Lowered chassis

[ron prior]

I read that there is a lowered chassis model R1200R? How much lower is it? than a standard.
Anybody know?, or have I been told wrong?

Ron

[sky_sailor]

There are lowered ones. Factory option. No extra charge. Pretty popular option in the GS, but I did sit on an R1200R with the lowered chassis. I'm 5'6" with a 30" inseam. I found it to be too low. Felt like I was sitting "in" the bike, rather than "on" it. The standard with a low seat works for me. Matter of fact, I rented a GS in Feb in AZ, with the low seat. Even that worked for me. Some say it effects suspension travel. By how much, I don't know. Advice I was given is, go with the regular one if you can.
Lyle

[Clem]

2012 BMW R1200R Review
http://www.totalmotorcycle.com...


2012 BMW R1200R review, photos, features, price and specifications. ... (770 mm), (standard) comfort seat: 31.5 inches (800 mm),
high seat: 32.7 inches (830 mm), high comfort seat: 32.7 inches (830 mm),
lowered suspension: 29.5 inches (750 mm) ...


Looks like about two inches lower, if this review is accurate.
My dealer told me that the ESA option was NOT available with the factory lowered suspension bikes.

[AncientMariner]

My first R1200 R was a standard chassis with a low seat. It was very comfortable and not an unreasonable reach for my 29" inseam.

After I crashed that one, I tried a lowered chassis which I still have. It's only about 0.75 inches closer to the ground but it makes it much easier for me to flat foot at a stop, and to horse it around parking lots and such.

However the reduced travel really compromises the ride quality. When the time comes for new shocks, I plan to replace with the regular size ones. This may cause some issues with the side stand and center stand, but it willl be worth it. I will have to go back to reaching for the ground when I stop.

Couple other points: someone on here discovered that the low seat on the standard bike was not the same as the low seat on the lowered bike. I believe that to be correct as my old seat was way more comfortable than the new one.

Also, I installed a Suburban Machinery foot peg lowering kit which helps with the cramping of aging knees. The lowering has not caused an issue of grinding the footpegs.

Bruce

[Clem]

Thanks Bruce for yet another good post !
Your first-hand experience is priceless.
My good intentions didn't help Ron much.
See Ron, as is often the case, magazine review writers info. is not as accurate as hoped for,
That's why this Message Board is so great!

[deilenberger]

My first R1200 R was a standard chassis with a low seat. It was very comfortable and not an unreasonable reach for my 29" inseam.

After I crashed that one, I tried a lowered chassis which I still have. It's only about 0.75 inches closer to the ground but it makes it much easier for me to flat foot at a stop, and to horse it around parking lots and such.

However the reduced travel really compromises the ride quality. When the time comes for new shocks, I plan to replace with the regular size ones. This may cause some issues with the side stand and center stand, but it willl be worth it. I will have to go back to reaching for the ground when I stop.

Bruce,

Talk to me before you go back to standard length shocks.. you CAN keep the full suspension travel, but you have to work with a shock vendor who can think outside the box and knows what they're doing (I have a recommendation for you..) I lowered mine the same as the factory did - and still have full travel front and rear.

[AncientMariner]

Don,

Thanks for the reminder. I will keep that in mind.

Bruce

[cgl]

I'm only about 5' 3", inseam of about 28". My bike is standard configuration with seat height of 800mm. I use it for commuting almost every day. I think it just takes a matter of getting used to it. But your riding condition may differ.

I had a Harley for a year, only recent bike that I can flat foot. But I dropped it!

[crewzzn88]

I had my 08 lowered 3/4". The Beemer Shop in Scotts Valley did it with special ordered Wilbert Shock. Rough ride over bumps and dips, doesnt have the clearence around turns ( watch your toes). Trade offs, felt safer at stop lites, stops, parking the bike, moving the bike backwards while sitting on it. Im happy with the mod! Also, im using a low seat and Sargent seat. Im still getting use to the Sargent, bit tight around the family jewels.

[deilenberger]

I had my 08 lowered 3/4". The Beemer Shop in Scotts Valley did it with special ordered Wilbert Shock. Rough ride over bumps and dips, doesnt have the clearence around turns ( watch your toes). Trade offs, felt safer at stop lites, stops, parking the bike, moving the bike backwards while sitting on it. Im happy with the mod! Also, im using a low seat and Sargent seat. Im still getting use to the Sargent, bit tight around the family jewels.

Wonder what was really installed. The rough ride implies a shorter suspension travel range, the lack of clearance indicates exactly the opposite.

Almost every manufacturer of aftermarket shocks designs them so the minimum extension (fully compressed length) is identical to the stock shocks. If you're looking for a lower suspension, the difference - rather obviously - must come off the extended length (and specifically the dynamic-sag length.) They do this both so you don't lose ground clearance (can we say lawsuits?) and so that hard parts don't bang together at full compression on the bike.

That was how mine (Hyperpro) were initially. I worked with Klaus at EPM Performance to design shocks that kept the standard travel distance, after we determined that nothing would bang together at full compression if we did that. I was willing to live with the slight difference in ground clearance since I'm not Ricky-Racer and don't use near what I have anyway. I was able to improve the ride quality of the bike with the new shocks rather then make it worse.

Doing this change required using a different shock body (shorter) and removing the spacer the factory had installed in the shock to make it "shorter" (Wilbers uses the identical method, Klaus used to be the Wilber's importer for the US..) It's thinking outside the box a bit... but it's doable.

FWIW - Works Performance used to make a K bike series of shocks (for the classic early K's) that were shorter overall, and when I had those on my K100RT, I found that going over some undulating pavement resulted in large chirps from the back wheel as the tire came in contact with the inside of the rear fender. That got my attention pretty quickly. This isn't a problem with the R12R (even with an Illemberger hugger) with a 3/4" drop in suspension height. There is adequate clearance front and rear.

[OU812]

Something to think about.
This bolt is used in the R,GS,GSA and RT for the same year.
Broke right in the center of the shock mount. Found the bolt hanging out and thought it had backed out. Can't get the shock off with 1/2 the bolt still in there Any ideas?
The factory bolt is hardness 10.9.
Thanks in advance!
Stopped at my local Fastenal and picked up 18 non galvanized 12.9 SHC versions. It was $2+ $2 extra if you only want one and figured I could help those here that are out in the boonies.
http://i155.photobucket.com/albums/...2_o6/IMG160.jpg
If ya need one just PM me.
I talked to the service manager at my local Dealer and he stated that they now replace all lower bolts if they remove them for any reason.
Amazing!
Note: On the other forums there have been more then a few broken one's.
One rider stated he is tired of paying the dealer every time so he just rides with 1/2 the bolt holding the bike up.