considering a new R1150R

[rclbaker]

Just came back of a week´s holiday in Germany, together with my wife. Machine was my R60/2. Tank bag and a small bag on luggage rack proved to be enough for 6 days riding and 5 nights in nice german pensions.
Why do I tell this R60 story in this forum? Well, I was really impressed by the ultimate comfort during riding, because of the lack of wind noise and buffeting.
Just a "naked bike" with a good tank bag will do presumably. Common speed on highways was 110 km/h (65 m/h).

This weekend I rode my R1100RS and - of course - the riding properties are superior to my other machine from 1967. Except one topic: noise.
At that moment I saw a guy riding an R1150 R with a tank bag...... :confused:

Are there members out there who switched from an RS to an 1150 R? Why? Why not? Was noise a consideration? What are generally speaking the pros and cons of a new 2004 R1150R compared with a 2000 RS? All input would be greatly appreciated.

By the way, and strictly personal for me: I prefer to buy a new bike (or car) that is in its "maturity period" of development, so, a new R1150R complies with that.

[darrylri]

I love the old bikes and the new ones; congrats on that /2! There are two comments I'd make about your situation. One is that I tend to ride significantly faster on my modern bikes than on my /2 or /3, so the wind noise is just naturally a lot higher. But also, I've found that I don't like trying to use the windscreen on my RSes to block the wind. After years of trying different positions, I now always leave the windscreen in the lowest position. This is the quietest and smoothest airflow for me.

Just to establish my bonafides on the old bikes:

http://darryl.crafty-fox.com/mcpics/2003/surfcitytechday/P4262200med.jpg

[MikeH]

After years of trying different positions, I now always leave the windscreen in the lowest position. This is the quietest and smoothest airflow for me.
That is so true! The only time I ever raise my screen is in torrential rain.

I think that Rob will find the same with the Roadster - quieter with little turbulence riding through clean air. The only restriction being the wind loading on the upper body, which will limit the maximum cruising speed, but at 110 Kph I can't see a problem. The R is a more relaxed and lighter option compared to the RS.

When I had a test ride on the new R1200GS recently, I was surprised at how quiet and smooth it was considering that there isn't that much bodywork in front of you. That might also be another choice for you Rob? Worth looking at anyway. :)

[Spider]

:) Hi Rob, I've had experience with both bikes. I rode a 98 R1100RS for about 7500 miles, a 2001 R1100R for about 5000 miles and now I'm riding a 94 R1100RS (only put about 1200 miles on it so far). Loved all three bikes. Never noticed any particular difference in noise level. I'd say take your pick between either bike.

Spider

[Growler]

Try this - raise the shield to the highest position. Unless you've altered the shield or have a long torso, you'll find that a slight dip of your head will get you out of the windblast and into a quiet pocket of air. This even works for me on the stock shield. Of course, if it's hot and humid, this may not be an option.
If that doesn't work, unless you buy another bike, I don't think you'll find a better option other than a good set of earplugs.

[Paul]

I went from an R1150R to the 1150RS after a year of ownership. If all I was going to do was around town riding or lower speed trips it would have been ok, except that I already had my Triumph Trident which was better at that mission. My wife hated the pillion on the R, it's short and very thinly padded. After a 2500 mile trip I realized that it wasn't the bike for me and to fix the shortcomings was going to require lots of 100 dollar bills. I test rode an RS, which had just returned to the US market in 1150 form, and within a mile of the dealership I knew it was the one for me.
I'm 6'1" and the ergos on the R just didn't work for me, the bars were too wide and there is almost nothing out there for replacements. The rockster hadn't been released yet but that bar would have been ok. The luggage rack for the R is a joke and the half size left bag is a pain as well.
Just my thoughts. Paul

[engian]

I would also consider leg room. When searching for a bike several years ago I tried the R1150R... I really liked the looks, particularly the oil cooler scoops... but couldn't get past the short distance between the seat and pegs on the R1150R. Even with the raised "comfort" seat I was still too cramped. The R-RS's seat/bar/peg relationship just fit a whole lot better than the R-Rs. And the adjustability of the R-RS's seat was the ticket. As Paul similarly noted, my wife hated the small, thin R1150R seat - she didn't feel secure at all. Depending on your height - if turbulence and noise are an issue with the R-RS screen - just trim a few inches off of it (the lip portion). That has worked out best for me (6' 1" tall). It's much quieter than with the stock shaped screen.

YMMV

[R-1150-RS]

This weekend I rode my R1100RS and - of course - the riding properties are superior to my other machine from 1967. Except one topic: noise.
At that moment I saw a guy riding an R1150 R with a tank bag...... :confused:

Are there members out there who switched from an RS to an 1150 R? Why? Why not? Was noise a consideration? What are generally speaking the pros and cons of a new 2004 R1150R compared with a 2000 RS? All input would be greatly appreciated.

By the way, and strictly personal for me: I prefer to buy a new bike (or car) that is in its "maturity period" of development, so, a new R1150R complies with that.

I'm not sure I understand your concern with the increased noise of the RS.

If anything the windscreen of the RS is adjustable to the point of reducing the blast of wind around your helmet, so if anything it should be quieter than an R bike that does not give that option and you are always in the wind blast.

As far as weight, the RS is a little heavier, but the weight is not noticable while riding.

What would be noticable is the 10 hp less the R bikes have. Also some of them do not have the overdrive 6th. gear that keeps RPM down on the highways.

When comparing the 2000 models with the 2004's, two diffferences I am aware of are the two plug heads, which make the newer bikes less prone to surging, and the transmissions on some earlier bikes where not as 'refined' as some of the later ones.

If you can afford it the newer bikes are a little better.

Gary
:) :)

[ChrisGeuting]

I rode a 1150R quiet often as a friend owns one and compared to the RS I would say;
The Roadster is a very good bike but for me the RS is better.
-better windprotection
-more comfortable,for the passenger too
-two full-size saddlebags
-more stable/secure handling riding fast in turns
-more ground clearance in turns
-bigger tank
The R is better for beginners though as they tend to be more confident without a fairing and the only thing I really liked better about the R compared to the RS is the lower pricetag...;-)
But otherwise a nice bike too,kind of what the Honda CB750 was 30 years ago...
Chris

[martya]

I just rode a 1996 R11RS from Albuquerque to Boston US.

I was bothered by buffeting on my otherwise quiet helmet (Shoei RF 700) with the stock windscreen in lowest position.

I removed the wondscreen completely. It was great. Clean air, and with the helmet it was MUCH quieter. I even had no real problems in light rain.

Rode 4200 miles straight with no wind noise.

I am trying to cut the stock screen down to make a small flyscreen....just level with the top of the guages.

I'm 6'2".

Marty

[JimVonBaden]

I think Marty has the right idea. I like the RS for riding position and comfort, but the wind buffeting with the stock screen is annoying. Cutting a couple inches off the top really works.

In winter I install an Aeroflow +3 +3 screen and also have no wind buffeting problems, plus I get great protection!

I am 5'8" with a tall torso and very short legs, so I ride like a person at about 6' tall.

Jim:cool:

[cat0020]

I swapped bike with a twin-spark R1150R rider over the wekend for a 30+ mile ride though some nice twisty country roads near New Hope, PA. I got the speed up to 90 mph during some straightaways, only for 1/2 mile or so.

The R1150R has a windscreen, but I didn't find wind protection lacking.
In the twisties, the wider handlebar really allow nice leverage to turn the front end. The gearing difference is quite noticeble during spirited riding between 30-80 mph.. riding at high RPM through all the gears.

The Roadster felt a little lighter, no ABS nor servo assist. It felt great to lock up the back wheel and make it squeel...

All in all, it's a fun bike, less to break down, different ergo than my single spark R1150RS.... by the way, the twin spark R1150R engine didn't feel any smoother than my single spark R1150RS engine with Techlusion.