1000 Miles on First BMW - More Random Thoughts on my R1150R

[gregor]

But you would if you suffered from Reynaud's syndrome, commonly known as 'white finger'. I'm knocking on now and despite a new heart valve being fitted, still get circulatory problems
off and on. So rather than risk an attack of Reynaud's, on a long run, I use the Crampbuster which on the motorway at least allows me to have my right flat with the fingers stretched
out over the brake lever. Horses for courses methinks.

As I said, the weight of my hand has the same effect. My sympathies to you- I've heard that can be a debilitating ailment. I've got rheumatoid arthritis which causes pain now and again but is easily controlled.
Heading up to the north of Scotland in a few weeks time. That can be initially dull cruising up the motorway for a few hours. But worth it going over the hills via the A68.Just watch out for those nanny state speed cameras.

[Ol' Jeffers]

Could it be said that you're heavy handed then?

I have very small hands for a fella (Size 7 gloves!). Both of my girlfriends have bigger hands than I do!

[grwrockster]

Both of my girlfriends have bigger hands than I do!

Jeffers - that's just plain showing off !

[Ol' Jeffers]

Yeah I know! But when you're 64 you'll realise that a bit of showing off is quite acceptable!
.....and yes, they both know about each other and as they also know I don't intend to wed either of
them they're happy with the situation!! One's 20, the other is 25. Sometimes honesty is the best policy!!

I think they're after my money! (Amazing what you can do with £3.75 these days!!!)
Of course there's the old adage which states that you're as old as the woman you feel!
PS...Sorry about the off-topicness Mr. Moderator!

[Bluehenrider]

Thanks for all the replies. I got the cramp buster and I am keeping it in my seat for now until my next long ride. I am loving my R1150R.

[Dr. Strangelove]

I use the crampbuster and a throttlemeister. I sometimes have to adjust the crampbuster, it wiggles out of optimum position. It is useless, and sometimes in the way--read dangerous-- for city riding, but for LSD--long steady distance, it gives me another hand position. The TMeister is very useful, but only again for LSD. It is usually adjusted so that I can override it with the grip, feeling only a little stiffer. I have worn it out a bit because no amount of adjustment will create a secure unwavering lock on the throttle and that's probably safer??? I definitely like having both. No Reynaud's, and no carpal tunnel, but that slightly extended hand/wrist position that the hand falls in when on the throttle really stretches the median nerve, and flexing the wrist and shaking it out, or stuffing it into the oil cooler to warm it up, or reaching around my back to the left side, well, all of that feels good when I'm sitting on the bike for hours. The throttlemeister allows for that.

On any new bike I would again install both or whatever the popular equivalent is at the time. If all you're doing is city riding or stop and go commuting, they are far less useful, or maybe useless. But, for long rides, I find them very good to have.

I started getting better mileage when I took the silencer off about 70k miles ago, my mileage at LSD went up about 10%. I do my own valves and throttle body adjustment and on a recent 4400mile trip to New England, mountains, plains, twisties, interstate got at best 51-52? and at worst around 44 mpg. Most often it was right at 50. Best ever was 56 somewhere out west, or maybe Nebraska? and probably leaving mountains, but can't remember.

Dr. Pete said

You have a great bike. Someone asked me what I was going to purchase now that I had 100k. Can't think of a better machine. Going for 200k.

Man, is that germane to my thinking right now as Stella! is rounding the bend toward 100k. I have started to look at other bikes, with an eye toward purchasing. I worry about some line cracking and starting to leak when I am 40 miles outside of Lincoln, NM, or Johnson Canyon Road between Page and Kanab, and being stranded with no cows around me. No, that has never happened...yet, but I know it's just a matter of time. Right now I am following R Reagan's advice: Trust, but verify. At least as best I can. I wish I had a fiberoptic scope to look around in the bowels of her. A good friend with an R1150RS, same year, fewer miles keeps talking up the MotoGuzzi Stelvio, but my plan is when she breaks and strands me somewhere, and I get towed to some BMW dealer, and I hear that will cost somewhere north of $1500, then There will be an R1200R or more likely an F800ST in my future. But, for now, as much as we look, we both come to the conclusion that this engine and this arrangement of parts should be maintained until there is no tomorrow.

[Bluehenrider]

Yeah I know! But when you're 64 you'll realise that a bit of showing off is quite acceptable!
.....and yes, they both know about each other and as they also know I don't intend to wed either of
them they're happy with the situation!! One's 20, the other is 25. Sometimes honesty is the best policy!!

I think they're after my money! (Amazing what you can do with £3.75 these days!!!)
Of course there's the old adage which states that you're as old as the woman you feel!
PS...Sorry about the off-topicness Mr. Moderator!

Wow that is a lot of showing off between the 2 girl friend reference and the age spread.

[swamper]

The O-Ring is only a resistant to the throttle spring easily overpowered by the hand. I only use it on long slab riding and it works great for that. Look around next time your around a lot of BMW riders that do mileage, they will have the O-Ring on their grip.

[gregor]

Well I guess I'm just heavy handed and will pass on these devices! My feet are UK size 12 (US 13?) and my hands match.