BMW R1200R R1150R/T F800 K1200R R1100R/T R1250R RnineT Message Board

So what is the differance?

Rockster has front end from the R1100S (Forks & mudguard*); light units from the R1150GS, with a unique shroud and "eyebrow"; the shorter top gear from the R1150GSAdventure; matt paint job; larger (5.5") rear wheel as standard; wider, flatter handlebars, digital speedo driven from the final drive box (R's is cable driven from the front wheel).

I think that's about it - but have probably missed something.



*Actually it's different, but looks the same.

Actually it's different, but looks the same

that's a funny quote!!!

The analog speedometer is actually reading digital info from the back wheel? But... why not just have an actual digital speedometer then? Seems like a lot of work to do the motorcycling equivalent of hooking a Bakelite handset up to a cell phone.

brem wrote:The analog speedometer is actually reading digital info from the back wheel? But... why not just have an actual digital speedometer then? Seems like a lot of work to do the motorcycling equivalent of hooking a Bakelite handset up to a cell phone.

A bit like taking an ancient aircooled boxer engine, making it bigger, bigger and bigger,
adding fuel injection and a catalytic converter!

From an older post where lots of folks contributed:
Roadster has upright handle bars; Rockster has flat bars, slightly wider *
CORRECTED Roadster has two different paralever arms; Rockster has one 385mm paralever arm; S has 3 different paralever arms. *
Roadster has 31.5 seat height and low seat option at 30.7; Rockster has 32.9 seat height *
Roadster has 61.9 rake; Rock 63.0 rake - R1100S forks
Roadster has 5" rear wheel 170/60 tire; Rockster has 5.5" wheel 180/55 tire *
Roadster has 6 spd overdrive tranny; Rockster has 6 spd standard gear tranny
Roadster has speedomenter at the front wheel; Rockster has speedometer at the rear drive housing
Roadster has traditional round headlamp; Rockster has GS headlamp cluster - bug-eyed.
Roadster has R1100R instrument cluster; Rockster has R1100S instrument cluster
Roadster has std BMW switchgear; Rockster has self-canceling turn signal switchgear
Roadster early models have rubber brake hoses; Rockster has SS brake lines and clutch line *
Roadster has standard Showa shocks w/ minor adj; Rockster has R1100S std shocks *
* These items are interchangable without modification.
Similar items:
Roadster has a GS frame; Rockster frame same as Roadster
Roadster has 5" trail; Rockster 5" trail
Both have 700 watt alternator w/ 840 watt option

I didn't know the paralever arms were different lengths - Ithought they were the same....

Is it the paralever strut you call paralever arm in your list?

Both Roadster and Rockster has 385 mm paralever strut, the GS has 365 mm!

And I don't believe that Rockster and 1100S share suspension, the 1100S has pretension(?) in the front set with a wheel through the tank, Rockster has pretension on the rear!
Plus the 1100S share rear swing arm with R1100R, and I don't think that 1100R and 1150R suspension i interchangeable!

Helmetrock wrote:Is it the paralever strut you call paralever arm in your list?
Both Roadster and Rockster has 385 mm paralever strut, the GS has 365 mm!
And I don't believe that Rockster and 1100S share suspension, the 1100S has pretension(?) in the front set with a wheel through the tank, Rockster has pretension on the rear!
Plus the 1100S share rear swing arm with R1100R, and I don't think that 1100R and 1150R suspension i interchangeable!

yes, helmetrock is correct at least n respects to my '04 boxer cup replika (R11S) which has the sport suspension. rear sport suspension on the R11S lifts the rear slightly and there IS preload adjustment front and rear.

MikeCam: You wrote that R11S has three paralever arms, wich lengths are they?
And wich are the two available with the Roadster?
Honestly, all I knew was that Roadster/Rockster and R11S had 385, and R11S boxer cup had the GS 365 mm ...

Maybe different countries? I'm in Gothenburg, Sweden...

The parts list I reference uses different part numbers and part specs for EU versus US as well as differences from one year to the next (2001-2004 build dates). So I imagine it is a mix.

On further research I determined (not conclusively) that in the US market, the two paralever arms for the Roadster are both 385 mm. The one for the Rockster is 385mm, but the one on my Ed 80 is 365 mm (perhaps it is aftermarket change - I am not the original owner). The three for the R1100S appear to coincide with the base model, the sport suspension, and the Boxer Cup Prep/Replica series but I have not been able to determine the lengths of each.

None of this is particularly surprising but certainly leads to confusion. Also, it is interesting to me that the parts fiche refers to the 'silver rod' as the thing I call the paralever arm and what you call the paralever strut.

OK - just measured the Paralever strut-connection-bar-arm-silver-rod things on my Edition 80 Rockster and Mrs. Sweatmark's Roadster: both measures are centerline-to-centerline.

'04 Rockster = 15.25" (call it the official 385mm)

'02 Roadster = 15.25"

Part numbers for the two bikes' suspension components differ, but I will SWAG that the only real difference is color of shock spring, silver for Roadster and white for oh-so-very-sporty (not) Rockster.

We have his & hers R1150Rs for the specific reason that the bikes are essentially the same machine, bar the few cosmetic parts-bin differences noted within this and similar threads. Makes long-term ownership and maintenance simple. That is, unless both bikes end up with clutch spline and final drive problems! (see Al's current thread on splines)

seeing the Rockster has a GS frame, I suppose changing it to a GS is possible. My bike handles good dirt roads quite well and I feel the tyres are the only limitation (and maybe the weight). I am missing out on some good dirt rides now that i have sold my old GS and am considering just changing the tyres to dual purpose ones. Anybody tried it?

Difference between Rockster and R1150R:

Rockster...people say "Damn...thats an awesome, sexy looking bike"

R1150R...people say "Thats a nice looking bike"

Dual sporting the R - Past Discussions

http://r1150r.org/board/viewtopic.php?f ... ia#p119870

http://r1150r.org/board/viewtopic.php?f ... =distanzia

http://r1150r.org/board/viewtopic.php?f ... =distanzia

http://r1150r.org/board/viewtopic.php?f ... =distanzia

http://r1150r.org/board/viewtopic.php?f ... =distanzia

http://r1150r.org/board/viewtopic.php?f ... =distanzia

Cliff Notes: Yes.

cone wrote:seeing the Rockster has a GS frame, I suppose changing it to a GS is possible. My bike handles good dirt roads quite well and I feel the tyres are the only limitation (and maybe the weight). I am missing out on some good dirt rides now that i have sold my old GS and am considering just changing the tyres to dual purpose ones. Anybody tried it?

Yes absolutely possible!

A man on the German Rockster forum did the opposit, took an old GS an fit a R tank, and som other parts, most from japanese donators

First when it's still a styled GS
http://rockster-forum.freiforum.com/mei ... r-t124.htm

And when it's a true hybrid
http://rockster-forum.freiforum.com/pla ... h-t897.htm

And Johnnyjs1, that's the best explanation i've ever heard

And here's a thread from the swedish BMW forum about som winter fixing i've been doing on my one!
http://forum.bmw-mc-klubben.se/showthread.php?t=2249

Now none is in english, but I'll translate if you wonder anything!

R1150GS - James Bond in wetsuit, launched from submarine for secret mission.

R1150Roadster - James Bond removes wetsuit to reveal classic tuxedo underneath, straightens bow tie, joins soiree at villian headquarters, plants explosives around compound, escapes after gunfight without a misplaced hair, new Bondgirl by his side.

R1150Rockster - Daniel Craig as new James Bond: tuxedo gets ripped up, gets wounded, doesn't necessarily get the Bondgirl, but kicks a$$ in the end.

riceburner wrote:Rockster has front end from the R1100S (Forks & mudguard*);



*Actually it's different, but looks the same.

Maybe I should explain that....

Although the two mudguards are the same externally, and they both have a lug/fitting for the bolt that goes up into the cross-beam between the forklegs, the lug/fitting for that bolt is different. They need different length screws - IIRC the Rockster one needs a long bolt because the lug is very thick, and the 'S' uses a short bolt - but I might have them the wrong way around.


Cone - I have a Pirelli Scorpion Sync on the back of mine at present and am going greenlaning in Wiltshire next weekend (easy stuff I hope!). I reckon the Rockster will handle it better than I will. (mine has Stantons/handguards already).

Thanks for the info, this is really a fantastic forum, so much knowledge available. I must say that the guy who turned his GS into a roadbike did a fantastic job. He turned the proverbial ugly duckling into a swan.

The carbon fibre front fender sells has the same number as for S, and I don't think the length of a M4 bolt should be considered as a majour differance

And the German guy who made an R of a GS, you could say he built an offroadster