Changing down technique, and that's not all...

[cruiser]

What's the recommended technique, if any, for changing down the gearbox?... a quick press of the lever co-ordinated with a rapid closing-opening of the throttle, or down-shifting whilst 'blipping' the throttle at the same time? With neither method am I able to achieve anything like a smooth change... come to think of it I'm not very smooth up or down the box!

another problem... I'm glad to have the ABS but I'm not impressed with the servo-brakes set up on my R1150R. I find it very difficult coming to a smooth standstill, without the brakes (front brake) grabbing. This is particularly annoying in stop-start situations, coming to rest with a jerk and not in a straight line - embarassing!

and another... the riding position is uncomfortable - too far forward for me. I hope the Verholens bar-backs I've ordered will go some way to rectifying this.

I guess I'm saying that, so far, I'm finding it difficult to be positive about actually riding the bike.... at least I think it looks great!

It's early days yet and so I hope, with time, that I can learn to enjoy this motorcycle more than I do at present... beginning to think I made the wrong choice and that I should have bought something else instead

...is it me, or has anyone else gone through a similar period of disappoinment with their R1150R - and overcome it?

[ruddy]

Blipping the throttle is tricky due to the lack of flywheel effect and the abruptness of the fuel injection. After a while, you'll get the feel of doing it smoothly. It definitely takes a lot of practice. In the meantime, try holding the throttle steady while you quickly down-shift.

I can't help you with the braking, because my bike is a non-ABS model. Sorry.

[Boxer]

The only time mine has been really smooth shifting is when its standing still. Then I can barely hear the "clunk".

I've heard from more than a few old timer BMW riders, that they all do that....clunky shifting I mean.

I resorted to downshifting through all the gears as I coast to an almost stopping situation. To avoid the clunk when shifting into first from neutral, just pull in the clutch and count to 3 before pushing the shift lever down.

I have a non-ABS bike as well.

[Jonny_L]

...is it me, or has anyone else gone through a similar period of disappoinment with their R1150R - and overcome it?

Don't worry, I've been through this with both my BMWs. I found the standard bike pretty unbearable after a while too. On the whole they're great bikes, but need a bit of tweeking to get perfect.

I've always changed the seat and screen, there's loads more you can change as well to customise it to your own shape and needs.
What I'm trying to say is, throw some money at it and it'll be your perfect bike. Seriously

[Sit]

I slow city traffic, stop and go at the lights, I use the rear brake since I am not going more than 5 mph. As for the front brake, you will get use to it. It is touchy, but with time you will come to like it in my opinion. When I ride my wife's bike or take other new BMW's on test ride that do not have the servo brakes, I scare myself the first stop or two because of the difference in pressure it takes. With time, you will end up being smooth on the brake.

[wncbmw]

I was overjoyed with the Roadster from the first ride but then, it is my 5th Beemer, so I am used to the quirks.

Re: shifting issues: Practice is the best medicine. A light pressure on the gear shift prior to shifting makes things smoother, both up and down shifting. I blip the throttle also, whether it helps or not!

Riding position is personal preference. Many use the bar backs but I felt like I was riding a cruiser, since most of my bikes were either the RS or the S type bars with a forward lean. I would like to convert my Roadster to the old S bar position if I could!

[riceburner]

What's the recommended technique, if any, for changing down the gearbox?... a quick press of the lever co-ordinated with a rapid closing-opening of the throttle, or down-shifting whilst 'blipping' the throttle at the same time? With neither method am I able to achieve anything like a smooth change... come to think of it I'm not very smooth up or down the box!

another problem... I'm glad to have the ABS but I'm not impressed with the power brakes set up on my R1150R. I find it very difficult coming to a smooth standstill, without the brakes (front brake) grabbing. This is particularly annoying in stop-start situations, coming to rest with a jerk and not in a straight line - embarassing!

and another... the riding position is uncomfortable - too far forward for me. I hope the Verholens bar-backs I've ordered will go some way to rectifying this.

I guess I'm saying that, so far, I'm finding it difficult to be positive about actually riding the bike.... at least I think it looks great!

It's early days yet and so I hope, with time, that I can learn to enjoy this motorcycle more than I do at present... beginning to think I made the wrong choice and that I should have bought something else instead

...is it me, or has anyone else gone through a similar period of disappoinment with their R1150R - and overcome it?

ummm - have you not heard of the fantastic new invention they call a "clutch"??







Re the brakes - I agree - that's why I didn't buy ABS/servo.

[silverstreak]

Cruiser--

I can't help any with technique, as I'm a new R owner as well, but I can relate to your experience. My very first riding experiences were not all that positive and like you, I found the shifting quirky and the riding position uncomfortable. The cure, for me, has simply been more riding. The quirky shifting is not that hard to master, and the riding position becomes more natural as one relaxes. I put on a Sargent seat, which seems more level--ie, it doesn't push you forward-- and it's an improvement. I suppose we all would like a bike that feels perfect from the beginning. My cruiser is like that. As has been said, the R requires some tinkering to make it fit. What it offers is a ride that is quick and interesting and pure fun.

[qfman]

I find downshifts smoother if I gently dab the rear brake and blip the throttle at the same time as pushing down on the shift lever.

Far as getting from N into 1st goes I find I need to select 1st immediately after pulling clutch in - otherwise it sometimes wont take first at all.

Is stop start-traffic - under 5mph - you really should only use the rear brake. The fronts are way too bitey.

In 5 years I've never had any real problem with the rider's position on my R.

Tom

http://members.optusnet.com.au/~lonergans/

[cruiser]

ummm - have you not heard of the fantastic new invention they call a "clutch"??

riceburner, my friend

Thanks to those who made constructive suggestions re the gear shifts and brakes, I will try them out

[mcollect]

I too am a newbie to the RR, one year. I find the RR to have the best tranny I have used in twenty years, try the R100S for clunkyness, or the MG LMl for farm tractor like shifting, that said. I gently roll on the throttle releasing the clutch when downshifting, no bliping. This allows the engine and tranny to be at the same speed as before shifting. It takes time to learn the right amount of increase in rpm's. But it does make for perfectly smooth shifting. Upshifting, I do preload the shifter release the clutch then roll on the throttle, Time and patience, my freind is all it takes.
Can't speak of brakes as I have non abs, but the front is for slowing way down and the rear for the final stop. BTW I have had the LeMans for thirty years and am still perfecting my techjnique.

[awagnon]

another problem... I'm glad to have the ABS but I'm not impressed with the power brakes set up on my R1150R. I find it very difficult coming to a smooth standstill, without the brakes (front brake) grabbing. This is particularly annoying in stop-start situations, coming to rest with a jerk and not in a straight line - embarassing!

Cruiser,

I've noted the same problem with stops. They felt and looked sloppy because, like you said, the front brake was more sensitive than the rear which is a no no when riding slow with the slightest turn of the front wheel. Like the others, I use the front brake until less than 5 mph and then shift to the rear brake. Much smoother. In fact, I wish I could do this with my RT which has fully linked brakes, so it doesn't work.

[Sunbeemer]

A good example of the great engineering that went into this bike is the correspondence between the engine's output power and the transmission's gear-ratios. This is demonstrated when downshifting by holding the throttle to maintain a steady speed at low (~2500) rpms before you downshift, then pull in the clutch without moving the throttle, quickly downshift one gear and engage the clutch again. In the time it takes to do the downshift, the engine rpms will have risen to just where they need to be to match the next lower gear's input-shaft speed, so you get the smoothest possible downshift. It works in all gears except from 6th (overdrive) to 5th gears, when you must let off the throttle a tad since the throw is longer on the 6th=overdrive models.

Try it and you'll appreciate some of the considerable engineering built into this quality machine, and it is very easy on the clutch lining too!

As for seating comfort, it takes a while to break in the seat (or break in your butt - not sure which happens), but it starts feeling goood after ~2500 miles!

[baltm604]

Match the rpm's on the way down. If you downshift and there is a material mismatch in the rpm's of the engine to the transmission, there is more than necessary wear and tear on the clutch.

My clutch failed in 18k because I beat the hell out of it and downshifted into engine braking all the time. It's amazing how a $900.00 repair can alter your driving style

Bill

[Hendrikus]

it took me about 4000 km to get the right feeling

i'll shift up NOT using the clutch, smooth and fast

when driving at a contant speed, hold the throttle, give a bit off pressure down the the clutch, like butter

when decellarating, close throttle and/or braking, shifting down, gives a little glungk.

i think BMW used an old messerschmitt gearbox: relaiable

[orangebob]

Boy was I glad to stumble on this dialogue. I too am new to the R1150R...my other bik's a V-Rod. I don't mind the klunks but would like to be a bit smoother...I'm sure that comes w/practice. I kinda like the riding position...didn't think I would. But those front brakes....I was out practicing quick stops to warm-up for the riding season and had to do just one more with a little more speed. My next challenge was picking it up. I feel comfortable that I won't do that again under normal conditions. But when you REALLY need to stop, how do you avoid grabbing too much brake?

By the way, the fuel injector really hurts when your knee hits it! Also, anyone know where I can get new mounting hdw for my touring shield...think I bent the lower-right bracket.

[MattPie]

But when you REALLY need to stop, how do you avoid grabbing too much brake?

I've been reading this thread and I'm confused. Either my bike is special, or being big (6'2", 270lbs) makes a difference, but I don't notice the issues with braking. If I need to panic-stop (and I have), I just pull the front lever as hard as I can. I think I might ease up just before I come to a complete stop, but I don't know. I'll have to try on the way home from work. I dropped the bike once at parking lot speeds due to grabbing too much front brake, but I generally use the front lever all the time.

As for shifting, as of late I use two fingers on the clutch, and pull the lever to contact the remaining fingers on the grip. I've debated on this method since it probably wears the clutch, but it's smooth. I use all 4 fingers when coming to stop, of course.

[mcollect]

MattPie grabbing the front hard at the beginning is NOT the fastest way to come to a rapid stop. You should start softer and as the cross section of the front tire flattens( starts as a V and becomes a U add more force. It is something like squeezing a lemon, soft then harder to get all the juice out. And release before a full stop has occured.

[MattPie]

MattPie grabbing the front hard at the beginning is NOT the fastest way to come to a rapid stop. You should start softer and as the cross section of the front tire flattens( starts as a V and becomes a U add more force. It is something like squeezing a lemon, soft then harder to get all the juice out. And release before a full stop has occured.

You're right, of course. I skipped that part. I normally do start progressively to load up the front tire. On the way home, I did a quick stop. I let the brake out just as I come to a full stop, so the bike settles out. I do it by instinct now, so I don't even think about it. (I also do it my my car, a habit I picked up driving a Jeep a few years ago. That thing would buck back and forth like a playground horse if you didn't.)

[dragonmojo]

Sounds like mcollect (Michael) got it right with the gradual application of brake lever pressure. Want really quick stops? ABS.

For those who find the shifting, braking and seat position quirky or uncomfortable... I haven't noticed, but then again, I have been riding BMWs since '83. It is also subjectively relative; to what previous rides are we comparing or contrasting the BMW idiosyncracies?

I also concur with the posts regarding practice, practice, practice. One of the things I do for braking practice is to try coming to a complete stop w/o putting a foot down.

As for smooth downshifting... I guess I'm an old fart where this is 2nd nature and I don't even think about it or notice anything unusual.