BMW R1200R R1150R/T F800 K1200R R1100R/T R1250R RnineT Message Board

Hello All!
I have a 2004 R1150R with about 19,750 miles on it that I bought in January. It has had its 18K mile service. It's a great bike and I love it.
However, i am preparing to take it on a 1200 mile round trip over a 5 day period. the return trip will be over 400 miles in one day.
Are there any issues that I should explore as to the bike before I go? I will have all of the usual tire repair kits and fuses and bulbs. I'm really looking for bike-related problems or failures that the R is prone to on long trips like this.

Thanks.

Insure the 18K service included brake and clutch fluid flush.

Get to know your personal oil consumption rate.

Use local air in tires.

1200 miles in 5 days is a nice ride, but not what I'd consider a "long trip." So, if the bike is current on maintenance, it's hop on and go for the most part.

Do your repairs/maintenance using the bike's on-board toolkit and add tools to it when necessary so you don't get surprised without the proper tool while on the road. Make sure you have a way to inflate the tires after plugging them. I don't trust me and the CO2 cartridges, cause if you dink around too much with them or mess up your plug and run out of 'em, you're SOL. I MUCH prefer having a 12V air compressor with me. I got an el-cheapo one and stripped of all the plastic and switched the end of the cord to fit an SAE socket - mine fits nicely between the top of the airbox and under the tank. For plugging purposes, I carry the Stop-n-Go Pocket Tire Plugger which is very easy to use and packs pretty small (don't forget to throw an air pressure gauge in it). Also, a piece of rope is handy to have; you will want something to tie the centerstand to the front wheel if you end up having to work on or plug the back tire.

To outfit my bike for longer rides, I have relocated the fuel filter so I can replace it easily on the side of the road and am adding driving lights in case I get caught out after dark.

Of course anything can happen, but normally this bike will sustain a much longer time and mileage before you have to start worrying. In 2005 I had about 24,000 miles on mine and took off for the western spaces. Three weeks and 7,000 miles later I was home with nothing to worry about but my sore butt and a nice tan on the arms and face! I now have 72,000 on it and am going to try another one of those rides in July.

Go ride and have fun!

Your bike will do great. Mine always has. I find my butt is always the limiting mileage factor--even with an aftermarket seat.

I bet you'll find that 400 miles in a day is no big deal. Unless I really need to be somewhere quickly, I try to avoid the interstates as I have found the thin lines on the map the most interesting to ride. You'll meet nicer people, eat better food, stay at funkier places, and generally see a better side of the country using these roads.

Good luck and have fun--make it an adventure. I envy you. The fluorescent bulbs above me are sucking my spirits dry.

Don't worry about the bike. It'll go a lot further than you will. Where's this 400 mile ride gonna be ? If it's in Mexico, you're biting off too much.

1200 miles is just a good weekend ride. Relax and enjoy!

All the advice about tools and tire repair is good but just as easily applies to anytime you get on the bike!

As stated, the limiting factor is quite likely to be some part of your anatomy, not the bike!

Thanks to all for your thoughts.
The trip is from Memphis, Tn to Destin Fl and back. Going the long way down and jetting back up.
I really appreciate the heads up about using local air in the tires. That's the kind of info you just can't get from reading books!

I think I'm cool on the clutch/ rear drive issues.

Thanks for the help and support.

Texasesq

Just tryin' to help!

MikeCam wrote:Use local air in tires.

Mike I recommend using the BMW air only. It's expensive, but worth it; and I don't want to void my tire warranty.

And Texasesq, don't forget to change your air before you leave. Some guys also rotate their tires but I don't bother, I wear mine out kind of quickly.

Have a great trip !

BTW, Ignore Towerworker when he suggests changing your upper radiator fluid. It's fine to leave it alone.

MikeCam wrote:BTW, Ignore Towerworker when he suggests changing your upper radiator fluid. It's fine to leave it alone.

I would listen to the Towerworker.
After all, he is on his third R1150, I think.
And since Towerworker climes very Tall Towers, he is closer to the God
And therefore, knows more.

P.S. IMHO, you don't need to worry about anything at all.
You own a driving machine that will take you 5 times the trip you are planing, without a glitch.
I don't know how much south in to Florida you will go, but be careful after south
of West Palm Beach. Most of the drivers here never did see a regular car, before they got
their driver license in Florida, by taking the exam in another language, and not an English.
If you are planning to be in Miami, or need help in Miami, drop me a note.
Avoid the streets named after the person you do not recognize.
Good Luck.

TonyT607 wrote:

MikeCam wrote:Use local air in tires.

Mike I recommend using the BMW air only. It's expensive, but worth it; and I don't want to void my tire warranty.

And Texasesq, don't forget to change your air before you leave. Some guys also rotate their tires but I don't bother, I wear mine out kind of quickly.

Have a great trip !

I don't what is with you guys, there's absolutely nothing wrong with using a good aftermarket air in your tires. I have personally used non-BMW air in my tires many times with no ill effects.

Seriously, you don't need much for a long trip on a BMW. The tire kit and one of those little compressors, an upgraded tool kit is about all I see as "must have".
I used to take a quart of oil, but never rode far enough to need it. Convienence store oil will serve in an emergency. On long trips after good preparation of the bike, I consider the riding gear most important.

TonyT607 wrote: Some guys also rotate their tires but I don't bother.

They ride BACKWARDS

Sheesh. Glad that I can use non-BMW air in my tires...and not one person mentioned changing the air when crossing state lines for immaterial purposes...

That will save me a lot of time next week...let's see, Kentucky, Indiana, Iowa, Missouri, Oklahoma, Texas, New Mehico, Hairyzona, Nevada, California, Oregon, then home to Washington. Changing air at State lines would probably add two (or three) days to the journey. Not to mention the cost! Whew!

Texasesq,
like the others here, no problems with that length of ride. At least not with the bike. If you've not done a reasonable amount of longish rides don't bite off more to chew per day than you can handle. I've done a lot of long distance stuff, but after a slow winter period off the bike, it takes a couple of days of serious riding to reacquire some posterior stamina. I remember a column by Clement Salvadori in Rider or one of the other magazines, in his opinion one common problem is not taking enough breaks in a long day. Found his advice to work well, tested his theory on several 850 mile days on a Ducati 900 SP. Pretty regular breaks (more than a quick splash n' go) during the course of the day tended to make me a lot more comfortable at the end of day. Prior to that, I'd just sort of buzz along until the tank was nearly dry, stop quickly, fill the tank, maybe take a sip of water, then blast off again. I'd get places a little quicker, but would be totally fatigued on arrival. Not a particularly good (or safe) way to go if you're doing multiple back to back days of all-day rides. Besides, that's some beautiful country to ride.

Enjoy the ride! Ciao! BJ

44

Bike should do fine as long as you've been maintaining it well; as others have commented, 1200 miles is really nothing. Some things I recommend packing:

12V air compressor.
Tire plug kit.
Heated clothing (believe me, one day you're in 100+ degree heat, next day you see snow flurries).
Drinking water.
Bandana.
Cellphone.
Earplugs.
Hand sanitizer.
Sun block.
Beef jerky.
Tylenol and Tums (or the alternatives).
Bungees.
Glad bags.
Rags and visor wash (or lemon Pledge).
Flashlight, Swiss Army tools.
Toothbrush.
Digicam.
Condoms.

Have fun!
Alan

TicTac50 wrote......
"I would listen to the Towerworker.
After all, he is on his third R1150, I think.
And since Towerworker climes very Tall Towers, he is closer to the God
And therefore, knows more. "

I just knew there was something I liked about you! Good judge of character.

Ignore MikeCam............you do need to check your antifreeze in the radiators. Although with summer rapidly approaching I doubt you will find many sub-freezing temps. So you're probably ok.

And tire rotation is a good idea as well. Along with that I have from a very distinguished and reputable source to repack the muffler bearings twice a year.

Wayne

My mechanic told me the reason the engine seized is because that was NOT the radiator cap.

Hadn't needed to rotate the tires yet, but repacking the muffler didn't seem to stay put. Every time I opened up the exhaust was like firing off shotgun pellets. So what's the secret? Do I pack those bearings with thick grease?