First Impressions

[peter1951]

After a longish ride yestrerday which while ok, I had a few quiet moments with a bit of a nagging doubt about my choice (2004 R1150R) todays 200ml ride two up around Wales has totally converted me to the bike. Rock steady even two up and incredible brakes, only fly in the ointment is the bad vibes, anything over 4000rpm leaves feet numb after a short while. (mirrors ok though) The TBs have been balanced but I note from the service docs that the spark plugs have done 4000mls since last 6000ml service in Dec 2007. Any Ideas on the vibes guys
Surprised to have to change tyre presures for 2 up work, most big bike run 36/42 all of the time,

cheers

Pete

[boxermania]

Most owners that mention vibration issues do so around 3500 to 4000 rpm and mostly at the handlebars, so you come as a surprise. A good state of tune along with a good balance of the TB's is pivotal to the smooth operation of the engne.

If you have the 4 plug model I would have the stick coils checked as a weak/bad one will also contribute to what you are experiencing, specially two up.

Good luck and keep us posted.

[rockstercliff]

I dont think that bad vibes is necessarily the norm, mine is and always has been silky smooth between 3500-4000, 3800 is where I normally run, as virtually no vibes. I would look into this if I were you, just my opinion.

[macx]

I've had a similar experience with my 04 that I bought in 08, without even having heard a BMW run before (!)

I'm one of those "it's gotta be right" addicts, and a lifelong hot rodder, so immediately dove into learning maintenance and the quirks of this particular model.

The plugs looked good when I got it (it had 25k miles on it) so left them in. Used to auto engines running 20k even on old fashioned basic plugs. Well, the vibes got worse and worse. Had already done all the other tuning, like the TB's, TPS, valves, rockers, etc. Broke down and changed plugs. VOILA! Nearly did away with the vibes, only recurring at about
3800 to 4200 and not nearly as bad.

Have read numerous posts about using less expensive plugs being we apparently have to change them fairly often.
In the hot rod world, Autolite regular plugs are well respected and widely used. I've read a number of posts on here
and other forums that they also work well in ours. I've read 3923's on this forum, and on another forum a post claimed
that 3923's were proper for 1100's and 3922's for 1150's.

After researching plugs to some extent, I have found that the ones with V configuration, or star shaped center electrodes, etc, do fire better with weak ignitions. And the rare element ones do last longer, altho they're often quite a bit more costly. The "standard" configuration plugs actually make a hotter spark, with a good ignition, because it is claimed it takes more spark energy to jump with those type electrodes than with the V or other different configurations.

So, the argument goes, if it takes more spark energy to jump a gap, it's going to be a hotter, larger spark.

So, I'm going to try 3922's next time around. If nothing else, lots less expensive.

One other thing that helped, altho (as usual) not to the degree claimed, was heavier bar end weights.

One final thing I'm going to do (have all the parts and am finally going to start the job this week) is change gear ratios. Not an easy or inexpensive path to avoiding the vibration rpm range, and definitely not for everyone, but as I do 90+% of my riding between 55 & low 60's mph, I'm going to arrive at a 5th gear rpm range of from 52 mph at 3000 rpm to 64 mph at 3500 rpm. Right in the "sweet spot" of my motor. Enuf rpms to climb grades and carry a passenger without downshifting, without getting too close to the 3800-4200 rpm range where the vibes occur. I'm going to accomplish that with an RTP trans that has about the same rpm spread between 5th & 6th as between the other gears except 1st to 2nd. To avoid losing my 6th gear mph for when I do venture on the freeway, I'm upping my FD ratio to 2.62. One way is to buy new gears and pay to have them set up, but that's pretty costly. I've found the right ratio FD that will bolt into mine from an early 2000 K1200. Altho a somewhat different rear brake setup - necessitating matching K1200 rear caliper and rear wheel - it will also get me a little bit larger rear disc and stouter rear brakes - one thing that reportedly does wear rather quickly on ours, and will work with my stock rear master cyl and ABS system. (I got lucky and, with some patient shopping, found a low miles good used complete FD and even a Brembo high perf rear brake caliper, and the rear wheel, all at bargain prices.) As the RTP has a much lower 1st gear, I'll still have a 7% lower 1st gear which I also want as the stock gearing is like starting out in 2nd gear - a little harder on the clutch than I like to be (and maybe also the dreaded trans input splines?) and awkward when starting out uphill from a stop and/or with a passenger. Ironically, I'll end up with very close to the same overall gearing as the "new & improved" R1200R gear ratios, advertised by BMW as having a 6th gear that is more of an active riding gear than just an overdrive because the spread between 5th & 6th is closer than with the R1150's, and still has a lower 1st gear. Hmmmm.

ANYWAY - good luck with your ride, welcome to BMW, hope you enjoy your bike and it treats you well!

[peter1951]

Thanks for the info, Im planning to change the plugs once my stick plug puller arrives (only item missing from toolkit) 3800rpm in 6th is reasonably comfy its only above 4000 I have issues with the vibes. The bars have big & beefy bar end weights which are probobly keeping the bars quiet, My bike is fitted with the overdrive 6th gear putting 70mph at about 3800.

The bike was last serviced by a main dealer in Dec 07 and although that was only 4000mls ago the plugs have been in a long time.

Very happy with everything else about the bike, particularly is rarity, it stands out in a crown of jap plastic race reps

cheers

pete

[R1150Rclean]

Thanks for the info, Im planning to change the plugs once my stick plug puller arrives (only item missing from toolkit) 3800rpm in 6th is reasonably comfy its only above 4000 I have issues with the vibes. The bars have big & beefy bar end weights which are probobly keeping the bars quiet, My bike is fitted with the overdrive 6th gear putting 70mph at about 3800.

The bike was last serviced by a main dealer in Dec 07 and although that was only 4000mls ago the plugs have been in a long time.

Very happy with everything else about the bike, particularly is rarity, it stands out in a crown of jap plastic race reps

cheers

pete

Just because some mechanic said they did the TB balance does not mean it was done right! And for the TB to be done right the valves have to be done right too. When was the last time the valves were done? Something you may want to do your self to make sure it is done right.