Big Beemers limited to 80 mph

[freddytin]

Chatting with a good pal this week he was telling me that BMW have instructed the Police motorcyclists to limit their speed on the 1200 BMW to 80 mph due to instability caused by the large panniers. Has anyone else heard anything on the subject as i haven't seen anything from BMW warning Joe public of this potential danger ?

[catso]

IIRC, there was a Bike Cop killed in a crash recently that caused the Police to withdraw a model of bike from service, but I think it was the Honda? maybe there's a worry about panniers or overloading in general.

[speed8]

Yep, my mate came off his bike when we were in France. We're convinced it was because of a set of bolts coming loose but BMW basically told him that they weren't interested because he had Givi panniers, which were actually offered to be fitted by a BMW dealer although he went elsewhere in the end.

He's now put it through the insurance at 2.5k to be fixed and had BMW panniers fitted now so that when it happens again they don't have the same excuse.
He's still fighting them over this because he thinks it's a potential safety risk.

[bimsb6]

older bmw police bikes had a stability problem due to the heavy siren bolted
on one side of the bike,though that is going back a bit .

[freddytin]

Definately a big BMW and the notice/memo was doing the rounds this month.

[outrider]

I have a 54 reg BMW K1200RS and in the handbook it says not to exceed 80mph with the panniers on. I know of BMW bikers who have cruised on the autobahns at 130mph with panniers no probs. BMW are just covering their arses.

[cdmpw]

Have done 124mph (verified by sat-nav)in Germany on my 1200 GS with no wobbles fully loaded with panniers & top box.

Regards

Chris

[black-k1]

outrider said:

I have a 54 reg BMW K1200RS and in the handbook it says not to exceed 80mph with the panniers on. I know of BMW bikers who have cruised on the autobahns at 130mph with panniers no probs. BMW are just covering their arses.

I think this has always been the case with BMW. With all of my BMWs (many from R100RS to K100RS) the handbook advised a maximum of 130kph with panniers fitted.

[rsvmilly]

bimsb6 said:

older bmw police bikes had a stability problem due to the heavy siren bolted on one side of the bike,though that is going back a bit .

I was told this by some BiB riders. The Beemer police bikes would get a weave on IIRC