[Gail]

My bike is 'naked' which I am changing to a more friendly long distance ride. Adding Givi hard cases and a top case plus engine guards.

How difficult (and expensive) is adding cruise control?

Even at the lowest setting, the bike is really tall for me (5'7" female). I've ordered taller boots, but at some point I'd like to get the seat cut down. Any suggestions, recommendations other than having the bike lowered ($$$$)?

 

[Clem]

Cruise Control & Seat Height Solutions ?

Have you considered used parts from Beemer Boneyard.
You'll need to be patient.
Used Throttle Meister units are available for $75-$100 and up
depending on condition.

As for the seat height issue,
many different height seats are available from BMW.
Taller riders will get rid of a low seat
in favor of a tall comfort seat.
A used/salvaged LOW seat for the Roadster may start at $150 and up
depending upon whether torn, stained, or discolored.
Try a used LOW seat for a while, and if the height suits you better,
you could have it recovered in a nice leather.

fyi,
Your problem is not uncommon.
In Japan, many riders are "vertically challenged"
regardless of being male or female.
In fact, my Japanese BMW dealer informed me
that ALL his new Classic version bikes
came equipped with a LOW seat.
Lowered bikes are gaining popularity here rapidly.
Having the dealer lower the machine is always a $$$ last resort.


Other bike forums and message boards allow classified listings
for BMW Roadster parts, also.
You may choose to search there.


Checking the oil level ?
Hmmm........
Dipstick on a Roadster might be a challenge.

I used to park my dirt bike against a tree
because it had no side stand.
A board or other spacer under the side stand is easy and cheap.
I have parked my R1100R up against a wall, left in gear,
to remove and grease the center stand.
The bike had plastic engine guards and side bags. No problem.
You could use a towel pad for the bar end.
The oil level sight glass should be visible on the left.
Try and keep the bike as level as possible.
The oil level sight glass is a very rough estimate, anyway.
From bottom to top of the fill circle is about 500cc of oil.

A hydraulic bike stand that lifts it up
from below the engine sump is another solution,
although rather expensive.
BMW makes a shop stand to keep it vertical, also.
Probably somewhat less $.

Good luck.
Keep 'er shiny side up!

 

[diethornig]

maintaining a good bike and having it a long lifespan is somewhat difficult. Should cost you a lot.

 

[Hoshiko]

Your problem is not uncommon.
In Japan, many riders are "vertically challenged"

^hahahahahahahah
My wife is 5'11" She is Japanese American, her brother is 6' 3" same mix of curse. their father (the one with the Japanese side) is taller then his son.
But I agree with you and loved the term "vertically challenged"

Getting back to the question, before you spend 4-500 dollars for a new seat, god knows how much for the purchase and installation of the cruise control, try this 2, I have done 300+ miles in one day with no problems.

For as little as $10.00 USD you can get one of this:

Original Motorcycle Cruise Control - Crampbuster

And for $169.00 USD I got the top of the line one of this:

New AIRHAWK R Cruiser -60 Day Money Back Guarantee

 

[SchwartzTX]

My 2013 has what BMW calls the "comfort seat". It's essentially the lower, flatter seat, with a position that doesn't crush the goods into the tank, as with the standard seat. I'd Google "BMW comfort seat" or call your local dealer. Check Ebay, too.

This picture (graphic) doesn't do justice, but this is the comfort seat: Comfort Seat, Low - by BMW - - A&S BMW Motorcycle Parts and Accessories ... it may help you with your height. Actually, if you click my profile pic, you can sort of see how much better the shape of this seat is; it's on my 90th Anny edition 1200R. Good luck!

 

[doc dogg]

Checking the oil level ?

The easiest way is to glue a small mirror on a stick and use it to look at the sight glass whilst you sit on the bike keeping it level.

or buy one

 

[Air_Ops]

I do not believe anyone sells an electronic cruise control for the Air/Oil Cooled models, it is available as a factory option on the Liquid cooled models 2015 >. There are several brands of throttle locks (Throttlemeister, Kako) available for the 2014 and earlier models. EPM sells lowering springs for the factory shocks -30mm/1-1/4" for non-ESA and -20mm/3/4" for ESA. cost for the spring set is about $329.00 here is a link to the listing of models and specs.

http://epmperf.com/price-lists/lowering_kit_07_09_14.pdf

High performance motorcycle suspension sales and service from EPM Performance Imports

When it comes lowering less is more, the least amount you can get away with will be best for ride comfort and cornering.

With all the different model changes over the years, it is helpful if you indicate what year and equipment when asking for advice/input.

 

[slowpoke]

Cruise control

This is the best throttle lock ever for the price.
It simply rest against the brake lever and works by friction.
There is an adjustment screw to get the tension set and then you just
push it against the brake lever at whatever speed you are at and it will
maintain the speed until you turn the throttle off. Works great.
If you get one of these it comes with a rubber collar that goes over the
grip. This is to give the device a better hold on the grip. I took a small
ty wrap and place it next to the rubber sleeve to hold the sleeve in place.
Try on of these and you will love it. Google it. Only about $35-40.
Go Cruise is the name.

"keep the shiny side up"!

 

[jusbill]

Check McCruise.com (Australia) for a superb cruise control system for around $1000.00 depending on your model. They have them for at least as far back as the R1150R. Not a difficult installation, but time consuming. Mine took about 10 hours (I'd never installed one before), and that included removing / reinstalling the seat, the tank and various other body parts. Just follow the step by step instructions which are very, very good. Their tech support is excellent too.

I've had mine on my '06 R1200GS for over 2 years now and couldn't be happier.

This is a "real" cruise control, not a throttle lock and it maintains the "set speed" within +/- 2 mph, up and down hills.

Motorcycle electronic cruise control | Motorcycle Cruise Controls

Bill Edwards

 

[JochenWoern]

This is the best throttle lock ever for the price.
It simply rest against the brake lever and works by friction.
There is an adjustment screw to get the tension set and then you just
push it against the brake lever at whatever speed you are at and it will
maintain the speed until you turn the throttle off. Works great.
If you get one of these it comes with a rubber collar that goes over the
grip. This is to give the device a better hold on the grip. I took a small
ty wrap and place it next to the rubber sleeve to hold the sleeve in place.
Try on of these and you will love it. Google it. Only about $35-40.
Go Cruise is the name.

"keep the shiny side up"!

Hello there slowpoke.

So you like this one a lot?

How do you turn it off, meaning disengage the throttle look? Assuming you will just move the throttle forward manually to disengage?

I have grip puppies on mine, do you think it will work with them installed. Will the device fit around it?

I currently have one of those crampbusters, which works great when in use to relief the cramping fingers/hand, but I think it does get in the way once the throttle is fully released coming to a stop. I find it somewhat in the way and a bit bulky.

Thanks in advance.

 

[filterfool]

I do not believe anyone sells an electronic cruise control for the Air/Oil Cooled models, it is available as a factory option on the Liquid cooled models 2015 >. There are several brands of throttle locks (Throttlemeister, Kako) available for the 2014 and earlier models. EPM sells lowering springs for the factory shocks -30mm/1-1/4" for non-ESA and -20mm/3/4" for ESA. cost for the spring set is about $329.00 here is a link to the listing of models and specs.

http://epmperf.com/price-lists/lowering_kit_07_09_14.pdf

High performance motorcycle suspension sales and service from EPM Performance Imports

When it comes lowering less is more, the least amount you can get away with will be best for ride comfort and cornering.

With all the different model changes over the years, it is helpful if you indicate what year and equipment when asking for advice/input.

Does anyone know how lowering the suspension affects the handling of the bike?

 

[doc dogg]

Check McCruise.com (Australia) for a superb cruise control system for around $1000.00 depending on your model.

That is a good option. I've seen someone use a universal module and some aftermarket accessories to give an R1200C cruise.

If fact here is a link Chromeheads Forum: Archive through March 19, 2009

 

[slowpoke]

Yes the "Go Cruise" is a throttle lock but if you don't happen to have $1k
lying around for a real cruise control it is an option. You do have to manually
disengage by turning the throttle off. This lock is used when you are on the
open highway and the traffic is very light. If you have the bucks the real one
is a better option.

"keep the shiny side up"!

 

[mike k.]

Does anyone know how lowering the suspension affects the handling of the bike?

> I dont know if lowering the suspension will alter the R12R's "feel/straight line handling". HOWEVER, it will limit its corner clearance. For example on my stock/O.E.M/non-ESA suspension, I've scraped off about 50% of it's foot peg feelers and various parts on the center and kickstand (when riding aggressive, leaned over through the canyons/twisties).

> Cruise control: For me "one reporters opinion", I thinks it great/nice feature, but in the same breath I don't want it because I feel that a motorcycle requires to be ridden with 100% attention/focus (if you will) and by having electronic "cruise control" could place me into a less focused/too relaxed riding mode. Also, here in California, there's not many places that I could actually use it - heck I rarely use it on my car. However, I do have and use "on rare occasions" the approximate $10.00 cramp buster.

 

[JochenWoern]

Yes the "Go Cruise" is a throttle lock but if you don't happen to have $1k
lying around for a real cruise control it is an option. You do have to manually
disengage by turning the throttle off. This lock is used when you are on the
open highway and the traffic is very light. If you have the bucks the real one
is a better option.

"keep the shiny side up"!

Googled the GO CRUISE and also checked out a few videos on YOUTUBE about it.

As I do not have $1K lying around and this seems to be a way better option than the cramp buster, I only have one question:

Which is the better choice, the cheaper plastic version or the metal one with the adjustment screw?

Also still looking for an answer if this will work with my installed grip puppies.

Thanks in advance.

 

[slowpoke]

Throttle lock

You will probably have to cut a piece of the grip puppy away where the
Go Cruise sits for it to work. Should not be a problem though. I would get
the metal one with the adjustment screw. Don't think it is much more than
the plastic one. I had a crampbuster on a previous bike and took it off after
a couple of rides. Found it to be too cumbersome.

Then Go Cruise takes a little time to get use to but once you have the tension
right it is great.

 

[JochenWoern]

You will probably have to cut a piece of the grip puppy away where the
Go Cruise sits for it to work. Should not be a problem though. I would get
the metal one with the adjustment screw. Don't think it is much more than
the plastic one. I had a crampbuster on a previous bike and took it off after
a couple of rides. Found it to be too cumbersome.

Then Go Cruise takes a little time to get use to but once you have the tension
right it is great.

Many thanks slowpoke.