guys
i am teetering on the edge of getting a 2004 BCR with laser pipes/chip etc
plus luggage (sorry!). i know it's got a higher seat than standard - does
it have harder suspension too? i tried one last autumn in the rain and it
felt high AND hard...??
any other tips? are they worth it?? good evreyday bike or too much hard work??
i'm switching from 1150GS plus a track bike......
any input would be very welcome!
thanks
cheers
2004 BCR? worth it?
Moderators: slparry, Gromit, Paul
The S will feel considerably harder in the suspension department after coming off a GS because it is shorter travel. Why you looking to change ? I thought the GS was all things to all people 
Unless you like the pretty colours of the 04 BCR, many on here would suggest buying a standard model S and putting the money saved towards buying some decent suspenders. The standard units are not up to much especially if you add a pillion into the mix.
Unless you like the pretty colours of the 04 BCR, many on here would suggest buying a standard model S and putting the money saved towards buying some decent suspenders. The standard units are not up to much especially if you add a pillion into the mix.Lloyd
It's not how fast you ride, it's how you ride fast.
Light travels faster than sound. That's why some people appear
bright until you hear them speak.
It's not how fast you ride, it's how you ride fast.
Light travels faster than sound. That's why some people appear
bright until you hear them speak.
What Lloyd said.
If you really want the BCR colours, then by all means go for it. If you want the same bike but with enough change to buy some decent suspension etc then get a good 2 (or thereabouts) year old standard bike and contact Mr Ohlins/Wilbers/WP etc etc.
I know which'd end up being the better bike for the money
If you really want the BCR colours, then by all means go for it. If you want the same bike but with enough change to buy some decent suspension etc then get a good 2 (or thereabouts) year old standard bike and contact Mr Ohlins/Wilbers/WP etc etc.
I know which'd end up being the better bike for the money
-
winger
Hi Timbo
You don't say what your going to get rid of GS? track bike? both?,as Richard said unless you have a fetish about the colour buy a stocker and spend the money you save on it,cuz under the paint there all the same!!.
The problem with trying to answer your question is you give little to go as to what kind of bikeing you do,I certainley wouldn't swap a GS for an S,but people have done it both ways on this board,a classic example is Boxertools(Mike) after he'd done a couple of trips to southern Spain suddenly realised the GS was the way go,it's just horses for courses.
Chris
You don't say what your going to get rid of GS? track bike? both?,as Richard said unless you have a fetish about the colour buy a stocker and spend the money you save on it,cuz under the paint there all the same!!.
The problem with trying to answer your question is you give little to go as to what kind of bikeing you do,I certainley wouldn't swap a GS for an S,but people have done it both ways on this board,a classic example is Boxertools(Mike) after he'd done a couple of trips to southern Spain suddenly realised the GS was the way go,it's just horses for courses.
Chris
Ive not riddden a bike with non standard susp so dont know how good it is but i do have an 04 BCR and it gets LOADS of attention and looks so awesome i still sit and look at it after nearly a year.... but yes the seat is bloody high and suspensions pretty firm...didnt stop me riding to Ireland in one day tho! (-with luggage) 
thanks
guys
thanks for all your input.
i am going to test one tomorrow - for a couple of hours i hope.
i am getting rid of the GS and the Honda SP1 as i can't justify 2 bikes
anymore - i don't get to do as many miles as i used to - work/travel/dog
have all conspired to keep me off the damned things.
so i want something in between - sporty. but with good luggage for everyday commute (short) and occasional pillion into town etc.
i like the bm's 'cos i just do not have the restraint on a sportsbike - R1/SP1 and a 7day ban taught me that!
the BCR looks funky. is a bit different. solves all the above i think?
i understand the viewpoint about getting a standard one cheaper and
spending the spare cash spamming it up - but to be honest i do not have
the time or energy to do that (virtually commuting to the US every week
right now) - so i just want the 'easy route' - lazy? maybe.
my only concerns still revolve round the height and stiff suspension. but
i'll just see how it goes tomorrow.
is the seat comfy? are they all vibey - or does it vary?
will keep you posted.
thanks again
tim
thanks for all your input.
i am going to test one tomorrow - for a couple of hours i hope.
i am getting rid of the GS and the Honda SP1 as i can't justify 2 bikes
anymore - i don't get to do as many miles as i used to - work/travel/dog
have all conspired to keep me off the damned things.
so i want something in between - sporty. but with good luggage for everyday commute (short) and occasional pillion into town etc.
i like the bm's 'cos i just do not have the restraint on a sportsbike - R1/SP1 and a 7day ban taught me that!
the BCR looks funky. is a bit different. solves all the above i think?
i understand the viewpoint about getting a standard one cheaper and
spending the spare cash spamming it up - but to be honest i do not have
the time or energy to do that (virtually commuting to the US every week
right now) - so i just want the 'easy route' - lazy? maybe.
my only concerns still revolve round the height and stiff suspension. but
i'll just see how it goes tomorrow.
is the seat comfy? are they all vibey - or does it vary?
will keep you posted.
thanks again
tim
-
winger
Hi Tim
The problem us lot have is trying to explain that the BCR is the same bike as the others,it has a different paint job but thats all,the suspension just the same as all the other S's,yes there is a sport supension it's the same as standard just taller for more ground clearance for the cylinders!!!,don't fooled by the yellow paint on the springs!!.
You will get a louder pipe and maybe a so called trick fuel chip!!! it's just BMW marketing department getting off it's arse after several years of thinking 'How the hell are we going to market this thing'
Does it vibe??? Ooooo Yes look for one with 6/8000 miles on(their better with more miles on),any more than that and it'll have been ridden in the winter,you can do that yourself with paying for the privilege!!.
Chris
The problem us lot have is trying to explain that the BCR is the same bike as the others,it has a different paint job but thats all,the suspension just the same as all the other S's,yes there is a sport supension it's the same as standard just taller for more ground clearance for the cylinders!!!,don't fooled by the yellow paint on the springs!!.
You will get a louder pipe and maybe a so called trick fuel chip!!! it's just BMW marketing department getting off it's arse after several years of thinking 'How the hell are we going to market this thing'
Does it vibe??? Ooooo Yes look for one with 6/8000 miles on(their better with more miles on),any more than that and it'll have been ridden in the winter,you can do that yourself with paying for the privilege!!.
Chris
I have the S Sport (forerunner of the BCR) it allegedly has the taller stiffer suspension - Its my regular transport and I've done 18k+ miles and 4 track days on it since getting it including 2up+major luggage trips to Yorkshire, Ireland, Cornwall, Suffolk, Porto and Madrid as well as regular London work type travel.
In terms of comfort my legs are usually dead after about an hour and a bit which usually coincides with fuel stops so long journeys are ok. I get pretty bad wind noise over 85mph (can't hear the music clearly on the Autocom which makes motorway work a drag) I'm 5'11 and about 13 stone.
The vibes are always there but I like them (feels like there is an engine there not an electric motor) and they're not intrusive.
Like you I have neither the time or the inclination to tinker with the bike (I can barely bring myself to clean the bugger..) so its totally stock, grubby most of the time and I love it to bits (except for the outrageous service costs).
The only thing that would put me off buying a new(ish) one is that the model is the last one in the range due for a revamp which I reckon will knacker used prices.
In terms of comfort my legs are usually dead after about an hour and a bit which usually coincides with fuel stops so long journeys are ok. I get pretty bad wind noise over 85mph (can't hear the music clearly on the Autocom which makes motorway work a drag) I'm 5'11 and about 13 stone.
The vibes are always there but I like them (feels like there is an engine there not an electric motor) and they're not intrusive.
Like you I have neither the time or the inclination to tinker with the bike (I can barely bring myself to clean the bugger..) so its totally stock, grubby most of the time and I love it to bits (except for the outrageous service costs).
The only thing that would put me off buying a new(ish) one is that the model is the last one in the range due for a revamp which I reckon will knacker used prices.
2000 R1100S Sport
1980 Vespa P125X
1980 Vespa P125X
i've gone and done it....
guys
spent a while on the 2004 BCR yesterday.
what can i say? loved it. really.
sounds dumb but it is somewhere in between the
GS and the crushingly uncomfortable SP1!
it felt really 'planted'. really confidence inspiring.
panniers (sorry again) and alarm being fitted this week.
hurrah!
ok - so now it starts...what are the 'must have's' in terms
of twiddles and tweaks (not the big stuff like suspension and exhaust)
but more the screen, headlight bulbs, grab-rails (can't find anything on
these at all!!), tyre pressures, oil types, service manual (on CD??) ......
appreciate your honest and helpfull input.
all valid. end of day - i'm happy as a clam (not sure i really understand
this either but a US client keeps saying it....)
thanks
tim
spent a while on the 2004 BCR yesterday.
what can i say? loved it. really.
sounds dumb but it is somewhere in between the
GS and the crushingly uncomfortable SP1!
it felt really 'planted'. really confidence inspiring.
panniers (sorry again) and alarm being fitted this week.
hurrah!
ok - so now it starts...what are the 'must have's' in terms
of twiddles and tweaks (not the big stuff like suspension and exhaust)
but more the screen, headlight bulbs, grab-rails (can't find anything on
these at all!!), tyre pressures, oil types, service manual (on CD??) ......
appreciate your honest and helpfull input.
all valid. end of day - i'm happy as a clam (not sure i really understand
this either but a US client keeps saying it....)
thanks
tim
Timbo,
I bought the BCR last year, I still have that silly grin on my face after riding it and still stand there looking at the beauty of the bike after 12 months.
As others have said the one problem I had with the bike (and 2 mates who bought the 04 BCR) is the height of the seat, managed to overcome that by having the seat lowered so I can plant both feet firmly on the ground.
As for bits and pieces - If it ain't got heated grips there a bonus but apart from that what else do you need - Get out there and enjoy!!!
Give us some feedback when you had it for a while!
Ken
I bought the BCR last year, I still have that silly grin on my face after riding it and still stand there looking at the beauty of the bike after 12 months.
As others have said the one problem I had with the bike (and 2 mates who bought the 04 BCR) is the height of the seat, managed to overcome that by having the seat lowered so I can plant both feet firmly on the ground.
As for bits and pieces - If it ain't got heated grips there a bonus but apart from that what else do you need - Get out there and enjoy!!!
Give us some feedback when you had it for a while!
Ken
If you can't make a decision your a bloody nuisance.
-
winger
The only way to get a grab rail is to get a set of Ventura side rails and then these can be specified with either grab handle/sport rack(small)/tourirg rack(larger) and have the option of tail packs of various sizes.
With a bit of luck this luggage option may even spare you from having to fit p*nniers
which do the job but look pants, especially from the back
With a bit of luck this luggage option may even spare you from having to fit p*nniers
which do the job but look pants, especially from the backLloyd
It's not how fast you ride, it's how you ride fast.
Light travels faster than sound. That's why some people appear
bright until you hear them speak.
It's not how fast you ride, it's how you ride fast.
Light travels faster than sound. That's why some people appear
bright until you hear them speak.
Tim,
The first essential is a hugger. I don't think its been mentioned on this thread yet. Without it the shock and pipes will be crud covered on the first wet day. I think the most popular is Ilmberger (Carbon fibre) followed by Pyramid (plastic).
The next value protecting mod could be switching front end bolts (discs, brakes, spindle clamps etc) to stainless. Bob's your man - see the posts on bits and bobs for sale.
A useful mod: On earlier models (I don't know about the BCRs) the filler cap design meant filling was a slow process. Again see early threads about drilling a hole in filler collar.
After that you can stick Halfords high intensity bulbs in. But if you do a lot of night riding you might want to look at some of the serious extra light possibilities.
After that, you're into the more expensive stuff: exhausts (plenty of options), shocks, swing arm braces, etc.
Browse the forum - esp "recommended items", and you'll probably find someone has had something to say on all these and many more.
Hope that's a start,
harry.
.
The first essential is a hugger. I don't think its been mentioned on this thread yet. Without it the shock and pipes will be crud covered on the first wet day. I think the most popular is Ilmberger (Carbon fibre) followed by Pyramid (plastic).
The next value protecting mod could be switching front end bolts (discs, brakes, spindle clamps etc) to stainless. Bob's your man - see the posts on bits and bobs for sale.
A useful mod: On earlier models (I don't know about the BCRs) the filler cap design meant filling was a slow process. Again see early threads about drilling a hole in filler collar.
After that you can stick Halfords high intensity bulbs in. But if you do a lot of night riding you might want to look at some of the serious extra light possibilities.
After that, you're into the more expensive stuff: exhausts (plenty of options), shocks, swing arm braces, etc.
Browse the forum - esp "recommended items", and you'll probably find someone has had something to say on all these and many more.
Hope that's a start,
harry.
.