I don't think it's a deal breaker if it doesn't have LED headlight or turn signals, just disappointing. We all know how fast paced and modern the US gov't is.
Good one ! I really like your sens of humour ! at first I thought you were serious ! Thanks , you made my day !!! oser
They were only that way on the 2010-2012 bikes anyhow. Most still added ROX Risers to get more up and back. IMHO Not a big deal. Jim
Or you could have the panels covered in vinyl in a different color or pattern which you could always take off when you eventually sell the bike
Very true and great suggestion. There is a shop locally that does this sort of thing on the most exotic of cars. They even 3M filmed my matte painted Multi and you could never tell it was covered. A big business in the making for sure.
Jim got a point, I'm still using Rox Risers... Maybe this setup was a bit expensive so BMW went back to the standard also using 2 through bolts (more stable?) than on the "rotate-clamps" before with only one bolt on each side screwing everything down if you know what I mean.
At the show I asked the BMW Rep from NJ about the battery capacity being less. He kindly educated me that the decrease in the 12 amps from 19 (I think from current model) should not be viewed as a problem. It is the alternator that is critical to supply power to the system when in use. It quickly replenishes the energy back to the battery upon startup and continue to supply necessary energy to the system. If the alternator is of low capacity, then it fill not able to supply energy to the system, and will utilize the stored energy from the battery, thus depleting it. He said the new WC has 580 Watt alternator. Current model has 620. The reduction is sufficient due to efficient use of electrical use. I asked him having additional lights and Gerbing gear will it be able to support. The answer is Yes! He recommended using additional lights based on LED. It will draw very little electricity. You can continue to use your Gerbing gear, although to keep on mind that this gear uses lots of electricity, upon power-off, make sure you turn your Gerbing heat controller off. (I learned this when fueling my gas tank. I forgot to turn off, it depleted my battery. Lucky after few attempts I was able to start my bike's new BMW battery.) So I was rest assured that 580W is adequate for the bike. I suppose using less powerful alternator and battery, both will yield less space and less weight, necessary to offset the weight gained due to water cooled.
I was thinking about this video again, and now watched it a few times - not for the sound, I don't care too much about the sound of a bike, but I can't see the bike rocking sideways at all. Not a single shudder on start or throttle. As I don't have my R1200GS anymore, I can only go from memory, but I think whenever you started that bike, it did rock sideways, even when it was on the centerstand. It didn't move badly of course, but I'd think the camera would catch this. More and more looking forward to test riding it when they arrive here.
First I watched a video clip on YouTube where BMW person in Europe does a test on the side stand, and he gave more gas than at the show. I did not notice any sideway movement. It was awesome. BMW did acknowledge some improvement to minimize sideway (PTTL) movement. However, when Charlie Boorman tested it moved to the left. Notice it through the mirror. YouTube link (could not embed from an iPad) Charlie Boorman