R1150R Handling Improvement?

hirschg · Post by **hirschg** » Sun Oct 07, 2007 4:16 pm

I just got to test ride a R1200R at my local BMW dealer's open house over the weekend what a sweet ride that R1200R is I didn't want to get off I really like the way it handles over my R1150R my bike now seems like the front end is so heavy yea I know the 1200 is lighter and has other improvements and I still like my R1150R and can't justify the cost of a new bike but how can I get my R1150R to handle better and more like the R1200R if possible
any imput would be welcome.............Jerry

Post by **DJ Downunder** » Sun Oct 07, 2007 5:37 pm

It may be just a tire pressure or tire wear difference between the two bikes.

The moment you put new tires on our bikes they feel very different..and remember these demo test ride bikes usually have new tires on them.

When I test rode the KTM Superduke it felt so light and handled so good...When I got back on my RR it felt so slow and heavy..but like an old cumfee shoe..

I think about all you can do to our bike (besides new tires) is new shocks..They should make our bike feel lighter and a bit better.

DJ

Post by **boxermania** » Sun Oct 07, 2007 6:26 pm

hirschg

Two things to consider before I answer..... The R1200R is a new bike, everything nice and tight and is also ~ 60 pounds lighter than your R1150R.

A set of Ohlins, Bitubo or any of the other quality shocks at ~ $1500 a set will make a significant diference in the ride. Take some pounds off, off the bike I mean, and that will improve the ride too.

Lastly you can also get a new R1220R, of course the investment with your trade would be in the neighborhood of 10K.......

Post by **wncbmw** » Sun Oct 07, 2007 9:36 pm

As Boxermania says - new shocks would be the first place to start. If your stock shocks have 25K or so on them, you would probably feel the difference immediately!

Post by **CycleRob** » Sun Oct 07, 2007 11:40 pm

hirschg,

Cutting your caffeine intake in half will allow you to slow down enough to realize a few periods are necessary in your long paragraphs. After reading it non stop I was left gasping for air.

About your bike - - - - crank the rear spring preload adjuster all the way clockwise to the stop, inflate the tires tp 38F and 40R. Then ride the bike again. You'll be amazed - - - - unless you have worn out center tread tires and too much air (oil loss) in the preload adjuster system.

Post by **taosports** » Sun Oct 07, 2007 11:52 pm

The periods were all there CycleRob - just a bit misplaced between welcome and Jerry.

hirsty · Post by **hirsty** » Mon Oct 08, 2007 6:02 am

How many miles on the '03? As said above;

- new tires, correct pressures
- replacement shocks if reasonable mileage accrued
- weight loss programme for bike & yourself if appropriate
- take the screen off, it'll feel faster

Quickest wins I got with mine were;
- removing panniers when empty
- removing the catalytic converter & end can (replaced with Remus Y-pipe & end can from eBay - same as Rockster & 1150GS)
- turning up the preload on the rear shock to two-clicks back from highest setting.

Just removing the end can will save a lot of weight for little more noise if you want to keep the cat - it's a five minute job. Do a forum search on that one, there's loads of info.

Ves · Post by **Ves** » Mon Oct 08, 2007 7:20 am

http://r1150r.org/board/viewtopic.php?t=5790

hirschg · Post by **hirschg** » Mon Oct 08, 2007 8:48 am

I'll check the tire pressures, and the shock adjustments and see how that goes. I have only 4700 miles on the bike. I wasn't complaining about how my bike handled. I was just so impressed with the lightness, and handling of the 1200 I was curious about how to improve the 1150's handling. Thanks for the imput on the handling question ..............Jerry

priapismic · Post by **priapismic** » Mon Oct 08, 2007 10:33 am

Put a set of Maxxis SuperMaxx tires on there. If you can't do a set, at least get a front. You will simply be amazed at the difference it will make in your bike's handling. I kid you not, those tires are like greased lightning, the bike will feel so much lighter and responsive. They wear better than any tires I've used, too.

Capt. Blackadder · Post by **Capt. Blackadder** » Mon Oct 08, 2007 12:14 pm

Suggested suspension settings from SportRider.com. Their settings, plus tire pressures at 38F / 40R in my Z6s, simply transformed my bike.

geothepencil · Post by **geothepencil** » Mon Oct 08, 2007 2:11 pm

Thanks for the susp setting reference Cap'n.

geo

Post by **Robert_winter_1000** » Tue Oct 09, 2007 3:33 pm

Hello all,

Well, I just let my R1150R 02 with 36K KM be checked by the dealer. According to me the bike is driving well but why notÃ¢â‚¬Â¦I know the people and I trust them. After checking the bike I got the same result that the bike is driving very good. Still they say there is a possibility for handling improvement by changing the stock springs with what so called (progressive springs).

Anyone knows more about this subject

Regards
Robert

fj_pastor · Post by **fj_pastor** » Tue Oct 09, 2007 3:57 pm

Just a simple tip for improving the handlng:

Turn the handlebars front-wise.
It just takes to unscrew 4 screws and test.

I made this adjustment 3 months ago and the
handling has completely changed - for good.

Has anybody also tried this ???

Post by **DJ Downunder** » Tue Oct 09, 2007 5:34 pm

Turn the handlebars front-wise.
It just takes to unscrew 4 screws and test.

If you mean rotate the bars forward...That's what I have done also.

I find it makes a big difference when getting your weight more forward when going into a corner.

Most others here are doing the opposite and rotating their bars back..for a more sit-up position...I hate that.

DJ

Post by **OU812** » Tue Oct 09, 2007 5:47 pm

DJ Downunder wrote:
Turn the handlebars front-wise.
It just takes to unscrew 4 screws and test.
If you mean rotate the bars forward...That's what I have done also.

I find it makes a big difference when getting your weight more forward when going into a corner.

Most others here are doing the opposite and rotating their bars back..for a more sit-up position...I hate that.

DJ

I have done that, and I hope you don't hate me also.

Post by **wncbmw** » Tue Oct 09, 2007 7:11 pm

Robert_winter-1000 (you need to explain that screen name!

)

After I converted KM to miles, you are near the point where many people feel the stock BMW shock begins to fade. Others on the board have gone much further without a problem. Most probably related to riding style, whether you notice it or not.

I changed mine out at about 25K miles (about 40K km) because while riding hard trying to keep up with my Ducati friends, I noticed some 'squirm' in the rear while leaned over at speed and hitting pavement bumps. Lost the confidence I used to have in the handling. New Ohlin in the rear gave me the confidence back!

And DJ, I may try rotating the bars forward! I would like a more forward position and have thought of trying the Wunderlich Sportego bars for that reason. I would love to set it up like an old R90S! Perfect riding position for me!

Post by **ruddy** » Thu Oct 11, 2007 1:44 am

DJ Downunder wrote:
Turn the handlebars front-wise.
It just takes to unscrew 4 screws and test.
If you mean rotate the bars forward...That's what I have done also.

I find it makes a big difference when getting your weight more forward when going into a corner.

Most others here are doing the opposite and rotating their bars back..for a more sit-up position...I hate that.

DJ

DJ, I totally agree about rotating the bars forward a bit--and not just for handling. Last summer I rode two back-to-back 650 mile days without any saddle problems. The seat is the BMW tall version. Last Spring, I rotated the bars a little to the rear to get a better lever position. What a mistake!

This summer I was squirming on the seat after 20-30 miles.

I can't believe what a difference it makes. Apparently reaching forward makes the seat more comfortable. I guess it's because you don't have so much of your weight on your tail bone.

In any event, I'm rotating the bars forward again, and I'll loosen the lever assemblies to adjust the lever position.

fj_pastor · Post by **fj_pastor** » Thu Oct 11, 2007 3:01 pm

Hello All !!

Special question to downunder:

I think you use (as me) a Schuberth J1.
I think you changed (as me) to the small G650 fairing

This is the question:

I use the small visor on the Schuberth and the air entering
behind the visor into my eyes is really irritating (most of
the time crying).

Do you have any tip for it ????

BTW I have tested also the "small" BMW original fairing in any position
possible and have arrived to the conclusion that the problem comes
from the helmet, because even with no fairing I have the same air
passing in front of my eyes.

I have blocked the inner holes of the helmet, and put some duct tape
on the sunvisor, having reduced the airflow into the eyes, but not
enough to feel comfortabel.

Best regards, and I wait for your proposal .. ???

Post by **Robert_winter_1000** » Thu Oct 11, 2007 4:18 pm

Hello all,
Does anyone know the effect of the bar-backs/risers on the handling of the bike? I installed one from Wunderlich but to be honest,I donÃ¢â‚¬â„¢t see the difference.
Regards
Robert