turning a roadster into a RT

[jimbolla]

Is it worth it ? I've added full size hard case's, a nice leather saddle, lowered the rear pegs and added a back rest for the wife, now, should I take the plunge and get a windshield and tank wings, and perhaps hand guards ? If so, should I go with Aeroflow, C-Bailey, or Parrabellum. Am I wasting my time to try to get the weather protection of a RT or should I just pick up a high milage LT for the occational long trip next summer. I don't want to trade, as my ride, a 05 ferro blue roadster, is a great all round bike that does well on dirt back roads, it just lacks the weather protection and comfort of the RT and or LT. The light weight and easy handling would be missed on a touring bike.Oh do the tank wings really make a difference ? HELP
JIM

[Xdot]

I can't answer all of your questions. Seems like the R vs RT vs LT is a matter of taste as much as anything else. Oh, and money of course. But I can speak to the TankWings. I have them on my bike along with a 21" Parabellum Super Tour windshield and can say that they make ALL the difference. With my combo and the addition of the AeroFlow leg/foot protectors I think you'd have an RT. I love the SuperTour wind screen for cold weather and plan to take it off next spring when it warms up. Almost like having two bikes for the price of one.

I hear the AeroFlow windshield is the best but it is also the biggest. I get about the same level of protection with my SuperTour and IMHO it is less obtrusive to the lines of the bike - which granted, looks better with no windshield, tanks wings, etc. Here are some pics of my bike with my setup --> http://s390.photobucket.com/albums/oo34 ... 0R%202002/

John

[jcridge]

Jim,
Welcome to the world of the R1150R rider, we want a Swiss Army Knife, and the 1150R is a great platform from which to do this with...to a point. You my friend are at that point, and now need to make the decision that many have made. The simple answer is; get an RT for two-up touring and keep the roadster for solo touring and everything else.
You will not doubt hear from most everyone here who rides allot, one bike can not do everything well ( the 1150R comes very close), but 2 bikes may get you there. Unless the off-road / road less taken bug finds you...

Cheers,'

John

[cswett]

I have a 2004 ferro blue R with Aeroflow touring windshield and tank wings. Great protection, and a bit quieter, and though it alters the naked bike look, I don't really care. I've never ridden the RT, but I'm short and it would be too much of a load for me. I had a Cee Bailey shield and no wings before, and this is much better for me. Aeroflow is expensive, but once I swallowed hard and pulled the trigger, it was worth it.
If you are interested in the Aeroflow screen, as of this summer, I think they had fewer then 10 mounting brackets left for the 1150 R and said they were not going to have any others fabricated after their current stock sold out.

[Xdot]

Great protection, and a bit quieter, and though it alters the naked bike look, I don't really care.

[peterbulgar]

Jim - My own '04 R1150RA has 97k miles on it. Those miles include three trips to Alaska, three cross-country trips, and a two-up week long camping trip with my daughter on the back. The short AK trip was two-up with my son. I have BMW heated grips, and a Sargent passenger seat. I also have the BMW touring screen and a shorter CEE Bailey sport screen that I used on the lower 48 summer trips. It works for me, but it's not an RT. On the second AK trip I was with a friend, who rides an RT. When we stopped after an hour in heavy, cold rain he swapped his light gloves for heavier rain gloves and put on his electric vest. He was dry and warm, I was cold and wet in places where water found its way in. The RT also has a larger tank - there were times when he could make it to the next town and I had to gas up before I really wanted to.

Many riders have complained about buffetting behind the BMW touring screen, but I don't have a problem. The shorter sport screen provides most of the benefit, looks better, and is probably cooler in very hot weather. Until I got my R I'd always owned naked bikes (well, my R90/6 had an "S" fairing, but that hardly counts). From now on I'll always have some kind of screen or fairing on my main bike.

Like you I have the BMW panniers and a back rest. No doubt the RT is a better pure touring platform, and the 1200RT isn't all that much heavier than your 1150R, but you already have the R. Adding a screen and the hand guards is a lot cheaper than a new bike. In fact I may add hand guards before my next long trip. If you think you'll do a lot of riding in cold and wet conditions, maybe you want the RT, but I've found the R to be fine for my needs.
Peter '73 R75/5, '04 R1150RA, '06 Kawasaki

[dechaoz05]

hi guys. i do not mean to hijack the thread. but cud u gimme some pointers to where i can buy the hanguards for my r?

thx
dean

[jimbolla]

OK
I'm going to keep my bike and fair it up. maintaining 2 bikes is a pain. now the choice seems to be Aeroflow or Parabellum. which one ? I think the tank wings and perhaps leg guards would be nice. Life was easier when i just had a R75/5. I still have the old bike and owned it since new. I'll keep that one naked.thanks all for responding. jim

[BMWEW1]

In my experience, adding GS handguards for more cold protection won't do much, maybe adds 5-10 min delay before your hands are just has cold without them. They however, do extend rain protection in a light/mild rain I'd say for a good 30 min more.