New owner, first trip on the R

[Scriber]

I was worried. My new R1200R was replacing my beloved Speed Triple R. A bulging disk in my neck made the riding position on the Triple very uncomfortable. I tried the tallest bar risers I felt comfortable with, and it still didn't get me upright enough to alleviate the problem. Now I had to hope the R1200R would give me at least some of the enjoyment the Triple gave in spades. After six days and 2,400 miles of roads of every type through Washington, Oregon, and California -- but less than a hundred on interstates -- I had my answer. But not necessarily in the way I would have anticipated.

By the time I had finished riding highway 70 in California I knew the bike could corner with the Triple. And by the time I had finished highway 36 I had begun to forget that the R12R had cylinder heads protruding from its sides. Then the "Wildcat" -- the name the locals along the north California coast use for Mattole Road -- convinced me that I would never lack for lean angle. Its eighty some odd miles of rough, twisty, roller coaster pavement, and steep 5 mph corners easily succumbed to the R12R's nimble cornering and low-end grunt.

As much fun as I had quickly slipping into and firing out of corners, it wasn't until I got to highway 3 that things got really interesting. Highway 3 is a mix of twisties with a few long straighter sections that wander up a river valley. Then it gets a lot tighter, and narrower, as it climbs to a low pass about 7 to 10 miles south of Callahan.

So what happened? I slowed down. I don't know why. I began to dawdle through the straights and savor the corners. I wasn't tired. I was still having the time of my life. But I began to enjoy the straights and corners in a way I never had.

The lumpy rhythm of the motor, and the accurate and predicable steering and suspension encouraged me to explore the architecture of the ride. I started paying attention to the sensation of the flop at the turn-in point, the roll-on through the turn, and the way the torquey motor shoved me out of a corner. It was all good. It was sublime.

My K1200S was always hunting for remote roads and speed. It was difficult to resist its relentless capability. I think I crossed Nevada once on the K12S in 17 minutes. The long way. The Triple begged to charge out of corners and lift the front end. Where the K12S was fast, the Triple was quick. Now I understand that as a rider I was always serving up fast and quick.

The R1200R is the first bike I have ever owned that I can truly enjoy at any speed. And because it is so capable at any speed and on any road, I know I can learn more about my own riding and new ways to enjoy it.

But you folks knew this already.

[Paul-from-VA]

We here pretty much know the bike is great, glad you joined us enjoy the bike.

[Lost Rider]

I think you nailed it on the head, both with the handling of the R and the roads you described.
Thanks for posting and welcome to the forum.

Now go get some photos to share of these fine roads and your R!

[Snapping Twig]

Congrats!

I did my first road trip in some of the areas you listed on my R12R too.

Hwy 3 from Yreka to Whiskytown.

Much fun!

[1200bc]

I find the R1200R is easier to run quicker in the corners than my K1200S. I'm assuming a lot has to do with weight, and a tamer throttle.

[Scriber]

I find the R1200R is easier to run quicker in the corners than my K1200S. I'm assuming a lot has to do with weight, and a tamer throttle.

Yes. And a lot less work. But the K12S taught me how to control a very snatchy throttle. The Triple has incredibly smooth and responsive fueling. The R? Well the fueling seems to be among its lesser charms. But it's not hard to live with.

[Scriber]

Now go get some photos to share of these fine roads and your R!

Okay. But my pics are pretty weak compared to yours.

[Scriber]

Morning in the High Desert - US 395 in Oregon by SiteDistance, on Flickr


Mattole Road - "The Wildcat" by SiteDistance, on Flickr

[badbs101]

I find the R1200R is easier to run quicker in the corners than my K1200S. I'm assuming a lot has to do with weight, and a tamer throttle.

Yes. And a lot less work. But the K12S taught me how to control a very snatchy throttle. The Triple has incredibly smooth and responsive fueling. The R? Well the fueling seems to be among its lesser charms. But it's not hard to live with.

Booster Plug, Accelerator Module or IICE Air. There are others too but one of these will tame the throttle even more. http://www.advrider.com/forums/showthread.php?t=638412 I'm not affiliated with any of these, I just know they work.

[Scriber]

[Booster Plug, Accelerator Module or IICE Air. There are others too but one of these will tame the throttle even more. http://www.advrider.com/forums/showthread.php?t=638412 I'm not affiliated with any of these, I just know they work.

I think I'm going to run this baby in some more before I start monkeying with fueiling. But thanks for the advice. Here is what I've added so far:

- Luggage rack and tail pack
- Sport screen
- Wunderlich Wind Deflector
- MudSling
- GPS mounted and hooked up to canbus
- Pigtail for my heated vest
- Abdeckring gasket has been ordered
- Tank protection, i.e. tank pads just added
- Throttlemeister on the way

To add in the near future:

- Custom seat -- I'm lucky to live near a guy (Rich's Custom Seats) who does a great job on fitting seats. The stocker is killing me.
- Vario levers -- Had them on my K12S and loved them.

I'm sticking with my Kriega US40 packs and my new tail pack. I tend to travel light even when I'm camping.

[badbs101]

I'm no expert but I think the fueling devices (resistor tuners) are safe as thousands of guys are running them on all types of bikes; I know Harley guys use something similar called a Xied. You probably won't need the throttlemeister after you install it.

My Sargent seat has made a big difference too. The stock Comfort seat is probably one of the best factory seats I have ever tried and it still stinks.

[angellr]

I'm no expert but I think the fueling devices (resistor tuners) are pretty safe as thousands of guys are running them on all types of bikes. You probably won't need the throttlemeister. I know Harley guys use something similar called a Xied.

My Sargent seat has made a big difference too. The stock Comfort seat is probably one fo the best factory seats I have ever tried and it still stinks.

Long trips am glad I have a throttlemeister. I also added wunderlich hand guards (wear mainly summer gloves year round).

[Scriber]

I'm no expert but I think the fueling devices (resistor tuners) are safe as thousands of guys are running them on all types of bikes; I know Harley guys use something similar called a Xied. You probably won't need the throttlemeister after you install it.

My Sargent seat has made a big difference too. The stock Comfort seat is probably one of the best factory seats I have ever tried and it still stinks.

The Throttlemeister is a simple mechanical throttle lock. A poor man's cruise control. I've had one on all my bikes and consider it indispensible.

My butt is still sore 5 days after my trip. I'm looking forward to one of Rich's seats. The last one I had was amazingly comfortable.

I'll look into the resister tuners more. Smoother is always better if you don't screw up anything else.

[Mike Figielski]

I'm no expert but I think the fueling devices (resistor tuners) are safe as thousands of guys are running them on all types of bikes; I know Harley guys use something similar called a Xied. You probably won't need the throttlemeister after you install it.

My Sargent seat has made a big difference too. The stock Comfort seat is probably one of the best factory seats I have ever tried and it still stinks.

Sorry if this is a highjack but the XiED is an O2 sensor manipulator and is now available for BMW 1150 and 1100 bikes. The 1200 version will be available in about a week. Unlike the air temp foolers the O2 manipulators work with the adaptive capabilites of the BMSK brain and the benefits are permanent and not adapted out over time. You can read more than you'd want to know about the development and testing (including much data logging) in this thread: http://advrider.com/forums/showthread.php?t=749080
I have been testing this unit on my R1200R and just got back from a 1500 mile trip through VT using it. It takes a few tankfulls of gas for all of the adaptation to occur but the results are great. Much better low end torque and throttle response. No more snatchy throttle and crisper acceleration throught the rev range. Basically you will find you can easily pull a gear higher in all situations. Mileage is basically the same. I have used Power Comanders, air temp foolers and Dobeck controllers, all of which helped the fueling but none of them worked as seemlessly as the XiED does. The key is that is leverages the stock fuel map but does what BMW could not due to emissions restraints, it allows you to set he air-fuel ratio where it wants to be - in the 13.6:1 - 14:1 range instead of the overly lean stock 14.7:1 ratio. All of the engineering and testing BMW has done on the BMSK is retained, it is just receiving an altered O2 signal instructing it to fuel richer. The O2 sensor is the final determiner in setting the air fuel ratio. This is why air temp foolers benefits are adapted out. Once the O2 senor sees the altered air temp signal it instructs the BMSK to change the fueling to compenste. This was observed and proven by the data logging via GS911 in the post above. The adaptation is clearly seen. Nightrider is the company that developed the circuitry which allows the O2 signal to be altered and accepted by the BMSK and it does not get adapted out by the BMSK. Again, this has been proven and shown clearly by the data logging which was done using the GS911. Roger, the original poster and the guy who made this project happen has done a tremendous amount of testing and research regarding this and eventually partnered with Nightrider to make the BMW version of the XIED. When the 1200 units are available we'll be selling them at Beemerboneyard here: http://www.beemerboneyard.com/bmwafo2sema.html
Obviously I am somewhat biased but keep in mind we have sold Dobeck controllers for several years and once we have sold out our stock, we will be selling only the XiED units going forward. Don't get me wrong, the Dobecks work but the XiED is just a better solution.
Thanks,
Mike

[Scriber]

Mike, that advrider thread is geek heaven. I look forward to seeing the final product.

[Mike Figielski]

Mike, that advrider thread is geek heaven. I look forward to seeing the final product.

Yes, Roger is a very interesting and detail oriented guy. There is a coment in there somewhere where he compares the role of a thermometer with a thermistat. The air temp foolers being the thermometer and the XiED (and O2 sensor) being the thermostat. Basically you can change the temp the thermometer sees but nothing will happen until you reset the thermostat which is in effect what the XiED devices do.
Mike

[badbs101]

Sorry if this is a highjack but the XiED is an O2 sensor manipulator and is now available for BMW 1150 and 1100 bikes. The 1200 version will be available in about a week. Unlike the air temp foolers the O2 manipulators work with the adaptive capabilites of the BMSK brain and the benefits are permanent and not adapted out over time. You can read more than you'd want to know about the development and testing (including much data logging) in this thread: http://advrider.com/forums/showthread.php?t=749080

According to the inventor of the Xied, the benefits are not adapted out. In fact, here is a quote from the above thread posted by the inventor of the Xied. http://advrider.com/forums/showthread.p ... 080&page=2

"My conclusion is that the Boxer engine in the R1150 was not really designed to operate with a 14.7:1 mixture (lambda=1). So my two fixes:

1) A BoosterPlug to correct Open Loop for E10 fuel.
2) A programmable Wideband O2 Closed Loop sensor to richen Closed Loop operation."


Looks like he is advocating a resistor tuner. Not sure why if the "benefits are not permanent and adapted out over time" the inventor of the device you're selling would also recommend a resistor tuner. The thread is long so I didn't read every post but please show the evidence of your claim that the system adapts out the benefits of a resistor tuner. I'm not saying the device you're selling doesn't work very well, but much cheaper, easier to install and time tested alternatives exist.

[Scriber]

Mike, that advrider thread is geek heaven. I look forward to seeing the final product.

Yes, Roger is a very interesting and detail oriented guy. There is a coment in there somewhere where he compares the role of a thermometer with a thermistat. The air temp foolers being the thermometer and the XiED (and O2 sensor) being the thermostat. Basically you can change the temp the thermometer sees but nothing will happen until you reset the thermostat which is in effect what the XiED devices do.
Mike

In addition to the concerns Barry raises, I have a question/concern. What happens if the device fails? My understanding of my review of the advrider thread is that the Xied has two units -- one for each cylinder. What happens if one side fails, or both sides fail during a ride? Does the bike simply revert to its original way of running, does it run somewhat rougher, a lot rougher, or not at all?

[badbs101]

I posted my question on the ADVrider thread. Hopefully Roger will answer it there.

http://advrider.com/forums/showthread.php?p=22394162

Barry

[Mike Figielski]

Hi Barry & Scriber,
If you read the whole ADV Rider post Roger is was learning and posting as he went and later on was able to determine through his data logging that the air temp foolers were indeed being adapted out. He does say that the air temp foolers or a higher pressure fuel regulator will speed up the adaptation process for the AF Xied initially but that in the long run their benefits are adapted out. I have emailed him and asked him to reply here and on ADV rider as he has the best understanding of all of this and can answer your questions better than I can.
Mike