BMW tourer info please

[Hitcher]

Is that a cat sitting on the side of the road in front of that burdened 'Bird?

[crazybigal]

haha no, its a black plastic rubbish bag, there was a house right there.
and burdened it was not!

Is that a cat sitting on the side of the road in front of that burdened 'Bird?

[crazybigal]

yeah i dont think the 1200 is in my bubget right now, id be scraping the bottom of my money box for a good 1150gs. what are they like 11-12K for a good one.

Yeah the bird was fully loaded with all my crap, used most of it too so i didnt come home feeling like i had hauled a bunch of junk around the country for nothing. Went real well though with the weight. Bike is good 2 up and thats what id expect if i get a BMW cos the mrs wants to come on more trips.

An adventure bike - yes. Heavy, depends - its lighter than what my ZZR was. As a off road machine then yes its heavy.


The GS's ergos might work for you, depend on long you legs are. I'm 6'2 with longish legs and could do with a fraction more leg room on the longer runs.

The cruising speed and the passing speeds yoru're after are possible but expect to work harder than you would normally do.


Once you get use to the tractor gearbox its just fine and relatively smooth clutchless shifts are possible...eventually


Shit that's a load and a half!


Depending on your budget a 1200GS could be worth looking at - a lot lighter than the 1150 and with more power.

[Blackbird]

Here's a picture as promised of a footpeg lowering mod to a Blackbird. This is one which is made in the USA by an accessories manufacturer. However, I've read on several Blackbird websites that the Buell pegs do the job too. All they need is a thin sleeve of alloy or stainless steel to compensate for the small difference in pivot bolt size.

[magicfairy]

Pillion comment.
My other half BusaJim has had an 1150GS Adventure for a few months now. As the pillion who did many K's off and on road at Christmas, including the Mangatapu, Rainbow, Molesworth, I found it surprising comfortable to tour on. And it was great being able to explore off road.
Sure it is different - especially compared to the Busa, but I am amazed at how comfy I still was at the end of 6-7 hours on the back, just the stock 1 piece seat. I did throw on a sheepskin sometimes, but that was to stop my ample bum from pressing against the grab rail. Neither of us are "small" people.

[crazybigal]

yeah i have to think about the other half as well! she likes the bird but gets a sore bum and the stupid packrack mounting hits her in the back of the calf.
Im sure she would love the bmw.

Pillion comment.
My other half BusaJim has had an 1150GS Adventure for a few months now. As the pillion who did many K's off and on road at Christmas, including the Mangatapu, Rainbow, Molesworth, I found it surprising comfortable to tour on. And it was great being able to explore off road.
Sure it is different - especially compared to the Busa, but I am amazed at how comfy I still was at the end of 6-7 hours on the back, just the stock 1 piece seat. I did throw on a sheepskin sometimes, but that was to stop my ample bum from pressing against the grab rail. Neither of us are "small" people.

[miSTa]

yeah i dont think the 1200 is in my bubget right now, id be scraping the bottom of my money box for a good 1150gs. what are they like 11-12K for a good one.

You wouldn't be too far off the mark there, kind of depends on the extras (ABS, heated, factory panniers - which aren't as big as what they might appear)

Pillion comment.
My other half BusaJim has had an 1150GS Adventure for a few months now. As the pillion who did many K's off and on road at Christmas, including the Mangatapu, Rainbow, Molesworth, I found it surprising comfortable to tour on. And it was great being able to explore off road.
Sure it is different - especially compared to the Busa, but I am amazed at how comfy I still was at the end of 6-7 hours on the back, just the stock 1 piece seat. I did throw on a sheepskin sometimes, but that was to stop my ample bum from pressing against the grab rail. Neither of us are "small" people.

Yeah good point. We the "Rider" seats and Mrs S loves it (though I hate my mine) and also the fact that I'm sitting relatively upright makes things much easier for her to get nice and close.

[shafty]

You wouldn't be too far off the mark there, kind of depends on the extras (ABS, heated, factory panniers - which aren't as big as what they might appear)


Yeah good point. We the "Rider" seats and Mrs S loves it (though I hate my mine) and also the fact that I'm sitting relatively upright makes things much easier for her to get nice and close.

Mate, if you aren't happy with your Rider seat, give Mac a bell - he will work with you to make it work - we are all built different! He does a good job and stands behind his work, Cheers

[miSTa]

Mate, if you aren't happy with your Rider seat, give Mac a bell - he will work with you to make it work - we are all built different! He does a good job and stands behind his work, Cheers

I've been meaning to do that but its a bit difficult when the bike is in daily use....bit of a problem really.

[MaxB]

Firstly Hi, I've been a BMW owner for many years and have an older airhead twin as well as the ZX.

Here are some random thoughts that might help you.

If you want to find out a few things about Beemers try Googling 'IBMWR' and searching the tons of info on the site. Also the BMWOR NZ is a Kiwi based club that might help.

Almost all the twins and singles have good 'off tar seal' manners. The low c.o.g., torque development and narrow tyres help here. Gravel is fun. They are fantastic in the wet too.

Have you considered things not so 'naked' like the early R1100RS? They did not have a belly pan and so the fairing is tucked up out of the way above the pots. They are pretty good 2 up and have a top speed of around 215km/h. Of course a jap 600 has more performance but with heated grips, ABS, 400km tank range, panniers and a happy pillion you won't care a bit. Owners put serious ks on these bikes.

About the panniers, IMHO they are just about the best on the market. I can get 2 full face lids into mine which takes the worry out of going into town for a night out. If you buy a BMW try and get the panniers with it.

Hope this helps.

[crazybigal]

thanks for your help mate

Firstly Hi, I've been a BMW owner for many years and have an older airhead twin as well as the ZX.

Here are some random thoughts that might help you.

If you want to find out a few things about Beemers try Googling 'IBMWR' and searching the tons of info on the site. Also the BMWOR NZ is a Kiwi based club that might help.

Almost all the twins and singles have good 'off tar seal' manners. The low c.o.g., torque development and narrow tyres help here. Gravel is fun. They are fantastic in the wet too.

Have you considered things not so 'naked' like the early R1100RS? They did not have a belly pan and so the fairing is tucked up out of the way above the pots. They are pretty good 2 up and have a top speed of around 215km/h. Of course a jap 600 has more performance but with heated grips, ABS, 400km tank range, panniers and a happy pillion you won't care a bit. Owners put serious ks on these bikes.

About the panniers, IMHO they are just about the best on the market. I can get 2 full face lids into mine which takes the worry out of going into town for a night out. If you buy a BMW try and get the panniers with it.

Hope this helps.

[Zapf]

so it sounds like the 1150 is just a heavy adventure bike?
i want to be able to cruise at 120 no problem then upto 150 to pass if i need to. thats were the blackbird comes into its own, so smooth and quiet before you know it your doing 170k but its not a great fit, im 6'3 and i find the ergos about the same as my rf900.
I hear everyone say the BMW box is like a tractor, shit i shift up from 2nd and down without the clutch, feels like an auto its so good. just harsh into first like alot of bikes.
So the 850 is a slug? looks small for gear too, i had 30kg of gear on the bird and most of the time i didnt know it was there

wow. didn't know you can pack that much gear on the back

[Zapf]

400km tank range

To my shock... I was suprise to find recently that my Blackbird does have 400km tank range. Is anyone getting that?

[Zapf]

Here's a picture as promised of a footpeg lowering mod to a Blackbird. This is one which is made in the USA by an accessories manufacturer. However, I've read on several Blackbird websites that the Buell pegs do the job too. All they need is a thin sleeve of alloy or stainless steel to compensate for the small difference in pivot bolt size.

mind if I ask what sort of rear tire is that on the back? thanks.

[Blackbird]

mind if I ask what sort of rear tire is that on the back? thanks.

Either a Michelin Pilot Road, or more likely a Pilot sport HPX. A few of us are now running the newly-released Avon Storm ST with very encouraging results. I'll do a full product report when we get back from the South Island.