Hallå!
It’s been a slow start getting on board the new BMW S1000R, least of all because I’ve gone from riding twins for the past ten years.
On delivery day the flu hit me. I could feel it taking me down in real time, I just managed to get to the dealer, pick up the bike and ride straight to the GP who gave me a double dose of antibiotics and said ‘go to bed’.
All I could do was cling to this. Pretty, isn't it? I love a good key.
I hate keyless ignitions and proximity sensor keys.
That was Friday night. By Monday, after a near perfect weather weekend, I had recovered mostly from the coma like symptoms of one of the worst flus I reckon I have ever had, and not a single kilometre had ticked over since Friday afternoon.
No good riding like that, I told myself. I couldn’t even function properly to feed and bathe myself. No sympathy at home, either just tough love. All I wanted to do was get out and ride, but I couldn’t; head splitting in half, fever running in overtime, cold sweats the works.
Day 1 Delivery - full touring bag setup, zero kms. Worst flu.[/caption] Anyway, it was Tuesday night before I dialled up my first 100kay, beautiful conditions, early finish from work and a few hours to myself so I took the longest way home possible, via Williamstown, cruising and winding along the west coast.
Man it’s beautiful. So smooth. Terrifyingly fast yet reassuringly glued to the road on two of the most planted hoops I’ve ever felt. I feel like I’m oozing with things to talk about after the first 500kms so I’m just going to outline some of the best bits I’ve enjoyed so far. A good excuse to upload a heap of bike-porn pics, really.
Flick up to increase cruising speed, flick back to roll off a bit, clutch in or either brake to release and flick up again to resume. A click blip on the clutch seems the be the best way to disengage as both breaks cut it off too sharply, pushing you forward awkwardly. Clutch blip and the throttle snaps back to your wrist with a good tactile response.
BUT, and there are always buts with anything this good. Be careful. You can roll on while in cruise, then release the throttle and it will return to where it was set. So you may be on the gas a bit, above that last limit set, and thinking that by rolling off you are going to cut the engine, when it only slows to the last speed limit set.
Scared me twice already, made me think about it. However, whilst slabbing it on the freeway I can now rest my right hand, and alternate rests between left and right hands, this alone is enough to convince me of Cruise Control for Life. Less fatigue is always excellent.
It makes you feel like Marquez. Enough said. Get one for your bike, stat.
Everything works exactly like it should, it will handle anything you can throw at it with ease, and will make you faster than you are. It’s that good.
About time BMW. Thank you. Nothing’s weird, nothing’s surprising, nothing’s unique. The brakes are extremely powerful, yet gradual in their application. The suspension is extremely capable, yet compliant over bad roads. The steering is very fast, yet the chassis is completely stable. The engine is extremely powerful, yet utterly smooth, linear and predictable. Just get on it and ride fast, you’ll hardly realize you’re on a motorcycle at all.
On delivery day the flu hit me. I could feel it taking me down in real time, I just managed to get to the dealer, pick up the bike and ride straight to the GP who gave me a double dose of antibiotics and said ‘go to bed’.
All I could do was cling to this. Pretty, isn't it? I love a good key.
I hate keyless ignitions and proximity sensor keys.
That was Friday night. By Monday, after a near perfect weather weekend, I had recovered mostly from the coma like symptoms of one of the worst flus I reckon I have ever had, and not a single kilometre had ticked over since Friday afternoon.
No good riding like that, I told myself. I couldn’t even function properly to feed and bathe myself. No sympathy at home, either just tough love. All I wanted to do was get out and ride, but I couldn’t; head splitting in half, fever running in overtime, cold sweats the works.
Day 1 Delivery - full touring bag setup, zero kms. Worst flu.[/caption] Anyway, it was Tuesday night before I dialled up my first 100kay, beautiful conditions, early finish from work and a few hours to myself so I took the longest way home possible, via Williamstown, cruising and winding along the west coast.
Man it’s beautiful. So smooth. Terrifyingly fast yet reassuringly glued to the road on two of the most planted hoops I’ve ever felt. I feel like I’m oozing with things to talk about after the first 500kms so I’m just going to outline some of the best bits I’ve enjoyed so far. A good excuse to upload a heap of bike-porn pics, really.
Electronics that work
Heated Grips
Totally necessary in a naked format. Perfectly accessible button on the right hand blocks. Will need them in Winter and frosty Spring mornings. There are two heat settings and they work very well, often underestimated I’m a massive fan of good heated grips.Auto-off indicators
What a genius invention on a motorcycle. As expected these disengage after turning a corner. The only problem is, I can count 20 additional flashes before it turns off.Cruise Control
The best thing ever invented? Now I can finally position my Right Hand Mirror - while cruising along and get it just right! Set it at the speed limit with a flick of your left index finger, and a green Cruise light flicks on the bottom left of the dash and away you go, no hands. It’s a really neat system and works just it does in a cage.Flick up to increase cruising speed, flick back to roll off a bit, clutch in or either brake to release and flick up again to resume. A click blip on the clutch seems the be the best way to disengage as both breaks cut it off too sharply, pushing you forward awkwardly. Clutch blip and the throttle snaps back to your wrist with a good tactile response.
BUT, and there are always buts with anything this good. Be careful. You can roll on while in cruise, then release the throttle and it will return to where it was set. So you may be on the gas a bit, above that last limit set, and thinking that by rolling off you are going to cut the engine, when it only slows to the last speed limit set.
Scared me twice already, made me think about it. However, whilst slabbing it on the freeway I can now rest my right hand, and alternate rests between left and right hands, this alone is enough to convince me of Cruise Control for Life. Less fatigue is always excellent.
Quick Shifter
Speaking of less fatigue, this is another genius piece of technology that I have yet to experience, and now that I have, I never wanna go back. Get on the gas in a straight line, hold it open and just upshift, fly through those gears as hard and fast as you like. It’s flawless, fast and sounds like a motoGP bike.It makes you feel like Marquez. Enough said. Get one for your bike, stat.