Unfortunately for us John, in the U.S. the bikes that BMW shipped here did not have the Ride Modes Pro option that allow the rider to access Dynamic or User modes. That is a dealer-installed firmware upgrade that costs an additional $400 on the early RS models (manufactured in March and April) that arrived in our dealers' showrooms in May. The U.K. received a different set of option packages than we did. I am going to my dealer this Saturday to have the Ride Modes Pro firmware installed, along with upgraded software for the Gear Shift Assistant Pro, which is not working very well on my bike. I get the feeling that our bikes were rushed out of the factory to get them here while the dollar was strong against the Euro (as it was this spring) and the software development staff couldn't quite keep up with the factory assembly staff at the time.
Richard - Current bikes: 2016 BMW R1200RS, 2018 16.6 kWh Zero S, 2011 Royal Enfield Bullet 500 Classic, 2009 BMW F650GS, 2020 KTM 390 Duke, 2002 Yamaha FZ1 (FZS1000N) and a 1978 Honda Kick 'N Go Senior.
I get the feeling that our bikes were rushed out of the factory to get them here while the dollar was strong against the Euro (as it was this spring) and the software development staff couldn't quite keep up with the factory assembly staff at the time.
LOL, if BMW would have had foreknowledge of what course the euro would be following on the financial marketplace they would have had better ways to profit from that knowledge
LOL, if BMW would have had foreknowledge of what course the euro would be following on the financial marketplace they would have had better ways to profit from that knowledge
I am pretty sure that the Germans could see the Euro devaluation coming once they got wind of the Greek political situation. Of course, now we have everyone jumping on the devaluation bandwagon - resulting in the current economic turmoil. What will your currency be worth tomorrow? Can you imagine what the Greek currency would have been worth today if they had dropped out of the Euro system?
Richard - Current bikes: 2016 BMW R1200RS, 2018 16.6 kWh Zero S, 2011 Royal Enfield Bullet 500 Classic, 2009 BMW F650GS, 2020 KTM 390 Duke, 2002 Yamaha FZ1 (FZS1000N) and a 1978 Honda Kick 'N Go Senior.
This weekend I went for my first long ride and rode for up to 6 hours at a time. While the seat wasn't bad, the low and distant bars really got to me after a while. My wrists and arms hurt as they were stretched out by the riding position and my elbows were pretty much locked in position most of the time. Also I was getting a pain in my neck and shoulders. To add insult to injury, I found that making sharp or U-turns is difficult because the stretched-out riding position didn't allow me to easily move the bars from lock-to-lock and that made the bike feel very heavy and ready to tip over during low-speed turns. So I have ordered the first set of bar risers that I have ever felt I needed after owning 44 motorcycles. I bought the ones that Wunderlich sells, which are back-ordered at the moment on their US site.
Richard - Current bikes: 2016 BMW R1200RS, 2018 16.6 kWh Zero S, 2011 Royal Enfield Bullet 500 Classic, 2009 BMW F650GS, 2020 KTM 390 Duke, 2002 Yamaha FZ1 (FZS1000N) and a 1978 Honda Kick 'N Go Senior.
Richard if you lean in a bit more, from the waist, you will lessen those problems.
I tried that but I had a tank bag on my bike (I need the luggage space as I refuse to pay $1500 for a couple of plastic saddlebags) and it wouldn't let me get any closer to the bars. Plus, when I tried to move forward I also pushed the bag forward. That disconnected the front attachment hook and the bag came loose. I could solve the problem by purchasing the BMW saddlebags, but the risers are a lot cheaper and I am sure they will improve the comfort without the bag, too. I must be right because the risers are selling like hotcakes according to the RS forum and Wunderlich is showing them back-ordered.
Richard - Current bikes: 2016 BMW R1200RS, 2018 16.6 kWh Zero S, 2011 Royal Enfield Bullet 500 Classic, 2009 BMW F650GS, 2020 KTM 390 Duke, 2002 Yamaha FZ1 (FZS1000N) and a 1978 Honda Kick 'N Go Senior.
Well, right is a relative term. I would have sprung for the top case for $450 before the tank bag but that's me. I hate tank bags. And I like to ride the bike in the manner it was designed, which is leaning forward in this case.
Also remember, the wind protection is designed for the leaned in rider. The more upright the less effective it will be. At some point those who want to be more upright should have just gotten the R1200R and saved the money. I'm hearing guys swapping the bars out and doing all kinds of stuff and I'm like "hum... sounds like an R1200R with a small windscreen." The only reason I chose the RS over the R was the less upright ergos and the meager wind protection. Negate those benefits and the R1200R at less weight and money sounds very appealing.
I did buy the top box and I have ordered a larger Power Bronze wind screen that should work well with the 1" risers. I have also installed a nice looking and useful hugger bought from Wunderlich, along with the Wunderlich engine cover protection plate, as the Puig fender extender has been withdrawn from the market as it has been found that the RS front fender is not strong enough to support the extender without excessive flexing. The plate seems to be catching most of the rocks thrown up by the exposed front wheel so far.
Richard - Current bikes: 2016 BMW R1200RS, 2018 16.6 kWh Zero S, 2011 Royal Enfield Bullet 500 Classic, 2009 BMW F650GS, 2020 KTM 390 Duke, 2002 Yamaha FZ1 (FZS1000N) and a 1978 Honda Kick 'N Go Senior.
Every bike has potential for modifications to better suit the individual rider. My bikes are living proof. I wondered too about putting the R1200 R bars on the RS. Nice side-by-side review of the R1200R and R1200 RS in the November 2015 Rider mag.
I am finding the same thing, getting sore arms, so I'd be interested in your thoughts on the risers once you get them.
Are you getting the 25mm one?
Yes. Anything taller than that would likely need the control cables and perhaps electrical wires extended or at least rerouted and that would likely be a major hassle. All l want to do is to spin a couple of bolts on and off and install the part, not rebuild the bike. The darn things are still back-ordered but when I receive them and get then installed I will post my comments as well as a photo or two.
In the meantime, my credit card was charged for my Power Bronze windshield purchase three weeks ago and I am still waiting for it to arrive from Ireland. When that thing finally shows up and I get it installed I will also post photos here.
Richard - Current bikes: 2016 BMW R1200RS, 2018 16.6 kWh Zero S, 2011 Royal Enfield Bullet 500 Classic, 2009 BMW F650GS, 2020 KTM 390 Duke, 2002 Yamaha FZ1 (FZS1000N) and a 1978 Honda Kick 'N Go Senior.
Every bike has potential for modifications to better suit the individual rider. My bikes are living proof. I wondered too about putting the R1200 R bars on the RS. Nice side-by-side review of the R1200R and R1200 RS in the November 2015 Rider mag.
I just read that Rider magazine review last night. I found it interesting that they preferred the R to the RS. I also found it interesting that the engine only makes 107 hp. No wonder my 2002 Yamaha FZ1 feels more powerful than the new RS. When that bike came out it was tested on the various magazine rear wheel dynos as having 125 hp and made about the same amount of torque as the R/RS. Plus it is definitely a lighter bike than the RS, which is a handful when being pushed around the garage. I also noticed in the article that the RS obtained noticeably better fuel mileage than did the R (44 mpg vs 38 mpg). But my RS does better than that in normal riding. I don't think I have dropped below 50 mpg, even when riding at CA freeway speeds. Apparently, the fairing on the RS is pretty useful and aerodynamic, compared with the naked style of the R.
Richard - Current bikes: 2016 BMW R1200RS, 2018 16.6 kWh Zero S, 2011 Royal Enfield Bullet 500 Classic, 2009 BMW F650GS, 2020 KTM 390 Duke, 2002 Yamaha FZ1 (FZS1000N) and a 1978 Honda Kick 'N Go Senior.
Had a nice little run up to Abergavenny then to Brecon and up over the Beacons back home yesterday - Nav 5 says average was 58.9 mpg. About what I see on most runs.
It appears the LED strip between the headlight is not available on US spec bikes. Is there anyway to get the gold anodized forks with the blue/white bike? On the US website it changes the forks when you change the color to the black/gray color. Are the gold forks just cosmetic or are they part of a package? I first thought they were Ohlins but that does not seem to be the case.
My RS has gold forks. They indicate that the suspension is the computer-controlled, extra-cost, version. To my knowledge, all of the first "launch" RS and R models imported into the US had gold forks and are adjusted by the computer as you ride along. A photo of my bike is attached.
Richard - Current bikes: 2016 BMW R1200RS, 2018 16.6 kWh Zero S, 2011 Royal Enfield Bullet 500 Classic, 2009 BMW F650GS, 2020 KTM 390 Duke, 2002 Yamaha FZ1 (FZS1000N) and a 1978 Honda Kick 'N Go Senior.
Richard - Current bikes: 2016 BMW R1200RS, 2018 16.6 kWh Zero S, 2011 Royal Enfield Bullet 500 Classic, 2009 BMW F650GS, 2020 KTM 390 Duke, 2002 Yamaha FZ1 (FZS1000N) and a 1978 Honda Kick 'N Go Senior.
Ah! Daylight running light has an extra switch on the left cluster for automatic or just off. Plus there is a separate icon on the dash. So probably plugs into the headlight cluster but do you have the switch?
Just read this and thought, "If you have Rain mode then you have BC Pro. Never thought of user mode?"
Ihn User mode the ESA can be either Dynamic or Road. The Engine mode can be Dynamic Road or Rain and the DTC can be Dynamic Road or Rain.
So you can put it in Road ESA (Potholed UK needs some softer damping) Engine in Road (For a steady throttle response and full 125bhp) and DTC to Rain to stop slides!
John, User Mode only relates to the throttle response and traction control (DTC), allowing you to set each separately as Dynamic/Road/Rain rather than accept the default pairing.
Suspension damping (and preload settings) are quite separately selectable. Like your journo, I find Rain mode engine response superfluous as it makes the bike feel like a slug, but I agree with you that Road engine response with Rain DTC would be a good User Mode for dodgy/wet surfaces.
R1200R-LC Exclusive in Thunder Grey with Touring Pack. Formerly Graphitane F800ST 04/2007. I rarely visit the forum these days ...
So after lusting after this bike since it was released to the press, I had one as a loner while my ST was being worked on. I've got to say I was more disappointed than over joyed. The display is mounted a little low for my taste and full of way to much info. The side stand is hard to deploy and retract while seated, I had to stretch my leg way under cylinder head to retract it. Maybe because I have short legs or the spring where brand new(bike had very few miles on it). Whats with the seat? the turn signal switch feels like it will be break real easy(signal switches on my 800 ST are way better). Speaking of switches the heated grip switch is just plain in the wrong place, maybe its the size of my hands but using it while riding cause me to throttle up. The bike had three ride settings, Rain,Road and Dynamic. Found the Dynamic more to my liking than the others. I didn't play much with the shift assist not something I would use, I enjoy the whole clutch/shifting thing to much.
I also did care for the feel of the motor(not the first boxer powered bike I've ridden), most of the time it felt like I was riding on rough asphalt. Did have lots of power and could get of its on way for sure. I think I would also like it if the engines a little lower and bring the CG down. The bike didn't feel overly top heavy but a lower CG could help make it more nimble. Today I was reminded of someone looking at a house to buy and hearing them go "well we can tear those walls out and move that closet and that door". So for now I'll keep looking for a house that I don't have to rebuild to live in.
All in all it is nice bike just not the bike for me. I'll wait and see if they do a S or ST in few years
PS; I rode the bike for apron. 100 or so miles both on backroads and the Highway
I just picked up a used ‘15 plate RS Sport that has about 4,200 miles. Here in the U.K. the Sport version doesn’t have Dynamic ESA, Cruise Control, GPS prep, rear rack, pannier fastenings or centre stand. However this particular one came with LED daytime riding light, on board computer pro, pannier fastenings and luggage rack. I’ve ordered a centre stand as it makes cleaning the inside of the swingarm and rear whee removal very easy, but I don’t miss the ESA - I find the manual suspension to be much more plush and I generally set my GS into comfort mode and never change it (except I have a new GS without sel-setting suspension, but auto still feels plush). I don’t particularly like keyless and don’t like the position of the gps mount so don’t miss them, and rarely if ever get the chance to use cruise control on the congested U.K. roads. I really like the Lupin blue colour scheme and agree with pretty much everything that Richard230 says in his review on page 1. As an ex-F800GT rider I find this much more suited to me - significantly more punch, smoother and more flexible (and fun) engine, but a similar feeling of low seat height, slightly forward riding position and reasonably light. Comparing with a GS and it’s 19” front wheel the RS feels plenty clickable! I bought the topcase as I have full Vario luggage on the GS and use the RS more for everyday commuting. I’ve enjoyed it more than any bike I’ve owned in the last 3 years or so - to the point where my all-singing, all-dancing GS has hardly been out of the garage!
Reply With Quote
Originally Posted by Richard230
Of course, now we have everyone jumping on the devaluation bandwagon - resulting in the current economic turmoil. What will your currency be worth tomorrow? 
Your Privacy Choices
Bookmarks