1150 RT Upgrades

[RTdavey]

Well, I took the plunge and am now the proud owner of a 2004 RT, joined BMW MOA, and I don't wanna work anymore for a living.
Anybody got suggestions on upgrades for this bike? how about those 25mm bar spacers? to take the pressure off my wrists?
And what does fritz have on his mind with this seat? any good replacements out there?
As if $15,000 wasn't enough, i have to spend more.
Thanks.

[motofranz]

I think one of the most important "upgrades" you could do for your bike are the
Engine Guards ...
I'm glad I had 'em after I dropped my RT !!
If your bike does not have then ..it might be a good idea!! :)

[edge51]

I hope your Rt days are as fun filled as mine have been.

Start with the seat. That is actually the only change I have made on mine. I went with Corbin, cause I have with every bike I have owned since 1974. Many do not like Corbin seats. They are nice to sit on but often do not fit the bike very well. I admit it takes me 15 minutes to put the seat back on and I cannot get it to work in the highest postion at all. Thankfully, because the seat is so wide I find the middle position best.

My 04 has 18k miles on it. I got it the end of April. The seat is all I have changed. I am 5'10" tall and find that if I sit properly I have no weight on my wrists.

I also added a Big Mac tank bag.

I need to get some GS mirrors - when packed I do not have much vision to the rear. I just have not got round to those. I may get an extender for the gear shift lever as it seems kind of small at times - mostly in the early morning or late evening. That's about it, all else is peachy.

Good luck with the new bike.

[MarkF]

Now available off the shelf with matching pillion and trunk backrest. I have a custom one on my Roadster. Not the most comfortable ever (That's reserved for a Mayer's or Russell seat) but it's a huge improvement, looks great and has fine workmanship. I can't say that about all the Corbin's I've had.

MarkF

[Mike1]

Welcome to the wonderful world of the 1150RT. This is the best bike BMW has to offer! I rode mine from SoCal to the rally in Spokane, great trip all the way around. I am heading to the Ohio rally next year.
About upgrades? My first was a radio (not BMW), Clarion, AM/FM/CD with a small remote control similar to your TV remote, connected it with fiber-optic cable, works great, easy install.
At the rally, I bought new tires (Metzlers) - wonderful, now I can lean more in the corners, and take 'em much faster. CrampBuster for the rest and relaxation of my throttle hand - comfortable, and I can control the speed by resting my wrist on the CrampBuster, and still roll-off quickly when I need to. For the saddle I bought a sheepskin, helps to eliminate "monkey butt"! I think my next project is to raise the front part of the saddle with spacers to keep me from sliding forward. Oh, and the best upgrade of all was the BMWMOA logo on the rear of the left saddlebag. Upgrades will continue. This has become my "project bike"!
Enjoy, and see you in Ohio.
:beer

[RT DOG]

Mike I found out if you lean forward in the saddle just a touch it removes that sliding foward problem, I was going to put spacers in the front of the seat also. But this little trick works well for me it also takes the shock of the bumps going right up and down on your spine. the best part if this doesn't work for you you still can put in your spacers and it didn't even cost you any time or money :)

[LeRoux Strydom]

I didn't have my '02 for very long before I started adding things:

1). Techlusion R259 Fuel Controller (stopped the surging; the main issue I had with the bike).

2). Wunderlitch saddle.

3). Kappa 47 ltr. top case c/w brake light kit & modulator.

4). Wunderlitch Cylinder Protection Bars.

5). Barbacks (helped relieve pressure on the wrists and forearms).

6). Cee Bailey "Monster" windshield (highly recommended over the stock shield).

7). Polished S.S. screw kit for the fairing.

8). Oil cooler fan from the RTP model.

9). ?????

[oldcarkook]

Congrats on your new purchase! Excellent move.

My preference for first add ons is conspicuity items; lights, reflective panels, or whatever you find that works for you, but for openers, I want to be seen by all the idiots on cell phones turning left, merging, and behind me.

I have PIAA 1100's on mirror mounts, and those nifty topcase and saddle bag reflective panels that Knary turned me on to. I also have hyper-lights mounted under the rear light pod so there's no question when I'm on the brakes.

I'm running sheepskins over a Corbin saddle (I too hate the way they fit on the bike but like the seat itself), grip heaters, two spare accessory plugs in case I ever break down and buy electric vest and socks for those long winter rides, Aeroflow windscreen and headlight shield, carbonfiber front fender extender (prevents road crud from plugging the oil cooler) BMW tank bag; cycle gadgets SP3 GPS mounting system, transponder/radar detector tray mounted above gauges under windshield for my "fast-lane" transponder (no fumbling with toll money any more), an E-Z Touring rip stop cover (VERY handy!), and a few other knick-knacks like bag liners and luggage related convenience items.

[alien_hitchhiker]

Leroux, tell us about your oil cooler fan. Do you really use it up there in the great white north? (Actually, the only time I came close to overheating was while stuck in the Toronto rush hour on Friday afternoon. It's never happened in the States. What's up with that?) Anyway, thermostat operation or manual? Do you use it often enough to justify the cost & installation hastle? And, does it really work? I quess ever since that day in TO I've been thinking of installing one. Blame Canada!
Thanks, Steve

[BradfordBenn]

I have added lots of stuff to make my RT mine. Let's see...


Sargent Seat
Big Mak Tankbag
ELF Pegs
XM SKyFi
RCU Shelf
GPS V
Throttlemeister
AutoCom
http://www.bradfordbenn.com/beemer/accesory.cfm

[LeRoux Strydom]

Originally posted by steve-o
Leroux, tell us about your oil cooler fan. Do you really use it up there in the great white north?

Ya know, when all the snow and ice finally melts ( ;) ) it can get warm enough around here to overheat the RT.

Actually, getting stuck in traffic is the only time I really need to switch on the fan. Before the install, I once saw 8 bars on a hot day, crawling in traffic. Now it will never get over 6 bars no matter what.

The RT(Police) bikes around here have fans, and that's what sparked my interest. The parts cost is not that much relative to all the other stuff you can buy for your bike, and it gives me peace of mind. It's an easy DIY install if you're handy with simple tools and wiring.

I think the RTP's have their fans automatically controlled by a thermostat, but I just used a rocker switch (and relay). Normally, my motor is at 5 bars. When I see 6, I'll turn on the fan.

(BTW....the green switch is for the fan, and the red one for my next addition....Motolights!)

[alien_hitchhiker]

Leroux, thanks for the reply and the pic. A fan is now on my "to-do" list. It just makes good sense - I hope to ride my RT deep into my golden years (God willing, as my Grandmother used to say)
Steve

[Kenny2]

I have found the best 'add-on' to my 02 RT was MILES... which gave me sMILES...:bliss JMO.

[Mike1]

You are right, Kenny the best add-on is miles. Get out there and ride like you stole it!

[RTdavey]

Thanks for the replies!
Ya and ok, more miles on the road is the best up-grade, but c'mon guys I'm looking for serious suggestions here.
I did install a set of Wunderlich HB risers, WOW! best 1" improvement. Took the pressure offf the wrists, relaxes my neck and shoulders, and helps a little w/ the seat from hell.
I also changed my tranny and rear drive lube to Amsoil 75/140 REAL synthectic and there is no more cluncking from 2nd. to 3rd.
I did notice a bit of filings on the magnet from the rear drive drain plug, is this normal???
Thanks.