RDC With Spare Wire Wheels - Advice Please!

[Drumacoon Lad.]

I have an '08 1200 GS, and have just got a set of wire wheels and TKCs from Fishbird of this site. The plan is to be able to switch from my current alloy wheels with Tourances, to the wire wheels with the TKCs(for greenlaning etc), and to be able to do it myself with limited effort. I'd also like to retain the RDC function to monitor tyre pressure when I switch.

So the questions this raises for me are:-

Can I have 2 sets of wheels with RDC senders tuned to one bike, or does the dealer have to 'tune' the bike up to each set of wheels after they are fitted?

Clearly the easiest way of repacing the wheels would be to have a set of disks and ABS ring on each front wheel, but I believe that would be expensive, as for an '08 bike you have to have BMW disks. Is this correct or is someone now selling suitable disks for an '08 bike which are cheaper?

If I have to switch over the disks and ABS ring I assume that is not too difficult, I just need the correct torx bit and correct torque settings?

Useful thoughts and advice welcome.

 

[EggChaser]

So the questions this raises for me are:-

Can I have 2 sets of wheels with RDC senders tuned to one bike, or does the dealer have to 'tune' the bike up to each set of wheels after they are fitted?

If I have to switch over the disks and ABS ring I assume that is not too difficult, I just need the correct torx bit and correct torque settings?

Useful thoughts and advice welcome.

AFAIK the BMW TPC computer can store the details of at least 2 sets of sensor signals - so your should only need to visit the dealer once to set that up.

Swapping the disks etc from one wheel to another might get interesting as a lot of dealers suggest replacing the rotor mount bolts when you remove them to avoid repeated tightening causing problems (i.e. snapped off heads in your wheels etc)

Other than that no idea if you need to space the callipers differently for the alloys vs the spoked wheels so would suggest you check this.

 

[Ringmaster999]

Firstly you can have two sets of wheels with RDS set to the one bike. But a dealer will have to match the second pair up to the bike.

As for swapping disc's every time It's not that easy as their are various washers that sit behind the disc and under the bolts which should be renewed everytime you take the disc off. You would have to clean the treads every time and re apply lock tight. If not done correctly your asking for warped disc's.
Although expensive you would be better off buying a set of disc and ABS ring for your spoked wheels.

 

[Deleted Account 180923001]

Best thing Jim is to simply buy another GS to accompany
the one you have .......... 'shimples................'

gordo'

 

[WindyChuffer]

Why do you want RDC for green laning?

I have 2 sets of wire wheels for my bike. Road set, came with RDC. Off road set, bought used, no RDC. No need for it. What was life like before RDC technology? LoL.

Brake discs and pads are consumables. So take the plunge and kit the other front wheel out properly. This will minimise wheel swap over time. Takes me 20 mins for a pair now.

You can retrofit pre-08 discs to post 08 bikes. Just bear in mind that the mounting system was changed to help prevent disc warping. But warping is arguably unlikely with the off road set as brakes wont get hammered like they do when road riding.

 

[Drumacoon Lad.]

Guys, Thanks for the helpful comments and advice. I've comfirmed with BMW that you can have 2 sets of RDC senders matched to one bike, so that is technically possible.

I don't think from what I have heard I'll go down the road of moving the disks from the alloys to the wire wheels, that seems messy and prone to error.

The best solution is to kit the wire wheels out with the disks and ABS ring, and possibly the RDC senders, but it's about £500, just for the parts. The RDC senders are over £70 each but I could do what WindyChuffer says and leave the RDCs off for the wire wheels for the greenlaning, makes sense, but we don't always make the sensible decision when it comes to bikes.

The other factor here is that I suspect when I put the black wire wheels on, they will look so good I won't want to take them off, and I'll end up just getting the tyres swapped around. I've seen a 1200 SE with the wire wheels and they did look great! And before someone says "Get a GSA", at 5' 7 the GS with wire wheels is a close as I'll get to a GSA!

So not sure what to do! Have had an offer on the parts from the dealer so that is swaying me towards getting the bits, so I can swap the wheels myself(in 20 mins as WC says). I'm going to have to sleep on this, at least once!

Oh and Gordo, Thanks for the suggestion of a spare GS, you offering to sell me yours? With the price reduction for all those Balkan stickers, it may be a cheaper option
Hope the repair of the RS is progressing!

 

[WindyChuffer]

Drumacoon Lad -

You might find the following useful for wheel changing. I keep this in my phone for quick reference. Keep meaning to print it out, laminate it and stick it to a winglet on the bike.

Brake Caliper / T45 / 30Nm
Brake Pad Pin / T30 / 7Nm
Pinch Bolt / T45 / 19Nm
Axle / 22mm hex / 50Nm
Abs speed sensor / T25 / 4Nm
Rear Wheel / T50 / 60Nm.

and keep a selection of the following 3/8" drive Torx/socket set on my bike + a Stop'n'go plugger puncture repair kit:

http://www.screwfix.com/search.do;j...tton.x=0&searchbutton.y=0&searchbutton=submit