down the 3rd for the Old Hairpin. Hitting the apex here I pinned the throttle again shifting up into 4the for Starkey's Bridge, then into 5th before braking hard for Mcleans. Keeping wide for Mcleans and shifting back down to 3rd to turn in late and accelerate up the hill. Into 4th for a brief moment then back down to 3rd for Coppice, probably the hardest corner on the circuit. Kept wide on the entry and turned in to hit the first apex, running a little wide then back in to hit the next apex then max throttle down the Dunlop Straight, up to 5th and 125mph, keeping to the right preparing for the Esses. Braking very hard and down 3 gears to 2nd for the quick left right of the Esses then back on the gas heading for the Melbourne Loop. Up to 4th then braking late and hard for the slowest 2nd gear corner on the circuit. I took a wide-narrow-wide line through the hairpin and accelerated toward my least favourite corner, Goddards. I took a wide slow line through Goddards as its a bumpy downhill 2nd gear left hander. Avoided the kerb exiting Goddards and pinned the throttle again, up through the gears and over the stripe once more.

The Melbourne Loop
Chilling out in the paddock area with my trusty steed.

I survived Donington!!

Tue, 29 May 2007 07:56:57 GMT

As the subject says......
The R1200S had its first track outing at the Donington Park GP circuit
I'll post more later (With not very close up pics) when I have a bit more time.

;0P

Women Riders!

Tue, 29 May 2007 01:01:09 GMT

I've formed a new community for women who ride motorcycles. Want to join? Check out http://community.livejournal.com/womenwhoride/

Bring a friend.

The Best Day of My Life

Tue, 29 May 2007 00:50:35 GMT

I felt the way bride's are supposed to feel on their wedding day. I've never felt that way before, not even on my wedding days. But standing in the basement of Big Sky BMW, looking at the lowered, silver BMW F650 GS, my heart fluttered with so much excitement, I couldn't tell if I was excited, terrified, or about to pass out. All I knew was, I was in love. Not infatuated, not lustful- passionately, certainly, definitely gazing at my beloved.

The next morning, after a night of wondering if I was good enough to ride such a masterpiece, I took it for a test drive. I wanted to hate it, to find something wrong with my dream of making this motorcycle my most prized possession. It was $9,000 for goodness sake! I don't have $9,0000! I didn't know what to expect. I didn't learn to ride a motorcycle until five years ago, when I was 38. My first bike was a 500cc Kawasaki Vulcan cruiser, which I sold three years ago. I haven't ridden anything bigger than my 150cc Derbi Boulevard scooter since.

Well, if there is a such thing as a perfect wedding night - I had it. When I got back to the dealership, I said, "I'm not giving you the keys back. So you might as well give me some paperwork to sign." Sixty months, 4.9% financing, now I need a second job.

For our honeymoon, me, my bike (I named her Maggie May), my husband and his 2000 Honda Interceptor (no name, shown in photo on right), rode 175 miles along one of the best motorcycle roads in the northwest. We ate, slept, made love, and rode back. I was exhausted. Maggie May handled so beautifully, it felt like all I had to do was think about the turn and I was turning.

This summer, I plan to ride to Banff and over the Beartooth Highway. Perhaps, someday, I will join the ranks of amazing women like Tiffany Coates. For now, I need to practice smooth shifting and ride a few logging roads to get in shape.

Austin Bike Night - Ming's Cafe

Tue, 08 May 2007 01:42:34 GMT

For all those around Austin... Ming's Cafe is hosting a BIKE NIGHT next Wednesday (16th) around 7:00pm.

I just spoke to the owner because I kept seeing this black and yellow BMW K1200 parked outside the restaurant. Seeing as I have a K75, I felt we automatically had a bond. Of course, right? Well anyway, he was really friendly and his restaurant just opened up next to UT (Guadalupe and 26th).

I enjoyed the food, he seemed really nice, and he's a fellow motorcyclist like ourselves so I thought I'd give him some publicity as he's just starting out this restaurant. I'd be a shame if they went out of business over the summer when all the students leave. =)

Windshields for R12GS?

Tue, 24 Apr 2007 16:15:49 GMT

So I've got a R12GS that's less than a year old. The windshield is annoyingly noisy - if it's all the way up, the buffeting is very bad, but if I lower it until the low-frequency buffeting is completely gone, the wind noise dominates. I'm pretty tall, and my usual pillion is also quite tall - she gets pounded by buffeting at any highway speeds.

Anyone got recommendations for a tall windshield that will deflect air over both of us?

Holy Sh!t!!

Tue, 17 Apr 2007 08:53:05 GMT

May I introduce the brand spanking new BMW R1200 Sport Boxer.
140bhp, 195kg (fully-fuelled) and to be competing in the Le Man 24-hour on the weekend.
£12k to you squire, available in 2008.

Opinions on vintage BMW

Fri, 06 Apr 2007 08:45:15 GMT

Hi, I just joined so I'll start with a little intro. I'm joolzyulejoelle, 37, from Belgium. Hi! *waves*
I'm madly in love with the old BMW's (and all other vintage bikes, like Norton, Thriumph, etc) and I'm thinking of getting one, probably a R75/5 or similar. Now, my bf just spotted one the other day, from '74, in very very good shape (and caferacer style above all!!!).
My question was if anyone has any experience with vintage BMW's. I know they are very reliable but even the best have their weaknesses. And I wanna know them all, 'cause I don't want my motorcycle to spend all it's time at a shop. :D
Thanks for the input.

200 miles under the belt

Tue, 03 Apr 2007 13:56:27 GMT

Well as the subject dictates the R1200S has now used its first tank of petrol. A 200 mile tank range ain't too shabby. It hits reserve at about 150 miles then warns you via the dash and counts the range down from about 55 miles. Giving plenty of warning to find a petrol station. Could have speced a fuel gauge as part of the 'on board computer' option, but it's a factory fitted option and not a very popular one judging by the spec list of bikes coming into the UK.
The ride is fantastic! The throttle response is crisp and the drive is very smooth, none of the stuttering that can be associated with fuel injected bikes. The Ohlins does and amazing job of keeping the bike composed. It feels very nimble and lithe. It turns in quite fast (well faster turn in than the VFR) and changes direction quickly too. In fact it reminded me of the CBR600RR I rode at Donington Park at the Ron Haslam Race School. Much less cumbersome than the VFR although similar weight. I'm so looking forward to getting it past the first service so I can give it a bit more stick and see what she can really do. Keeping it at 3.5k rpm is a nightmare!
The sound is lovely too, even with the stock exhaust but I think it really does need the Akrapovic to release the bark of the big twin.
So to summarise, its a great bike, I'm loving it. :o)

New arrival :)

Mon, 02 Apr 2007 10:08:57 GMT

Just thought I share some pics of the new arrival :oD

What to do while waiting for your new bike.......

Wed, 28 Mar 2007 11:45:56 GMT

Yup, its a paper Yamaha M1 (Looks like the colour version has updated colours).

Not the quickest thing to build and quite fiddly in places but, at last, it's complete. Kept my mind off the time waiting to pick up the new bike.
Glad I didn't have to paint it as well.
I should get on with the Tamiya model kit of Rossis 2002 RC211V that was bought for my birthday a few years back too.....
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Introducing.....

Mon, 26 Mar 2007 09:54:19 GMT

Hi there,
I'd just thought I'd say hi on this community as I have just joined.
I thought it was apt as I will be picking up my new R1200S on Monday.
Very much looking forward to it.

Happy riding..

Mon, 26 Mar 2007 02:09:07 GMT

I'm thinking of dumping my R100/7 on ebay.

I haven't ridden it in almost two years. The tranny got a leak around the shifter bushing and I just haven't had time to fix it. Any thoughts on a price? While I'd like to think someone would be interested in keeping it running, I'd imagine most people would rather part it out... Anyone here also living near enough to DC interested in buying it?

Replacing Heated Handgrips

Sat, 24 Mar 2007 17:58:11 GMT

Anyone ever replaced handgrips before? (Yes, of course.) Okay, anyone ever replaced HEATED handgrips before?

I want to embark on my first ever motorcycle maintenance task (okay so once I added oil), and I'm going to replace these foam handgrips that are falling apart with some rubber ones. I asked the service guy at Lone Star BMW what to do and he said I have to carefully cut off the other grips and not damage the heating elements in the process, and then I can put the new ones on "with compressed air or hairspray".

Hairspray? Is it just a lubricant or whaaa? I don't really have access to any tools here in college so I don't want to get started and not be able to finish and be without grips.

Advice? Suggestions? How do I do this?
Thanks~

Track Day

Sat, 24 Mar 2007 16:08:28 GMT

I just found out that BMW does track day at Summit Point and Virginia International Raceway a couple times a year. It's $225 for the day, including training and lunch. I don't know anything about VIR, but I spent a week driving police cars at Summit Point back in the late eighties. The idea of throwing the LT around it has potential.

Has anyone done this before?