Any vibe-free mirror solutions?

[Rocket]

I have a low mileage 2007 R1200R with stock mirrors which vibe up and are rendered useless when fast cruising. I know this is a typical problem (on most bikes) but am interested to learn of any solutions / improvements.

[thepeacebullgrunt]

Buy better mirrors such as MFW for example or find a way to stick some wheels weight somewhere on the other side of the mirrors. (I got my MFW's with Wunderlich US)

A good pair of after market mirrors
with eventually some extenders is a delight anyway.

[vroomr]

I replaced my stock bar end weights with a heavier pair from Manic Salamander. I did this to stop the tinglies, but it also smoothed the mirrors a bit.

[ShinySideUp]

Bar-end mirrors did it for me.

[cwrose]

I've been extremely happy with the improved performance and looks of my F800GS mirrors. Very little to no buzz at cruising speeds of 4k rpm or less and just a slight buzz between 4k and 5.5k. Total cost was $130, probably cheaper in the states.

My apologies for the extremely crappy iPhone pics. Lighting was terrible and I was too lazy to move the bike. I'll try to get some better ones posted in the photo gallery.

[deilenberger]

I find a good tuneup makes my stock mirrors very useable - no vibes except at idle. Just did my 36k service. PITA to change the alternator belt, which really didn't need it, but since I did the PITA part (removing the cover over it), and I had the new belt - figured might as well. The belt itself is a snap to R&R - getting to it less so.

Hint for cover removal - after removing the oil cooler shroud and dropping the oil cooler, and locating all 5 of the screws/bolts holding the cover on, pull it out at the bottom. IF there is a rubber foam piece behind the cover - this must come out with the cover. Once you have the cover off, I'd suggest tossing the foam piece (it's known to cause corrosion of the timing chain cover by capturing moisture and mud.. luckily I got to mine in time, no corrosion, and now no-foam. Newer bikes didn't come with the foam, BMW eliminated it.) Oh - back to R&R - it has to be moved down, so the top clears the telelever wishbone, and down. Pull down to the left side of the bike until you can drop the top from behind the telelever. Take the top up below the telelever to the right side of the bike, and angle the thing until you can slide it out above the left cylinder header. Sort of one of those Chinese puzzle sort of things. PITA the first time, prolly much less so next time IF I remember what I did this time.

Oh - old belt at 36,000 miles looked PERFECT. Even taking it off the bike and reverse flexing it showed up no signs of ANY cracking of the ribbed part (which is where these belts like to fail.) I would not be at all uncomfortable going 50,000 miles on this belt. I think it would make it just fine.

[blueviewlaguna]

Hi Don - great info on the cover, are you sure that my 2010 does not have the foam piece?, I am resisting the urge to pop the cover just to check (due to the Chinese puzzle), yet I felt something that could have been foam with a paperclip stuck up the tiny bottom weep hole. btw, any difference in the noise level? - thanks.

I find a good tuneup makes my stock mirrors very useable - no vibes except at idle. Just did my 36k service. PITA to change the alternator belt, which really didn't need it, but since I did the PITA part (removing the cover over it), and I had the new belt - figured might as well. The belt itself is a snap to R&R - getting to it less so.

Hint for cover removal - after removing the oil cooler shroud and dropping the oil cooler, and locating all 5 of the screws/bolts holding the cover on, pull it out at the bottom. IF there is a rubber foam piece behind the cover - this must come out with the cover. Once you have the cover off, I'd suggest tossing the foam piece (it's known to cause corrosion of the timing chain cover by capturing moisture and mud.. luckily I got to mine in time, no corrosion, and now no-foam. Newer bikes didn't come with the foam, BMW eliminated it.) Oh - back to R&R - it has to be moved down, so the top clears the telelever wishbone, and down. Pull down to the left side of the bike until you can drop the top from behind the telelever. Take the top up below the telelever to the right side of the bike, and angle the thing until you can slide it out above the left cylinder header. Sort of one of those Chinese puzzle sort of things. PITA the first time, prolly much less so next time IF I remember what I did this time.

Oh - old belt at 36,000 miles looked PERFECT. Even taking it off the bike and reverse flexing it showed up no signs of ANY cracking of the ribbed part (which is where these belts like to fail.) I would not be at all uncomfortable going 50,000 miles on this belt. I think it would make it just fine.

[deilenberger]

Hi Don - great info on the cover, are you sure that my 2010 does not have the foam piece?, I am resisting the urge to pop the cover just to check (due to the Chinese puzzle), yet I felt something that could have been foam with a paperclip stuck up the tiny bottom weep hole. btw, any difference in the noise level? - thanks.

As far as I know - no foam in the '10 models. At least that's what I've been told. You could try plugging your VIN into REALOEM and see if the foam is a valid PN for it.. It's a rubber foam, so the paperclip should have been pushing back at you.

No noticeable noise diff - I wear earplugs so noise isn't an issue (but engine sounds fine..)

[Ashveratu]

I also got a set of the F800GS mirrors and I must say they are a huge improvement over the stock mirrors when it comes to vibrations (plus they look great too).

[blueviewlaguna]

I just installed a set F800GS mirrors today and rode about 60 miles of city and freeway:

1/ Instead of the arbitrary round shape of the stock R1200R mirrors, The F800GS mirrors are sort of an asymmetrical football shape. I was surprised to find that this shape provided me with a far greater comfort level in knowing what was behind me - if I didn't know better , I would say that this shape is the result of some testing.

2/ Vibration - my R1200R is very smooth yet at certain times at 80-85 mph when trying to see cars that are far behind me, the stock round mirrors were just too fuzzy to give a useful image - about 1/2 the vibration now with the F800GS mirrors.

3/ Similar design elements as the gas tank - fit the bike's design better IMO.

+1 on the F800GS mirrors - make sure you get the P/N with the mounts included (R1200R clamps are ok, but you will need the F800GS threaded stud and pinch bolt since the mirror stalks are not threaded like the round ones)

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[rokinrider]

Hey Mr Shiney! What bar end mirrors do you have? Do you have any pictures??

Thanks, Rokin

[gezerbike]

I've got the 800 GS mirrors on my bike and I couldn't be happier.......they work great and look the same. About $ 125 for the pair and I sold my stock ones for something like $ 60 for the pair.

[angellr]

Have my F800GS mirrors on order and should be here by the end-of-the-week. Went to the dealership to look at them on the F8's and think this is going to solve MANY stock mirror issues I have. Max's BMW is a good place to start online if you do not have a dealer close by with Parts in stock.

[papasong]

I replaced my stock bar end weights with a heavier pair from Manic Salamander. I did this to stop the tinglies, but it also smoothed the mirrors a bit.

Hi All,

I have a brand new set of bar end weights that I had purchased for my F800ST, but never got around to using (I traded my F800ST for my current R1200R).
I think they are heavier than the stock bar end weights (definitely a little longer), and I was wondering if there's any reason for me to NOT put these on the R1200R.
I know some folks like to put heavier bar end weights on to decrease vibration. Is there any down side to adding a little more weight (and length) to the bar ends?
These are packaged (and labeled) for the F800ST, but they seem to screw on the R1200R bars just fine.

Thanks,
Jeff

[iowabeakster]

Intruder alert...

Here's what a number of R1150R riders have done. Thread locker on the threads to keep them tight!

I am guessing that this might work for you guys too. At least worth a shot... it's a lot cheaper than new mirrors, bar ends, or whatever. Maybe you guys on the fancy bikes don't like the cheap-skate ways of doing things...


viewtopic.php?f=2&t=10043&start=0&hilit=buzzing+mirrors

[rokinrider]

I put a set of bar end mirrors on mine this weekend that I got from fleabay. Pretty happy so far I can see and no vibes. Weee, more farkles, more farkles....