BMW Motorcycles

[coolcat]

I recently saw a R1150R Roadster on the road, and what struck me was that it is not really a large machine. Strange, because in terms of specs etc it seems close to the GS. On the other hand, the GS seems much taller and bigger.

 

The R1100R has a shorter wheelbase than the R1150R.

 

Confession, I wanted a GS when I got my licence and then decided on the R when I realised that it is probably more suitable for me since I do not go on bad roads or dirt tracks. It is also lower than the GS and hence more feasible for me. I bought my R on a wimp, actually, without even knowing the market price for one, without reading up on BMWs, and without knowing what to look for (kinda like buying my first bike many years ago). It's a pig to push and my steed couldn't start 4 days after I bought it! However, the R has since served me well, looked after me, and I am really quite fond of it. Quite a good purchase in retrospect.

 

The R1100R has lovely curves, while the R1150R has 2 jet-fighter-like intakes. The R1100R is also great for the adjustable seat-height.

 

The GS looks the business, and is very competent.

 

Cheers

 

Cat

[bikerblues]

Me too!

Actually, I will be happy with just Hagon.

 

Hey Puff ...tell you what.. sell you my ohlins la (only 10K) ..and it comes with the bike

[Phang]

It only needs a pair of wings

 

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v198/Phang/DSCN5596a.jpg

 

http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/c/c9/2_Apollos_%28Prototype%29_with_F-4_Phantom.jpg

[bikerblues]

It only needs a pair of wings

 

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v198/Phang/DSCN5596a.jpg

 

http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/c/c9/2_Apollos_%28Prototype%29_with_F-4_Phantom.jpg

 

yup...agreed! I own one when they first launched it..really like fighter jet from the front..

It rides well but for me the 6th gear was really an overdrive and not much use on our roads if you want to still to the speed limit...haha.. I replaced the centre box with a staintune (without cats) but kept the stock tail pipe..and it sort of improved rideability...cheers.

[currypuff]

Hey Puff ...tell you what.. sell you my ohlins la (only 10K) ..and it comes with the bike

 

Whaa, don't tempt me lah.

Buy your Ohlins for $10K got free bike. Wow, fantastic deal leh.

 

Remember I once said to you that bike upgrading or upgrading a bike is like a bottomless pit that can suck all your money in?

Well, I did not follow my own philosophy and had already spent more on this bike than I intended to.

And I haven't even come to the big ticket items like clutch plates replacement, which I think is not be far off now that my mileage is close to 100K.

 

And replacement for my poor OEM shocks which I force to work way past their retirement age!

Oh dear heavens, when will I strike Toto?

 

********************

On another matter, my orders from Motorworks arrived and sure enough, GST was charged. The funny thing is, they charge GST for the postage as well! Is this correct? Anybody familiar with customs procedure?

 

Another funny thing is, two people asked to 'tompang'.

Person A (5 small items), the saving in shipping is only 1 pound.

Person B (1 medium sized item), the difference is 8 pounds.

So whether it is worthwhile to combine orders vary according to the items. If the total value is less than $400 and you do not have to pay GST, then there will definitely be some savings.

The question is whether the saving is substantial enough to warrant the extra hassle involved in coordinating the orders.

Not to forget the delivery fee ($5 in my case) from Singpost you have to pay when you order separately.

Just for your information.

P.S. In the end, I asked Person A to order himself to avoid the GST.

 

Regarding the overdrive 6th gear, I think it is beneficial overseas, especially on the NSH. Reduces the RPM and improves the fuel consumption, no?

I wished for a 6th gear when cruising in Malaysia and Thailand.

[Phang]

Yes, Singapura government calculates the GST based on the total amount of CIF. (Cost, Insurance and Freight) declared by the seller.

 

If the total amount of CIF is less than S$400.00, the parcel is exempted from GST. I always throw in some small items which I may need in future to bring the CIF amount close to S$400 to stretch my dollars by avoid paying GST. Tips from a thrifty motorcyclist again

 

http://www.customs.gov.sg/leftNav/trad/cle/Internet+PurchasesPostal+Parcels.htm

 

There was one incident when Singapura Custom at SingPost Paya Lebar detained one of my carton box from Japan because they are not convinced by the value declared by the seller. I was asked to provide as much information and documentation as possible on the value of the items inside the carton box. Don’t play play…

[kittosoft]

http://www.singaporebikes.com/forums/picture.php?albumid=231&pictureid=2648

 

somewhere near the unoffical thai/cambodia a cow looking @ my GS

[deeGan]

Well i saw one edition of the r1150r with tiger stripes and luminous green kaler.. wat model is that ? anyway guys if im free can i join for meet up although i ride a GS .. ??

[Phang]

Most likely a R1150R Rockster

 

http://moto.aaannunci.it/annuncio_annunci_imagini/264520.jpg

[coldbarrel]

Wrap in matt black / matt CF sticker much cheaper ..

and ya ... i think black box way cooler ...

 

 

I am thinking of anodising/powder-coating my 3 boxes to black. What do you guys think? I am only concerned with the aesthetics.

 

Pictures below for comparo....

 

http://i48.tinypic.com/wvygjl.jpg http://i50.tinypic.com/30c7eom.jpg

 

My bike is below.

 

http://i48.tinypic.com/6izmyt.jpg

[coldbarrel]

anyway ...

sold my 1100GS .. have some parts ...

 

- the yellow hard part..

- stock screen, dark thin & clear..

- H&B engine guard / crash bar ..

- used Hall Sensor for emergency use ..

 

sms me: 9093 3069

[currypuff]

Yes, Singapura government calculates the GST based on the total amount of CIF. (Cost, Insurance and Freight) declared by the seller.

.......

 

Thank you Phang for the clarification. I guess you can still play play with them if your items are used, as in:

"The seller willing to sell the Ohlins shock for 50 cents leh, cannot meh?"

Thanks also cat for the shock comparo. very interesting.

Bad Engrish aside, it is unfortunate that those with the highest scores also command the highest prices. Guess you can't get around quality and cost.

 

Aiyoh, packagetoy. Taste is subjective lah. Some like silver, some like black. That's why bikes comes in different colors mah. Just go with your heart lah.

But better stick some reflective 3M stickers if you go black.

[deeGan]

another qns guys.. fog light for gs.. which suits it? i tot of hella 450 but i want smaller version..where to look around???

[zhang jin]

wunderlich.

[coolcat]

another qns guys.. fog light for gs.. which suits it? i tot of hella 450 but i want smaller version..where to look around???

The Hella Micro DE is really nice in terms of styling and elegance (however I found the lighting somehow weak with normal 55W):

 

http://www.expeditionexchange.com/hella/DSC08581340.jpg

 

http://www.expeditionexchange.com/hella/DSC00681.jpg

 

However, if you want to combine style with proper lighting, then the Micro DE HID is great; it seems to exist although I have not seen it myself:

 

http://www.volvospeed.com/Pics/Review/hella_de.jpg

 

To me the Touratech version looks suspiciously like a re-badging of the Micro DE (you be the judge); Touratech Part Numbers: 040-1503, 040-2001, comes in Xenon or fog light versions:

 

http://www.touratech-usa.com/shop/media2/01-040-1503-01.jpg

 

http://www.touratech-usa.com/shop/media2/01-040-2001-01.jpg

 

One option to see if you can save cost while getting great lighting is to use the "normal" Hella Micro DE then rig it up with a cheap HID, ballast set from Taiwan / China etc. Make sure that the DE has a mounting bracket for the light to be mounted / pivot. For the bling factor, it comes in Chrome too.

 

Good luck, please show pics after you mount.

 

Cheers

 

Cat

[deeGan]

cool ....how much does the hella cost ? touratech lights are more way expensive..hmm maybe i ask the apek of autopoint for advise to fix it hmmm..looks like a hid kit to me

[coolcat]

Contact the local Hella distributor. The way Hella works is that it will not sell direct but will direct to you to its retailers. Some retailers are slow, some are efficient. I cannot recall how much I bought the DE about 4 years ago, but it is above $100, might be even more than $200.

 

As for the "fit a HID to DE" idea, you can contact Lim Battery Pte Ltd (Blk.3018 Unit 02-23, Bedok North Street 5, Singapore 486132 Tel:63381138). The owner is a friendly chap, and can wire up everything for you. He does free battery conditioning, by the way.

 

You will also have to make a mounting bar for the aux lights. The Wunderlich crash bars have 2 nice mounting points for the lights.

 

Cheers

 

Cat

[Buckonefifty]

Hi all. I'm thinking of getting the GS1200 adventure. Maybe the 08? PLease please please, some inputs on the pricings..1st/2nd hand ones. Which bike shop carries the beast? I'm 28 and i just passed my class 2, if that's any help. Looked around in here but i can't get information on it. Thanks.

[Salty]

Hi,

 

Just got my Class 2 and am looking at a R1200C.

Any views on it?

Since it's already a 10+ year old bike, any major problems?

Easy to get parts?

 

Cheers

[coolcat]

Hi,

Just got my Class 2 and am looking at a R1200C.

Any views on it? Since it's already a 10+ year old bike, any major problems?

Easy to get parts?

Cheers

 

Hiya, Salty, Welcome.

 

No worries about buying parts for BMW bikes. PML carries them, and you have the option of buying from elsewhere too.

 

This is a great bike, the only complaints I've seen are the seemingly easily corroded rims and headers. It's a monolever, so should not have the problems associated with the final drives of the oilheads.

 

10+ year old bike's typical issues: wiring harness frayed (need to re-wrap), clutch change (assuming that is not done). Flush the fluids, oil / fuel filter and you should be good. Really love the black pinstripe one:

 

http://bmbikes.co.uk/photos/photophotos/R1200CClassicNightBlack.JPG

 

Cheers

 

Cat

[f650gs]

Hi,

 

Just got my Class 2 and am looking at a R1200C.

Any views on it?

Since it's already a 10+ year old bike, any major problems?

Easy to get parts?

 

Cheers

 

Hi, I have a friend looking to sell his R1200C some time ago. PM me your number if you interested. I can link you guys up.

[brendan_ctk]

My bike is still at a workshop, so unless the mechanic decided to take it for a 'test ride', that was not mine. Anyway, didn't even know what JOM is.

 

It had been a wonderful week. Really got to appreciate our efficient public transport. Traveling time to work almost tripled.

Learned to get in touch with my spiritual self while waiting for the bus.

Enjoyed the MRT's greatest hit, "Doors closing. Pi pi pi pi...".

Changed appointment making from "Sure, can meet you anywhere." to "Can you come to my place?"

 

Well, absence makes the heart grows fonder. So let's hope I will appreciate my bike more after this...

 

BTW, I think some of us would love the chance to meet one another and at the same time, go for a little spin up North. Care to organize one, kittosoft?

 

 

Brake plate? Do you mean brake pad? If yes, check out my post on the anti-rattle clips.

 

 

OK, shall come clean on this one. Did a wheel swap with Mr blues, plus some goodies thrown in.

Previous owner will get mad if he knows about it. But hey, it's my bike now.

 

Spokes look gorgeous but is far from ideal on a workhorse bike, IMO. 3 spokes cast wheels look cheap but is tough and practical. One wipe with a sponge and it's clean. Spoke wheel polishing is a medieval torture device that requires Zen-like patience. Hats off to bikerblues for his restoration work.

Fuel economy also improved with the cast wheel. Supposedly turns better too.

Read from an overseas forum that BMW spokes are incredibly rugged and well-built but is almost impossible to realign (they call it 'truing') if the spokes becomes misaligned from hard knocks while off-roading. Even overseas dealers will advise replacement rather than repair. One guy took 3 days where on a 'normal' spoke wheel, he only takes 1 hr.

Kind of defeats the purpose of having spokes on the GS Adventure.

Oh yes. bikerblues, you may want to spray some WD-40 or other anti-rust compounds on the nooks and crannies of the wheels when you are not riding. Apparently, dirt trapped in these hard-to-reach areas could cause corrosion and weaken the wheel.

 

 

yes currypuff i mean brake plate, the disc plate between your brake pad.. if that what you call.. by the way are you servicing your bike at autopoint by the owner call alex?

[Buckonefifty]

Hope these interest you:-

 

http://www.singaporebikes.com/forums/showthread.php?t=263389&highlight=r1200gs

 

http://www.singaporebikes.com/forums/showthread.php?t=265696

 

 

Big help, thanks!

[deeGan]

thanks cool cat for ya info..btw the person at bedok will able to wire up my gs too?? thats cool..as mostly most bike shop are afraid to to bmw wiring ..hmm great ..

[coolcat]

thanks cool cat for ya info..btw the person at bedok will able to wire up my gs too?? thats cool..as mostly most bike shop are afraid to to bmw wiring ..hmm great ..

 

Ask him whether he'll do it; he offered to do mine when his shop was at Moonstone. He also sells batt chargers, by the way.

 

Another option is to put HID in your main lamp.

 

Cheers

 

Cat