Remove Fork Boots from R100RT?

[JB1982RT]

This weekend, I will be tearing down the front end of recently purchased 1982 R100RT to see why there is movement at high speeds.

I thought I had seen a thread that mentioned improved turning clearance with removal of fork boots.

Is there any agreement in leaving boots off?

[20774]

...at the expense of wear and tear on the fork tubes due rocks, bugs, debris. It might restrict the stops of turning, but how much...2-3%?? How often do you need full lock? Not while running down the road I think...maybe while maneuver thing the bike around the garage, etc. Small price to pay, I would think.

[rapz]

I just replaced mine on a '79 RT. I wouldn't like riding with those two holes just there and I don't think they impede turning radius that much, imho.

[PAS]

I removed mine and replaced with the gaiters to protect the fork tubes. As far as the "two holes" are concerned look at the newer faired BMW's. Huge hole around the steering head. My 03 lets a lot of weather thru compared to the 81.
PAS
81 R100RT
03 R1150RT

[ISAMEMON]

a few years back I added gaiters to my RT. I hardly any notice any difference in turning restriction. like mentioned earlier, dont think you will notice

[DakotaMike]

I would say the added maintenance down the road with pitted fork sliders and leaky seals doesn't warrant the very small advantage in turning radius.

[wvpc]

I think you may mean the left & right "cup" where the sliders poke thru at the bottom of the fairing? $18 per @ MAX BMW. Mine are rotting off and I am going to try running with out them to see if it makes any difference. Like what you suggested. Our local Airhead guru suggested that to me many years ago. It's worth a try.

[franko]

I am looking to replace the cups in the fairing of my 85 R80 RT with fork boots. I need to know what model to look at for boots that will work. Are there some type of boots that will work better than others in this application. Thanks for your help. frank coleman

[lkchris]

This weekend, I will be tearing down the front end of recently purchased 1982 R100RT to see why there is movement at high speeds.

I thought I had seen a thread that mentioned improved turning clearance with removal of fork boots.

Is there any agreement in leaving boots off?

As a new BMW owner, be advised that BMW does not compromise its motorcycles as you suggest.

There is no improvement to leaving off the fairing boots other than perhaps easier access and saving the money for replacing them.

There is movement at high speeds due to misadjustment of steering bearings and/or hardening of the grease in them. The original factory grease indeed hardens sometimes to the point of making even in-town steering difficult. You'd think it had been replaced by now, of course.

[mneblett]

There is no improvement to leaving off the fairing boots other than perhaps easier access and saving the money for replacing them.

I respectfully disagree -- if they are removed to make way for gaiters.

There is movement at high speeds due to misadjustment of steering bearings and/or hardening of the grease in them. The original factory grease indeed hardens sometimes to the point of making even in-town steering difficult. You'd think it had been replaced by now, of course.

Totally agree, and never assume -- I've seen hardened grease in '70's airheads.