A rookie with a rockster

[flugjung]

Hello :

I have just bought a 2003 Rockster (a green one). I have been riding for only a few months before in a 180cc bike so the "jump" was quite big (although I have also enduro experience from my teen years in 2stroke Yamahas XT and Carabelas) . After a month with the bike now I REALLY love it, dealership service is nice (I live in southern Mexico City and the closest one is named Motohaus) and the bike has a very good and forgiving handling for a novice.

I would like to read opinions from other novices in R1150´s (rockster or not) just to share tips and any other helpful infomation. Helpful advice from the "experten" is also welcome.

Cheers!!!!!!!

ALbrecht Barajas

"guacamole und sauerkraut" la mejor combinacion

[fnfalman]

These BMWs run very lean and have very large flat spots in the mid range of the power curve. The only way to clear it up is by going with a free flow aftermarket exhaust and modify the fuel mapping by either a chip from Techclusion, Z Technik or a Power Commander from DynaJet.

I changed out my exhaust pipe and the catalytic converter with a Remus Y-Pipe and Remus Revolution aluminum exhaust can. I then added a Power Commander and tuned the bike to run a little bit richer than the factory setting. The flat spots are gone and my bike is extremely torquey and rev freely throughout the whole engine range.

Also don't be surprised if the suspension starts to go soft by around 15,000-miles. That's pretty much BMW for you right there. My Rockster is at 16,000-miles and I can feel the suspension sagging a bit in the back. But that's OK because I had planned on upgrading the suspension with sportier units anyway.

[flugjung]

Cool!!!!!

Thanks for the info! My Rockster now is in the shop with a new Arrow can and Y pipes being fitted. I was told by the mechanic that also the petrol mapping will be modified so I`m only waiting for the next weekend to try my new bike. So far, my suspension is still good but I don´t mind replacing the factory bits with better ones. Does öhlins make parts for the Rockster? I would like to make mine a little bit more sportier.

cheers

Albrecht

"guacamole und sauerkraut" la mejor combinacion

[new2BMW]

Albrecht,
Bienvenidos!
Good choice of bike. I hope you are happy with it for a long time.

My wife is from DF (San Juan de Aragon seccion 6 close to the airport). I travel to DF a few times a year. Maybe we should go to Freedom's for a cervesa next time I'm in the city. In fact, there is a really cool restraunt and club called Cielo Rojo in Zona Rosa. Have you been there?

By the way, DF traffic es locisimo! Be careful.

Saludos,
Jeff

[flugjung]

Yeah sure!!!!

I know the area since I work for an airline (aeromexico) as cabin crew. I don´t visit the Zona Rosa quite often since I live in the south (in Coyoacan, three blocks away from Frida Kahlo´s museum) however I sometimes go to the Colonia Condesa which has a more bike friendly atmosphere and very cool bars like the Pata Negra, Celtics Pub or the Rexo.

In Sundays, the usual ride is a 50 tour to Tres Marias in the old Cuernavaca motorway. Nice curves, scenery and lots of cool bikes. I have calculated more than 1,500 parked on the roadside. BTW, nice food and a very close (and challenging) scenic road to the Zempoala lakes.


cheers!!!! And please let me know when you come,

Albrecht

"guacamole und Sauerkraut" la mejor combinacion

[new2BMW]

Coyoacan!!!!
Now I am desparate for a hot chocolate and a churro. The market there is cool at Christmas time. I don't know the Colonia Condesa area. This sounds cool. How is the crime rate there? Can you park your bike safely?

I work in the airline industry too, but in engineering and maintenance. I actually met my wife after a Christmas party that my company had for Aeromexico. I've been to Aeromexico many times and know a lot of good people there.

In Sundays, the usual ride is a 50 tour to Tres Marias in the old Cuernavaca motorway.

I've driven this road many times on the long way to Jonacatepec (Nahuatl for "the hill where onions grow"). I still think you might be crazy to ride in that kind of traffic. You never know if a vocho is driving 4 km per hour around the next curve!

Anyway, I wish you luck and a lot of fun. I plan on being in DF in April or May when my sobrina gets married. She is trying to buy a house before she sets a date, so I don't know exactly when it will be. I'll contact you in a month or so.

[new2BMW]

Albrecht

"guacamole und Sauerkraut" la mejor combinacion

Orale!!!! Are you serious? Before i try it, I need to know if you are joking!

[fnfalman]

Yes, Ohlins does make front and rear shock replacements for the Rockster. As with everything Ohlins, the units aren't cheap. Also Works Performance Shocks in the USA is a specialist for BMW suspension and a little bit cheaper than Ohlins. But not by much though.

[flugjung]

NOOOOO!!!

I´m just joking about my German ancestry. When a visited Brazil a fellow German-Brazilian told me that and I found it funny. I´m simply proud of my multicultural background.

....and well, since you know thse roads quite a lot...how about a trip to a more exotic place....like Xilitla in San Luis potosi?

cheers!!!!!

Albrecht

"guacamole und sauerkraut....." I´ll try it one day....maybe

[new2BMW]

NOOOOO!!!

I´m just joking about my German ancestry. When a visited Brazil a fellow German-Brazilian told me that and I found it funny. I´m simply proud of my multicultural background.

....and well, since you know thse roads quite a lot...how about a trip to a more exotic place....like Xilitla in San Luis potosi?

cheers!!!!!

Albrecht

"guacamole und sauerkraut....." I´ll try it one day....maybe

I'm glad you are joking. It doesn't sound good.

As for Xilitla in San Luis potosi, I don't know those places, but I love Mexico, so hell yeah, let's go there.

[Doug]

Welcome!