Question from a BMW dreamer

EasyE · Post by **EasyE** » Sun Aug 19, 2007 7:16 pm

I am still in the dreaming stage but had a question.

Has anyone seen a Dark Ferro blue with the Rockster headlight?

I love the Rockster headlight but also really like the Dark Ferro, wouldn't that be a cool combo?

Post by **DJ Downunder** » Sun Aug 19, 2007 7:23 pm

No.

I think the dark ferro blue is a Roadster color only.

The Rockster only came in green,orange,white (ed80) and I once saw a pic of a silver/grey Rockster..I think that's about it.

You could always just paint one any color you like..

DJ

Post by **Biff's R** » Sun Aug 19, 2007 8:25 pm

I bet that you could switch out the headlights, but it may also require switching the instruments out too.

EasyE · Post by **EasyE** » Sun Aug 19, 2007 10:03 pm

thanks guys. i dig the funk of the Rockster, but from what i seem to be reading, the Roadster might be a better long-term, sport, touring, commuter. I like the Ferro and think the Rockster headlight and instruments would look cool.

Of course, everytime I see pretty much any R1150R I salivate. I just need to get rid of my Boulevard M50 and find the best deal.

anyone ever go from a Rockster to a Roadster or vice versa? and why?

EasyE · Post by **EasyE** » Sun Aug 19, 2007 10:06 pm

thanks guys. i dig the funk of the Rockster, but from what i seem to be reading, the Roadster might be a better long-term, sport, touring, commuter. I like the Ferro and think the Rockster headlight and instruments would look cool.

Of course, everytime I see pretty much any R1150R I salivate. I just need to get rid of my Boulevard M50 and find the best deal.

anyone ever go from a Rockster to a Roadster or vice versa? and why?

Post by **iowabeakster** » Sun Aug 19, 2007 10:25 pm

he he he, i am not the only one who did this!

BoiseBeemer · Post by **BoiseBeemer** » Mon Aug 20, 2007 3:45 am

EasyE wrote:thanks guys. i dig the funk of the Rockster, but from what i seem to be reading, the Roadster might be a better long-term, sport, touring, commuter. I like the Ferro and think the Rockster headlight and instruments would look cool. (snip)

anyone ever go from a Rockster to a Roadster or vice versa? and why?

The Rockster was designed to be "edgy" with its matte-black paint and asymmetrical instrumentation and dual headlights, in order to make it irresistible to a more youthful demographic, which, for the most part, largely ignored it and continued to buy Japanese.

Although things like the Telelever, prominent oil coolers, and the beloved Beak are visual idiosyncrasies that distinguish the Roadster from its other-marque competitors, it clearly was built to motor in the traditional BMW design idiom, with classic, (more or less) symmetrical instruments, single round headlight, and deep, single-color paint schemes (although there have been some forays into serendipity with the yellow jacket and ferro blue themes).

I have both a Rockster and a Roadster. The visual differences are more gimmick than substance, and, despite the Rockster's wider rear tire, R-S suspension bits, and a bit more stretched-out ergonomics, mechanically they're basically the same machine. The bar is flatter for a bit more feel on the front suspension, but it's way too wide for comfort, so we simply swapped it out for a Roadster bar. And, since I promptly installed a Sergeant seat on the Roadster, my shorter wife uses my stock Roadster seat on the Rockster to get her a little closer to the road at stops. So what she really has is a Roadster with funky paint, digital clocks, and dingle headlights (which aren't, btw, particularly useful for night-time illumination).

In the long run, the feeble attempt at creating a "hot" bike out of the parts bin was judged accurately by the market. I really like the looks of the Rockster, but frankly it's the Roadster's more classic bits that will still look contemporary 20 years from now when the Rockster's "edge" looks like a midnight run at a fashion statement.

It's all relative, of course. With the Beak, the Telelever, and the signature twin jugs, the Roadster will never be mistaken for a Honda. If it lasts 20 years on the road, everything deserves to be called a Classic.

riceburner · Post by **riceburner** » Mon Aug 20, 2007 7:05 am

Biff's R wrote:I bet that you could switch out the headlights, but it may also require switching the instruments out too.

And the top yoke.

EasyE · Post by **EasyE** » Mon Aug 20, 2007 9:01 am

BoiseBeemer - Thanks for the detailed and insightful reply!! I appreciate your time and thoughts!

so, maybe I'll go with the Roadster, hmmmm, in Piedmont Red or Ferro Blue, or silver or ...

As I approach the big 4-0, I guess I'm not quite the demographic, but I like to think I'm younger and more hip and funky!

btw-sorry for the multiple posts

jbuzbee · Post by **jbuzbee** » Mon Aug 20, 2007 10:03 am

http://www.r1150r.org/board/viewtopic.php?t=11021

Post by **DJ Downunder** » Mon Aug 20, 2007 1:59 pm

Nice.

DJ

EasyE · Post by **EasyE** » Mon Aug 20, 2007 4:18 pm

DJ, very nice! is that a Roadster with the Rock lights and blacked out pipes? Or a repainted Rockster?

Eitehr way it looks smokin'!!! that's what i'm talking about.

Post by **iowabeakster** » Mon Aug 20, 2007 4:42 pm

here is mine, 04 ferro, with small cosmetic changes.