Noob observations

[kroberts]

I bought my bike back in October but it needed a fair amount of TLC. I went away on a five week biz trip soon after buying it so I've had about a month "in the saddle" so far. When I started looking for a bike I hadn't ridden a street bike in many years. I had deluded myself into thinking that "it will all come back to me". My last street bikes were RZ350's so for all intents and purposes I am truly a noob and this is a big bike.

That being said, my confidence level improves each day. I had a scare on my very first ride...brand new tires. I dont know how I didn't drop it but thankfully it stayed up. Still very cautious and I find that I approach low speed corners much more tentatively that I do highway bends.

What a blast this thing is to ride. I've been riding to work on it and have gone out for a few weekend rides. All of the sensations are new again. The wind coming over the windshield, the blast from passing trucks, having to literally tell myself to trust the bike. The suspension is smooth, the bike is grippy, the engine unbelievably torquey from a noobs perspective anyway. I dont understand that front suspension but it works!

I haven't gone out on our bigger freeways yet, not sure I am quite ready for bumper to bumper at 65mph. I work from 5:00am to 3:00pm so I miss both of our rush hours here.

My bike has a Remus exhaust system, what a sound! Especially when you roll on 4th or 5th gear, or really crack it open in 1st to get out into traffic. The bags are big enough for all my gear for work. The seat is comfortable but I do see what others have written about the fact that it tends to crunch you up against the tank. It really stands out in the bike parking area beside our hangar. People notice these BMWs. I consider it a fortunate accident that I found it. It was a Craigslist find and the PO clearly had no idea what it was.

I adjusted my valves last night. Bought a set of the proper gauges and used the slightly humorous Valve Adjustment for Dummies guide. The test ride this morning prompted me to write this. It's like a new bike. The valves needed some attention but I am blown away by what a difference it made. I am going to set my TPS next and I have a Twinmax carb syn tool coming. I am eager to see what a difference I will feel after I sync the TBs.

I ordered a signal minder for it. lighting from the rear could be better. Installed an HID headlight rendering the highbeam useless.

This has been such a hoot that I honestly regret ever quitting all those years ago.

[wswartzwel]

R1100S is a very solid ride… Mine has been through lots of bad weather, downpours, high winds..ETC. Enjoy yours, and make up for those years gone by.

[1100s nut]

Kroberts, I would also recommend a MSF course. Motorcycle safety foundation. Its not just for beginners. The one did years ago had students in my class that raced. They have them at various locations around the country. Its a great training event and the instructors are great and want to be there, love and believe in what they are doing.

be safe,
Lane

[BrianG]

Originally Posted by 1100s nut

Kroberts, I would also recommend a MSF course. Motorcycle safety foundation. Its not just for beginners. The one did years ago had students in my class that raced. They have them at various locations around the country. Its a great training event and the instructors are great and want to be there, love and believe in what they are doing.

be safe,
Lane

And when you are done that, take a track course, and do it on your own bike. It will give you the confidence of understanding where you can take the bike, even though you don't take it that far on the streets.

This has saved more corner run-offs, for my students, than I care to count. When you know how to max a turn, you are less likely to stand it up and run it off the road in a corner that didn't turn out as you had expected.

[txmxrider]

Congrats on the new bike and having the courage to get out and try something new and different. And to admit that you aren't superman.

I agree with your observation that it isn't well lit from the rear at night. I didn't think too much about it when I first got mine until I noticed another bike early one morning and I could barely make out his tail light in the traffic. I recommend a product called Tailblazer that has a decaying flash when you brake and is MUCH brighter. It's real simple too. I goes into the original tail light socket so no wireharness mods required. I also added LED running lights (I think they were called Runnin' Lights) that are inside the turnsignal housing and I put black reflective material on the rear of the saddlebags. I can't remember now who made the reflective decal for the bags but it was relatively inexpensive and cut to fit perfectly. And best of all, since it's black, you don't even see it during the day unless you look really close but it sure stands out at night. Call me paranoid, but I also added reflective decals to my Axis Yellow helmet. And I wear a Conspicuity vest when I'm wearing any jacket other than my day-glo lime green Olympia Airflow! LOL! But hey, when you're commuting in an urban environment staying alive is largely dependent on being seen.

Ditto the previous comment about taking an MSF course. You'll learn a lot of good practice drills for evasive actions. I know people who take the course every spring just to help "get the head on straight" for the riding season. Also, the BMW MOA magazine has a couple of regular columns called "Between the Ears" and "Motosafe" that discuss strategies for safe and accident-free riding.

I'm sure you already know this, but you live close to some really awesome riding. You're going to have a blast exploring on two wheels. Enjoy!

[flatbutt]

In time you'll find that this beasty just devours the open sweepers. It'll hold a line like no other. But you do well to mind the signs that state " 15 MPH"....despite your skill level. AMHIK.