On the fence....

2934 Views 11 Replies 9 Participants Last post by se7en, Sep 26, 2017

Dr. D

Discussion Starter · Sep 24, 2017

So I am riding a '15 BMW S1000R; bought it about 2.5 years ago and put a bit over 8K miles on it. The seat and ergos mean I can't ride for than about 30 minutes before I MUST get off the bike. Also, I am getting older and my reflexes are getting slower, so this bike is way faster than me.

I took a test ride on a SSS a couple of days ago and I am impressed. Big question: Will 113 HP be enough after 160 HP?

Oh, yeah, I'm getting too old for 160 HP.....

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fubar929

· #2 · Sep 24, 2017

Dr. D said:
Big question: Will 113 HP be enough after 160 HP?

My opinion? Yes, it will be enough. Life isn't all about peak HP. In fact, for street riding I'd go so far as to say that peak HP is pretty meaningless. What you want is low- and mid-range torque along with low-enough gearing to make life fun. That's the formula that makes my KTM 1290 Super Duke R so entertaining to ride and it's also the reason I put a deposit down on a Supersport S.

You S1000R makes 73 pound-ft of torque at the rear wheel. The Supersport makes 65 pound-ft of torque at the rear wheel. Take a Supersport for a test-ride and I think you'll be impressed with how well it accelerates. Coming from the Super Duke I thought I might miss the power, but that absolutely wasn't the case...

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Bigwaves1

· #3 · Sep 25, 2017

I have anther bike that makes 180hp and love the high HP. I have a SSS and find I don't miss the HP. On the roads you might not find the top end of the SSS. Yes, I do ride the bike like I stole it.

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tea2jay

· #4 · Sep 25, 2017

i rode my supersport s for 2 months straight without even touching any o my old bikes. i took my ZX6R out for a quick ride just before selling it and i couldn't believe how cramped the egos were. i felt like i was doing yoga riding that bike.

i feel like the ergos on the supersport s are perfect for me. my back and wrist feel fine after rides, but its still feels sporty and aggressive enough when the time comes.

i did enjoy the feeling of the inline 4 after having rode the ducati twin for a coupe months. and while i really like the ducati quick shifter, i realized how much i liked the feel and operation of the gearbox on my zx6r after riding it again.

overall, I'm very happy with the bike and the pros definitely outweigh the cons (its a short list, but there are some cons)

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John

· #5 · Sep 25, 2017 (Edited)

Dr. D said:
So I am riding a '15 BMW S1000R; bought it about 2.5 years ago and put a bit over 8K miles on it. The seat and ergos mean I can't ride for than about 30 minutes before I MUST get off the bike. Also, I am getting older and my reflexes are getting slower, so this bike is way faster than me.

I took a test ride on a SSS a couple of days ago and I am impressed. Big question: Will 113 HP be enough after 160 HP?

Oh, yeah, I'm getting too old for 160 HP.....

By all means buy a new bike if you want one .... but the reasons your basing it on, really??

How hard and what cost to fix the 'problems' of the S1000R ....

A set of bar rises approx ($100). Ten minute job.
Get the seat modified or a new 'comfort' one (someone will make one) approx ($200-$300). Another 10 minute job to remove and refit.
Fit a touring screen approx ($200). Maybe 1 hours to fit.
Leave it permanently in 'rain' mode (and if that's hasn't sucked the life out of it enough, fit a throttle tamer approx $100). Rain mode is 136hp, a gentler throttle response, and max TC and ABS intervention.

As I reckon this will save you at least $8,000 if not more to change over, I reckon it's only fair you send me half. A cheque or direct debit will be fine :grin2:

Something like this is going to be just as effective wind protection wise as the SS. There are numerous screen options (bigger and smaller), something will work.

Bars both up and back adjustment ..... Wunderlich (among others) also make bar risers, and the Wunderlich reviews for its 20mm risers indicate no cable modifications are necessary.

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1lifeliveit

· #6 · Sep 25, 2017

John said:
By all means buy a new bike if you want one .... but the reasons your basing it on, really??

How hard and what cost to fix the 'problems' of the S1000R ....

A set of bar rises approx ($100). Ten minute job.
Get the seat modified or a new 'comfort' one (someone will make one) approx ($200-$300). Another 10 minute job to remove and refit.
Fit a touring screen approx ($200). Maybe 1 hours to fit.
Leave it permanently in 'rain' mode (and if that's hasn't sucked the life out of it enough, fit a throttle tamer approx $100). Rain mode is 136hp, a gentler throttle response, and max TC and ABS intervention.

As I reckon this will save you at least $8,000 if not more to change over, I reckon it's only fair you send me half. A cheque or direct debit will be fine :grin2:

Something like this is going to be just as effective wind protection wise as the SS. There are numerous screen options (bigger and smaller), something will work.

Bars both up and back adjustment ..... Wunderlich (among others) also make bar risers, and the Wunderlich reviews for its 20mm risers indicate no cable modifications are necessary.

John, all good arguments. However, nothing will ever fix the eye sore that is S1000R >

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John

· #7 · Sep 25, 2017 (Edited)

1lifeliveit said:
John, all good arguments. However, nothing will ever fix the eye sore that is S1000R >>

Yea but that wasn't one of the OP's problems. But actually I don't mind the look of them. Everything in life is relative, and compared to the droopy insect head look that Yamaha and Kawasaki seem to be currently fixated on e.g MT-10 ...... the S1000R looks ok to me (in the Tuono way). I'll happily have it if the OP doesn't want it.

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1lifeliveit

· #8 · Sep 25, 2017

John said:
Yea but that wasn't one of the OP's problems. But actually I don't mind the look of them. Everything in life is relative, and compared to the droopy insect head look that Yamaha and Kawasaki seem to be currently fixated on e.g MT-10 ...... the S1000R looks ok to me. I'll have it if the OP doesn't want it.

Seriously though, they ARE amazing bikes in every way but the looks. I test rode one (and the s1000xr) before making my decision. BUT, as soon as I jumped on the Supersport, my mind was made.
So, I'll repeat the advice to the OP. Ride one before thinking too much.

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Narked

· #9 · Sep 25, 2017

I sold my Tuono V4 2012 which is the same class as the BMW.

The SS isn't in the same class so it's hard to compare. But if you want better milege and comfort it's a good choice. Also, I really enjoy the SS in 2-5th gears. I really only notice the lack of power in 1st gear as the Tuono had so much - also i went with a reduced 15 tooth sproket - it was easier to ride at lower speeds without changing gears so often. 2nd to 5th I see no real different in ride quality or typical accelleration. I notice it in 6th more but really haven't been able to unleash the SS due to break in constraints.

I think if you test ride the SS you will be happy and will be okay with the loss in HP, but the overall loss in torque will be mininal.

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Dr. D

Discussion Starter · #10 · Sep 26, 2017

Good thoughts. I have an aftermarket saddle (Saddlemen) that was said to be the most comfy; not so much improvement. Riding around in rain mode sounds self-defeating. Actually, that is one flaw in the BMW: you can’t make any adjustments to the modes, unlike Ducati which permits you to customize the modes. Maybe another test ride.

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Ed K

· #11 · Sep 26, 2017

Myself coming off a 170 hp bike to the SS, I some times miss the extra power. I used to live in area where I could exploit 170 hp, now, not so easily.

How much you’ll miss it, imho, will depend upon how often you currently use that power now. If you rarely use it, you won’t miss it. If you use it a lot, you will miss it. And if sometimes, then sometimes.

But if you’re looking for a Superbike, look elsewhere, that’s not what the SS is about.

Also, fun is not always about hp. My Scrambler is as much fun to ride to me as the SS, with much less power, but fun in a totally different way.

As others have said, take an SS for an extended spin if you can, and you’ll know, immediately.

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se7en

· #12 · Sep 26, 2017

Ed K said:
Also, fun is not always about hp. My Scrambler is as much fun to ride to me as the SS, with much less power, but fun in a totally different way.

Agree entirely. Same can be said for my Hyper!! Both fun...just different.

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