Range of Motion & Oversized Rearview Mirrors

[Mister Moo]

I gave up the GL1800 in favor of a 2007 BMW R1200R after knee surgery; I don't miss the GoldWing or the extra 400-lbs that went with it, especially when I plant my feet on gravel or loose sand, etc.

Then, crap, 61 years old and a 4-level cervical fusion. Doc said my range of motion may be slightly compromised and (seriously) suggested I look for bigger rear view mirrors for my scoot. I'll be out of the neck brace, well-exercisede and riding again in March or April and, by then I'll have a better idea how well I can look over my shoulder. Until then I'm wondering about bigger-than-stock mirrors for the bike. Anyone adapted larger mirrors to an R1200%?

[deilenberger]

Not larger - but I've found the little 1.5" bulls-eye add-on mirrors help immensely for knowing what's going on beside you. I have mine mounted to the mirrors near the top of the mirror glass. That way I can adjust the remaining clear part of the mirror for normal side (and a bit of rear) view. The bulls-eye mirrors are a "no go" mirror. If I get a hint of anything in them, it's don't change my lane position.

With the gear I wear for winter riding, my range of motion for my head is likely limited about as yours will be due to the disk fusing. I feel somewhat lost when I don't have them now.

BTW - what I mean by "no-go" is - mirrors can only tell you to not do something. To be really safe - head turns are required. Problem is, as we age a tad, head turning becomes more difficult, and it takes longer, meaning we're not watching what's in front of us for a longer period of time. I use the bulls-eye mirrors a lot, but if there is any doubt at ALL - it's wait and sort it out. Moving my head left-right helps scan the side view mirrors side to side, often revealing things that might be hidden with a fixed head position.

In other words - I'm sure you'll figure it out. Don't do what I do - do what works for you. Bigger mirrors aren't necessarily the answer - using the ones you have better and extending their angle of view with add-on's may prove more helpful.

BTW - In Yurop - there are wide-angle mirrors sold as primary mirrors. For BMW cars these can be ordered from Yurop if you can find a dealer that is willing to ship to the US. There were also stick-on full mirror overlays that do the same thing available in the US, but I believe the manufacturer has gone out of business.

YMMV..

[websterize]

Anyone adapted larger mirrors to an R1200%?

Not larger, but wider. Check out this topic on the F800GS mirrors: viewtopic.php?f=20&t=20622&p=181652. Aprilia makes them. They're called Tuonos, and they're terrific.

[mogu83]

another option/opinion

I put a pair of K1200R mirrors on my bike and they do the trick for me. A little wider and an oval shape.
BUT - BMW part so their not cheap:

[Catchina]

I got these extenders and it made a big difference. Moves the mirrors an inch up, out and forward.

http://www.wunderlichamerica.com/motorc ... 6-447.html

[ka5ysy]

Best solution I have found are these stick-on wide angles, at $5 each in most car parts stores.
The rectangular versions do not have the distorted "fish-eye" effect:

[Mister Moo]

OK - this is really helpful and I appreciate the kind replies. Thanks!

(Yesterday the doc said I should be able to return to biking in four more weeks. I'll be trying one, or a combination, of these suggestions for sure. Even when I was at my best I found the mirrors a little less capable than I'd prefer.)

[redwing]

I have mirrors that are larger than most. At 100 feet I can see 2 maybe 3 lanes of road. I like the view...adding the stick on mirrors Don E. suggested or ka5ysy idea would give even more. I don't remember which BMW model they come stock on but these are BMW mirrors and they fit our bikes...plug and play.

Robert

[baldyralphie]

Hi, I use the Wunderlich extenders as was mentioned above and they really did the trick for me. Also reduced vibration. I live in Germany and should you need something from here, just PM me and I will be happy to send it to you.

[Karamazov]

I have mirrors that are larger than most. At 100 feet I can see 2 maybe 3 lanes of road. I like the view...adding the stick on mirrors Don E. suggested or ka5ysy idea would give even more. I don't remember which BMW model they come stock on but these are BMW mirrors and they fit our bikes...plug and play.

Robert

Those are the mirrors off the R1200ST.

- N8

[Mister Moo]

I have mirrors that are larger than most. At 100 feet I can see 2 maybe 3 lanes of road. I like the view...adding the stick on mirrors Don E. suggested or ka5ysy idea would give even more. I don't remember which BMW model they come stock on but these are BMW mirrors and they fit our bikes...plug and play.

Robert

BMW local shop has the R1200ST mirrors (ref. karamazov) in stock ($80/pr - not the end of the world). I'll pick them up tomorrow after work. If that doesn't do the trick I still have two more options (extention bracket and/or convex stick-on). Bigger mirrors was where I wanted to start.

One more question in the same vein. Even though this purchase is for medical profile reasons, would it count as a farkle?

[Mister Moo]

Anyone use the ZTechnik mirror extenders?

[Martyn]

The 1200R's in Euro spec have, in the last year or so, come with "horizontally oval" mirrors, as opposed to R1150R Mickey Mouse style. They make a big difference. Not sure if they are US spec.

[Catchina]

The 1200R's in Euro spec have, in the last year or so, come with "horizontally oval" mirrors, as opposed to R1150R Mickey Mouse style. They make a big difference. Not sure if they are US spec.

The updated mirror shape came out with the 2011 model, in the US.

[mogu83]

I thought the mirrors on the RT were built into the fairing. I know you can screw the R1200R type mirror into the controls but didn't think the RT came with them.

[SF_Hooligan]

The 1200R's in Euro spec have, in the last year or so, come with "horizontally oval" mirrors, as opposed to R1150R Mickey Mouse style. They make a big difference. Not sure if they are US spec.

The updated mirror shape came out with the 2011 model, in the US.

They still kind of suck. The ones on the classic are this cheap-looking chrome-y plastic junk. Range of visibility is ok, but they vibrate a lot. And they stick out a bit past the end of the bars which is suboptimal for lane splitting - AKA everyday riding for me. I keep looking at other options but haven't gotten around to changing them.

[Karamazov]

I thought the mirrors on the RT were built into the fairing. I know you can screw the R1200R type mirror into the controls but didn't think the RT came with them.

R1200ST - not RT. I think he just misquoted. I'm pretty sure his dealer got it right either way, since the RT mirrors are like $140. $80 sounds spot on for a pair of R1200ST mirrors.

They still kind of suck. The ones on the classic are this cheap-looking chrome-y plastic junk. Range of visibility is ok, but they vibrate a lot. And they stick out a bit past the end of the bars which is suboptimal for lane splitting - AKA everyday riding for me. I keep looking at other options but haven't gotten around to changing them.

I'm pretty sure that's real chrome, not the fake plastic chrome you'd find on a metric cruiser... I like them just fine, the visibility is good and they compliment the looks of the bike. In the 4 different sets of mirrors I've had on my R12Rs, they vibrate just as much as the rest - it's a boxer. There are Rizoma's I'd consider swapping out, but at $100 a piece, it's way down on the list. Moto Science has some Rizoma knock offs that look pretty mean, but I'd like something with a retro look.

-N8

[Catchina]

Baldy is right about the Wunderlich extenders, they reduce the vibrations a lot.

[mogu83]

Actually $80 seems more like the price of one BMW mirror not a pair. If the dealer is selling the pair for $80 he's losing money on the deal. I seem to remember paying around $140 for a set of K1200R mirrors and that was with a discount.

[Karamazov]

Actually $80 seems more like the price of one BMW mirror not a pair. If the dealer is selling the pair for $80 he's losing money on the deal. I seem to remember paying around $140 for a set of K1200R mirrors and that was with a discount.

That's correct Harry.

BMW local shop has the R1200RT mirrors (ref. karamazov) in stock ($80/pr - not the end of the world).

Here's a link to the part numbers on Max BMW: Parts Fiche.