Picked up S 1000 R this morning
Discussion
gwm said:
So Esceptico, now you have had the bike a while. The novelty worn off? Things you love/ hate?
After your thread and steve954's, I fancy a proper look at the S1000R.
Check out this owner's review I wrote for MCN.After your thread and steve954's, I fancy a proper look at the S1000R.
http://www.motorcyclenews.com/bike-reviews/bmw/s10...
I think from my posts you can get the impression that I am more than a little impressed with the S 1000 R. It is a brilliant bike. Whether it is any better than the other naked superbikes is open to question as I didn't try them! I plan to correct that when I get a chance.
All the BMW dealers I have dealt with seemed amenable to giving long test rides so if you are interested try one for a morning or afternoon.
Further to my post above - I rode one of these a couple of weeks ago, along side an S1000RR.
I thought the RS (naked version) was a slightly more refined and powerful version of my Street Triple R. The only thing that was heaps better was the electronic suspension, which was a real pleasure. The seating position was very similar to my bike.
Me and my husband were blown away with the S1000RR after two test rides and proper time on the bike. Might change one of our bikes to the new model early next year. It is absolutely stunning.
I thought the RS (naked version) was a slightly more refined and powerful version of my Street Triple R. The only thing that was heaps better was the electronic suspension, which was a real pleasure. The seating position was very similar to my bike.
Me and my husband were blown away with the S1000RR after two test rides and proper time on the bike. Might change one of our bikes to the new model early next year. It is absolutely stunning.
Edited by Volition on Tuesday 9th June 10:03
Esceptico said:
Check out this owner's review I wrote for MCN.
http://www.motorcyclenews.com/bike-reviews/bmw/s10...
I think from my posts you can get the impression that I am more than a little impressed with the S 1000 R. It is a brilliant bike. Whether it is any better than the other naked superbikes is open to question as I didn't try them! I plan to correct that when I get a chance.
All the BMW dealers I have dealt with seemed amenable to giving long test rides so if you are interested try one for a morning or afternoon.
Good write up, though interestingly I asked what tyres it came with and they couldn't commit as said there was no fixed tyre? Also, not cornering ABS so its' "race" tag is a bit of a misnomer to me. I noticed you have the touring screen - a must have for sitting comfortably at 70 ish? Do you get the TC cutting in much when ham fisted, or only in the wet? Also, your article says cruise control is included on the Sport model, but I was told it was a £500 option (one I probably wouldn't go for). Do you have the alarm/immobiliser as well - work ok?http://www.motorcyclenews.com/bike-reviews/bmw/s10...
I think from my posts you can get the impression that I am more than a little impressed with the S 1000 R. It is a brilliant bike. Whether it is any better than the other naked superbikes is open to question as I didn't try them! I plan to correct that when I get a chance.
All the BMW dealers I have dealt with seemed amenable to giving long test rides so if you are interested try one for a morning or afternoon.
Went to my local dealer today and they only had a customer bike in bits in their workshop to look at. So awaiting them getting one in and getting a good look before committing. Seems the right size though, I'd definitely go for the sport pack as well. I'm not a fan of the frame finish, that and the levers look cheap to me. Think I've covered the competition now - Honda CB1000, KTM 1290R, Suzuki GSR 1000, Aprilia Tuono. Beemer pips them all in one way or another. If the local dealer can get one in soonish I'll probably go for it, otherwise I'm back to work next month and will wait until I'm back.
I think only Pirelli DRC and Continental Sportattack 2 (not sure if I have that correct) are officially approved tyres so would think it is one of those. Think I have only seen DRCs.
I bought a demo bike (I was trading in a fairly new bike and the hit I suffered on the trade in was offset by the discount on the demo bike). It came with cruise control which is an option. I wouldn't have paid for it. Have only used it twice so far. It is useful on the motorway but I do very few such miles.
I really notice the anti-wheelie. I get the feeling I would be headbutting the clocks a lot without out as bike gets quite lively under full acceleration or over bumps.
Not ridden it much in the wet. Partly because it has been reasonably dry since I've had it (although cold and windy).
There is a forum for the S 1000 R. I would recommend going on there if you are serious about getting one as lots of information about the bike and good mods. Forum members good at answering queries.
It is a really great bike.
I bought a demo bike (I was trading in a fairly new bike and the hit I suffered on the trade in was offset by the discount on the demo bike). It came with cruise control which is an option. I wouldn't have paid for it. Have only used it twice so far. It is useful on the motorway but I do very few such miles.
I really notice the anti-wheelie. I get the feeling I would be headbutting the clocks a lot without out as bike gets quite lively under full acceleration or over bumps.
Not ridden it much in the wet. Partly because it has been reasonably dry since I've had it (although cold and windy).
There is a forum for the S 1000 R. I would recommend going on there if you are serious about getting one as lots of information about the bike and good mods. Forum members good at answering queries.
It is a really great bike.
Rather than start another thread about the S1000R, I'll just add my initial thoughts here after picking mine up this afternoon. Got a good deal I think, just under 4k miles and they put brand new Metzeler Sportec M7 RR tyres on it (didn't ask them to as it had good looking Supercorsas on it when I viewed it at the weekend). I've only managed a quick half hour blast in between the rain.
Pros:
- Upright and comfortable.
- Power is there from 3k-12k, silky smooth.
- Steering is super light.
- Feels nimble.
- I LIKE the way it looks, especially in the Essex white I got.
- Quality is a step up from my K7 (given), but I have changed the levers already (and could have got Lightech ones for half the price)!
- The standard exhaust sounds good, with little pops and fizzles on overrun.
Cons:
- Not sure I'm sold on the electronic suspension. I was riding around on bumpy country roads and changed from soft/normal/hard but maybe don't quite "get it" yet.
- The bars are silly wide, I feel like I'm steering a boat!
Want to get some time on it, but initial impressions are it's a doddle to cruise around on. I wanted a bike that was more "relaxed" to ride and I think this will fit the bill. The point of this bike for me was a bike you could fast cruise on, not be ragging it everywhere to get that buzz. I'll need to read up on all the modes, but in "Road" the traction control light flickered (unnecessarily) as I accelerated going over some loose gravel. My ABS light is also staying on so need to figure that out as it's supposed to go off.
Got crash bungs and bobbins ordered already. Good track bike? Maybe! I want to get a belly pan and tail tidy soonish too, though I should probably secure a job first before I splurge any more.
All in all I'm chuffed. Though I'm not sure I buy the whole "nakeds slow you down" argument as its so much easier and relaxed to do speed on a bike like this...
Should probably sell one at some point!
Pros:
- Upright and comfortable.
- Power is there from 3k-12k, silky smooth.
- Steering is super light.
- Feels nimble.
- I LIKE the way it looks, especially in the Essex white I got.
- Quality is a step up from my K7 (given), but I have changed the levers already (and could have got Lightech ones for half the price)!
- The standard exhaust sounds good, with little pops and fizzles on overrun.
Cons:
- Not sure I'm sold on the electronic suspension. I was riding around on bumpy country roads and changed from soft/normal/hard but maybe don't quite "get it" yet.
- The bars are silly wide, I feel like I'm steering a boat!
Want to get some time on it, but initial impressions are it's a doddle to cruise around on. I wanted a bike that was more "relaxed" to ride and I think this will fit the bill. The point of this bike for me was a bike you could fast cruise on, not be ragging it everywhere to get that buzz. I'll need to read up on all the modes, but in "Road" the traction control light flickered (unnecessarily) as I accelerated going over some loose gravel. My ABS light is also staying on so need to figure that out as it's supposed to go off.
Got crash bungs and bobbins ordered already. Good track bike? Maybe! I want to get a belly pan and tail tidy soonish too, though I should probably secure a job first before I splurge any more.
All in all I'm chuffed. Though I'm not sure I buy the whole "nakeds slow you down" argument as its so much easier and relaxed to do speed on a bike like this...
Should probably sell one at some point!
The suspension needs to be adjusted to suit your weight that will change it for the better, easy job to do.
Abs can be switched on and off so quite possible it's been switched off.
Oh and the bars are the same size as a speed triple width but them bar ends make them seem bigger.
Abs can be switched on and off so quite possible it's been switched off.
Oh and the bars are the same size as a speed triple width but them bar ends make them seem bigger.
Edited by steve954 on Thursday 25th June 22:49
steve954 said:
The suspension needs to be adjusted to suit your weight that will change it for the better, easy job to do.
Abs can be switched on and off so quite possible it's been switched off.
Oh and the bars are the same size as a speed triple width but them bar ends make them seem bigger.
Ah is that right? Ok will have a look at the manual. I thought it was just the electronic mode adjustment. Abs can be switched on and off so quite possible it's been switched off.
Oh and the bars are the same size as a speed triple width but them bar ends make them seem bigger.
I'm toggling the switch and it flashes on start up, but doesn't go off after riding as it says it should in the manual.
Interesting about the width of the bars. But mind I've come off sportsbikes so it just feels weird and wide in general!
mckeann said:
I think your bikes bars are too narrow an angle, if you push them out a bit it won't feel so weird when you jump between bikes
Not bad weird, just different so all good. I know what you mean about the track bike bars, it's massively different from my road K7 too so not sure what bodge has gone on there! What was it about the active suspension you didn't like?
Generally I find it to be pretty good. I think it does smooth about the bumps very well. I drove down some roads near Finchingfield this week in my car and was surprised to find it was pretty bumpy: I hadn't noticed on the S 1000 R.
I am not sure if it is just me but I do get the feeling that it doesn't always work well or perhaps gets confused. I was filtering through traffic last week on a dual carriageway. The road surface wasn't great and there could have been cambers but for some reason the bike did feel a bit odd. I have had that sensation before on other roads but very infrequently. I wonder whether the electronic suspension gets upset by certain inputs.
I am still in two minds about the wide bars and seating position. I took out an RR last week for a coupe of hours and really loved being back on a sportsbike in the prone position. But after jumping back on the R and readjusting that is great too.
I think I was kidding myself when I thought a naked bike would make it easier to go more slowly. Maybe it does help stop you riding for long periods at three figure speeds on the motorway...but then I don't ride on the motorway unless necessary and on the best roads you aren't sitting at constant speeds for long.
Generally I find it to be pretty good. I think it does smooth about the bumps very well. I drove down some roads near Finchingfield this week in my car and was surprised to find it was pretty bumpy: I hadn't noticed on the S 1000 R.
I am not sure if it is just me but I do get the feeling that it doesn't always work well or perhaps gets confused. I was filtering through traffic last week on a dual carriageway. The road surface wasn't great and there could have been cambers but for some reason the bike did feel a bit odd. I have had that sensation before on other roads but very infrequently. I wonder whether the electronic suspension gets upset by certain inputs.
I am still in two minds about the wide bars and seating position. I took out an RR last week for a coupe of hours and really loved being back on a sportsbike in the prone position. But after jumping back on the R and readjusting that is great too.
I think I was kidding myself when I thought a naked bike would make it easier to go more slowly. Maybe it does help stop you riding for long periods at three figure speeds on the motorway...but then I don't ride on the motorway unless necessary and on the best roads you aren't sitting at constant speeds for long.
I'll take steve954 advice and set up it according to the manual. I guess it just feels weird coming off quite a stiffly sprung sportsbike. I was deliberately on rough country/farm style roads to see how it felt. Do you notice much difference between soft/norm/hard?
I'm lucky that I still have a sportsbike, as I know what you mean.
I'm lucky that I still have a sportsbike, as I know what you mean.
gwm said:
I'll take steve954 advice and set up it according to the manual. I guess it just feels weird coming off quite a stiffly sprung sportsbike. I was deliberately on rough country/farm style roads to see how it felt. Do you notice much difference between soft/norm/hard?
I'm lucky that I still have a sportsbike, as I know what you mean.
I haven't played much with the suspension settings. I did try hard briefly but it didn't feel that different. I just leave it in normal and dynamic.I'm lucky that I still have a sportsbike, as I know what you mean.
I've only recently got back onto bikes and my insurance is high. If I can build up some no claims and get the premiums down I would like to buy some more bikes. Or I might swap the S 1KR next year for a sportsbike.
Esceptico said:
I've only recently got back onto bikes and my insurance is high. If I can build up some no claims and get the premiums down I would like to buy some more bikes. Or I might swap the S 1KR next year for a sportsbike.
Funny you mention the insurance, as I thought I would be fine (from a quick compare quote before buying it) but had to cancel my old insurance and take out a new policy to get a decent price. Just buy a second bike
gwm said:
steve954 said:
The suspension needs to be adjusted to suit your weight that will change it for the better, easy job to do.
Abs can be switched on and off so quite possible it's been switched off.
Oh and the bars are the same size as a speed triple width but them bar ends make them seem bigger.
Ah is that right? Ok will have a look at the manual. I thought it was just the electronic mode adjustment. Abs can be switched on and off so quite possible it's been switched off.
Oh and the bars are the same size as a speed triple width but them bar ends make them seem bigger.
I'm toggling the switch and it flashes on start up, but doesn't go off after riding as it says it should in the manual.
Interesting about the width of the bars. But mind I've come off sportsbikes so it just feels weird and wide in general!
I rode it around for ages thinking it was ok, but not as easy to turn in as I had expected, and wasn't sure what all the mags had been raving about.
Anyway I eventually found out and same day changed the settings for a 11 stone rider (basically by backing everything right off to minimal settings), and it's transformed the bike.
No longer do I get pinged out of the seat on every bump and it turns it sharp as a pin now.
I'm used to Japanese bikes being about 10 stone from factory, so I never even thought it would vary for the BMW, but of course those sausage loving Germans are a bit heavier build than the average Jap.
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