the NATO garage

[nostatic]

i was told I would be killed, probably repeatedly, if I took my son on the back of my bike...

[911boost]

Since it is almost Fall for those of us with different season, I thought I would revive this thread (plus all the politcal and New Orleans BS is gettign old).

I installed a new Remus exhaust and cat eliminator pipe on my BMW R1150GS...wow, does it make a difference. I probably droped about 35 pounds off the bike, and I love the power! I'll need to post some pics.

How are all of you guy's bikes doing? I have found myself commuting more on mine, and am saving tons of gas money.

Bill

[Drago]

Yes, pic's would be nice.

[greglepore]

Sold my 900ss, simply because it wasn't getting used for backroad attacking and its shortcomings in other areas were becoming more apparent.

Bought a '85 FJ1100. I'm not a big fan of Japanese motorcycles, but this thing, wow, I understand why they've been building them for 20 yrs in various guises. First, it has tons of torque for an inline 4, feels like the Duc. Much more top end power. Roll on in 3rd gear at 60 mph is scary.
Its silky smooth as well. Yes, its much heavier, like over a hundred lbs more, but very well suspended - the weight actually makes it tons more stable in 8/10's backroading. And the riding position beats the crap out of the Duc. Sporty, but you could tour all day.

Downsides? Aforementioned weight. Crappy front brake-it stops ok, but modulation sucks. And the styling. Nuthin' looks like a Duc.

[5axis]

I have been riding my 20yr old K daily and it makes getting to work much to quick. Then the day really drags until I can get back on it heading home. This coming weekend I am hitting the road to do this ride http://www.flat4tour.com/ In early october I am breaking out the Aprilia RS 250 (I wanna be like motion) for a few track days.

[JavaBrewer]

I've been commuting alot on my S3 - saves over an hour each day in traffic and ~50mpg. I'm already at a crossroads though for several reasons.

- Freeway commuting kinda sucks on the S3. Wind blast and stiff suspension gets old quick especially on concrete with the expansion joints.

- Backroads is really fun on the S3 but the stock suspension sucks. Admittedly I'm 190lbs w/o gear on and the stock suspension is more designed for 160 lbs. I had Jeremy Toye (Lee's Cycle) spend an over an hour with me getting it dialed in. Much better but still not all that great. He recommended that I get new fork springs and a new rear shock, or a new bike...

So crossroads here I am. Keep the S3, upgrade the suspension, and buy a used commuter bike with fairing? Smoke the 01 S3 and pick up a newer sport bike with better fairings and suspension? Or do I just sack up and ride it?

[Steve Carlton]

Test ride an '04 R1100SA (with the clip-ons above the triple clamp) from a BMW dealer (if possible). It'll cure what ails you. New, they have 0.9-1.9% APR and 5 free payments, used they're a steal...

[nostatic]

50mpg? I get about 40 with the SpeedFour. I had a recall issues...a week or so ago I smelled gas at a stop light (luckily close to home), and when parked had a nice puddle underneath. Turns out that the L-joints from the fuel plate at the tank are plastic and tend to break. I went down to the dealer, got my new metal ones, and installed them. And I only suffered gas in the right eye and a sliced thumb doing it

Now I'm back on the road, commuting most days and doing the occasional fun ride on the weekends. I'm broke so no mods for me, although my 6K service is coming up soon. Averaging 1K/mo, so obviously I'm riding a bit

[nostatic]

Originally posted by Steve Carlton
Test ride an '04 R1100SA (with the clip-ons above the triple clamp) from a BMW dealer (if possible). It'll cure what ails you. New, they have 0.9-1.9% APR and 5 free payments, used they're a steal...

Do all dealers have this?

[Steve Carlton]

I would assume so. It's a heck of a deal. You could probably get a good discount on the bike as well. Price was reduce around $2K in '04.

http://www.bmwmotorcycles.com/financial_promotions.jsp

[JavaBrewer]

On the freeway commute the bike turns 4.5-5K rpm all the way. I usually fill up at 165-170 miles and have yet to go over 3.5 gallons. The weekends sees 8-9K rpm and mpg's definitely go South from there. Also noted that my speeo and odometer are off. My commute is a verified 32 miles each way but the bike registers 27 miles - so actually mpg is slightly better

[nostatic]

hmm...maybe I'll go ride one. I like the boxer prep (cheaper) and boxer cup (more expensive) models

[JavaBrewer]

I see the boxer cup on the web site but not the prep - where is that Todd? Local dealer (non BMW) had a used (500 miles) boxer cup for like 11K when I was still deciding. Beautiful bike but it was really big.

[svandamme]

guys, if you want french rally cars, get an
R5Turbo


or a Peugeout 205 Turbo


mid engined, ****loads of power, serious little group B monsters
current day rally cars are like little puppy dogs compared to the Turbo's
they'll even smoke a large percentage of 911's on this board

[911boost]

BMW had that same deal when I bought my GS. I didn't worry about the % as I just paid the balance off after BMW made the first 5 payments of about $400 each. It brought the GS down from such a stratosperic price level.

I have a 5 gallon tank, and while commuting can easily go over 200 miles and only put 4 gallons in it, so I know I am getting about 50 MPG. My average speed is about 80 mph, on the highway.

I am loving my new Arai helmet too, damn it is so much nicer than the Schuberth I had.

Just DO NOT ride the new K1200S or K1200R, not only are super expensive, but they are super fast....

Bill

[nostatic]

So what can you guys tell me about the R1150R?

[911boost]

My next door neighbor just sold his to a guy I work with for $7000. It had 18oo miles on it. What a steal!

They are good bikes, not flashy, but with a new exhaust, I have heard the single spark models reposnd really well to the Z-technik system, they ca be fun.

As with a lot of somewhat "naked" bikes, you either like em or don't. Just go ride one, and see what you think. I am sure compared to your Duc and Speed Triple it will feel some what more stable, and you will be able to feel the additional weight. A windsheild is a requirement if you plan on riding at highway speeds. I rode my friends to the new owner house about 60 miles, and was really wishing I had even a small windscreen.

Bill

[Steve Carlton]

The R1150R is a great value for a BMW. It has the 85hp, lazier, smoother motor vs the 98hp 1100 in the S. More relaxed, less sporty. The S works better when the heat's on. For '05 the only S they sell new is the Boxer Cup Replika.

There's a trippy version of the R in the "Rockster."

[motion]

Steve has a good point, Todd. If you're going to go for a BMW, get one with the 85HP motor. The 98HP motor is buzzy as hell, and in my opinion, too buzzy for long distance riding. I have nerve damage to prove it.

[Steve Carlton]

I think there may have been an issue with your bike, Richard. They're only a little buzzier at higher-than-cruising rpms, and the '04s are a little smoother with the 2-spark. Throttle body synch has a big influence, as does ergonomics of how your hands rest on the grips. I've ridden mine 350+ miles/day and had no issues. I'm not aware of anyone on the R1100S board having serious issues. Some have used bar backs to move them up and back for more touring comfort. The twin vibes are more tolerable than the I4 vibes, IMHO.