Bmw r1100r

**CRM** · 25th July 2012, 10:16

I've always wanted a boxer twin so finally bought one and pick it up in a weeks time (the one with no screen below). I've been doing some research into screens and a lt of people complain about buffeting with screens - even the expensive ones. Anybody got any wisdom on the best screen for touring on these? I rode one a while back with a big clear screen (see photo attached) and it seemed really good - no buffetting in my short motorway ride. Anyone know what brand that one is?

Any other suggestions for touring on these?

**CRM** · 26th July 2012, 16:58

Looking at these Givi Airflows - AF49 is a 4 point universal fit. Reviews seem to be good - anybody tried these?

**willytheekid** · 26th July 2012, 17:14

great choice mate, damn good bikes.

Hope it gives you many yrs of happy service

Ride safe

-Willy

**jafar** · 26th July 2012, 20:24

Originally Posted by CRM

I've always wanted a boxer twin so finally bought one and pick it up in a weeks time (the one with no screen below). I've been doing some research into screens and a lt of people complain about buffeting with screens - even the expensive ones. Anybody got any wisdom on the best screen for touring on these? I rode one a while back with a big clear screen (see photo attached) and it seemed really good - no buffetting in my short motorway ride. Anyone know what brand that one is?

Any other suggestions for touring on these?

Why have a screen??? IMHO they are more trouble than they are worth. Ride it naked

**gammaguy** · 27th July 2012, 00:18

the screen on the one pictured looks like a genuine BMW accessory one

The Touring Co I used to work for had a fleet of them

They will be plentiful on ebay I would imagine,the mounts are a BMW item too as they fix to the handlebars.

**CRM** · 27th July 2012, 10:20

Originally Posted by jafar

Why have a screen??? IMHO they are more trouble than they are worth. Ride it naked

Been there, done that, got the frostbite

I like the naked idea but I do a lot of all year round long-distance riding. I did the Catlins to Whangarei on a naked Magna 700 a few years ago then from Whangarei around the West Coast across Arthurs Pass then home on my naked XR600 the next year - both trips in the late winter/early spring I recall - great adventures to think back on but I still remember the crazy cold moments. I've been spoiled by the big screen on my Trophy and would find it hard to go back. But I'll be giving it a try when I pick it up next week and ride to Wellington and back.

At least its got heated grips

**CRM** · 27th July 2012, 10:24

Originally Posted by gammaguy

the screen on the one pictured looks like a genuine BMW accessory one

The Touring Co I used to work for had a fleet of them

They will be plentiful on ebay I would imagine,the mounts are a BMW item too as they fix to the handlebars.

Okay thanks for that. I'm seriously looking at the Givi AF49 - all the reviews I've read indicate that they are very good - and plenty of adjustment.

**Waihou Thumper** · 28th July 2012, 14:05

I have one sitting in my garage, if you want it, it is yours....Make a donation to my petrol fund. Pay for postage and I can send it to you. I will get a photo for you...It isn't in too bad condition either, one little craze mark but still does the job. There is a lot of reflection there.

**CRM** · 28th July 2012, 21:30

Originally Posted by Waihou Thumper

I have one sitting in my garage, if you want it, it is yours....Make a donation to my petrol fund. Pay for postage and I can send it to you. I will get a photo for you...It isn't in too bad condition either, one little craze mark but still does the job. There is a lot of reflection there.

Cool - I'm going to be down your way next Wednesday picking up the Beemer from Hamilton - Maybe I could pop over and pick up in the afternoon or evening if that works for you?

**Waihou Thumper** · 29th July 2012, 07:38

Originally Posted by CRM

Cool - I'm going to be down your way next Wednesday picking up the Beemer from Hamilton - Maybe I could pop over and pick up in the afternoon or evening if that works for you?

No, sorry, no good. I will be away in Kauwerau until Thursday evening. I can leave it somewhere if you like? Leave me some cash somewhere safe...

**CRM** · 30th July 2012, 10:05

Originally Posted by Waihou Thumper

No, sorry, no good. I will be away in Kauwerau until Thursday evening. I can leave it somewhere if you like? Leave me some cash somewhere safe...

Okay - maybe I will leave it for this trip and wait till I've tried the bike without a screen to assess what the best option is. The Givi one I'm keen on is the two-part one with the adjustable bit on the top. I'll maybe have a look at a few when I'm in Wellington then make a decision. Cheers

**CRM** · 2nd August 2012, 20:11

I picked up the R1100R in Hamilton yesterday and rode to Wellington today - very impressed with the handling

. I'm finding it totally suits my riding style - very confidence-inspiring. Power is excellent and very fuss-free - just heaps of torque everywhere. It's got ABS, heated grips (enjoyed those this evening) and a Givi topbox but no panniers - my Oxford soft bags worked well on it though. I even pretended it was a GS and did some gravel roads - not a problem at all for it.

So overall very pleased - the gearbox is very smooth (some people complain of the early ones of these being very clunky), the clutch feels good. The engine is great! My one problem is (as I suspected) the lack of a screen. My head was getting pretty sore with the constant wind pressure after a few hours riding. I was using the near-new Schuberth helmet that came with the bike which is a bit tight on the forehead

- I need to do some adjusting

.

Some pics from along the way below...

**CRM** · 9th August 2012, 11:45

I rode the R1100R from Wellington to Whangarei yesterday - started about 11:30am and got home about 10:00pm - I was going to stop with some friends at Hamilton but decided I was wet anyway - what the heck

. I did it in 5 hops - Wgtn to Levin (a quick pie and gas), Levin to Waiouru (gas and changed to my winter weight gloves

), Waiouru to Tirua (quick gas stop only), Tirau to Dairy Flat (hot drink and food) then home.

Verdict is - It's a great bike

. Love the engine - just so sweet and usable - specially in the bad rainy conditions yesterday - easy to squirt past the trucks/whatever and with the great brakes/ suspension/ handling no sweat to maintain a good pace even in the rain

- and there was plenty. The gearbox on mine is sweet - I've heard about issues with clunkiness, hard to find neutral and general bad manners but mine shifts beautifully

.

Only gripes... the fuel economy isn't as good as I was hoping for - might be some tweaks possible... I forgot how bad visibility can get on a wet day with a foggy visor, sun/light strike etc without a screen - I have a givi AF49 adjustable screen on order... and the engine cut out a couple of times

. It immediately started once I'd pulled over but a bit of a worry. Doing some research this morning it sounds suspiciously like the dreaded Hall Effect Sensor problem - wires from the unit running close to the front of the engine deteriorate over time and given a decent amount of moisture they start sending random impulses to the motronic system

. I did get home but something I'll have to sort out no doubt...

**CRM** · 21st August 2012, 16:22

Update on the "R" - sorted out the electrical issue - it was Hall Effect Sensor unit as suspected. Full story over in the technical section.

I've got a Givi Airflow screen that I've fitted but yet to try out. Got offered a good deal on a Staintune system - tempted but I've spent a lot of money this week already

. Thinking about that - I actually quite like the standard sound - it's kind of stealthy

- but apparently the Staintune sounds really sweet and fattens up the midrange

- we'll see...