BMW Roadster/Rockster Owners

[paithorn]

It is true that the clutch change is $2000+(that's what Kris Chew told me). However, I am skeptical about the $20 unit price. Anyway, if you do change at PML, there is a breakdown of charges for parts vs labour....

[seanwu]

In actual facts if we bought the items by ourself, its cheaper, but its the workman hour that is quite costly...

[paithorn]

I always say this to the car forum I've subscribed to.... you pay peanuts, you get peanuts....

I would rather pay more knowing that the job will be well done rather than countless headaches thereafter.....

 

To each his own..........

[coolcat]

My 2 cents' worth ... go to one mech than many; that way they can't blame faults on "other mechanic"; and they would know your bike better.

 

It is hard to find an honest mechanic; many other there are being squeezed by market forces and have to cut corners.

 

Cheers

 

Cat

[paithorn]

Honesty will result in fair pricing(for them)....so got to pay a little more........ Chicken and Egg game again.....

[currypuff]

Hi guys. Just came back yesterday morning at 1am plus. One day later than planned, due to bike breakdown- TWICE !!

 

In one night !!!

 

For those who would like to hear about it, pls read on.

 

Everything was going well until the last day, on my way back to S'pore. After Perak, when I stopped to refuel, rear tire suddenly went flat. A check revealed that the rubber on the valve has torn & all the air has rushed out.

 

Of course, it was impossible to repair even with tire repair kit. Luckily, my partner knows of a shop in Ipoh, so he called the mechanic to wait for us. It was about 7pm.

 

Oops, boss around. Continue later....

[paithorn]

Tires are not considered breakdown lah.... that's not fair to the bike and previous owner...

[I am Roy]

Hi Fellas,

 

I just got myself a R1100R 2 days back. Been a good ride so far. Now trying to learn more about this bike.

 

My ride..... Stock Blue.

 

Anyone staying in Jurong?

[coolcat]

Congrats on getting your bike, 1amRoy ... do try to meet up. If you have any queries about your bike, we'll try to help.

 

Cheers

 

Cat

[marvypower]

Originally posted by seanwu@Sep 21 2006, 07:31 PM

No Problem bro.... all bikers are bros... who wants to come just come when we meetup... there is no border man.... by the way bro marvypower, is your work place beside Isaac's work place?

hmmm... dug out this question.. haha

 

yupss! I'm working in the same building as Issac!

 

why leh?

[I am Roy]

I do have one question though....

 

When i first rode my bike back from the shop home, my first ever ride on the bike, the ABS lights were blinking alternatively all the way. I was told that this is normal.

 

Since then, it has not been blinking this way anymore. Now it only blinks (both together) from the moment i start my bike, until i engage first gear and move off.

 

Is this normal or what?

 

Somehow, the braking seems to feel different during my first ride and since then. (maybe i'm sensitive or wat)

 

Anyone who also rides a R1100R can give advise on this please?

[paithorn]

Originally posted by I am Roy@Nov 23 2006, 03:09 PM

Hi Fellas,

 

I just got myself a R1100R 2 days back. Been a good ride so far. Now trying to learn more about this bike.

 

My ride..... Stock Blue.

 

Anyone staying in Jurong?

Hi,

 

I staying at Bt Batok...quite near you I suppose....dun mind kopi one day...

 

You bought the R1100R from BMWMCS site?

[paithorn]

Originally posted by I am Roy@Nov 24 2006, 11:31 AM

I do have one question though....

 

When i first rode my bike back from the shop home, my first ever ride on the bike, the ABS lights were blinking alternatively all the way. I was told that this is normal.

 

Since then, it has not been blinking this way anymore. Now it only blinks (both together) from the moment i start my bike, until i engage first gear and move off.

 

Is this normal or what?

 

Somehow, the braking seems to feel different during my first ride and since then. (maybe i'm sensitive or wat)

 

Anyone who also rides a R1100R can give advise on this please?

I dun know the R1100R...but for my R1150R, the blinking is normal...after we move off, then the "pull-off test" can be completed which will extinguish the ABS light...

 

Why not dig into your manuals? They will explain everything there...

[I am Roy]

Well... problem is i do not have the manual.... anyone here has a copy?

the ex owner didn't leave it behind with the bike and he's now overseas.

 

 

Anyway.... i bought it from Loois. hope to meet up with you in time to come.

just leave me a msg on my hp.

97927951

[cgl]

Originally posted by currypuff@Nov 23 2006, 12:41 PM

Hi guys. Just came back yesterday morning at 1am plus. One day later than planned, due to bike breakdown- TWICE !!

 

In one night !!!

 

For those who would like to hear about it, pls read on.

 

Everything was going well until the last day, on my way back to S'pore. After Perak, when I stopped to refuel, rear tire suddenly went flat. A check revealed that the rubber on the valve has torn & all the air has rushed out.

 

Of course, it was impossible to repair even with tire repair kit. Luckily, my partner knows of a shop in Ipoh, so he called the mechanic to wait for us. It was about 7pm.

 

Oops, boss around. Continue later....

Oops!

 

Please continue when it is convenient.

[cgl]

Originally posted by I am Roy@Nov 24 2006, 11:31 AM

I do have one question though....

 

When i first rode my bike back from the shop home, my first ever ride on the bike, the ABS lights were blinking alternatively all the way. I was told that this is normal.

 

Since then, it has not been blinking this way anymore. Now it only blinks (both together) from the moment i start my bike, until i engage first gear and move off.

 

Is this normal or what?

 

Somehow, the braking seems to feel different during my first ride and since then. (maybe i'm sensitive or wat)

 

Anyone who also rides a R1100R can give advise on this please?

Alternate blinking means ABS malfunction.

 

I could be just due to the batteries being weak. Actually, if it is blinking continuously for a few days, it is a good sign to change the batteries.

 

Or, it could be a real ABS malfunction, which could be fixed by a simple reset.

 

Need to work those ABS once a while, if not it will get spoilt and replacement of the system is very ex.

 

Both should blink when first switched on, that's to tell you the lights are okay.

[coolcat]

Originally posted by I am Roy@Nov 24 2006, 11:31 AM

When i first rode my bike back from the shop home, my first ever ride on the bike, the ABS lights were blinking alternatively all the way. I was told that this is normal.

 

Since then, it has not been blinking this way anymore. Now it only blinks (both together) from the moment i start my bike, until i engage first gear and move off.

I think both should blink in sync then go off when moving. Will check with my mech tmr.

 

Cheers

 

Cat

[paithorn]

Is the R1100R and R1150R ABS Self test the same?

The R1150R comes with integral ABS while the older version does not...

[I am Roy]

Alternate blinking means ABS malfunction.

 

I could be just due to the batteries being weak. Actually, if it is blinking continuously for a few days, it is a good sign to change the batteries.

 

Or, it could be a real ABS malfunction, which could be fixed by a simple reset.

 

Need to work those ABS once a while, if not it will get spoilt and replacement of the system is very ex.

 

Both should blink when first switched on, that's to tell you the lights are okay.

 

Sounds like what i'm experiencing with the lights turned off after move off is normal. "Phew" (Thanks cgl)

 

Just out of curiosity, how to perform "simple reset"?

 

By the way, anyone here still has the R1100R owners' manual?

 

What's the tire pressure as recommended by the manual? Can't find the tire pressure settings on my Michelin tires. I can't believe it!

[coolcat]

Hiya ... try 33 front and 35 rear for now .. will look up manual and let you know tyre pressures.

 

Cheers

 

Cat

[paithorn]

Originally posted by coolcat@Nov 27 2006, 10:19 PM

Hiya ... try 33 front and 35 rear for now .. will look up manual and let you know tyre pressures.

 

Cheers

 

Cat

Lift up yr seat, the recommended pressure for different load should be there...

[coolcat]

Went to my mech, he wack 40 psi on the rear tyre. Too high?

 

cheers

 

Cat

[paithorn]

i just went to pump my tires today too....37 psi for fronyt and 40 psi on rear....

 

check yr manual or sticker below yr seat.... for loading of 2 pax, it is 2.5 and 2.7 bars....

[paithorn]

Originally posted by currypuff@Nov 23 2006, 01:06 PM

Hi guys. Just came back yesterday morning at 1am plus. One day later than planned, due to bike breakdown- TWICE !!

 

In one night !!!

 

For those who would like to hear about it, pls read on.

 

Everything was going well until the last day, on my way back to S'pore. After Perak, when I stopped to refuel, rear tire suddenly went flat. A check revealed that the rubber on the valve has torn & all the air has rushed out.

 

Of course, it was impossible to repair even with tire repair kit. Luckily, my partner knows of a shop in Ipoh, so he called the mechanic to wait for us. It was about 7pm.

 

Oops, boss around. Continue later....

still waiting for you to continue.....

[currypuff]

Originally posted by currypuff@Nov 23 2006, 01:06 PM

Hi guys. Just came back yesterday morning at 1am plus. One day later than planned, due to bike breakdown- TWICE !!

 

In one night !!!

 

For those who would like to hear about it, pls read on.

 

Everything was going well until the last day, on my way back to S'pore. After Perak, when I stopped to refuel, rear tire suddenly went flat. A check revealed that the rubber on the valve has torn & all the air has rushed out.

 

Of course, it was impossible to repair even with tire repair kit. Luckily, my partner knows of a shop in Ipoh, so he called the mechanic to wait for us. It was about 7pm.

 

Oops, boss around. Continue later....

Sry guys, for the delay. Couldn't find the time, or the mood...

 

Anyway, with the cracked rubber on the tube where you pump in air, there was no alternative but to ride the bike to the shop- about 10km- on a flat rear tire, with my friend escorting me.

 

Leaning forward so as to minimize weight on the rear, I travelled in heavy Ipoh traffic at abt 30kph, with the bike weaving about- not a pleasant experience.

 

When I finally reached the shop, the tire and rim was hot like hell. Obviously, the tire was shot by then and had to be changed. The shop quoted me abt S$250 for a Bridgestone BT020o_O

 

But I gladly paid up so as to be able to continue the journey- there was already more than a 3 hour delay. Oh, and the shop changed the valve to the L-shaped type with no rubber. He said most bikes use this in Malaysia.

 

By then, it was pretty late so we decided to catch up with some other riders staying overnight in Tapah for some supper before continuing, thinking we should reach S'pore in the wee hours of the morning.

 

When we finally got going after additional delays (getting lost, etc) the rain was pouring. Suddenly, without any warning whatsoever, the engine conked out, in the middle of the NSH. Luckily, it was about 3am, so no car rammed into me.

 

I pulled to the side, and kept pressing the starter switch. The switch worked, but the engine wouldn't fire.

After a while, my friend came back, took one look at the bike, and said the infamous ignition sensor gremlin was at work again. He should know, it happened to his RT before near Ipoh. That's how he got to know that shop.

I was told it also happened to countless other BMWs. This is the most common fault of the 1100 series.

 

The sensor was located inside the engine compartment so there was no way to get at it. So that's it, then. No way to get back to S'pore that night.

 

He tied a string to both our bikes and towed me to the nearest hotel. On the way, we had to move up a steep slope then make a U-turn down. At the turn, he forgot to stop and I panicked and squeezed the brake. This sudden jerk caused both his bike and him to fall.

With the help of 2 security guards nearby, we pushed his bike up, forgeting that the rope was still tied to my bike. So when his bike went up, mine went down!

 

My heart went to the bottom as well. Not only for my new Roadster, but more importantly, for his RT, with scratches all over the plastics!

Fatigue has made me performed a stupid action, with drastic and expensive consequences.

Yet, despite the superficial damage to his $40K RT, he told me not to worry about it. What an angel.

 

Well, I finally managed to check into the hotel at about 5am, which happened to be an expensive 5-star one! Needless to say, I was in no mood to enjoy the facilities.

 

Well, to make a long story shorter, the next morning, one of my other friends who had stayed in Tapah came with a tow truck and brought me to another shop in KL, where they comfirmed the problem lies with the sensor.

Or, to put it more precisely, the wiring leading to the sensor. Through time the protective cable around the wire will crack. So when it rains and water get into the exposed wiring, it will cause a short-circuit. They advice me to replace the sensor every 30,000-35,000km to prevent such problems.

Anyway, they diagnosed that the sensor was still working so they only changed the wiring. Cost all in, RM380!

 

That's because this shop knows my friend. Before coming here, another shop quoted me RM1300 for the sensor!!!

 

So there you have it, folks. A pleasant ending to an otherwise very unpleasant day indeed.

 

No, I'm not blaming the previous owner for my trouble. He wouldn't know or anticipate these problems because he rode only in S'pore. This is so different from speeding on Malaysian Highways where the stress to machine and components is much higher.

 

My fault really for making such a long trip on a bike I was still not familiar with. Luckily, no serious harm was suffered, other than to my wallet.