Picked up S 1000 R this morning
Discussion
Picked up my S 1000 R around 9:30 this morning. Have just got back in again. Did around 170 miles, mostly B roads (particularly the B660 from Bedford to Peterborough and back).
Overall of course I loved the bike. On the twisty roads it really was heaven. I have slowed down massively (now only corner so fast that I could stop in the distance I can see). Still, lovely to drop it in, wait until the corner opens out and then surf the torque on the way out. As the acceleration is so strong you can afford to drop a bit of corner speed. God knows how people use all the the available performance and not either kill themselves or get jailed!!
I have the sports screen and I found that cruising on dual carriageways was no problem. Even used the cruise control. Had I bought new (rather than a demo) I probably wouldn't have taken the cruise control but I'm glad to get it for "free" (sort of).
Although the bike was brilliant and I love it, it isn't perfect.
The mirrors are a pain. At 60 in 6th the view behind is crystal clear. Yet at 70 it is just a blur. Something that one can work around but still annoying on such an otherwise good bike.
I had a long ride last week and hadn't noticed the clutch being too much of a pain but today my left hand is aching. A joke that you can't adjust it. Might have to suck up the cost and go for the better levers. They standard ones look pretty cheap too.
Last problem is comfort. Or lack of it. Found it pretty uncomfortable today. Made worse by an old biking injury. Perhaps I just need more time in the saddle as don't usually spend all day riding. Will have to consider the comfort seat option.
Despite the small niggles above I love it. Out again tomorrow (have to pick up a new lid) and going for a ride out on Sunday. Last time I went (a couple of weekends back) I had the smallest and slowest bike. Kept up fine as we were not going that fast. But I had to rev it quite hard. Shouldn't be such a struggle this time!!
Overall of course I loved the bike. On the twisty roads it really was heaven. I have slowed down massively (now only corner so fast that I could stop in the distance I can see). Still, lovely to drop it in, wait until the corner opens out and then surf the torque on the way out. As the acceleration is so strong you can afford to drop a bit of corner speed. God knows how people use all the the available performance and not either kill themselves or get jailed!!
I have the sports screen and I found that cruising on dual carriageways was no problem. Even used the cruise control. Had I bought new (rather than a demo) I probably wouldn't have taken the cruise control but I'm glad to get it for "free" (sort of).
Although the bike was brilliant and I love it, it isn't perfect.
The mirrors are a pain. At 60 in 6th the view behind is crystal clear. Yet at 70 it is just a blur. Something that one can work around but still annoying on such an otherwise good bike.
I had a long ride last week and hadn't noticed the clutch being too much of a pain but today my left hand is aching. A joke that you can't adjust it. Might have to suck up the cost and go for the better levers. They standard ones look pretty cheap too.
Last problem is comfort. Or lack of it. Found it pretty uncomfortable today. Made worse by an old biking injury. Perhaps I just need more time in the saddle as don't usually spend all day riding. Will have to consider the comfort seat option.
Despite the small niggles above I love it. Out again tomorrow (have to pick up a new lid) and going for a ride out on Sunday. Last time I went (a couple of weekends back) I had the smallest and slowest bike. Kept up fine as we were not going that fast. But I had to rev it quite hard. Shouldn't be such a struggle this time!!
Life is full of surprises. Some in the past three years haven't been so great to be honest. Won't bore you all with the details. A year ago I would have put the chances of me riding back on the road to be pretty much zero. It was just amazing to be out today on brilliant roads on such an amazing bike,
knowing that it belonged to me. Quite a happy camper this evening!
knowing that it belonged to me. Quite a happy camper this evening!
Esceptico said:
The mirrors are a pain. At 60 in 6th the view behind is crystal clear. Yet at 70 it is just a blur. Something that one can work around but still annoying on such an otherwise good bike.
I thought this was standard for all bikes. Looking in them at 60+ gives you a vague idea of what's behind. Taking your hand from the bar and holding the mirror firmly to dampen the vibration then makes that view more accurate. I don't think I've ever known any different.Nice S1000 BTW. Looks like it'll wheelie well.
bennyboysvuk said:
I thought this was standard for all bikes. Looking in them at 60+ gives you a vague idea of what's behind. Taking your hand from the bar and holding the mirror firmly to dampen the vibration then makes that view more accurate. I don't think I've ever known any different.
Nice S1000 BTW. Looks like it'll wheelie well.
Yes it is a problem on most bikes. I suppose I thought that being a BMW it might be a bit better. I think what is most frustrating is that the vibrations start at 70 - just when you need them if you are riding at legal speeds.Nice S1000 BTW. Looks like it'll wheelie well.
Still, at least I can see something behind me in the mirrors (other than my elbows) so better than some Italian bikes I've ridden!
pmr01 said:
I picked mine up as well recently - no cruise control. I came from an s1000rr and i think a standard mod for the vibrations was changing the bar end weights. Different deal with the r but i wonder if different bars may help?
Out of interest what did you find the difference between the two bikes like?the comparison between the two bikes is interesting.
I have had faired sports bikes since circa 1987 Katana 1100, VF1000s, EXUP, Gsxr 750 srad, multiple zx10s, s1000rr so going back to a naked as my main bike has been different. I felt that to a varying degree most f my previous main bikes have not taken well to a slow cruise about and just encouraged you to go fast all of the time. at the very least modern faired bikes can allow you to easily cruise at a lot of mph in a degree of comfort.
the s1000r has definitely slowed me down when i dont want to go fast while still manages to be almost as impressive as the 1000rr when you do want to go fast. the only slight reservation i have is the feeling that you get on long sweeping fast corners...it doesnt feel as confident on these types of corners.
mine was a '13 plate s1000rr so it didnt have the electronic suspension control which the s1000r has. wow is that impressive. wind it back and the suspension is incredibly plush and soaks up bumps very well. switch it onto dynamic pro and it feels wild; if anything the sharpness of throttle response is maybe a bit too much. it adds to the dual character as does the popping and banging on the overrun from the exhaust.
due to the reprofiling of the power curves in normal driving it actually feels quicker than the 1000rr but, at any rate whatever the truth is up to 10000 revs, you dont really feel cheated with the power.
It is very comfortable and the gearbox, in particular, seems FAR better than the old one...no idea why that should be.
the only real problem i have is in my head...there is still something about having a wild sports bike...you cant use them any where near as much you want on the road today but somewhere in your psyche its nice to have. i guess one day I will be back on a sports bike, but hopefully not for a couple of years.
i guess thats my thoughts on the comparison between the two.
I have had faired sports bikes since circa 1987 Katana 1100, VF1000s, EXUP, Gsxr 750 srad, multiple zx10s, s1000rr so going back to a naked as my main bike has been different. I felt that to a varying degree most f my previous main bikes have not taken well to a slow cruise about and just encouraged you to go fast all of the time. at the very least modern faired bikes can allow you to easily cruise at a lot of mph in a degree of comfort.
the s1000r has definitely slowed me down when i dont want to go fast while still manages to be almost as impressive as the 1000rr when you do want to go fast. the only slight reservation i have is the feeling that you get on long sweeping fast corners...it doesnt feel as confident on these types of corners.
mine was a '13 plate s1000rr so it didnt have the electronic suspension control which the s1000r has. wow is that impressive. wind it back and the suspension is incredibly plush and soaks up bumps very well. switch it onto dynamic pro and it feels wild; if anything the sharpness of throttle response is maybe a bit too much. it adds to the dual character as does the popping and banging on the overrun from the exhaust.
due to the reprofiling of the power curves in normal driving it actually feels quicker than the 1000rr but, at any rate whatever the truth is up to 10000 revs, you dont really feel cheated with the power.
It is very comfortable and the gearbox, in particular, seems FAR better than the old one...no idea why that should be.
the only real problem i have is in my head...there is still something about having a wild sports bike...you cant use them any where near as much you want on the road today but somewhere in your psyche its nice to have. i guess one day I will be back on a sports bike, but hopefully not for a couple of years.
i guess thats my thoughts on the comparison between the two.
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