R1250 RS FIRST IMPRESSIONS

[WALRUS]

A month after purchase, finally got my Red, White & Blue machine home. Delay was add-ons ordered at time of purchase: Cruise control, bags, low seat, ride mode software upgrade. No ESA. Only rode 40 miles in the cold but here's the initial take.

Riding position: Very comfortable. Screen works better than expected. Reminds me of my 2002 Honda VFR 800i.
Handling: Sweet. But didn't push on 20-25 mph curves due to slick new tires, 40 mph crosswind gusts and extreme cold. Deadly combo. Holds a line really well.
Engine: Currently limited to 6000 rpm until 600 mile service. But revs well, excellent throttle response, but would like more grunt ala a Harley twin or even my high-revving Indian FTR. Not a deal breaker, though.
Farkles: Heated grips and seat work excellently. Sadly, I did not keep the low seat since it does not come with the heated option. I can more than tippie-toe this bike with the standard seat. Don't see much difference in the ride modes, honestly. In fact, I think I prefer "road" to dynamic and dynamic pro.
Bags are peculiar, BMW stuff with the same quirky locking and removal as on my old K-1200GT. Frankly, they make me nuts - but hold a lot of stuff. Nice surprise: Bags came keyed to ignition, even though ordered separately.         Didn't use cruise.

Overall, very pleased with the machine. Harkens back to the VFR, which is the only bike I regret selling. Think VFR @ 105 HP seemed bit faster, but not a fair comparison yet.

FYI: Out the door price $18,100 with all the add-ons including the low seat, which I'm receiving a credit on. Great deal especially with BMW zero financing over 36 months in era of raging inflation. Took loan even though didn't need it - my college economics professor would be proud: Borrow during inflation and pay off with cash worth less.

[Lee]

I like the looks of your brushed stainless muffler better than the chrome muffler we have.
If the heated seat is too tall for you, maybe a low heated Sargent seat would work for you.

Did you order a base Style Sport, then have the dealer add the Cruise control, ride mode software, heated grips and seat?

[WALRUS]

Lee: I'm told the BMW Low Seat does not come with the heated option. So far the standard it comfortable. I ordered the low so my SO could ride the bike, her legs are shorter than mine. She said keep the heated option since she wouldn't be riding it much - if at all - since she has five motorcycles. Seat height is fine for me. Much lower than, for example, my FTR or Ducati race bike.

Bought the bike off the showroom floor. It had heated seat, grips (I believe they are standard), no cruise control, and optional spoiler. Apparently was ordered that way by a guy who backed out of deal when bike arrived. I added cruise control, bags, ride modes using BMW discount codes for the month of November & December - 25% off and $500 off on orders over $1,000. Very nice incentives along with the zero percent financing. Made it an attractive purchase.

The canister is chrome as are the pipes. Just the lighting in my garage. But I'm replacing the entire exhaust with an Arrow titanium system. Can't take the racer out of the boy - less weight is always great.

[Ray]

...Only rode 40 miles in the cold but here's the initial take....Handling: Sweet. But didn't push on 20-25 mph curves due to slick new tires, 40 mph crosswind gusts and extreme cold.... Don't see much difference in the ride modes, honestly. In fact, I think I prefer "road" to dynamic and dynamic pro.

Well done.

If you're following the owner's manual for the break-in period and keeping things under 5K RPM, it might be difficult to notice any difference among the engine modes. (I'll simply note that the tiny wheelies and rear wheel slides in dynamic make me feel like a better rider than I am. They are not available in Road or Rain modes.)

(If you're a "spirited" rider, you might want to keep it in rain mode for your break-in.)

Many happy returns.

[Lee]

If you're following the owner's manual for the break-in period and keeping things under 5K RPM, it might be difficult to notice any difference among the engine modes.

That's a good point.

[Ray]

The canister is chrome as are the pipes. Just the lighting in my garage. But I'm replacing the entire exhaust with an Arrow titanium system. Can't take the racer out of the boy - less weight is always great.

Very cool. I assume that means a re-map of your ECU. You're not that far from me. Is there someone nearby that you like for that work?

[Lee]

using BMW discount codes for the month of November & December - 25% off and $500 off on orders over $1,000.

If you were a BMW MOA member at time of purchase you can also get a 10% rebate.

https://www.bmwmoa.org/news/639352/BMW-M...sories.htm

BMW MOA Members Earn 10% Rebate on BMW Parts, Gear and Accessories
Wednesday, May 3, 2023  
Posted by: Ted Moyer, 100360

Beginning May 1, 2023, BMW Motorrad is offering an “All the Time” 10% discount to BMW MOA members for purchases of Original BMW Apparel, Accessories, Parts, Classic Parts, Service Parts and Replacement OEM Parts. If it has a BMW part number, MOA members can earn a 10% rebate! 

Through a special arrangement with the MOA, every purchase made at a BMW Motorrad dealer based in the United States or online at shopbmwmotorcycles.com can qualify for the rebate. Purchasers must be an MOA member at the time of purchase and submit documentation to support the claim.  Claims for qualifying purchases can be submitted below and will be processed within 60 days for payment to the MOA member. 

In this streamlined process, no participation or agreement from the selling retailer is necessary. Claims for rebate will be managed by the MOA and members are free to support the dealer of their choice where Original BMW parts, gear and accessories are available. The rebate is currently scheduled for the remainder of 2023 but can be withdrawn at any time. 

Offer excludes all new motorcycle sales, bicycles, shipping, tax, services, labor and/or additional dealer charges.

[Grumpy Goat]

Nice bike and nice setup. Congratulations. I like the black rims with the red-white-blue colour way. It may not have the same grunt as the Harley but it would probably out accelerate it.

[WALRUS]

Yes Mr. Goat, suspect it would kick some Harley butt - though my Fat Boy, which is a very fat boy @ 699 lbs., with a 131 build, may give it a run for money.
However, I'm keeping RS under 5K revs - only bounced off the 5K rev limiter once yesterday by mistake charging out of a corner - so we shall see.
@Lee: Thanks for heads up on MOA. Will check it out.
@ Ray: I bought at EuroTek in OKC. They did service. Very nice, friendly and seemingly competent folks.
Will need a BMW retune for exhaust. I'm told BMW actually has to authorize it. Which seems odd.

[Ray]

Will need a BMW retune for exhaust. I'm told BMW actually has to authorize it. Which seems odd.

Probably makes sense to someone from a warranty perspective. 
Let us know how they do it. I assume Eurotek doesn't have their own dyno.

[WALRUS]

I don't believe the dealer has a dyno. This will be a remapping/fueling thing, not the same as a full dyno tune. Kind of like a Lloyds Secret Sauce flash on the FTR.