Shep
Shep of the Dessert
Picked up the new 1200 on thursday morning from SPC, the bike was ready on time and the the spec i required (good considering the deal was finalised on tuesday PM).
First impressions were that it was taller and the suspension stiffer, than my old 04 plate bike, I think the old rear shock must have sagged gradually over the 18,000 miles, but there is a significant difference to ride height (1")
Bars are in a different position now, so much so that when I took an off road track beside the river Itchen to do a bit of fishing, I was bimbeling along like you do, standing up, when a deer ran across right in front of me, I made a grab for the front brake and realised i couldn't get to it without nearly releasing the bar?? That will have to be changed!! To be honest its even a bit high when seated.
Tyre's are dunlop trailmax's, which, compared to the 020's, are a bit twitchy over whitelines, but I'll give them a while to settle in before i make any decision over changing them.
Brakes are no way near as good as the old bike, it seems to have less servo assist, the rear brake is still usless with little effect and no feel at all.
The instruments have a glossy finish to the clear lenses, which i can't remember on the old bike, this causes reflections from street lights, sun etc. Not ideal, but it might have been the build up of dirt on the old bike that stopped any reflection.
Lights seem OK with a better (or different) spread of light on dipped beam. Mind you i've just jumped gs to gs, so I might have got used to crap lights by now!
New alarm (Datatool instead of BMW) is very (almost too) sensitive to movement, but I guess it must be adjustable, it seems a very "featured" system, I just hope its reliable.
Engine seems identical to the old one, maybe a bit more "viby", but the old engine seemed to smooth out with a few miles on it. I guess i'll have to start checking the oil again, the old bike stopped using oil after 12000mls.
Seat is more comfortable than the old bike with visibly more padding!
Still, just got to run it in now, i hope this will help the brakes and the tyres a bit.
Regards Shep
First impressions were that it was taller and the suspension stiffer, than my old 04 plate bike, I think the old rear shock must have sagged gradually over the 18,000 miles, but there is a significant difference to ride height (1")
Bars are in a different position now, so much so that when I took an off road track beside the river Itchen to do a bit of fishing, I was bimbeling along like you do, standing up, when a deer ran across right in front of me, I made a grab for the front brake and realised i couldn't get to it without nearly releasing the bar?? That will have to be changed!! To be honest its even a bit high when seated.
Tyre's are dunlop trailmax's, which, compared to the 020's, are a bit twitchy over whitelines, but I'll give them a while to settle in before i make any decision over changing them.
Brakes are no way near as good as the old bike, it seems to have less servo assist, the rear brake is still usless with little effect and no feel at all.
The instruments have a glossy finish to the clear lenses, which i can't remember on the old bike, this causes reflections from street lights, sun etc. Not ideal, but it might have been the build up of dirt on the old bike that stopped any reflection.
Lights seem OK with a better (or different) spread of light on dipped beam. Mind you i've just jumped gs to gs, so I might have got used to crap lights by now!
New alarm (Datatool instead of BMW) is very (almost too) sensitive to movement, but I guess it must be adjustable, it seems a very "featured" system, I just hope its reliable.
Engine seems identical to the old one, maybe a bit more "viby", but the old engine seemed to smooth out with a few miles on it. I guess i'll have to start checking the oil again, the old bike stopped using oil after 12000mls.
Seat is more comfortable than the old bike with visibly more padding!
Still, just got to run it in now, i hope this will help the brakes and the tyres a bit.
Regards Shep
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