Advice on '11 R1200R

[rabbibgr]

Will be purchasing a "11 R1200R this week. I plan to use it for 200-300 mile day trips and some cross country trips. For reference, I have been doing this type of riding on my V-Strom 650. My questions relate to seat and windshield. The stock low seat felt good, but I'm not sure for long distances. I am considering a Parabellum scout because I love the way it looks. My major concern is to eliminate buffeting. Am I on the right track? I also will be using bar backs as I am 5'8 with a 29" inseam.

[rockbottom]

There are a number of very long threads here on both shields and seats. You might want to take a look at them first.

[AncientMariner]

Initially, I thought I would need barbacks. I'm 5'8" with a 29" inseam and correspondingly short arms. Once I got used to the bike I found no need for barbacks.

+1 on what Rockbottom said about searching out the threads on seats and windshields - they're what we talk about.

Bruce

[angellr]

Initially, I thought I would need barbacks. I'm 5'8" with a 29" inseam and correspondingly short arms. Once I got used to the bike I found no need for barbacks.

+1 on what Rockbottom said about searching out the threads on seats and windshields - they're what we talk about.

Bruce

I am also 5'8" with a 29" inseam with short arms (plus lots of girth - hence being a ShortFatBaldUgly tech guy ) and like my barbacks. You could try it out and if you feel you need them, its always an option. To be honest, have not ridden my bike without them.

+2 on seats/windshield. You might need an Airhawk http://www.advrider.com/forums/showthread.php?t=392475 or some other seat pad. I can purchase a gel-type pad locally for $75, but not sure this is the answer (believe the air-filled might be way to go ...)

Good luck on your new ride, they are truly a wonderful machine!!

[Catchina]

I just have 500 miles on mine, still breaking her in and haven't done extended riding yet but so far the seat is comfortable. I will also be looking around for windshield threads, I want to have an alternative to the sport windshield for long road trips.

[ka5ysy]

You have discovered the main two things that generate a lot of talk here ! Screens and seats are a very, very subjective thing, and most of us have been through a number of iterations of each item.

My whole thread about my adventures with my 07 RR is here, with screen and seat stuff plus other farkles.

http://www.dualsportridersoflouisiana.c ... ght=r1200r

You are going to love this machine ! Recently Judy and I jumped on ours and took a 350 mile ride for a shrimp salad ! That kind of run is nothing on this bike.

[rabbibgr]

Can't wait to get it.

[snag]

As the guys said, there's lots of threads on seats and windshields. Get a big cup of coffee/ tea before you dive in, you'll need it. I've not opted for a custom saddle yet as I'm not sure I want the Lazyboy look when the bags are off and the sport screen is on. I use an Airhawk (air cushion) for longer trips and find that works well for me. Each butt is different and requires it's own special brand of coddleing, the best part is that it will take many, many miles to figure out what works best for you. Enjoy your new 12R.

Doug

[Sander Abernathy]

Will be purchasing a "11 R1200R this week. I plan to use it for 200-300 mile day trips and some cross country trips. For reference, I have been doing this type of riding on my V-Strom 650. My questions relate to seat and windshield. The stock low seat felt good, but I'm not sure for long distances. I am considering a Parabellum scout because I love the way it looks. My major concern is to eliminate buffeting. Am I on the right track? I also will be using bar backs as I am 5'8 with a 29" inseam.

I'm between 5'8" and 5'9" with an inseam between 31" and 32". I previously had an 09 with a stock seat and recently replaced it with a 2011.

I found the stock seat on the 09 unbearable for more than 90 minues. A lot of other people did also and that's why there used to be a lot of discussion on this board of solutions to the problem of the seat. A solution to the problem of the stock seat was once inconvenient and perilous because most solutions involve sending the OEM seat to a seat fabricator who would then recover it and return it. Motorcycle seats recovering for the R1200R is a cottage industry and on a relatively low volume bike such as the R12R you are buying a pig in a poke when you send your seat off to be recovered. First you were without a bike for a while and second you couldn't be certain what you would get back since you generally couldn't see and compare seats offered by different vendors before making a decision. The uncertainty led to a lot of discussion of the topic as people talked about the problem because we wouldn't pull the trigger on a solution.

It's my impression and I could be wrong that the discussions about the seat have dropped by half or more. Why? BMW introduced a "comfort saddle" last summer which is actually pretty comfortable. I think a lot who were on the fence about which seat fabricator to choose to rework their stock seat just bought the OEM comfort saddle for about $550 and now there's not much to talk about.

I recently bought a 2011 and the comfort saddle was installed on the bike when I bought it. I don't think I've ever seen the "sticker" for my new bike with the options listed but when the dealer read the options off to me he didn't include the comfort saddle on the list of options. It wouldn't surprise me one bit if the comfort saddle is now the stock saddle although the 2011 on the BMW website has the old stock saddle and not the comfort saddle installed.

The first thing I checked when I saw the new bike in the showroom was that the comfort saddle was installed. There was no way on earth I was going to take delivery of the new bike without the comfort saddle so I could pay $550 for the only decent saddle BMW makes for the bike. I would have taken delivery of the new bike with no saddle and an understanding that a comfort saddle was on its way to me at no additional charge. I would have taken my old stock saddle out of the closet to install on the new bike so I could ride until the comfort saddle arrived.

So when you say the bike includes the "low stock seat" I wonder what that means. It might mean the stock seat that was the only option before the comfort saddle and it might mean the stock seat today which might be the comfort saddle. I bet you didn't realize that the words "stock seat" were so ambiguous. How do you tell the difference between the comfot saddle and its predecessor, the seat of torture? I can think of four ways.

The passenger grab strap - The old stock saddle had the grab strap while the comfort saddle does not have a grab strap. This the the distinguishing characteristic you can pick out from 25 feet.
The part number which you will probably need for another purpose I will discuss shortly.
The finish on the vinyl - The comfort saddle has a leather-look, pebble grain finish while the old stock saddle has a sort of woven finish. The best way I can describe the woven finish is that it is like someone took some smooth vinyl and heated it just a bit until it was soft and then pressed a very fine nylon net into the surface of the vinyl. The seat has a raised grid pattern with squares about 2mm to 4mm in size as I recall but I could be off.
Ride it - If the seat is bearable after 2 hours, it's pretty unlikely that it is the old stock saddle.
Divots - The old stock saddle had little wedges cut out of the sides where the riders thighs hit the seat.

If I showed anyone at my dealership a stock saddle or a comfort saddle I would be surprised if they could tell me which one it was by sight. For that reason, I would take the seat off, check the part number and determine which one it really is. Not to distinguish between stock and comfort, the passenger grab strap will tell you that, but to determine seat height.

Seat height - The old stock saddle came in three heights and the normal height was 800 mm as I recall while the low was 30mm shorter and the tall was 30mm or 35mm taller. The comfort saddle comes in two heights. The stated height of the low comfort saddle as I recall is also 800 mm. The normal 800mm stock saddle was fine for me so I ordered the 800mm low comfort saddle which has the same stated seat height. I immediately returned the low comfort saddle because it felt too low when I was on the bike. I think the heights are both 800mm as advertised but I think the 800mm comfort saddle had more padding or other differences that caused the seat to compress to a lower height than the stock seat of the same measured height.

I have no aversion to tip-toeing the bike and no real desire to be flat-footed. The bike holds my weight, my toes are enough to keep me balanced so why flat foot? I have a longer inseam than you so a seat that is the right height for me may be too tall for you.

Bar backs are a fairly common modification discussed here but I've never wanted them. On the contrary, I often wish for rear sets with lower bars farther forward. I'm just worried about the tank interfering with the bars. Since we are practically the same height and I have a longer inseam you probably have a longer torso so I would think the position of the bars would be fine for you since it would be less of a stretch. However, it's a matter of comfort and personal preference so only you can make that decision.

Windshields - Never had one on my 09 and thought about getting a parabellum scout or a wunderlich trophy and never got around to it. I'm not sure but I think you can order the trophy in body colors but you must have the scout painted. Also, the scout may be intended for multiple bikes but can be fitted to the R1200R whereas the trophy is r12r specific. Of course any aftermarket products currently available and designed specifically for the R1200R were designed for the pre-2011 R1200R. It's the same bike but there are quite a few differences in the parts involved including new guages and various things around the front headlight. Don't be surprised if issues arise as a result.

I'm not a windshield fan and based on the discussions here, more people complain about the problems induced by windshields than the problems caused by not having them. My 2011 came with the sport shield which is about as big a windshield as I want. It increases the wind noise versus going naked. I took it off and sent it to be painted the same color as the bike. Riding 300 miles without the protection of a windscreen hasn't been a problem for me and I will never want for a windscreen if I never try one so I'm going to avoid such temptations.

Off topic and overheard recently at a dingle party for avid discussion board followers and contributors:

New member: Some weather we're having?
Long-tme members 1 through 484: We've covered that. Check the minutes of our previous meetings.

Nonetheless, there's an encyclopedia of discussion on seats and bar backs if you care to search and read it all.

[rabbibgr]

Thanks for taking the time to educate me about the various seats. The one I sat on fits your description of the low comfort. There is also a 2010 on the dealers floor and the difference in seats is readily apparent, even though both are the same height.
I have been riding with a fairing or windshield for years and have come to enjoy the protection. The reports on the forum regarding the Scout have been very positive, and I really like the way it looks. I will hold off on the barbacks till I have ridden it a while. Thanks again for your input

[Don C]

I've been looking at the parts lists for the 2011, it seems that the screens for the 11 are the same parts as used on the 07-10 bikes, while the brackets are different. It is clear that the tilt modifications discussed elsewhere in this forum are not going to work at all on the new model. The blocks just won't fit, and there's no hook to hold the lower loop now.
It does appear that the tilt will pretty easy to change, a simple square of sheet metal drilled with four holes would probably do the trick. But with the new gauge cluster moving out of the way, the new screen brackets will probably already have more tilt, hopefully making the modifications unnecessary. Some lucky rider will have to be first to try the new parts and let the rest of us know how well they work.

[Dr. Strangelove]

Recently Judy and I jumped on ours and took a 350 mile ride for a shrimp salad !

really. where'd you go? Had a good one last night at Mandina's.
sorry for the hijack, but the man said shrimp salad.

John

[Sander Abernathy]

I agree with you on the looks of the Scout. It definitely has the look I would go for and the advantage of the Scout over the Trophy is the choice of screen heights. With a short screen the only option, I imagine the Trophy only provides real protection when the rider crouches behind it.

I'm fairly certain the area where the bars are mounted to the top/triple clamp has changed on the '11. That makes me wonder if the aftermarket barbacks are going to fit or if you will have to wait for someone to offer a 2011 specific solution. My bet is you'll decide you don't really need them.

Enjoy the new bike. The first three weeks and 1600 miles on mine have been a pleasure...and only one speeding ticket so far.

[rabbibgr]

I spoke to Parabellum and they do not yet have brackets for the 2011. I guess I will have to make sure that any farkels I order will fit the "11. Twisted Throttle says that the crash guard and saddlebag mounts will be OK.

[rockbottom]

Thanks for taking the time to educate me about the various seats. The one I sat on fits your description of the low comfort. There is also a 2010 on the dealers floor and the difference in seats is readily apparent, even though both are the same height.

The low comfort seat is the same height as the regular pre-2011 discomfort seat. My dealer just got an '11 and it also has the comfort seat that I paid $550 to put on my 2010. That's annoying.

[jkhomes]

After a thorough perusing of this board I decided not to go with the Parabellum Scout, although I too like the look. Very happy with my Cal Sci windscreen and Don C block. Will get through this riding season before I ship my seat off to Sargent for the mod.

[rockbottom]

The passenger grab strap - The old stock saddle had the grab strap while the comfort saddle does not have a grab strap.

My comfort saddle does.