First Post......so be gentle with me

[Moe De Lawn]

I'm a bit of a born again biker and for the last 8 years I have pottered around on a 600cc Suzuki Intruder; blissful in my ignorance of what a "proper" bike was like. A friend was selling his beloved BMW R1150R which he had looked after like a baby so I thought I would make the change and buy it. I was attracted to the quirkiness of the design as much as anything as I thought it looked the business. Two weeks in and I'm a very happy bunny; this bike has things I'm not used to.....like brakes, and when you accelerate something actually happens. It also also goes around corners (it kind of floats round) while the Suzuki just continued in a straight line.
However there always has to be something and that is the reason for my first post. I'm getting used to the indicator arrangement but I think the bloke who designed it should be shot. Why put the horn where every other bike puts the indicator cancel button? I'm getting better but I've looked a right Charley beeping me horn at all and sundry on left turns. The thing that I really do find difficult, and the thing that I need advice on, is the matter of riding the bike smoothly. I find the amount of torque / engine braking when the throttle is closed to be excessive and I have to have a VERY controlled right hand to ride it smoothly. However, during warm up when I'm on the fast idle setting of around 2000rpm it is so much easier to ride smoothly. I have fiddled with the choke lever with the bike warmed up and set the idle speed to about 1400rpm and I find this to be the best of both worlds. The manual says that it should be 1150rpm (where it is currently set by the dealer) so my question is will I do any harm by setting the tick over to 1400rpm and has any other owner done the same?

[Airman]

let me see if I have this right. You feel it's easier to maintain a smooth power delivery if the idle rpm is set at 1400 ? If I forget to turn off the high idle lever I get something of the same effect so I understand why you're doing it, but there are some possible down sides. One is overheating. It may be that you'll find the engine overheats in traffic when running at that rpm. I have seen the after effects of guys leaving the bike set with the "choke" lever up on high. That's closer to 2000 rpm though, so I'm not sure what 1400 would do. I would be very careful of your engine temps though.

[AndyRR]

+1 on the overheating. But you'll only have a problem if you are idling a lot in warmer weather.
I too found the transition from no throttle to just a little and back again to be jumpy (is throttle tip-off the correct term?). I don't have a solution, it just takes some getting used to.

BMW heard you and has abandoned the odd control layout on at least some of it's newer models.

[towerworker]

Firstly--welcome to this board and I hope you will continue to participate! The R is somewhat different in many respects from nearly every other bike on the road. The engine braking ability took me a bit to get used to at first but after a short time you will be fine and won't even think it different. I would not advise bumping the idle lever up and leaving it that way--as AndyRR and Airman have said you may have heating issues in warm weather. Plus the system is designed to operate that way and it's really just a matter of you becoming accustomed to it. On the switchgear---many don't like it and I understand the BMW is changing it but I personally have never found an issue with it. I have ridden both Japanese and American built bikes with all sorts of switch arrangements, my first bike was an old HD Sprint with the shift on the right and brake on the left and a horn you couldn't hear and lights you couldn't see but I managed to get used to it. The R is the same.

At any rate--welcome!

Wayne

[boxermania]

Moe De Lawn

Welcome, I'm sure you will enjoy the site.

Regarding the smoothness issue, first one needs to realize that we have two fairly large pistons opposing each other and that the ensuing momentum. Like it has bee mentioned, it takes a little whil eto get used to it.

That being said, try not closing the throttle all the way as you shift, yes it will take practice but you will be surprised how smooth the shift changes become....it will even put a smile on your face.

Good luck.

[Boxer]

Keep your idle at 1100....Try not to ride slow.

Welcome...Now go Moe de Lawn.

[wncbmw]

First off - welcome to the asylum , I mean the board!

2nd - the torque and engine braking is something you will get used to and come to like. For riding on twisty roads, torgue will be much more useful for real world riding than excessive horsepower.

As boxermania said, don't chop the throttle on shifts, just a blip when you engage the clutch and gentle pressure with your foot on the shifter before you shift. You'll figure it out. BMW never shift totally slick, at least not usually. Something you hear a lot around here 'They all do that!"

Actually, my favorites runs usually involve long stretches without using either the brake or clutch! That is where you will learn to like the torque and engine braking!

[iowabeakster]

Just to add some repitition to the guys before me. Keep your idle at 1100.

1. Just a very slight let off on the throttle
2. just a tiny bit of clutch
3. and have some pressure already applied to the foot shifter (pre-load it)

This motor likes to spin, and does not like low RPM's much. Don't be afraid to take it up to 5-6 thousand RPM while accelerating. You will be smooth and quick in no time. Well, maybe it'll be a week or two. And get the bike out on the open road...that is where it really shines.

The turn signals are funny. I hated this arrangment for the longest time. I've ridden a Kawasaki a couple of times this week, and now I honk the horn when signaling for a left turn on that bike.

Welcome... you sound like an island dweller. We have a number of regular members from the UK. Fill in your location in your profile and you might find some people nearby to meet up for rides or help with maintenance.

[Beaze]

I just did the catectomy and that has smoothed the engine and power delivery out exponentially. I also reset the motronic system prior to riding it this morning and it got better with every mile I put on. I haven't noticed any excessive heat on my left side case either and it was 90F today .

[snowprick]

Moe De Lawn,

Welcome to the forum. You will find we are an accommodating bunch.

Quirky turn signals, yes. You will get used to them, just ride lots.

Big twin, fuel injection, will be grabby off idle. Close throttle when parked. At all other times armfulls of throttle then it will be smooth but just be ready on the brakes. Ride it like you stole it, you'll see!

Enjoy

[snowprick]

And dont forget to wash and polish you new little baby

[Dr. Strangelove]

Yo, Moe
first, your nom de plume brings a smile

second, If you're idling at 2000, it's past time to switch the fast idle off--it's not a choke.

third, you will get used to the power delivery, you need to take a long ride on her.

and fourth, yes, they like to be flogged.

welcome to the board

John

[Moe De Lawn]

Thank you all for this input which is most useful as you are all of the same voice.............."Stop fannying around and give the girl some revs Moe and all will be well." This is the opposite of how I've been riding as I have obviously been upchanging too soon and relying on all that lovely torque. I will report back after the first opportunity I get to take a lonng run and try out the new style.

One more thing; I love the look of the bike..............with one exception. The pointy plastic front mudguard is, in my opinion, a style disaster and I would much prefer a more "traditional" one. Is such a thing available?

Moe

[Boxer]

Uh Oh! Moe dissed the "Beak"....

[NoRRmad]

Uh Oh!

The Beak is not a mudguard.
The mudguard is under The Beak.
The Beak is there to provide downforce on the front tire, so the bike doesn't do a multiple-backflip on power application!

[Airman]

Uh Oh! Moe dissed the "Beak"....

Blasphemy !

Well, maybe it's an acquired taste. The more conventional fender off the Rockster will work for you.

[bikermeow]

One more thing; I love the look of the bike..............with one exception. The pointy plastic front mudguard is, in my opinion, a style disaster and I would much prefer a more "traditional" one. Is such a thing available?
Moe

Time to stop being gentle with the new lad ..... How can you not love the wonderful beak?! It completes the bike so ....

[snowprick]

No more gentle! Now download this at once and use it as your desktop picture. We will know if you did not do it

[Moe De Lawn]

Moe is deeply ashamed..............I had no idea this was such a sore point ("Beak"..."Point"..geddit?)..........any offence caused is purely incidental. I did not even know it was called a "beak" which just goes to show how far down the pecking order this new owner is.

Moe

[Boxer]

Yeah Moe....That beak is kinda like a serious overbite on an otherwise beautiful lady. It may not add to her beauty, but it makes her what she is, and....well, I'll leave it at that.