handling

[barfpuke]

I just bought a used 2004 R1150R. I haven't ridden it much but to work and back about 30 miles round trip. Did this a few times so I've ridden it all of about 100 miles thus far. Commuting to work requires getting on the highway and there is usually traffic on the highway of course that sometimes slows to a crawl.

I have found that the bike does not track straight when going slow. It's fine traveling faster than a walking pace. I'm wondering if it's me or the bike. Is this normal for this machine? Is there some special technique I need to learn to ride this bike at a walking pace?

[peterbulgar]

What bike did you have before the R? The R is a fairly heavy bike with the weight rather high compared to, say, a cruiser. On the other hand the steering head angle is generous compared to the latest sportbikes, and the front end will feel quite different than something with a 24 degree steering head. The bike I sold when I got the R was a '76 R90/6 with narrow (24") bars, and my other bike is a '73 R75/5 with narrow bars and notched steering head bearings. Both are (were) more of a handful at very low speeds than the 80 pound heavier R.

The Telelever front end has a slightly different feel than telescopics, but I find my R to be very well balanced at low speeds, and my only problem is with the tall first gear that has me slipping the clutch at a crawling pace.

Where are you located? Maybe you could get together with someone on the list who could ride your bike and see if it feels right. What you are describing could be too-tight steering head bearings, but without comparing your bike to a similar bike it is hard to tell from a description.
peter '73 R75/5, '04 R1150RA (steady as she goes)

[barfpuke]

Thanks for your thoughts pete. I'm near New Haven, CT. Although I bought the bike used ( from a dealership ), it had less than 200 miles on it so essentially it is brand new. If the steering head bearings are too tight then I'd think it came that way from the factory. Previously I've ridden sport bikes. Yamaha R6 that I'm dedicating to track use. I'll talk to the people at the dealership when I go for the 600 mile check up. Maybe I'm just not used to the bike yet, but having to steer left and right so much to keep it balanced, even at slow speeds, that the bike weaves is unusual to me.

[GeoffJ]

You might try adjusting the seat height. This is a stretch, but it might give the bike a different feel at slow speeds.

[gel9001]

Most likely just have to get used to it. Remember the weight of the jugs are like outriggers and you really notice that weight on the outside of the machine when going slow. I find myself using the rear brake alot to trim the bike at slow speeds, it helps big time.
good luck,

Gene

[Airman]

I've spent a lot of time commuting and I can't understand what the problem is. Perhaps at walking speed ? That's matter of balance for me though, not directional stability. How fast are you going when this problem occurs ?

[Sunbeemer]

Perhaps you are being thrown off balance by the torque of the in-line crankshaft as you continually accelerate and decelerate at low speeds in traffic. This can be upsetting (pun intended) for riders who have never ridden an in-line machine... But after you accomodate to this unique characteristic, I think you'll really like the bikes other attributes.

BTW, this is my first posting here, but I've learned a lot by listening.

[KHaynes]

I'm not trying to be rude by saying that it's probably you that is unsteady. Every rider should practice low speed riding as part of their skill set.
For low speed riding, concentrate on getting your posture and your visual references right and the rest will be just a matter of practice. You should be planted firmly on the bike with your legs inwards against the bike. From the waist up, you should be quite relaxed with your head up and eyes looking at a distant object to serve as your visual horizon. Try to avoid looking down. Relax your arms and keep your steering inputs gentle and small. Start with straight line practice and then introduce some turns making sure that you look in the direction that you are turning. With practice, your steering inputs will become smaller and balancing the bike at low speed will take less and less concentration.
Do your low speed practice for about 10 minutes per day and you will feel a big improvement in a few weeks.

[duke]

Are the wheels out of line? It could have been crashed?!?

Also - how are the tires???

Try adding a bit of back brake if the bike gets funny. Helps a lot when crawling in traffic.

Keep both your feet on the pegs (if possible).

Cheers from traffic jammed London

[Jax]

*Are your tire pressures set correctly? (#1 cause of poor handling)
*Do you possibly have a bent wheel? (Previous owner could have hit a pothole)
*Tire out of round?
*Steering head bearings too tight? (I doubt it on such a newer bike)

[MartyWadd]

Is the road level?

[Just-Beeming]

Sorry for being direct but....

I gotta think that someone who chooses BARF PUKE as his/her 'handle' might have some confidence issues....

[Airman]

Just-Beeming,

How unkind. The poor guy/gal just leans over the side to... barf/puke and the bike wanders a little. That's probably all there is to it.
Now myself... I like to put a little better face on my online persona then that. Probably I should lighten up though, it could be a real problem of some sort.

[Just-Beeming]

Forgive me, I was not being charitable.

yes, It could be a real problem with a full face helmet



ooooh

[Paul Mihalka]

Telelever bikes don't have steering head bearings. They have ball joints that seem to last forever and don't have adjustment.

[budH]

"but having to steer left and right so much to keep it balanced, even at slow speeds, that the bike weaves is unusual to me."

You are correct. This is very unusual unless you are riding at what is essentially walking pace. Only time I've had to ride mine like that is at a Motorcycle Rodeo event where we had to do such things as: roll an empty keg with our front tires; slowest speed drag race, etc.

What's the story on this "used" 2004 R1150R with 200 miles on it? I'd be suspicious...

Welcome to the wonderful world of R1150R.org and congrats on your excellent choice in motorcycles! I hope you are able to get this sorted out soon.

[qfman]

Barfo -

A little tip I picked up from the police (who ride R/Ts in parades) is to bring the engine up to about 3000rpm and slip the clutch to arrive at friction point. Control your speed using the rear brake. The pistons slinging around inside the engines provide a stabilising effect similar to how a child's spinning top keeps itself upright.

Tom

http://members.optusnet.com.au/~lonergans/

[gel9001]

Tom,
Only problem with slipping the clutch is that you can wear it out like that and they are very expensive to replace. I find using alot of rear brake to be very helpful. Brake pads are only fifty bucks.

Gene

[fnfalman]

These R1150R bikes are rather heavy with the steering at low speed, so yes it's natural that way.

[jm1515]

Tom,
Only problem with slipping the clutch is that you can wear it out like that and they are very expensive to replace. I find using alot of rear brake to be very helpful. Brake pads are only fifty bucks.

Gene

Agreed, big time.
After reading a lot on BMWSportTouring, I've been practicing getting the clutch fully, smoothly engaged from takeoffs at no more than 1500rpm. The boxer has plenty of torque to do this, just requires a deft throttle hand....