Hi All
Just bought an 1150R. 03 in silver with a black engine and 6000 miles on and I pick it up on Saturday. Never ridden a BM before so unsure what to expect but I'll have a 200 mile first ride on it to get it home. Last 5 years I've been on an XR250 so it'll feel a little different. Just hoping to get out of sight of the current owner before I drop it!
Anyone got any pictures of the switchgear so I can see what's what?
Looking forward to joining the roadster club!
Welcome to this world. R1150R.Org is not a bad entry point.
For your first ride take it slow. Remember that most people only ever drop their bikes at a standstill, in a parking lot while talking about how they never dropped their bike.
You know how to ride, so start there. This is the most finely balanced bike front to back and side to side ever produced. Get it pointed and moving, ease the throttle til you get used to that. Not likely to overthottle as much as to give too little at startup. Easy on the brakes the first few times as well.
By that first traffic light, look up and down the road and you'll be fine.
Switch gear is simple (no pic-don't look at it!). Right side: thottle, right turn signal, cancel turn switch, starter, kill switch, heated grip switch. Left side: left turn, horn, lights, hazard.
Good on ya Chris. You are going to love this bike. Just got off mine(rode to work today)and soon as the traffic clears,i'll jump back on for a trip around the area i live in. Take it easy on her till you get comfortable and post a pic when possible.
Congrats! It'll definitely be heavier than that XR250, so be ready for it. Also a lot more torque/power but not unexpectedly uncontrollable. The engine rotation will give the bike a slight twist to one side as you get on/let off the throttle - don't let it surprise you, but it won't knock the bike over. Yes, the switchgear is wacky - I'm still getting used to mine.
Enjoy it and ride ride ride!
John
Member 293 (I think)
'17 Triumph Tiger 1200 XRX
Chris --
Congrats on your new purchase - an excellent choice. You will love the bike: Good power, excellent torque, fabulous brakes, fun in the corners and solid on the highway. In short, the R is possibly the best all-around machine out there. You will look for excuses to take the long way home!
Take it easy for the first few couple of days and get to know the R - it's quite a bit heavier than your XR250 and has a few quirks that may take getting used to (the "thunk" you may hear from the gear box and finding the horn button come immediately to mind). You got some great cycling roads up in Yorkshire and you'll be tearing them up before you know it.
I went from a XL250 to the R1150R. It's heavy when stopped. Pay attention when stopping that you have a good place to stop, loose gravel, oil, even small holes may become a major problem. Otherwise enjoy and ride safe. Start on as many backroads as possible and don't be a squid.
Thanks for the replies and advice on the switches, I didn't want to look a complete amateur and not even be able to start it...
I'm sure it's going to be fun! I've only ever sat on one of these in a dealership and it didn't feel too bad for weight, low down anyway. Have had heavier machines in the past, cbr's gsxr's and the like but this time the japanese stuff I was looking at was doing nothing for me and it was time for a complete change. The 1150 just looks right. Where do I post a pic?
2 days to go.......
Boosted from somewhere else, but I like tony's interpretation much better, mmmmm:
Squid The term squid is used to describe a style of riding. The style of riding is related to the sea creature's style of swimming. The sea creature can be seen taking off quickly in a straight line. When the squid comes to a turn they will come to almost a complete stop, turn their bodies, then take off quickly again.
Much like the sea creature a "squid" rider will blast off on a straight road as fast as they can go. When they come to a corner they will slow down to a very inconvenient speed. The "squid" rider will do this until the turn is done and when the road straightens out they will blast off again.
The term "Squid" is commonly used to describe riders that are irresponsible and pose a danger to others.
Last edited by sjbmw on Thu Apr 20, 2006 7:20 am, edited 1 time in total.
Freedom is dangerous. Those in power that steal freedom are more dangerous.
A few months ago I was passed by a pack of squids...I was already riding over the speed limit and they passed my like I was stopped...and over double lines.. ...and sure enough up ahead I see dust rise...one of the squids had not made the corner..lucky he had a big run-off area (gravel. )...I took a few pics..
btw Chris...when you get on your new RR don't bother looking for the fuel tap..there isn't one.. ....don't bother looking for the choke..there isn't one.. ..(there is a fast idle lever for cold starts)..make sure the stand is up before you click it into gear or it will stop..and people will think you stalled it.. ..I hate it when that happens to me..
Chris, the suggestion above to familiarize yourself with the switch gear is a good one. Some genius at BMW decided we need three switches to operate the turn signals. I also suggest you learn your bike's reserve fuel capacity. This way, when the (yellow) low fuel light comes on, you'll know about how much range you have left.
Fantastic! Many thanks to Yellowjacket for the switch pics. I've searched the net for info since Feb when I was deciding to do this and found nothing!
Squid... now I know. No danger of that. Is there a name for riders who live for the twisties and often turn round just to ride the same set of bends again...?
The guy I'm buying this from kept sending me different angle photos today, I can't stand it! About 40 hours left to wait...bet I don't sleep much Friday night. My eyes on Saturday morning... then when I get moving I reckon it'll be
This is going to be a great forum to find out all about the bike, expect many, many more stupid questions over the next few weeks...thanks again everyone.
Chris
Hey, Chris
I am just down the road from you - Lincoln. Also on an 03 silver
I picked up from Cambridge so my first ride was quite a trek - at night in the rain on the motorway - nuff said. When I got home it took me a day or two to get my knees to touch. You will probably also find the tank is quite wide.
I run a Yam xj600 as well and keep getting the switchgear messed up - you have seen nothing like the BM!!! As with the pics above, starter button on top of the kill switch (where else ) and the indicators! well - have fun with them. I dont know if anyone else has the same problem but I keep catching the right when trying to cancel - especially with winter gloves. Never did find the horn the one time I needed it!! That reminds me - I must get out and have a look for it!
Keep posting here and let us know how you get on.
Croc
Congrats on the Roadster. It is certainly one of the finest all-around bikes on the planet. You should be fine but as everyone said, when you stop is when the extra weight will show itself. Welcome to the board and enjoy the bike. This board is a great source of information and friendship. And a provides many ideas on how to dispose of excess income!
'02 in black - the real BMW color! (Now gone to a new home)
Vann - Lifer No. 295
...and sure enough up ahead I see dust rise...one of the squids had not made the corner..lucky he had a big run-off area (gravel. 
)...I took a few pics.. 
) and the indicators! well - have fun with them. I dont know if anyone else has the same problem but I keep catching the right when trying to cancel - especially with winter gloves. Never did find the horn the one time I needed it!! 
That reminds me - I must get out and have a look for it!