Hello from PA ....

[poochar]

Hi
Just brought home my new Crystal Grey R1200R .... from Hermy's BMW in Port Clinton, PA.
My first BMW .... (it's stable mate is a 05 ST1300)

Few questions....
- When I start out (in 1st gear) .... and clutch is all of the way out....
I get a small "shutter" until I get to 2,000 RPM's (dry clutch? normal?)

- Do most people bring their bikes back to the dealer for the checkups?
or do the maintance themselves (like the 600 mile check up)?

Thanks,

[AllanCook]

I had the same experience when I first got mine. I've learned to give her a little more gas as I ease out the clutch, but not so much that I loft it.

I'd certainly have the dealer do the 600-mile check, just for loose fasteners, and to make sure everything's running OK. My dealer did mine for free.

Enjoy your new ride. I'd be interested in hearing your comparison with the ST.

[Lost Rider]

Welcome Eric!

I would have the dealer do the 600 mile service, especially since there's no service manual available yet ( that I can find) to tell you what needs to be done.

Do you have any pics? There's a shortage is Cristal Grey pictures, hopefully it stays rare.....

Cheers!


-Joe

[fly]

Welcome Eric.
The "shudder" could just be the different feel of the boxer vs the V4 of your ST. I know I find the feel of the bike a little unusual when changing gears - similar to a torque steer effect from the rear - almost like it wants to step out slightly. I could be wrong but so far I've convinced myself that is just because the bike is shaft drive whereas I'm used to the belt drive bikes.
As far as the servicing goes, I'll have the initial service and probably the other maintenance done by my dealer as he is just down the street from my work.

[MattPie]

Welcome Eric.
The "shudder" could just be the different feel of the boxer vs the V4 of your ST. I know I find the feel of the bike a little unusual when changing gears - similar to a torque steer effect from the rear - almost like it wants to step out slightly. I could be wrong but so far I've convinced myself that is just because the bike is shaft drive whereas I'm used to the belt drive bikes.
As far as the servicing goes, I'll have the initial service and probably the other maintenance done by my dealer as he is just down the street from my work.

Speaking from my R1150R (and a ride on a R1100R), if you don't time releasing the clutch to match the RPMs when you shift, the bike will wobble a little. This happens because the engine is either being slowed down or sped up to match the transmission speed. Once you get the shift timing down, you shouldn't notice it. I only notice it when I badly time a shift.

[mogu83]

Along with my R1200R ( with less than 100 miles, it's been raining) I also have a Guzzi and a Valkyrie.

The Valk (6 cyl) with all its torgue will just stop if you don't give it enough gas off a stop. It seems the big twins (BMW/Guzzi) will shutter and lurch ahead if the revs are too low, but they keep running.

Most likely an aftermarket exhaust that makes a little noise (oops - make that sound) will cure your problems. I always thought Beemers sounded like sewing machines but my wifes sewing maching makes more noise than my R1200R.

[Lost Rider]

Here's a couple pic's of poochar's bike:









Interesting that this bike came with Metzler's. The Conti-Attacks look nice, but the tread design doesn't suggest good all-weather performance IMO.
Is there a way to choose?

[r12r-don]

Beautiful bike.

One question though - how come the front of the exhaust pipes - I think the headers (is that the right term?) no longer have their shine?

I've seen this in a couple of pics and was wondering if that just happens or what? I had an RT before this so never really worried about it as everything was covered before this.

Any thoughts?

[fly]

They are single wall (no separate heat shield) and will discolor from the heat. Eventually they will turn blue.

[r12r-don]

so then a heat shield will remain polished and keep it looking nice?


Thanks.

[fly]

As an example, if you have a Harley, the pipes have a chrome heat shield around the pipe itself - the pipe still turns blue but you don't see it because of the nicely polished chrome heat shield which is not exposed to the direct heat from the exhaust. Some other mfgs use a double wall setup all the way from the header pipe that does essentially the same thing.

[JCsman]

Do they make a double pipe? I seriously doubt it. You could, of course polish it (again, and again, and again). But that way leads to maddness.

Some folk have tried a ceramic coating to keep the color uniform. There are claims these coatings can even improve performance. I dunno, and YMMV. But they do look good.

Me? On my Beakster, I let 'em blue.

[fly]

Here's a couple pic's of poochar's bike:









Interesting that this bike came with Metzler's. The Conti-Attacks look nice, but the tread design doesn't suggest good all-weather performance IMO.
Is there a way to choose?

That is interesting...mine came with Michelin Pilots.