Another new member with BCR 04.

[stivesvelo]

Just bought an 04 BCR on Sunday & rode it back from Newcastle to St Ives (Cambs), stopping off with friends overnight in the Lincolnshire wolds.

Bike looked after me well & I arrived home in good condition to my surprise, with a very forgiving ride, good handling, balanced & confident on dark dodgy strange country roads, as the temperature was dropping and there was a worry of the snow melt freezing in places. Really impressed. (I sold an Aprilia recently & every time I used it my hands swelled up & had fingers like sausages for days after, with this nothing at all). The only problem is that the BCR feels a little flat but I am thinking I'll tune into it soon enough,( a friend with a non BCR but with shorter arm to the bevel drive from a GS says that it will be better with balanced throttles)

It has Ohlins at both ends & floats effortlessly over the bumps, handles very well but needs a lot of effort to get it to turn at low speeds, I also managed to graze one of the carbon head protectors somewhere on the way

The rear shock is set as low as it will go so I assume the original owner had short legs & I want to raise the rear end to sort it out (I could get my Rockster over without a problem)

Any suggestions on how high it should be?

Also assume I need to get an Abba stand (spoke to them today, they weren't going to recommend it because of the belly pan).

I see on here there are members using them without problems. They do a standard one for all bikes and earlier R1100s models & a taller one for the later models which they say isn't recommended for other bikes, just the later r1100s with higher rear ends. Anyone with some experience of these recommend one or the other?

Also looking for some flat/thin spanners for the adjustment of the shock, anyone have an idea where they are available, something like 24mm (will call an Ohlins dealer tomorrow & no doubt be told they cost £20 each)

Also needs a new battery & wonder if there are any particular recommendations?

Looking forward to using this bike, it's done more miles over the weekend than the last 3 years!

Rob

[slparry]

Hi Rob

Sounds a nice bike, bring it up to the Welsh Weekend Details in the Days Out section

Steve

[Al]

Hi Rob, welcome to our world, I have a sport version which has higher suspension with a full size bellypan fitted and it is fine with an abba stand. Try and get to Wales and maybe there will be more 1100`s than the other flavours

Al.

[dave the german]

Welcome Rob. I have the taller abba stand and checked with the guys from abba when I was at the NEC - only difference is the height so it can be used on other bikes with adaptor kit but might be a bit more of a struggle to use it but as it's designed for the RWB Boxercup it, it is OK to use with the belly pan as the bike comes with the belly pan. Plenty of very knowledgable people here to help with mods to the bike. I fitted Michelin Pilot Roads last year and found it turned quicker than the Metzlers that I'd used previously

[McBoxer]

Welcome on board!!

[Gromit]

Welcome to our little corner of the www Rob.

Your rear Ohlins should have adjustable length so it'll be easy to lengthen it - sorry can't remember the 'long' standard shock length (ie the one fitted to the first 1100 S Sports in 2000 or so) but this will be the correct length for your bike as the '04 BCR (RWB) used this long shock. It also had the GS torque arm as standard.

A search of this site should hopefully point you to the exact shock length measurement.

[el-nicko]

I also managed to graze one of the carbon head protectors somewhere on the way


Rob

Whaaaat? After 12months ownership my 'chicken-strips are still embarrassingly wiiiiiide (Thinks; is it me or my suspension?)

[slparry]

I also managed to graze one of the carbon head protectors somewhere on the way


Rob

Whaaaat? After 12months ownership my 'chicken-strips are still embarrassingly wiiiiiide (Thinks; is it me or my suspension?)

Heck Nick, you'll have to get a rebate on the unused portion of your tyres

[el-nicko]

I also managed to graze one of the carbon head protectors somewhere on the way


Rob

Whaaaat? After 12months ownership my 'chicken-strips are still embarrassingly wiiiiiide (Thinks; is it me or my suspension?)

Heck Nick, you'll have to get a rebate on the unused portion of your tyres

Must try harder I think mate.

[leasky]

Welcome to the fold Rob. You sound to be getting to grips with the bike already.

Getting it set up to your liking can be expensive but at least you have the high cost items of the suspension done already.

Enjoy.

[ianbcr]

[quote="leasky"]Welcome to the fold Rob. You sound to be getting to grips with the bike already.

Getting it set up to your liking can be expensive but at least you have the high cost items of the suspension done already.

Enjoy. [/quote]

thats true colin,but he`s got to spend 300 notes on a new carbon cover.

[nab 301]

some info here
viewtopic.php?t=7904&start=15

[stivesvelo]

Thanks for the 'welcome' & guidance, I've ordered the taller Abba stand so will get a closer look at the bike when that's here.

I've still got the chicken strips too, some of the back roads in the fens were a bit bumpy so probably caught it on one of those but only slightly so won't be getting the wallet out for a new one just yet.

Welsh weekend looks interesting but not free to come so I hope spring arrives before then & that the sun shines. I'll have to catch up at another meeting.

Spoke to Ohlins this morning & front length is 331, rear is 315 (could be 316) with 12mm adjustment, standard damping is 12 out on comp, 18 out on rebound in case anyone wants any base settings to start from. He had me worried at first, giving me settings for a GS! I think winding it out will make a world of difference as I can touch the floor easily on both sides, even paddle backwards no problem which I haven't managed to do for years.

Looking at batteries I have a spare oddyssey in the garage (something like pc680?), has anyone used one as I hear all sorts of conflicting opinions (I had it on my Laverda & it's the best battery so far). I've left the battery (BCR one) on the BMW optimiser which came with the bike & it's showing a full charge now but not too confident that it's any good.

Will report back on progress, must go as I smell food.

Rob