I get it on Saturday - First BMW

Post by **duke** » Thu Apr 20, 2006 6:15 pm

Chris - sorry for the question - but how much Ã‚Â£Ã‚Â£Ã‚Â£ was the bike? Also how much was the insurance? And who with?

Post by **iowabeakster** » Fri Apr 21, 2006 2:53 am

These bikes are quirky but great all the same. Pay attention to the above notice about getting it into first gear. All it takes is a double clutch. Also make sure the kick stand is up before you get it into gear. This should get you on your way without any embarrassment. Most importantly, have lots of fun.

chris · Post by **chris** » Fri Apr 21, 2006 5:36 am

Hi Duke
Paid Ã‚Â£5500, insurance is Ã‚Â£125 but I didn't ask the broker who it was with and don't have the bit of paper yet. Only Ã‚Â£50 more than it costs to insure my XR. Bought a fenda extender yesterday...it's started before I even got it..case protectors, hand guards...oh dear.

Thanks to all for the tips about getting first. Will try to remember!

Chris

22 hours to wait...

Post by **duke** » Fri Apr 21, 2006 8:06 am

chris wrote:Hi Duke
Paid Ã‚Â£5500, insurance is Ã‚Â£125 but I didn't ask the broker who it was with and don't have the bit of paper yet. Only Ã‚Â£50 more than it costs to insure my XR. Bought a fenda extender yesterday...it's started before I even got it..case protectors, hand guards...oh dear.

Thanks to all for the tips about getting first. Will try to remember!

Chris

22 hours to wait...

Why don't you come down to London

chris · Post by **chris** » Fri Apr 21, 2006 8:36 am

why London?

Post by **duke** » Fri Apr 21, 2006 11:53 am

chris wrote:why London?

for a day trip of course ... to "stretch the bike's legs"

kidding of course!

Enjoy tomorrow!

chris · Post by **chris** » Sat Apr 22, 2006 7:30 am

It's here! As it's not taxed or tested I had to have it delivered and have only ridden it a couple of miles but boy...

The steering is the weirdest feeling and I think it'll take a while to get round a corner on my own side of the street!

I just fitted a fenda extender and am off to clean it properly now.

Post by **tipstall** » Sat Apr 22, 2006 8:13 pm

Chris,

Congrats on the new bike. Have fun.

chris · Post by **chris** » Sun Apr 23, 2006 3:10 am

Cheers. Had another short ride last night to feel the steering. It does feel wierd, like a normally suspended bike at walking pace but in turns at 20mph the bars feel like they're fighting me, haven't even managed to get my head round why it feels wierd properly yet as I've not been able to go anywhere far. At speed it's fantastic. I reckon it's just the way these are and it'll take a while to adjust from an XR250 which steers a little differently with knobbly tyres on the street! Other than that first impressions are that it's a different world to anything else I've ridden in the last 22 years and I can't wait to get the legal niceties out of the way so I can get out on it. Going for a long ride Monday evening with a mate who's running in the new 1200GS so will be clock watching in the office all day Monday!

chris · Post by **chris** » Sun Apr 23, 2006 3:53 am

Here it is

Post by **DJ Downunder** » Sun Apr 23, 2006 3:55 am

Chris...very nice..you must be rapt..

...glad you got the pic thing worked out..

DJ

chris · Post by **chris** » Sun Apr 23, 2006 4:16 am

Rapt...yep! Next question. What cases will fit the mountings on this bike? It didn't come with any so I've no idea what to look for.

Post by **DJ Downunder** » Sun Apr 23, 2006 4:36 am

The BMW system cases..you have three size lids to choose from..and a full size left option.

DJ

chris · Post by **chris** » Sun Apr 23, 2006 2:41 pm

This bike looks soooo good I thought I'd post one more pic..

Croc · Post by **Croc** » Sun Apr 23, 2006 3:58 pm

What tyres are those?? They look a bit chunky

When I find out how I will post a pic of mine - same colour.

Croc

chris · Post by **chris** » Sun Apr 23, 2006 4:09 pm

They're Dunlop D207 Sportmax. Rear one is about done though.
To post a pic you need to put it on the net somewhere (fotopic is where I put them, free hosting) and link to it using the IMG button at the top if the message editor here.
Will keep an eye out for your pic! Have relatives down your way, North Willingham.

Post by **tipstall** » Sun Apr 23, 2006 9:55 pm

Chris,

Nice bike, I like.

Post by **CycleRob** » Mon Apr 24, 2006 1:47 am

chris, The silver bike and black engine combo is stunning!

About the handling . . . . your tire's brand and worn out condition will degrade the bike's true handling characteristics. When replacement time comes, insist on a pair of Metzler Roadtec Z-6 tires. Then you will be right behind Rossi on the track. You'll also never buy any other tire (tyre) even after almost 10,000 miles (16,100km).

Another change you can make, after the new tires are on, is crank in near maximum preload on the rear shock's remote adjuster knob and try cornering again.

About the starting, you don't have to wait for the fuelpump to stop since you don't have ABS. I frequently hold the starter button down, then turn on the key. Fuel pressure builds immediately and computers think much faster than people do. It starts right-a-way.

You've only just scratched the surface on how uncommonly capable our bike is. It's also a bit of a chick magnet, but you didn't hear that from me.

chris · Post by **chris** » Mon Apr 24, 2006 3:40 am

Have to agree, the colour is fantastic!
Thanks for the tip, had found them for Ã‚Â£165 a pair here and the 8mm tread depth sort of made my mind up. Good to know they're the right tyre.
About the preload, manual says to set it at the low setting for solo. Your experience is that the opposite is better?

chris · Post by **chris** » Mon Apr 24, 2006 5:22 am

Good news. Handling completely transformed by adding 15PSI to the rear tyre and 10 to the front....no wonder it was struggling to turn..

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