dave_jo Posted October 27, 2007 Posted October 27, 2007 I have to admit I had skipped over the system case section of the owner's manual for my '02 1150RT on the first read through. I was flipping through it the other day and read the section and was horrified to see a 80mph speed limit when the cases are on the bike. Are they serious? Have I been endangering myself by occasionally exceeding that restriction? I must admit that I have been over 100mph a few times.
George Brown Posted October 27, 2007 Posted October 27, 2007 Really, and your cases are still attached?
Mr_Ed Posted October 27, 2007 Posted October 27, 2007 Don't worry about it. The speed limit is "per bag".
dave_jo Posted October 27, 2007 Author Posted October 27, 2007 Don't worry about it. The speed limit is "per bag". So I can go 160mph with both attached? Sweet. I wasn't really worried. I just couldn't believe it was in there.
texasaggie97 Posted October 27, 2007 Posted October 27, 2007 No worries I read that and was a little freaked out but me and a buddy who rode over 110mph for at least 40 miles and my bags were still there when we arrive at our destination. Ride and have a blast.
Dan Gleebitz Posted October 27, 2007 Posted October 27, 2007 They were probably tested to 80mph and found to still be intact ...
Bob Palin Posted October 27, 2007 Posted October 27, 2007 They were probably tested to 80mph and found to still be intact ... No no, if that's what BMW says (glug) that means they extensively tested them (glug) and found that was the limit (gurgle, anybody got any more BMW Kool Aid?)
Joe Frickin' Friday Posted October 27, 2007 Posted October 27, 2007 I have to admit I had skipped over the system case section of the owner's manual for my '02 1150RT on the first read through. I was flipping through it the other day and read the section and was horrified to see a 80mph speed limit when the cases are on the bike. Are they serious? Have I been endangering myself by occasionally exceeding that restriction? I must admit that I have been over 100mph a few times. I haven't heard of anyone having problems due to traveling at the drag-limited top speed with the side cases attached.
567guy Posted October 27, 2007 Posted October 27, 2007 That 80 MPH limit was what made me hunt down low miles RTP.RTP's have a higher limit with the slimmer bags,I was lead to believe the slimmer bags was to lessen drag at supersonic speeds not because they would blow off but the wider civilian bags caused drag that tended to make for a light front end I can not remember if I read this or made it up but it sure makes the cruiser guys eyes open as such touring speeds are not often aceived.
OldSalt Posted October 27, 2007 Posted October 27, 2007 I'm sure glad I got this low-mile 2000 R-1100RT-P model! Now I know a six hour trip is possible from DC to the Indiana line, maybe four! With the radio box serving as the third case, and it being small, and I have the small side bag lids, with the cumulative lower drag... I should get an added 10mph/bag... I should get to 270mph, right?!! Anybody know where I can get a cloaking device, so I can check the actual top end for these skinny cases without gathering attention of any un-retired P bikes? I haven't found a source for that BMW Kool Aide yet. Would I want to get that before or after I wire past the switch to repair my tail light? (Rather than hijack this thread, I'll ask that in another post over there. --->)
notacop Posted October 27, 2007 Posted October 27, 2007 No, really! I can't go over 80mph with the bags on either. I thought that is what the Germans provided for safety. Self correct-limiting accessories.
567guy Posted October 27, 2007 Posted October 27, 2007 I'm not sure what top end is on P models everytime I redline in 6thgear wind pulls on my helmet so hard it chokes me i have to slow up, Must get a windshield on there for next season.
elwoodpone Posted October 28, 2007 Posted October 28, 2007 Read the fine print. If you extend your knees 13.7 mm everything will be ok.
NoLongeraK1200RSRider Posted October 28, 2007 Posted October 28, 2007 That is why I bought a K12RS.. I have personally tested the bags, fully loaded with a weekend of stuff, to a top speed of 152MPH indicated. I LOVE the feel of this thing at that speed.. so I am selling it to get a slower bike before I go to jail for life!
Jerry Johnston Posted October 28, 2007 Posted October 28, 2007 WHen I first got my R1100rt I showed 131mph on the speedometeer with bags and top case on. I thought the 80mph thing was a lawyer claus. I've heard of problems with the older Goldwing traveling above 80 with bags on but never the Beemer.
MotorinLA Posted October 28, 2007 Posted October 28, 2007 I thought the 80 mph limit was for opening your bags while moving...
Big D Posted October 28, 2007 Posted October 28, 2007 but it sure makes the cruiser guys eyes open as such touring speeds are not often aceived. This board is great cause I learn so many great things. Now I finally figured out why my gas mileage is not higher! I better green up and get slimmer bags, slow down or buy a HD. D
Wooster Posted October 28, 2007 Posted October 28, 2007 dave_jo, My aged eyes have seen R1100RT's speedo needle waving around 120 mph w/bags. How to discern a discrete speed, e.g., 151 mph, I don't know; maybe with digital speed read-out ? Wooster who believes R11RT's speed is higher w/o bags
kcscout Posted October 28, 2007 Posted October 28, 2007 Actually, it all depends on your tire pressure and which spark plugs and oil you use. Find the magical right combination and you'll be able to drive whatever speed you want and get unheard of gas mileage with or without the side cases. By the way - I thought the 80mph was a minimum.
philbytx Posted October 28, 2007 Posted October 28, 2007 Speed limit, we don't need no steenkin' speed limit It's probably the lawyers mate, the bleedin' lawyers FYI - For the past 5 years, I regularly ride with just my top box on and regularly do well over 80mph Also, I normally cruise at 80+ with pillion and all bags on....
Silver Surfer/AKAButters Posted October 28, 2007 Posted October 28, 2007 Mine are officially tested at 128 (GPS).
dave_jo Posted October 28, 2007 Author Posted October 28, 2007 Thanks everyone for the wonderful responses. I greatly enjoyed the tongue-in-cheek ones. Now we just have to clear all the leaves off our back roads so we can ride a little less tentatively...they sure are pretty but this morning I had to drive mighty slow to stay upright.
K2R1150RS Posted October 28, 2007 Posted October 28, 2007 I have not had my RS over 135 (GPS), but that was with the wide lids on
knight88 Posted October 29, 2007 Posted October 29, 2007 I have a 1150RTP with the thinner covers, and have cruised for hours over 80 mph and my bags were still attached. If you think about it the RTP bags don't stick out pass your legs too much so it shouldn't get too much wind blast.
tobyzusa Posted October 29, 2007 Posted October 29, 2007 I will say the bike handles better at high speeds without the cases. I can notice a difference once you hit triple digit speeds. Hypothetically speaking, of course.
Lucas2Bosch Posted October 29, 2007 Posted October 29, 2007 Are you sure they didn't mean 80 kph? I think I saw them testing with Uhaul Trailers!
litigator Posted October 31, 2007 Posted October 31, 2007 It can't be us lawyers. My three R1150RT bags tested fine at about 125 on the Autostrada from Pompeii to Rome.
OldSalt Posted October 31, 2007 Posted October 31, 2007 It can't be us lawyers. My three R1150RT bags tested fine at about 125 on the Autostrada from Pompeii to Rome. Nope, it couldn't be U.S. lawyers, who are busy lamenting the 55mph days when they had lots of "asleep-at-the-wheel" cases, as opposed to European lawyers with BMW side cases. Molto Bene! Mi piace l'Autostrada!!!
philbytx Posted October 31, 2007 Posted October 31, 2007 Hah! See, you can't get away from the lawyer in you mate You had to say it was Italy...you couldn't (wouldn't!!!) even admit to doing it in the U.S. Come to Texas.......
dave_jo Posted November 1, 2007 Author Posted November 1, 2007 I'm going to have to try 100+ mph without the cases and see if there is a difference. I think I have only put about 25 miles on it the bike without the cases, out of 3500 miles since August 9th. I need the cases to lug stuff to and from work and it's mighty nice to have extra clothes and room for a six pack on the way home so the cases are pretty much a full time fixture. Maybe I'm too old...
litigator Posted November 1, 2007 Posted November 1, 2007 I have never gone over 120 here at home.(Kansas, 2006, Route 160) Too dangerous.
mefly2 Posted November 1, 2007 Posted November 1, 2007 Let's see ... my RT with cases howls ... or is that screams ... past the limit noted by op ...
Quinn Posted November 1, 2007 Posted November 1, 2007 I assume it would be because either the cases add too much weight to the rear or act as an airfoil. In either case, to make the front end too light and floaty. Okay, I made up the word "floaty." I'm not proud of it, but do accept full responsibility.
philbytx Posted November 1, 2007 Posted November 1, 2007 So, counsellor, would you at least admit to 119
tdtflyboy Posted November 8, 2007 Posted November 8, 2007 Ummmm ... I thought you were s'posed to do the ton just to get acquainted with the bike ... ? When we bought the RS I happened across a one mi. stretch near the seller's home, with only one gravel side road on it, and I could see the whole distance before hitting the throttle. Went back for my wife for the necessary two-up test ride ... and we did a 'registered' 137 before running out of safe road ahead. Everything was still attached. Bought the RT last week, and did a registered 103 on the way home just as a matter of course. One up, full-size panniers, no topbox (yet). Felt fine. Never would've guessed I was outrunning the owner's manual guidelines ... and I'm usually so respectful of guidelines (okay ... so that might be just a bit of a falsehood). Run it and gun it, says I ...
tallman Posted November 8, 2007 Posted November 8, 2007 I have to admit I had skipped over the system case section of the owner's manual for my '02 1150RT on the first read through. I was flipping through it the other day and read the section and was horrified to see a 80mph speed limit when the cases are on the bike. Are they serious? Have I been endangering myself by occasionally exceeding that restriction? I must admit that I have been over 100mph a few times. That means it is legal to go 80 mph when you have your sadldlebags on. Whenever I get stopped for that, I just show them my owners manual and refer them to BMWNA's lawyers.
Doppelganger Posted November 8, 2007 Posted November 8, 2007 I never would have thought a thread of this caliber could go this far...
dave_jo Posted November 9, 2007 Author Posted November 9, 2007 I never would have thought a thread of this caliber could go this far... I started this thread and was amazed to see it reappear tonight. I did 110 tonight on the way home, 28 degrees out, nice straight road, no "floaty" feeling. I don't think I'll worry about the "80mph" limit anymore. Maybe I should start a thread about how wonderful heated grips are... Nah... I have a day off tomorrow, weather: partly cloudy, high of 45...should be about 30 degrees when I get on the bike around 7:30 AM...I've got about 120 miles of back roads to explore and breakfast at Moody's Diner in Waldoboro, Maine. Sounds like a perfect time.
BigAL Posted November 9, 2007 Posted November 9, 2007 Man, you guys are incredible! 80MPH ?? 100MPH ???? 128MPH ???????? Damned if I can barely throw my side cases anywhere near 30mph! And that top case, maybe --maybe-- 25! GEEZ! Maybe I need to exercise more. Time for some 16 oz curls! AL
Knifemaker Posted November 9, 2007 Posted November 9, 2007 You need the cases on when you reach 80mph...if not where would the FLUX CAPACITOR go?
BigAL Posted November 9, 2007 Posted November 9, 2007 You need the cases on when you reach 80mph...if not where would the FLUX CAPACITOR go? AL
567guy Posted November 9, 2007 Posted November 9, 2007 I am considering installing a quick release mechanism on my bags to jettison them at high speed. I have several unused switches on my RTP that I can incorporate, my question is should I use a relay or will stock hailer switch handle the load? This will allow me once and for all to answer how much bags are slowing us down.PS flux capacitors are in raido box's of RTP"s
bmwmick Posted November 10, 2007 Posted November 10, 2007 I am considering installing a quick release mechanism on my bags to jettison them at high speed. I have several unused switches on my RTP that I can incorporate, my question is should I use a relay or will stock hailer switch handle the load? This will allow me once and for all to answer how much bags are slowing us down.PS flux capacitors are in raido box's of RTP"s Sorry, The new Kawi C14 has a patent on that feature. Several of the new owners have lost a bag at speed. Mick
567guy Posted November 10, 2007 Posted November 10, 2007 Darn-- and that I thought was my first original idea in years.Those metric guys are always leading in inovation.
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