Turn my R1150R into a GS?

[CrownVic55]

I currently have an 2003 R1150R I decided to start doing some adventure riding while here in Europe. The GS bikes are too tall for me anyway. I thought I could take my Blacktop friendly R1150R and make is into a GS type bike. Any recommendations?
Crownvic55

[JimVonBaden]

Basically, so long as you do not want to raise it up, the R1150R IS a low GS. Just add duel sport tires and go.

Jim

[Bubba Satori]

Pirelli Scorpion Syncs will do the job for you.

.

[soundasleeprecording]

Depends upon how much "GSing" you'll do with it. The 17" in front will tuck under on dirt roads & trails, with dual sport tires or not. Crash bars might be the first thing to add. Changing to 19" in front might be possible, but I've never seen/heard of it. Put some Syncs on it & ride.

[cmack]

I did a fair amount of fire roads on my 02 R1150R and it does handle itself quite well, even with street tires, so dual sport tires should make it even better. I was reluctant to take mine on any serious offroad trails though for fear of dropping it.

[bajaburro]

my friend rides a r1150r and it has about 4'' between the bottom of the engine and the ground.not good for off-road.

[pdoege]

I've taken my R1100R off road.

I've even buried it up to the axles in sand.

It will handle gravel roads, fire roads, and the like just fine. You can replace the torque arm with a GS item to increase the rear ride height.

No worries.

I'd put some tourances or distanzias on it and go.

Peter

[markk53]

Originally Posted by Bubba Satori

Pirelli Scorpion Syncs will do the job for you.

.

Is that a late model Trumph with pipes? I like the angle of the shot. Looks killer...

By the way, I agree with the idea of a decent set of 80/20s. From there it is just being sensible about where one rides.

[Bill in FL]

Originally Posted by CrownVic55

I currently have an 2003 R1150R I decided to start doing some adventure riding while here in Europe. The GS bikes are too tall for me anyway. I thought I could take my Blacktop friendly R1150R and make is into a GS type bike. Any recommendations?
Crownvic55

I owned an R1150R a few years ago and did many miles of forrest and plantation roads on that bike, which remains one of my favorites of all time. While I agree with many of the comments regarding the R1150R's versatility and capacity for off-road, I think some may be overlooking the difference in ergonomics between the Roadster and (for example) the GS, which can be important off-road.

In my view, the footpegs on the R1150R are a little too high and rearset and the bars are a little too low to make standing for significant periods of time very comfortable or stable. While all of these things can be addressed to some degree with effort and $$$ (although I suspect it may be challenging to get the pegs in the right spot), I decided it might be better to start over with a bike designed with the off-road thing in mind, so I sold my RR and bought an R12GS.

The GS was tall for me as well, so I lowered it a bit when I replaced the stock shocks with a set of Wilbers. (Actually, this turned out to be a tremendous upgrade in all respects!) All in all, I was quite happy with the result. Obviously, your results may vary.

Best of luck with whatever you choose.

Bill

[westnash]

Originally Posted by CrownVic55

I currently have an 2003 R1150R I decided to start doing some adventure riding while here in Europe. The GS bikes are too tall for me anyway. I thought I could take my Blacktop friendly R1150R and make is into a GS type bike. Any recommendations?
Crownvic55

Tires are ok but if you go much further you will screw up a street bike and end up with a still poor trail bike.

[DELTATANGO]

I had one and considered same. You need a skid plate, tires, valve cover protectors or crash bars. Do it.

[CrownVic55]

Thanks to all of you for the great suggestions. I think Florida may have something about the Peg position etc... If I moved the pegs too much I believe I would have to set up the clutch and brake foot controls too. I definatly would have a hard time standing on the pegs and then having to lean too far forward on the handlebars. I have crash bars already and a skid plate would likely be the next thing to add after tires. I would trade the bike in but still the GS is just too damm tall. If I lower a GS wouldnt it be the same as having the converted R??? I have never ridden the GS yet because of the height. Most dealerships are not too keen on test drives if your feet can't touch the ground by more than a inch. Any other suggestion on a diiferent Bike for ADV riding? 5'4" 30" inseam. I guess I could get some of those 3" platform sole boots from the 70's
Crownvic55

[MoxNix]

It's time for me to jump on the XCountry bandwagon. I have seen a couple of very low XCountrys here in Stuttgart. Maybe your local BMW Motorrad dealer can help you out.
Chris

[Bake]

I have the same height/inseam problem. I'd love to ride a 12gs but they are tall for me, enough that I'm uncomfortable. I have a KLX250 that was insanely, dangerously tall, and I found a way to lower it 2.125 inches. It's now still tall enough for my trailriding, but it made a big difference.
While I couldn't afford it now, I like a modification challenge, so I would look into lowering a 12gs. The loss of say 1.5 ~2 inch wheel travel would only be a problem if you're trying to race the damn thing. Order up a special low cut seat from Sargent and get another .5 to .75 inch. Shorter shocks must be available, even if a machine shop has to do some work on stock length. I'd love to see one done this way.
As for the R1150R. I have owned 2. I rode them on gravel roads whenever I wanted. I did the washboardy Cottonwood Pass in Colorado up and down, several times...just don't be in a hurry. The loose stuff is just something you have to avoid. Change to chunky block tires, and have a go. I had the Verholen bar backs on mine, and it made a much better seating position. I agree with Jim VB, it's a lowered GS in most parameters. IMO the soft mag wheels being the drawback more than the suspension travel.

And then this comes out! how timely:

http://www.motorcycle.com/news/bmw-o...ion-76360.html

[TUCKERS]

My next bike may well be a R1200R that I will 'GS'
Touratech Zega side and top boxes, plus a few other frakles.
I have a 2000 R1150GS that I lowered almost two inches. I got inch and a half shorter shocks back and front from Works Performance, a Para lever torque arm from a RSL (three quarters of an inch longer) and a BMW factory low seat. I actually had to take a full two inches off the side and center stands, yes I did 2 inches!
james