GS handlebars on Rockster?

cadhopper · Post by **cadhopper** » Sun Sep 09, 2007 6:44 am

Being as I can't leave anything alone I want to install black R1150GS handlebars on the Rockster. Has anyone done this? If so, could you post a picture. I'm going to check with the beemerboneyard to see if I can get the handlebars, controls with cable, clutch line and brake line to make things a little cheaper. I'm also thinking I will change over to a dual sport tire when I wear out the current Pilot Sports.

Also, does anyone know if the fork triple tree on the GS and Rockster is the same width? Will the front fender section from a GS fit the Rockster

cadhopper · Post by **cadhopper** » Sun Sep 09, 2007 3:22 pm

Well I took her for her maiden voyage through the mountains today and it was awesome. The performance of this bike is very close to my Buell XB12SS so it took very little time to get use to it. Needless to say, the chicken strips from the previous owner are gone.

I had bar backs on but still felt like I was reaching in the long straight aways. The twisties are not a problem because I'm up against the tank and leaned off the side. After 328 miles today I can feel it in my shoulders but it was still fun.

Life would really SUCK without twisty roads.

Sunfire · Post by **Sunfire** » Sun Sep 09, 2007 6:46 pm

Wow, we even had sort of the same bike! I have an '07 12R that I have traded in for a Rockster. I'm picking it up this Wednesday. Can't wait!

dragonmojo · Post by **dragonmojo** » Sun Sep 09, 2007 8:07 pm

cadhopper wrote: Life would really SUCK without twisty roads.

Yesterday I took about a 200 mile ride nowhere in particular (on my R12C). This morning I decided to head out for breakfast on my Rockster. Sacramento is situated in a valley right next to the Sierra range, and oh boy, there's quite a variety of twisties up here. Took the long way to Auburn about 40+ miles from where I live, had a breakfast burrito, then took the long way home through canyonlands and the back way through Folsom Lake. All told was just over 100 miles.

Sounds like the making of a testimonial TV commercial eh?

Aren'tcha glad we don't live in Kansas?

Post by **sweatmark** » Mon Sep 10, 2007 9:11 pm

Hey Sunfire! Was wondering how your Rockster Quest was going...

Just listened to the audio track of your XB12R video today (three times & loud) that will forever reside on my iPod!!! Sometime I gotta ask you a favor to send me the original vid file by mail. "What kinda bike is that?" "It's a Buell!"

Glad you were able to trade the Firebolt for the Rockster. I think you will grow to love the versatility of the BMW.

Just last weekend I rode my Buell XB9S and Rockster back-to-back... sure, the Buell is great for short rides ripping up & down the mountain passes, but for any kind of road trip it's gotta be the BMW.

Mark
Oregon

Post by **sweatmark** » Mon Sep 10, 2007 9:22 pm

cadhopper-

Unaware of anyone who's installed the GS bars on Rockster or Roadster, but I'm sure it can be done without much problem. From experience, I'd say definitely get yourself the BMW bars rather than aftermarket (even Euro 22m bars like Maguras)... the BMW controls/switchgear really want <22mm diameter at the mounting positions, and the length of grip + controls is somewhat longer than other setups.

I've been thinking about using BMW controls on my XB9S... have some old R1100 controls/switches and several brake masters and though it might be cool... even bought a Magura 22mm (at controls) fatbar plus Rizoma fatbar mounts for the XB Lightning, but the BMW controls just don't want to fit. I'm sticking with the Buell's original switchgear after all the fiddling... especially now that there's a heated grip kit for the XB models! (My Rockster's heated grips are a must-have luxury)

Do you still have your XB12SS?

Mark
Oregon

EasyE · Post by **EasyE** » Tue Sep 11, 2007 2:53 pm

dragonmojo wrote:
cadhopper wrote: Life would really SUCK without twisty roads.
Yesterday I took about a 200 mile ride nowhere in particular (on my R12C). This morning I decided to head out for breakfast on my Rockster. Sacramento is situated in a valley right next to the Sierra range, and oh boy, there's quite a variety of twisties up here. Took the long way to Auburn about 40+ miles from where I live, had a breakfast burrito, then took the long way home through canyonlands and the back way through Folsom Lake. All told was just over 100 miles.

Sounds like the making of a testimonial TV commercial eh?

Aren'tcha glad we don't live in Kansas?

Hey now! ok, I live just a shade across the state line in Missouri, but I spend a lot of time for work driving all over KS and I'd have to agree, it stinks, literally and figuratively! lol

Sunfire · Post by **Sunfire** » Sat Sep 15, 2007 4:14 pm

Hi Mark,

Finally got a Rockster, even with some extras that I did not want, but the deal was so great that I ended up buying it. The bike came with a Low seat and different bars. They are more comfortable, but I was looking forward to the original wide bars. Is it difficult to change them? I'm trying to see if I can trade the Low seat for a Standard seat, but nothing yet. I stopped by BMW and they wanted $199 for the Standard seat!!

The 12R was amazing, but the Rockster gives me much more pleasure! I love it.

Paul

dragonmojo · Post by **dragonmojo** » Sat Sep 15, 2007 9:33 pm

Sunfire wrote: The 12R was amazing, but the Rockster gives me much more pleasure! I love it.

Paul

Are you talking about the K or R? I test rode the R12R last fall and thought that it was pretty nimble and quick, but somehow, it almost felt like a toy. Maybe I've gotten accustomed to my Beemers' heft. Didn't care too much for the instrument layout (love those on the GS, the ones on the K12R and even the new singles)... the Rockster's nicer than the R12R's IMHO.

This past Spring I also test rode the K12R Sport. Amazing, yes. But as it stands, I couldn't even push my Rockster to its limits and got to a point where I was scaring myself on the K. It doesn't take much to get the K moving, but I just didn't have that SENSATION that I was putting the bike to task like I do on the Rock. And that's where I get my kicks.

Glad you are enjoying it and hope you find a std seat (I have the low, plus the stock bars and the panel that replaces the pillon seat).

cadhopper · Post by **cadhopper** » Sun Sep 16, 2007 5:41 pm

sweatmark wrote:cadhopper-

Unaware of anyone who's installed the GS bars on Rockster or Roadster, but I'm sure it can be done without much problem. From experience, I'd say definitely get yourself the BMW bars rather than aftermarket (even Euro 22m bars like Maguras)... the BMW controls/switchgear really want <22mm diameter at the mounting positions, and the length of grip + controls is somewhat longer than other setups.

I've been thinking about using BMW controls on my XB9S... have some old R1100 controls/switches and several brake masters and though it might be cool... even bought a Magura 22mm (at controls) fatbar plus Rizoma fatbar mounts for the XB Lightning, but the BMW controls just don't want to fit. I'm sticking with the Buell's original switchgear after all the fiddling... especially now that there's a heated grip kit for the XB models! (My Rockster's heated grips are a must-have luxury)

Do you still have your XB12SS?

Mark
Oregon

I decided to install the Wunderlich touring bars which means all new cables but it's no big deal because I like working on my bikes almost as much as I like riding them. After putting almost 1000 miles on the bike in the last week I know I want a more upright riding position, I guess I got spoiled on my F650GS. When all the parts get in I'll pull it in the house were it's nice and cool and install all the new parts. I'm single so I can get away with it. I also order Ohlins shocks through my local BMW dealer so it should be a pretty sweet ride by the time everything is done. Lets hope I keep this one longer than a year.

As for the XB12SS, I sold it a month or so ago. I rode Harleys for years and really love the Sportster motor but I could not get use to the heavy steering. If I had the room I would have kept it but I can only store two bikes in my shed. I REALLY need a garage. I would love to ride one of the new bikes with the parallel twin.

Here's a couple of pictures while I was getting everything ready for the last track day and installing Racetech Gold Valve and springs in the forks. Thats a SV650 in the living room and a SV1000 in the kitchen. My little four legged fur ball does the quality control inspections before the bike rolls out the door.

Post by **sweatmark** » Mon Sep 17, 2007 11:45 am

Paul - Welcome to the group! Glad you finally got yourself the Rockster... sent you a PM re: seat recommendation, and the board here has a bunch of threads about Roadster/Rockster seat options.

Cadhopper - Sorry to hear that the XB12 is gone, but then looks like you've got a good assortment of bikes to ride! The bikes in living room is classic, blue tarps and quality inspector included.

Speaking of garage desires: My wife and I dream about purchasing the lot in new development right behind our house, building something that looks like a regular home (to satisfy RR&Es), but is actually a big garage workspace with kitchen nook, his & hers bathroom (with those signs on the doors), and a media area where we can watch MotoGP on the big screen. None of the neighbors would know, unless they were listening carefully to the noises from the dyno room!

cadhopper · Post by **cadhopper** » Mon Sep 17, 2007 4:54 pm

sweatmark wrote:Speaking of garage desires: My wife and I dream about purchasing the lot in new development right behind our house, building something that looks like a regular home (to satisfy RR&Es), but is actually a big garage workspace with kitchen nook, his & hers bathroom (with those signs on the doors), and a media area where we can watch MotoGP on the big screen. None of the neighbors would know, unless they were listening carefully to the noises from the dyno room!

I think that would be close to my dream home. I would love to have a 4 to 6 car garage with a small loft apartment over looking the bays. I done need much living space but I do need room for all the toys I want. Maybe one day I'll find someone to share it with but finding a woman that rides her own bike ain't easy.

Sunfire · Post by **Sunfire** » Tue Sep 18, 2007 4:39 pm

Are you talking about the K or R?

Sorry, I meant the Buell Firebolt XB12R - that's what I had before I traded it in for my Rockster.

Paul

Post by **dwayne** » Tue Sep 18, 2007 8:02 pm

Sunfire wrote:
Are you talking about the K or R?
Sorry, I meant the Buell Firebolt XB12R - that's what I had before I traded it in for my Rockster.

Paul

WAIT! Time-out! I'm actually going to be test riding a Ulysses XB12X on Thursday. Tell me, what is the brake dive like on those bikes? Also, Buell is coming out with heated grips for '08 which is the reason I am now considering one. Are the Buells a good riding bike for loooong distance riding?

Sunfire · Post by **Sunfire** » Wed Sep 19, 2007 7:50 pm

I test rode a Ulysses and found the bike very easy to handle - very impressed with the bike. I don't know about long distance riding as my ride only consisted of about 30 minutes. Buells are great bikes, but when it comes to service, either you do it to make sure that it is done right, or you take it to a Harley dealer and hope for the best. The reason I sold my '07 12R was due solely to dealer/service problems. Every time I took my bike for service it came back with something wrong!

I simply got tired of the run-arounds by the service departments and decided to never own a Buell bike until Harley stops servicing them. It's a real pity, as I loved my XB12R very much!

If you have the time and knowledge to perform the required maintenance, then go for it. I lack mechanical abilities, so I rather pay someone else that has these abilities to get the job done properly. Harley service departments are good at fixing Harleys, not high tech machines/suspensions such as Buell bikes.

There is some brake dive, but I never even gave a second thought to it as all my bikes had front forks! My Rockster is my first BMW, and I'm still getting used to the "no dive" front!

Paul

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GS handlebars on Rockster?

GS handlebars on Rockster?

Sold my 12R