Newcomer in Suffolk UK

[Pugman]

Hello from sunny Suffolk. Getting my 2003 Rockster on Wednesday. I've owned several Beemers from K's in the 90's to old and very new R's...1100S, GS, RT, plus lots of other bikes in 52 yrs of life! Ex Police motorcyclist and one of a group offering free feedback to riders, check out www.progressmotorcycling.co.uk for more info.
Likes: Riding long distances overnight. Touring with good friends. Rugby. Music.
Dislikes: Bike Snobs (if you ride on 2 wheels you have my respect, but I can't stand those that look down I other riders because they ride a particular style or make of bike) in the right hands, most bikes can be hustled along :-)

Q? What is the mod/part mentioned in another newcomers post '£60 part to make the head quiet'?

Q? I need to put some 'sticky tyres' on the bike. I like 'making progress'! What are people using that give excellent grip?

Q? I'm going to splash out on Sat-Nav :-) I had a car Tom Tom and it was rubbish..really poor at downloading maps. I need Europe maps but I don't want it Bluetooth to my lid as I had a career of instructions via an earpiece! Visual is my priority.

Ride Safe and 'make progress'

[Andrew s]

Welcome and I am sure you will find the Rockster very capable.

Best mod is a screen if you want to ride distances.

Post some photos when you get it.

[riceburner]

Welcome!

1) the left side cam-chain tensioner was upgraded in (approx) 2006/7 - it's an easy, one-time job, but needs a bit of fettling as the access is tight - there's a couple of threads about it on this forum.

2) Tyres are so personal that it's hard to recommend for someone else. Personally I prefer Pirelli and Metzeler, so currently running a pair of Angel STs. You do NOT need super-sports tyres for a Rockster - Sport Touring tyres are ideally suited.

3) Sat Nav - no idea - I use my phone. (Sony Xperia Z sitting in a Brodit mount)

[R100CS]

Still use my old Garmin Zumo 550, brought me to Finland and back a few weeks ago.
I only use it visual. I don't have a bluetooth headset and I don't bother to connect the cable between the GPS and my headset.
The current maps don't fit on the internal memory so you'll have to put a part or all of it on a SD card.
The Zumo 660 is a good alternative to buy second hand, Europe maps still fit on it's internal memory (AFAIK).
If you want a modern, top of the bill, GPS there is the Zumo 590.

If you want "local" tyre advice, try this site http://www.bmbikes.org.uk/Forum/

For my touring, I also added a bigger than standard screen, it came with a bit of fairing.
viewtopic.php?f=2&t=27160&p=235363#p235363

[Pugman]

Bless ya those that have replied. Ride safe www.progressmotorcycling.co.uk

[Rocky rider]

Welcome to the Forum. I think you have just bought my pillion seat cover on eBay!!

I agree with the screen comment as fitting my Ztechnic screen has improved my comfort enormously. Find it here - http://www.customcruisers.com/Custom200 ... p2828.html

The cam tensioner change also makes good sense. I did it on my Cruiser and it quietened it down a lot. It's the next job for me on my Rockster. There is a useful explanation on the net at - http://www.mklsportster.com/Articles/mcncct.pdf

I use a Garmin Nuvi and it works well. It has a 'dashboard' screen which gives you a great digital speedometer that I find really useful, especially in speed limits! RAM mounts also o some very good bike mounts which I have used on several bikes and it's now on the Rockster. I would upload a photo if someone could tell me how to upload pics to this site.

Hope you enjoy your new toy!!

Ride safe.

[riceburner]

I would upload a photo if someone could tell me how to upload pics to this site.

Best way is to upload them to a photo-hosting site like Flickr or photobucket and then use [ img ] tags around the image's url.

[Rocky rider]

I shall give that a try sometime
Thanks.

[keith0miles]

Was searching for some unrelated Rockster info when I came across your post. I'm on my third Rockster (keep selling them thinking that I can find something better but I can't). I've tried nearly every brand of tyre: Metzeler, Continental, Pirelli, Avon but the best by far are the Dunlop Roadsmart II. Very grippy in all conditions, longish lasting and the profile of the tyre encourages 'sporty' riding. Again, fairings I have had a few - best by far is to fit a R1150GS screen onto the existing headlamp mounting brackets. This involves drilling a couple of holes in each bracket but the screen is very effective without being cumbersome.

I've done track days with this setup at Mallory Park (short straights) and been able to keep up with most non track-day bikes.

Best other modifications are suspension change (I have Hyper Pros front and rear), a Rhinewest ECU chip which takes out the flat spot which BMW inserted to meet German emissions regulations and if you have ABS get it removed as it was badly implemented on the R1150s.

I ride out of Cambridge so if I see another Rockster locally (rare as hens teeth), I'll wave.

Hope you're still enjoying your bike.

Keith

[angellr]

Welcome. Hope you find this to be a good and useful resource.

[riceburner]

I'm on my third Rockster (keep selling them thinking that I can find something better but I can't).

Keith

What is it about Rocksters that encourages multiple purchasing?? I'm on my 3rd as well.

[rocky2ie]

Any chance of a photo of the rockster with the GS screen, can't seem to find one. Cheers.