jroad Posted July 21, 2015 Share Posted July 21, 2015 Thanks, Moshe, for your post this morning in reply to mine. No HD bashing in my world. I think your use of the word "functionality" is apt here. And, of course, what is functional for one person is maybe not so much so for another . . . No judgment there. Thanks for all your posts. Test rode a '15 RT today and it felt a lot different from my '07 RT. Fun to ride! Link to comment
moshe_levy Posted July 21, 2015 Author Share Posted July 21, 2015 I'm more than willing to expound on my HD experience if you all want. I tend to be opinionated but I can tone it down. Obviously if I weren't displeased with things I wouldn't be losing my shirt getting rid of the bike after less than a year. Is that a subject for a new thread? I rather like keeping this one handy for all the parts and advice provided so far..... Link to comment
jroad Posted July 22, 2015 Share Posted July 22, 2015 Thanks, Moshe, for your reply. Yeah, let's keep this thread handy, for the reasons you state . . . Having ridden several different bikes for a lot of miles, I appreciate what feels right to me with each one, and always feel a little regret when I move on (which I tend to do with some frequency, so I know about "losing my shirt"!) . . . Now I need to decide about that beautiful '15 RT. Link to comment
rms000 Posted July 22, 2015 Share Posted July 22, 2015 Hi, Just an FYI, I had a 2004 and 2009 RT just like you. I currently have over 5500 miles on my 2014 RT. I would compare my 2004 to 2009 as Jeep SUV compared to an BMW X3. The 2014 is such a step forward it is difficult to make the same comparison. Being height challenged at 5'7, I am 100% more confident on the 2014. It is much more tossable and I can make even smaller and tighter turns. Throttle response and the extras such as shift assist pro are amazing. Love being able to downshift without the clutch. You will not regret making this change Link to comment
moshe_levy Posted July 22, 2015 Author Share Posted July 22, 2015 I'm excited to try it. Just counting down the days at this point.... -MKL Link to comment
moshe_levy Posted July 23, 2015 Author Share Posted July 23, 2015 Pickup Date has been set for SATURDAY. So excited! Most of it is done. The topcase is being painted to match and won't be ready until next week, plus a few other accessories aren't in yet, but the basic bike is ready! So I'm going to pick it up in 2 days! Then schlep back up there next weekend too for the rest of the farkles. Yeeeepeeeeeeeeeeeeee!!!! -MKL Link to comment
moshe_levy Posted July 23, 2015 Author Share Posted July 23, 2015 Strange... Can't post pics. I have a bona-fide HTTP address but the pics won't post.... -MKL Link to comment
moshe_levy Posted July 23, 2015 Author Share Posted July 23, 2015 http://www.maxbmwmotorcycles.com/machine/ImagesOrig/7755_145737.jpg?v=153557206 Why isn't it working when I try to post an image? Anyway, this is the first pic - totally unfarkeled. -MKL Link to comment
Ponch Posted July 23, 2015 Share Posted July 23, 2015 http://www.maxbmwmotorcycles.com/machine/ImagesOrig/7755_145737.jpg?v=153557206 Why isn't it working when I try to post an image? Anyway, this is the first pic - totally unfarkeled. -MKL Trim the URL down to http://www.maxbmwmotorcycles.com/machine/ImagesOrig/7755_145737.jpg Link to comment
moshe_levy Posted July 23, 2015 Author Share Posted July 23, 2015 Oh! Usually I always just cut and pasted, but... Wow. Shows you my state of technical competence! And now I just got a bike with all these wiz-bank electronics..... -MKL PS - Thanks! (It won't stay stock for long!) Link to comment
BFish Posted July 24, 2015 Share Posted July 24, 2015 i like it. won't have any problem finding it in a gaggle of bmw's. Link to comment
moshe_levy Posted July 24, 2015 Author Share Posted July 24, 2015 I could live without the graphics, but I do love the blue. Maybe they're stick-on, in which case I will peel them off. I haven't even seen the bike yet in "real life." -MKL Link to comment
APDDave Posted July 24, 2015 Share Posted July 24, 2015 I looked at the blue also and thought about just taking off the graphics. I looked at the bike and there is a coat of clear over them so you could not just peel them off. Link to comment
BFish Posted July 24, 2015 Share Posted July 24, 2015 off topic sort of, but compared to it's great, great, great grandfather the gorgeous 2004RT, how does removing the tupperware compare? Also, what does "GPS Preparation" mean? Are the 2015's wired with mount? plug and play? Link to comment
mneblett Posted July 24, 2015 Share Posted July 24, 2015 I could live without the graphics, but I do love the blue. Maybe they're stick-on, in which case I will peel them off. They appear to be clear-coated over, so I haven't tried to remove mine. I will say they have grown on me, likely because I removed most of the rest of the gray. If you are going to go blue, go all blue! Link to comment
Ponch Posted July 24, 2015 Share Posted July 24, 2015 It's looks better with the cowl painted blue. Link to comment
gordiet Posted July 26, 2015 Share Posted July 26, 2015 Where did you get the side case protesters? GT Link to comment
mneblett Posted July 26, 2015 Share Posted July 26, 2015 Where did you get the side case protesters? GT The upper and lower black plastic pads are a BMW accessory - obtained via my dealer. Link to comment
moshe_levy Posted July 26, 2015 Author Share Posted July 26, 2015 I like those too. Going to get them. -MKL Link to comment
mneblett Posted July 26, 2015 Share Posted July 26, 2015 FWIW, I don't believe the lower pad will offer much protection in a tip-over. I installed them because they are great protection when you have the case on the ground and open the lid -- they are perfectly situated for taking any ground rash instead of the lid. Link to comment
mneblett Posted July 26, 2015 Share Posted July 26, 2015 Horns -- when you get around to it, there are a number of threads on type and mounting locations. Many (particularly the air horn users) mount them under the steering head, off the OE horn bracket location. I opted to stick/hide my FIAMMs inside the left radiator duct: http://bmwsporttouring.com/ubbthreads/ubbthreads.php?ubb=showflat&Number=923728&Searchpage=1&Main=83639&Words=Another+horn&Search=true#Post923728 As far as electrical, as you are contemplating a set of Clearwater lights, if you use the CANopener 3 you can power an aux horn(s) from the CANopener 3 and leave the OE horn untouched -- no OE wire tapping. The CANopener 3 output has enough current to power a relay, not the horns directly. Interestingly, because the CANopener 3 is monitoring the CANBus, the FIAMMs fire a fraction of a second before the OE horn -- an interesting (distinctive? dunno) sound. Link to comment
moshe_levy Posted July 26, 2015 Author Share Posted July 26, 2015 Mark, agreed on the pads. We have the equivalent on my friend Matt's 2013 R1200R cases for the same reason. Re Clearwaters: 1) What bracket are you using to hold the lights on the engine guard? Is that a Clearwater bracket? 2) Yes, I wil outfit the bike with a full Clearwater setup, as I already have the lights. CANopener as well, which I do not currently have. Need to contact them. Re horn: Strangely - and this is the first RT where I can say this - my stock horn is very loud. I had TWO Stebel air horns on my R1150RT, and one on my R1200RT (2009.) At least so far, I don't feel the stock horn needs updating - at least not as a major priority. It seems BMW has changed from its usual wimpy "mmmmmeeeeeeeeep mmmmeeeeeeeeeeeep" moped horn and put something substantial on there. -MKL Link to comment
mneblett Posted July 26, 2015 Share Posted July 26, 2015 1) What bracket are you using to hold the lights on the engine guard? Is that a Clearwater bracket? Ilium Works: http://www.iliumworks.com/BMW_Motorcycle_Accessories.cfm?pn=30%2D250BL&pID=109 Note: Most of the pics show the brackets holding the BMW aux lights. At the far right of the panel of small pics is a pic and a drawing of the brackets themselves, showing the end part that receives a single bolt to hold another light's bracket: Note2: My Ericas are mounted with the Ilium end part located *inside* the Clearwater bracket, making the overall mount more compact/"cleaner" looking (yes, I'm that A.R. ). That required putting a small counter-sink in one side of the end part and using a corresponding countersink bolt picked up at the local Ace Hardware. Note3: Because of where I chose to mount mine, I could rotate the mounts down to rest on the engine mount cross-bar, and put them far enough inboard so that the nut on the back of the light bracket contacted the engine bar, so the cantilevered weight of the Ericas cannot rotate the bracket farther down. This location also put the Ericas within the "protection" of the engine guard so they won't touch down in a tip-over. Note4: The Ilium mounts are fiddly to set up, as they are adjustable in multiple directions (a plus when trying to align the lights exactly as desired), including an Allen bolt inside the shaft accessed from the clamp side. Once set, though, they've been rock-solid. Probably more info than you wanted -- I'll provide shorter answers if you prefer Strangely - and this is the first RT where I can say this - my stock horn is very loud. I had TWO Stebel air horns on my R1150RT, and one on my R1200RT (2009.) At least so far, I don't feel the stock horn needs updating - at least not as a major priority. It seems BMW has changed from its usual wimpy "mmmmmeeeeeeeeep mmmmeeeeeeeeeeeep" moped horn and put something substantial on there. Interesting -- I didn't notice a difference from my '12 RT or K16s. Link to comment
realshelby Posted July 26, 2015 Share Posted July 26, 2015 Strangely - and this is the first RT where I can say this - my stock horn is very loud. I had TWO Stebel air horns on my R1150RT, and one on my R1200RT (2009.) At least so far, I don't feel the stock horn needs updating - at least not as a major priority. It seems BMW has changed from its usual wimpy "mmmmmeeeeeeeeep mmmmeeeeeeeeeeeep" moped horn and put something substantial on there. -MKL My '04 had an excellent factory horn. My '14 is very weak. Maybe the '15's are coming with a real horn? Link to comment
mneblett Posted July 26, 2015 Share Posted July 26, 2015 My '04 had an excellent factory horn. My '14 is very weak. Maybe the '15's are coming with a real horn? I wasn't impressed with my '15's OE horn. Link to comment
moshe_levy Posted July 26, 2015 Author Share Posted July 26, 2015 Mark, this is excellent info on the bracket, thanks. -MKL Link to comment
AndyS Posted July 27, 2015 Share Posted July 27, 2015 I will say they have grown on me, likely because I removed most of the rest of the gray. If you are going to go blue, go all blue! I do like the blued out Nose cone and side panel sections Link to comment
Rich06FJR1300 Posted July 28, 2015 Share Posted July 28, 2015 i actually inquired about the same RT Moshe just purchased lol...they never too it off their site. oh well Link to comment
moshe_levy Posted July 28, 2015 Author Share Posted July 28, 2015 I was quick on the draw once I made up my mind. Link to comment
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