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

OK, so i've only had the bike for 2 days... and i know practice makes perfect... but my wife and i were clanging helmets pretty regularly on my starts, shifts and slow-downs this past weekend.

Seeing as how theres so much more space on this bike then on my Nighthawk i was surprised. Either #1: I'm a pretty poor shifter, #2: she loves me too much and stays too close, or #3: theres not as much room.

I'm guessing #1 or #2 (i mean - she begged me to get the bike)... but looking for opinions/experiences as it's never happened on the Honda.

FWIW we're in Shoei RF1000's.

Thanks all,

It appears to me hat the BMW accessory luggage rack (baggage porter?) has the passsenger grab handles in a better location than the handles that come with the 2011 model. So perhaps adding this rack will prevent the problem by helping her to hang on better and stabilise herself.

I too have the same problem i need more practice changing gear cant teach my wife to anticipate the ropey changes

One way to get smoother shifts is to get the revs up a bit. Shifting below 2500 or 3000 rpm invites lurching etc. Get up around 4 grand and you'll notice you do a much better job of shifting smoothly. When slowing down, don't wait too long to down shift. Keep the revs up.

A Boosterplug helped my bike a whole bunch. Much smoother low-rpm throttle response and softer engine braking. All combine to give the passenger a better ride.

Try having your passenger hang on to you instead of the grab bars. This may help the passenger sync up with the rider, and instead of bumping helmets, the passenger's arms become the dampers.
-jim

Thanks all...

yup - practice will make perfect. Thanks for the insight Bob - i've got to learn to keep the revs up to be smoother. Much different than my Honda!