Title: New kind of riding experience - BMW R850R
Post by: Adam R on July 24, 2004, 08:42:12 AM
Post by: Adam R on July 24, 2004, 08:42:12 AM
After moving back to the east coast, I've been working pretty much all the time. However, one of my coworkers has a small collection of BMW motorcycles and has taken me out riding twice - with me on his R850R and him on his R1150GS.
Riding the R850R has been unlike any other motorcycle I've ridden. I've always had sport bikes, from a CBR 250 to CBR 600 with a Bandit 400 and more than a couple GS500s thrown in.
Here are some of my riding observations:
- The R850R has no tach! How a motorcycle that leaves the factory with a $8000+ price tag (in the mid 1990s) can have no tachometer is beyond me. I'm sure I overreved the bike a couple times since redline is probably around 8K and I'm used to far more than that. No way to know for sure through.
- The bike takes a lot of effort to steer. While my last GS500 with low clip and raised rear literaly fell into turns, this bike takes forceful countersteering to move it's portly rear through the bends.
- The bike doesn't like to downshift. Try as I might, I had trouble smoothly
matching revs as I downshifted. Then I realized that with this bike you don't really need to downshift.
- This bike has the strangest turn signal system I've ever seen, with a two seperate stalks to operate (one on the right and one on the left) and a third cancel switch that interferes with throttle roll-on.
- The bike does have good torque. The specs mention 57lbs-ft. torque which means that gear changing through most turns isn't really necessary. Although still, with no tach its tough to telljust how low in the revs I might be pulling from.
All in all, I can't imagine ever wanting to own this type of motorcycle, but I''m greatful for having the chance to go riding and I'm am very appreciative of my coworker for loaning me one of his bikes.
Adam
currently bikeless - but still riding around from time to time
Riding the R850R has been unlike any other motorcycle I've ridden. I've always had sport bikes, from a CBR 250 to CBR 600 with a Bandit 400 and more than a couple GS500s thrown in.
Here are some of my riding observations:
- The R850R has no tach! How a motorcycle that leaves the factory with a $8000+ price tag (in the mid 1990s) can have no tachometer is beyond me. I'm sure I overreved the bike a couple times since redline is probably around 8K and I'm used to far more than that. No way to know for sure through.
- The bike takes a lot of effort to steer. While my last GS500 with low clip and raised rear literaly fell into turns, this bike takes forceful countersteering to move it's portly rear through the bends.
- The bike doesn't like to downshift. Try as I might, I had trouble smoothly
matching revs as I downshifted. Then I realized that with this bike you don't really need to downshift.
- This bike has the strangest turn signal system I've ever seen, with a two seperate stalks to operate (one on the right and one on the left) and a third cancel switch that interferes with throttle roll-on.
- The bike does have good torque. The specs mention 57lbs-ft. torque which means that gear changing through most turns isn't really necessary. Although still, with no tach its tough to telljust how low in the revs I might be pulling from.
All in all, I can't imagine ever wanting to own this type of motorcycle, but I''m greatful for having the chance to go riding and I'm am very appreciative of my coworker for loaning me one of his bikes.
Adam
currently bikeless - but still riding around from time to time
Title: Re: New kind of riding experience - BMW R850R
Post by: JamesG on July 24, 2004, 08:56:48 AM
Post by: JamesG on July 24, 2004, 08:56:48 AM
Quote from: Adam RHD STILL sells bikes for much more than that without a tach...
- The R850R has no tach! How a motorcycle that leaves the factory with a $8000+ price tag (in the mid 1990s) can have no tachometer is beyond me.
Quote
All in all, I can't imagine ever wanting to own this type of motorcycle,
Its that German perchant to over-engineer just about everything.
Quote
currently bikeless - but still riding around from time to time
Well if you find $18K in your basement one day, you could always get this Beemer:
Title: New kind of riding experience - BMW R850R
Post by: JLKasper on July 25, 2004, 06:21:31 AM
Post by: JLKasper on July 25, 2004, 06:21:31 AM
When the R850R was "cost engineered" to a price point, the tach was an obvious casualty. Since the 850 engine was torquey enough and has a rev limiter, a tach really isn't necessary.
Clunky transmissions and difficult shifting is something of a BMW trademark, but I thought most of that unpleasant characteristic was engineered out of them. The same goes for the switchgear. Since BMW stayed with this unconventional turn canceller method, they must be catering to the faithful in keeping it that way. Harley has a similar layout, and it's more of an acquired taste.
As for the "difficult" handling, Beemers are also known for deliberate handling characteristics. At least the rear end suspension jacking has been sorted out. Does the front suspension limit brake dive?
It's always puzzled me that BMW autos are among the most desired automobiles on the planet in their niche, but their bikes are "quirky" and only cater to a segment of the market. I thought BMW was on the right track with their K750 series, but it was dumped in favor of the R850 models. Sad. :cheers:
Clunky transmissions and difficult shifting is something of a BMW trademark, but I thought most of that unpleasant characteristic was engineered out of them. The same goes for the switchgear. Since BMW stayed with this unconventional turn canceller method, they must be catering to the faithful in keeping it that way. Harley has a similar layout, and it's more of an acquired taste.
As for the "difficult" handling, Beemers are also known for deliberate handling characteristics. At least the rear end suspension jacking has been sorted out. Does the front suspension limit brake dive?
It's always puzzled me that BMW autos are among the most desired automobiles on the planet in their niche, but their bikes are "quirky" and only cater to a segment of the market. I thought BMW was on the right track with their K750 series, but it was dumped in favor of the R850 models. Sad. :cheers:
Title: New kind of riding experience - BMW R850R
Post by: tt_four on July 25, 2004, 06:58:17 AM
Post by: tt_four on July 25, 2004, 06:58:17 AM
the dealership i bought my bike from has one building of bmws, and one building of triumphs(cause bmw likes to have their own showroom, probably cause that makes it harder to compair them to other bikes), but io've spent plenty of time sitting in the bmw show room cause that's where they do service at, and some of those things just don't make any sense to me....
i'm still not too sure what the huge deal is with that no-dive front end, if they're that nice, you'd think they'd just come with adjustable suspensions,
i'm still not too sure what the huge deal is with that no-dive front end, if they're that nice, you'd think they'd just come with adjustable suspensions,
Title: New kind of riding experience - BMW R850R
Post by: tt_four on July 25, 2004, 06:58:17 AM
Post by: tt_four on July 25, 2004, 06:58:17 AM
the dealership i bought my bike from has one building of bmws, and one building of triumphs(cause bmw likes to have their own showroom, probably cause that makes it harder to compair them to other bikes), but io've spent plenty of time sitting in the bmw show room cause that's where they do service at, and some of those things just don't make any sense to me....
i'm still not too sure what the huge deal is with that no-dive front end, if they're that nice, you'd think they'd just come with adjustable suspensions,
i'm still not too sure what the huge deal is with that no-dive front end, if they're that nice, you'd think they'd just come with adjustable suspensions,
Title: New kind of riding experience - BMW R850R
Post by: JLKasper on July 25, 2004, 11:12:39 AM
Post by: JLKasper on July 25, 2004, 11:12:39 AM
Since Evansville is a smaller market (200K metro area), BMW no longer has a presence here. I've discussed this with a local dealer recently. They would love to have BMWs on their floor, but a new Beemer dealer is required to have a dedicated building. The last local dealer was the long-time Harley dealer, and they quit handling them about 15 years ago. At the time, I was considering a new Evolution Sportster. The Sportys were relegated to the rear of the showroom, behind the Beemers and Big Twins. A red K750S caught my eye, and I never walked back to the bike I thought I wanted. Unfortunately, the dealer doesn't deal and I was unsure of their commitment to BMW. So, I passed them up. :cheers:
Title: New kind of riding experience - BMW R850R
Post by: Roadstergal on July 25, 2004, 08:31:17 PM
Post by: Roadstergal on July 25, 2004, 08:31:17 PM
Quote from: JLKasperClunky transmissions and difficult shifting is something of a BMW trademark, but I thought most of that unpleasant characteristic was engineered out of them.
I noticed, when switching to my 500, that the shifts were tighter and quicker than in my F650. Except for first - the beemer pops right into first, while the 500 is a little picky about it. But yes, that bike was very torquey compared to the not-so-torquey but much revvier 500. Very different bikes in feel and design.
The F650 retailed for just under $8K in '99, and has a tach. It does have a standard layout for the turn signal (one switch on the left).
Title: New kind of riding experience - BMW R850R
Post by: JLKasper on July 26, 2004, 05:19:55 AM
Post by: JLKasper on July 26, 2004, 05:19:55 AM
Quote from: RoadstergalI noticed, when switching to my 500, that the shifts were tighter and quicker than in my F650. Except for first - the beemer pops right into first, while the 500 is a little picky about it. But yes, that bike was very torquey compared to the not-so-torquey but much revvier 500. Very different bikes in feel and design.
The F650 retailed for just under $8K in '99, and has a tach. It does have a standard layout for the turn signal (one switch on the left).
Of course, the F650 is a rebadged Aprilia Pegaso that has an Austrian Rotax engine. BMW has begun to give the F more German personality with FI and that, ugh, bodywork. And yes-- the pricetag.
OBTW-- my next motorcycle will be a Miata! :cheers:
Title: New kind of riding experience - BMW R850R
Post by: Roadstergal on July 26, 2004, 11:15:07 AM
Post by: Roadstergal on July 26, 2004, 11:15:07 AM
Quote from: JLKasperAnd yes-- the pricetag.
The tag isn't all that different between generations - the guy had the invoice for his F650, and it was a few bucks under $8000 in '99. The new 2005 GSs are MSRP at $8300, which isn't a huge hike, and that's with an improved chassis and two-plug FI.
Miatae are good cars. :)