Wait for R1200S or mod out my 99' S?

[gravel]

All:

I have a decision this year to make (hopefully this year) about my 99' S. Do I wait for the R1200S (if it's coming) and hope that it isn't as ugly as the rest of the 2005 line up (ST = Fugly) or add some horsepower to my current ride?

I (and several of my other S riders) are really worried that BMW might really screw up the style of the R1200S (if/when it comes out). If it doesn't have the asthetic appeal (or better) of the current style I'm going to stick with what I have and upgrade.

Here is what I did so far:

Laser Race Exhaust
Laser Chip
K&N
It did have ABS but I took that out
Stainless Lines
GS Torque arm
BMW Sport Shocks (front and rear).

If I were to keep it, I was thinking about the San Jose 1150 upgrade kit (I think this is OEM BMW stuff) or a high compression piston/camshaft upgrade like Rob Wijhenke has detailed on his S page. (Thanks Rob!). I'm looking for about 10 more horsepower and would be completely happy with the 99'. I love the handling, styling... well just about everything, I would just apprecaite a few more ponies under the hood.

I was also looking at a 5.5" rear wheel, and upgrading the breathing a bit (air duct intake).

Anyway, I have some money to spend and if the 1200 is ugly, I'd just rather put it into my current S.

Thanks all,

David

---
David Stevens
State College, PA
99' Mandarin, Laser Race System, Spiegler SS brake lines, Laser Chip, K&N, GS Torque arm

[Skippy]

I think the best upgrade is lighter wheels.All HP upgrades I've seen didn't look very impressive for the money and it only gives you a bit more puling power and maybe a bit higher speed(remember it's hard to change the gearing on the S).Lighter wheels will make it look way cooler steer quicker and also make it accelerate an decelerate faster.I don't have the cash right now but I would go for some nice forged PVM wheels esspecialy since you already want a wider rear wheel.Ask acid about his PVM's you may even go as wide as a 6" rear with a 190 tirer but that I don't know for sure.

[Zarfoid]

Originally posted by gravel
It did have ABS but I took that out
Stainless Lines

A bit OT, but how hard was the ABSecomy? If I get my vibe issue resolved and decide to keep the bike, I'm considering pulling the ABS. Not so much to spend money on wheels, but it makes the removing the tranny easier since you no longer have to drain the rear brake. Did you simply buy the stainless lines and rip out the old system?

[John Lyon]

Its probably more of an emotional decision. In terms of cost/benefit, you'd be spending $15,000+ to get the extra 25hp that the new S is supposed to have (plus the intangibles of having a new bike). I have no idea, however, whether you can get the 10hp you're looking for from your '99. If the new S is all duded up like the K1200R, we may have a classic on our hands.

[Steve Carlton]

Originally posted by Skippy
I think the best upgrade is lighter wheels.All HP upgrades I've seen didn't look very impressive for the money and it only gives you a bit more puling power and maybe a bit higher speed(remember it's hard to change the gearing on the S).Lighter wheels will make it look way cooler steer quicker and also make it accelerate an decelerate faster.I don't have the cash right now but I would go for some nice forged PVM wheels esspecialy since you already want a wider rear wheel.Ask acid about his PVM's you may even go as wide as a 6" rear with a 190 tirer but that I don't know for sure.

That's an excellent suggestion. I think there's a formula for calculating net effective hp and it comes out around 25hp! bradzdotcom has done it with CF and $/hp is effective, plus the handling benefit.

Plus, you can remove the wheels when you sell the bike and transfer them or sell them. Most mod money goes down the drain, normally.

[John Lyon]

Steve- You actually make the purchase of CF wheels seem kind of .... sensible!

[gravel]

Originally posted by Zarfoid
A bit OT, but how hard was the ABSecomy? If I get my vibe issue resolved and decide to keep the bike, I'm considering pulling the ABS. Not so much to spend money on wheels, but it makes the removing the tranny easier since you no longer have to drain the rear brake. Did you simply buy the stainless lines and rip out the old system?

Removing the ABS was pretty easy. Get SS lines for the front, and then you have to order the non-ABS rear brake tube to bypass the ABS module. After that you need to pull a plastic box thing from the BMW electronic module in the front on the left or right side to tell the computer not to check the ABS system. Saved 16 lbs. The whole process was easier than going on a diet...

Removing the ABS also lowers the CG as that weight is way up under the gas tank.

[gravel]

Originally posted by John Lyon
Its probably more of an emotional decision. In terms of cost/benefit, you'd be spending $15,000+ to get the extra 25hp that the new S is supposed to have (plus the intangibles of having a new bike). I have no idea, however, whether you can get the 10hp you're looking for from your '99. If the new S is all duded up like the K1200R, we may have a classic on our hands.

You're probably right about the emotional decision. If it _is_ good looking (not like the ST) and it has the claimed HP increase, then it would be an easy decision. Otherwise, i say stick with the good looker but give her a facelift/lyposuction/performance mods.

[ckcarr]

I don't think there's that much risk doing mods. Realistically you might lose 25% on new parts reselling used. If you do the 99' and then see the new S and have to have it, just sell everything here. Or, I'd make a wild guess and think some will be transferable.

Just keep the original parts to swap back.

There. That is your decision.

And Murphy's Law states that the sooner you start and spend on the 1999 mods the sooner the new S will become available.

[Rattus]

Gravel, at this point if I was you I'd wait. Bang for buck, I think you'd be better of going for the R1200S. Imagine if you spent all that money on upgrades only to decide to go for the R1200S when it materialises. Don't forget the R1100S is lot better looking than the old R1150RS, so it's not much of a stretch to assume the R1200S will be a lot better to our eyes than the R1200ST.

[gravel]

Originally posted by Rattus
Gravel, at this point if I was you I'd wait. Bang for buck, I think you'd be better of going for the R1200S. Imagine if you spent all that money on upgrades only to decide to go for the R1200S when it materialises. Don't forget the R1100S is lot better looking than the old R1150RS, so it's not much of a stretch to assume the R1200S will be a lot better to our eyes than the R1200ST.

Oh no! Two equally compelling but diametrically opposed opinions! I will wait for the 1200 and then just have to make the decision. I suppose it was premature to suggest that I had to make a decision about this now, when in fact I really can't untill the 1200 comes out. So now the question is, when does it come out and as the previous post states, will it be tied to the timing of my upgrade? And if so, it would seem that it's in everyone's best interest that I do my upgrade, so that would mean everyone that stands to benefit should pitch in, which seems to be most of the readers here?