Rethinking preconceived notions...BMW F 750 GS

Dirt_Dad

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And if you want to manage the heat off the bike or set it up with cool modifications, Rottweiler Performance has you covered.

Definitely looking for some heat solutions. Looking at the Rottweiler Performance link not sure where to even start. Not thrilled with idea of going back to power commanders again. I see black dog has some kind of heat shield.

Congratulation :)
I was thinking you would get the Africa Twin, reading your testdrive about it.
Very reasonable thought, it was in my head very much. In the end I had to think about what I'm truly going to use the bike for...a 21 inch tire it not the best setup for what I'm honestly going to do. I really liked the AT, but the setup and price of the KTM made me give it a shot.


New thread for the bike: https://www.yamahasupertenere.com/index.php?threads/the-next-chapter-ktm-super-adventure-s.28706/#post-414323
 

Dirt_Dad

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Even with the joke of a windscreen set to the highest position, the bike is rock solid stable with very, very low vibration coming through.
I realized yesterday the windscreen on the demo bike was the optional short screen. That also came as a revelation to the GM.



Stock screen is much taller and better. Wanted to correct the record on my "joke screen" comment.
 

Dirt_Dad

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Been a long time since I did an update on the little GS. I put the first 600 miles on it, and I've done the most recent 600 on it as I get it ready to take to the dealer for the first valve check. Which is my first area where I can offer some negative feedback. The 12K mile service interval is annoying. I've been quoted $800 for the 12K service. Ouch... but I've also looked at what it would take for me to do it, and I just don't want to go there. I've reached the point in life where time is in short supply. Spending that limited time wrenching is not my happy place.

I've had a good opportunity to compare the BMW against my KTM. Back to back to back...750 vs 1290cc. You may be surprised to learn I don't dread getting on the little bike. It's plenty quick and enjoyable. Has more of a luxury feel than a sporty bike feel, but is no slouch.

Initially we never really used the speed shifter. Only after I figured out how to use that feature on the KTM did we both start using it on the BMW. Just like the KTM, it's a total game changer and elevates the level of riding enjoyment. DM got used to it and now it's common for me to hear her laughing back there as we need to pass on the 2 lane WV roads we frequent. BMW is not as smooth in speed shifting as the KTM. Expecially going first to second. There is a RPM range in there that is downright abrupt. If you know where to do it, first to second is fine, but shift between 3.5K to 6K and you'll miss the clutch. Otherwise it's very good and always worth using. Clutch levers are for starting and stopping.

The BMW has better TFT software than KTM. I like my KTM, tons of information screen, but the BMW look so much nicer. Again, part of that luxury feel. I'll also probably give the TFT navigation edge to BMW. Once you learn it, you can navigate it without needing to look as much as KTM. The on-bike navigation is crappy on both bikes, but the BMW is the better system of the two.

Overall the bike has been mechanically flawless. DM loves it. She was so nervous giving up her Tenere, but could not be more pleased with how this bike meets her needs. She thinks it's great looking (very important to her happiness), the thing will cruise all day out west at 85 MPH with no effort and plenty of engine left in reserve. It is not intimidating and she puts it in situations she would never have done on the Tenere. This bike has been a home run for her.
 

viroid

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[QUOTE="Dirt_Dad, post: 441319, member: 80]She was so nervous giving up her Tenere, [/QUOTE]

I for one am glad she did. :)


...ct

Sent from my LM-V405 using Tapatalk
 
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Dirt_Dad

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This past Friday had the 18K service performed. This is the last scheduled service before the end of the 36 month warranty in June. In keeping with my "experimental" plan to let someone else work on the bikes, I informed the dealer I wanted a new rear tire, and to change out the chain/sprockets. I told them what tire I wanted, but did no research on current pricing of the tire. They told me they would have the chain and sprocket in stock. I expected this experiment would cost me, but damn, I learned some lessons that day.

When I arrived they had me sign off on the $1,350 cost before they started the work. Ouch, that's about $350 more than I anticipated, but okay...I signed the paperwork. I jump in the truck with DM who followed me the 2 hours to the dealership and we head to our next MD based appointment. 20 minutes later the phone rings. The dealer informs me they had the estimate wrong, the continuous chain will require them to remove the swingarm and take an additional 90 minute of labor. Holy %$#!. I inquire about condition of existing set (no, I hadn't checked). Service guy said it will make it to the next valve check service in 6K miles, but the set will be spent at that point. I tell him to skip it on this visit.

When I get back the bill has dropped to $710, which included the new rear tire, installation, $50 shop supplies, and tax. So the change of a chain/sprocket would have cost $610 + an additional 90 minutes at shop rate, so I'm guessing that's a minimum of $800 to replace chain/sprocket. Experiment over! I'll change it myself, use a crimp on chain the way I always have in the past, and use that $500+ savings somewhere else. Looking at the tire change, buying it the dealer was an additional $25 cost, and $50 install. I can live with that. But the chain/sprocket cost has inspired me to break out the tools again.

As far as the bike itself...I love this little bike, and DM could not be happier with it. If DM elected to stop riding I would not keep it, but I still think it's a wonderful bike. Light, zippy, quick, refined, dare I say luxurious, super maneuverable. A stable bike she's ridden for over 700 miles in a day, then got up early and did it again the next day. It will motor along with the cruise set at 85 MPH (out west) and never feel that it's being pushed...although the MPGs do plummet at those speeds.

Reliability has been excellent, but not perfect. We did have a non-repeated issue with the left handlebar cluster with all buttons dead. No horn, highbeam, turn signals, nothing. I just happened to be riding it in for the valve check that day. By the time the service guy checked the bike everything worked perfectly...of course We also had an issue with the cruise control not engaging for a full day while on a cross country ride. They day before we had ridden in frog strangling rain for a long time. The cruise started working the second day after the rain. Again, that was a one time issue and the reason I went back to that far away dealer on Friday. I wanted to log that problem with them to have a paper trail that I reported an issue with the left cluster on every visit when the bike was under warranty. Will it help..? I hope not to find out. Otherwise, the bike has been flawless.

Great little bike that I don't think DM will ever get rid of until she decides she's done riding two wheels. Fortunately, I think that's still off in the somewhat distant future.
 

Donk

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BMW handlebar clusters connect at the cluster. If it stops working reach down and push the wires back in and that will fix it. There is just a hairs more play in the connection than the electronics will tolerate. Doesn't seem like its pulled out but it is enough to mess up the connection.
Continuous chain? Why not a riveted master link?
 

Sierra1

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. . . . Continuous chain? Why not a riveted master link?
I would assume that all the links would be exactly the same. And they would wear/stretch at the same rate. Which would eliminate that worn chain sound, the tight/lose spots, which would make chain adjustment easier.
 
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