motoring
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Did a quick yet relaxing demo ride of the base R18 then the R18 bagger today. Like being able to see the rpm gauge via the Menu button on the base R18. Started to rain when I had the bagger out on the ride so cut it short and took it back to the shop.
So indeed I did this backwards…purchased the bike before going back to do a demo ride again. Today the dealer had R18 demo rides again. Long story short, am happy I picked the base model…need to go get it next month from up North. Well, granted it would take maybe 6k over the 12.4k I am paying total for the R18FE with cruise to go to a bagger anyway I figure. Though the weight is simply too much for my likely to get any R18 that weights more then the base model…plus it looks kick ass I feel.
I did notice my shoulder blades seem to be stretched a bit wide on the base model as well as the handlebars sort of span wide and they don’t really angle back as much as one might like…at least for my liking. I sort of think of myself as average guy for this bike so uncertain why BMW did the bars the way they did. I saw some youtube video of some company designing some replacement bars but did not make a note of who there were
With clutch fully engaged (in) the engine seems to want to pop the clutch out…one can hear and feel the jugs sort of wanting to be set free if that makes any sense. The guy that got a classic said after 6k miles that feeling/sensation goes away.
I get the bagger look but it is simply too heavy a bike for me to have any comfort in moving around at low speed. As in getting started off the side stand when leaving the dealer parking lot. Honestly, I am surprised more people don’t drop these bikes during demo rides leaving the parking lot (maybe just a me thing).
Yes, I will need to watch to lessen bumps (no I don’t know what the spring was set to) though the base is the base so that rear end is what it is and one deals with it. My thus far planned Weekender seat upgrade should help on that front. And I do indeed like the pinstripes on my R18FE model as well.
The bike just looks sweet riding down the road with that speedo in front, not the same though akin in a slight manner to my /5 setup which had the speedo on the top 2/3 then the tach on the bottom one third all in a single shell housing that likewise contained the headlight. The ride did remind my old mind one should ride with a full face hement else at least a 3/4 helmet with a drop down shield. Open face 3/4 with no shield not so great in my book. Maybe riding goggles that would fit over glasses would do the trick if they have such things.
Slight chance I might even like the Leg Rest I ordered for the bike as well if the egos of the Weekender seat don’t force me too close towards the front of the bike. I did place my riding boots on top of the jugs briefly and felt, maybe due to the stock low seat, that I wanted to be sitting higher in the saddle as it where plus maybe back a drop but with the stock handle bars i don’t know that I could seat much further back honestly since they are so darn wide. If needed maybe the Cross County would resolve that issue somewhat and not create more. Though it is a single seat, not two piece. Since I ride solo it would be nice not to put a rear seat on it…would like to show off the rear fender a bit.
I have not asked if my dealer can get me the bmw solo seat and associated bracket needed though that would be a roll of the dice as I am certain they would not want to order one for stock if I did not like it.
Wonder if anyone has replaced the stock base R18 bars due to the reasons i have noted above and likewise felt a change was needed? If not I might just have to live with the stock bars until other vendors make some thus Bike OctoberFest in Daytona this year is probably too soon to hope for alternate options to select from.
So indeed I did this backwards…purchased the bike before going back to do a demo ride again. Today the dealer had R18 demo rides again. Long story short, am happy I picked the base model…need to go get it next month from up North. Well, granted it would take maybe 6k over the 12.4k I am paying total for the R18FE with cruise to go to a bagger anyway I figure. Though the weight is simply too much for my likely to get any R18 that weights more then the base model…plus it looks kick ass I feel.
I did notice my shoulder blades seem to be stretched a bit wide on the base model as well as the handlebars sort of span wide and they don’t really angle back as much as one might like…at least for my liking. I sort of think of myself as average guy for this bike so uncertain why BMW did the bars the way they did. I saw some youtube video of some company designing some replacement bars but did not make a note of who there were
With clutch fully engaged (in) the engine seems to want to pop the clutch out…one can hear and feel the jugs sort of wanting to be set free if that makes any sense. The guy that got a classic said after 6k miles that feeling/sensation goes away.
I get the bagger look but it is simply too heavy a bike for me to have any comfort in moving around at low speed. As in getting started off the side stand when leaving the dealer parking lot. Honestly, I am surprised more people don’t drop these bikes during demo rides leaving the parking lot (maybe just a me thing).
Yes, I will need to watch to lessen bumps (no I don’t know what the spring was set to) though the base is the base so that rear end is what it is and one deals with it. My thus far planned Weekender seat upgrade should help on that front. And I do indeed like the pinstripes on my R18FE model as well.
The bike just looks sweet riding down the road with that speedo in front, not the same though akin in a slight manner to my /5 setup which had the speedo on the top 2/3 then the tach on the bottom one third all in a single shell housing that likewise contained the headlight. The ride did remind my old mind one should ride with a full face hement else at least a 3/4 helmet with a drop down shield. Open face 3/4 with no shield not so great in my book. Maybe riding goggles that would fit over glasses would do the trick if they have such things.
Slight chance I might even like the Leg Rest I ordered for the bike as well if the egos of the Weekender seat don’t force me too close towards the front of the bike. I did place my riding boots on top of the jugs briefly and felt, maybe due to the stock low seat, that I wanted to be sitting higher in the saddle as it where plus maybe back a drop but with the stock handle bars i don’t know that I could seat much further back honestly since they are so darn wide. If needed maybe the Cross County would resolve that issue somewhat and not create more. Though it is a single seat, not two piece. Since I ride solo it would be nice not to put a rear seat on it…would like to show off the rear fender a bit.
I have not asked if my dealer can get me the bmw solo seat and associated bracket needed though that would be a roll of the dice as I am certain they would not want to order one for stock if I did not like it.
Wonder if anyone has replaced the stock base R18 bars due to the reasons i have noted above and likewise felt a change was needed? If not I might just have to live with the stock bars until other vendors make some thus Bike OctoberFest in Daytona this year is probably too soon to hope for alternate options to select from.
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