Learning the hard way

RTRyder · 11-07-2009, 01:04 PM

Nice feature those pop off mirrors on the RT, but this morning I learned why they need to have lanyards attaching them to the bike.

Took a leisurely 150 mile ride up to Moto Market and back home on rural backroads, about half way home I stopped to take a left turn, glanced in the left mirror, than at the right, only to find there wasn't any right mirror! Backtracking a couple miles I found it sitting on the side of the road relatively unscathed, some minor scuffing and scrapes on the plastic but overall no real damage. Picked it up and popped it back in place, rode a ways down the road until I had a safe place to pull over, then got out the duct tape and gave each mirror a strip securing it to the bodywork to make sure neither one could escape before I got back to the house.

As soon as I finish having lunch, I'm going out to the garage and tie both mirrors to the fairing framework. Glad I wasn't on the highway when it happened, mirror would have been history for sure and I don't even want to know what it would cost to replace the entire assembly

P.S. I think the RT is picking up bad habits from hanging around the Nortons in the garage, those I expect to shed parts occasionally!

Semper_Fi · 11-07-2009, 02:11 PM

Ken - my left mirror flew off the bike, the day I picked it up, less that 2 miles away from MAX!!

When i took the bike back they went over it instantly and for quite a while could not figure our what happened, the root cause was that one of the interference fit pins was misshapened so that it would appear to be secured but if you put on any pressure the mirror would dislogde.

As you're attaching a lanyard you may want to check out the contact points.

Glad to hear nothing serious happened.

Luis

RTRyder · 11-07-2009, 04:54 PM

I guess I've been lucky up to this point, two years and they never before gave a hint of coming loose on the road!

Anyway, problem solved for now. Two 8 inch zip ties behind each one and they're secured to the bike, a quick nip with cutting pliers and they can be completely removed when need be. Sometime over the winter when I'm getting cabin fever I'll go out in the garage and work up a better system, for now they can come loose, but they won't hit the road. Hopefully I'll notice it banging away on the side of the fairing if it does...

35634 · 11-07-2009, 06:34 PM

Make me wonder who designs these things, German engineers, German Lawyers,
or the kid they hired because his dad had so much seniority?

Semper_Fi · 11-08-2009, 06:31 AM

Ken - Max has a nice set of steel cable with eylets set.

I got one set, and as Murphy would have it, never had an issue again.

Luis

Sailorlite · 11-08-2009, 09:49 AM

Someone referred me to this eBay vendor's tether set: Mirror Tether Set for '05-'09 BMW R1200RT FREE SHIPPING .

The picture shows the tethers and the label shows a good BMW part number for them. I suppose these pieces are available from the dealer, but the eBay kit came to my door, with instructions, for little money and works great on my '08 RT. Recommended.

andrewsi · 11-09-2009, 06:04 PM

Touratech's also sold steel cables for the RT mirrors for pretty cheap for a long time as well.

Not sure when they started doing this, but my '09 RT (just had its 1-year birthday!) came with rubber tethers on the mirrors right from the factory, so there was no need to retrofit something.

Semper_Fi · 11-09-2009, 06:39 PM

Congrats on the 1 year.

My 08 didn't - again a feature that should have always been included

hlothery · 11-10-2009, 07:44 AM

IMHO, no need to order parts or spend money. I used zip ties the entire time I had my RT.....never a problem.

11-07-2009, 01:04 PM	#1
RTRyder Registered User Join Date: Oct 2007 Location: 42.09°N 71.05°W (eastern MA) Posts: 90	Learning the hard way Nice feature those pop off mirrors on the RT, but this morning I learned why they need to have lanyards attaching them to the bike. Took a leisurely 150 mile ride up to Moto Market and back home on rural backroads, about half way home I stopped to take a left turn, glanced in the left mirror, than at the right, only to find there wasn't any right mirror! Backtracking a couple miles I found it sitting on the side of the road relatively unscathed, some minor scuffing and scrapes on the plastic but overall no real damage. Picked it up and popped it back in place, rode a ways down the road until I had a safe place to pull over, then got out the duct tape and gave each mirror a strip securing it to the bodywork to make sure neither one could escape before I got back to the house. As soon as I finish having lunch, I'm going out to the garage and tie both mirrors to the fairing framework. Glad I wasn't on the highway when it happened, mirror would have been history for sure and I don't even want to know what it would cost to replace the entire assembly P.S. I think the RT is picking up bad habits from hanging around the Nortons in the garage, those I expect to shed parts occasionally! __________________ Ken D 2007 R1200 RT 2001 Kawi Concours 1975 Norton 850, 1971 Norton 750, 1957 Norton ES2

11-07-2009, 02:11 PM	#2
Semper_Fi Runs with Scissors Join Date: Aug 2008 Location: Gloucester MA Posts: 1,974	Ken - my left mirror flew off the bike, the day I picked it up, less that 2 miles away from MAX!! When i took the bike back they went over it instantly and for quite a while could not figure our what happened, the root cause was that one of the interference fit pins was misshapened so that it would appear to be secured but if you put on any pressure the mirror would dislogde. As you're attaching a lanyard you may want to check out the contact points. Glad to hear nothing serious happened. Luis __________________ 2009 KGT1300 Red Apple Metallic (mine), 2005 R1200ST Piedmont Red/Light Magnesium (hers) Luis Roth BMWMOA #143775 BMWMOA Moderator

11-07-2009, 04:54 PM	#3
RTRyder Registered User Join Date: Oct 2007 Location: 42.09°N 71.05°W (eastern MA) Posts: 90	I guess I've been lucky up to this point, two years and they never before gave a hint of coming loose on the road! Anyway, problem solved for now. Two 8 inch zip ties behind each one and they're secured to the bike, a quick nip with cutting pliers and they can be completely removed when need be. Sometime over the winter when I'm getting cabin fever I'll go out in the garage and work up a better system, for now they can come loose, but they won't hit the road. Hopefully I'll notice it banging away on the side of the fairing if it does... __________________ Ken D 2007 R1200 RT 2001 Kawi Concours 1975 Norton 850, 1971 Norton 750, 1957 Norton ES2

11-07-2009, 06:34 PM	#4
35634 old hippie Join Date: Apr 2008 Location: SW Ohio Posts: 619	Make me wonder who designs these things, German engineers, German Lawyers, or the kid they hired because his dad had so much seniority? __________________ Blue 06 MPV green 01 Jetta red K75S original litter Orange Fisher-Price Power Wheels Jeep

11-08-2009, 06:31 AM	#5
Semper_Fi Runs with Scissors Join Date: Aug 2008 Location: Gloucester MA Posts: 1,974	Ken - Max has a nice set of steel cable with eylets set. I got one set, and as Murphy would have it, never had an issue again. Luis __________________ 2009 KGT1300 Red Apple Metallic (mine), 2005 R1200ST Piedmont Red/Light Magnesium (hers) Luis Roth BMWMOA #143775 BMWMOA Moderator

11-08-2009, 09:49 AM	#6
Sailorlite Registered User Join Date: Sep 2007 Location: So. Calif. Posts: 97	Someone referred me to this eBay vendor's tether set: Mirror Tether Set for '05-'09 BMW R1200RT FREE SHIPPING . The picture shows the tethers and the label shows a good BMW part number for them. I suppose these pieces are available from the dealer, but the eBay kit came to my door, with instructions, for little money and works great on my '08 RT. Recommended.

11-09-2009, 06:04 PM	#7
andrewsi Geeeeeeeeek. Join Date: Nov 2008 Location: Near Seattle Posts: 113	Touratech's also sold steel cables for the RT mirrors for pretty cheap for a long time as well. Not sure when they started doing this, but my '09 RT (just had its 1-year birthday!) came with rubber tethers on the mirrors right from the factory, so there was no need to retrofit something. __________________ Andy His: 2009 R1200 RT, in Biarritzblau Hers: 2008 Aprilia Scarabeo 500ie

11-09-2009, 06:39 PM	#8
Semper_Fi Runs with Scissors Join Date: Aug 2008 Location: Gloucester MA Posts: 1,974	Congrats on the 1 year. My 08 didn't - again a feature that should have always been included __________________ 2009 KGT1300 Red Apple Metallic (mine), 2005 R1200ST Piedmont Red/Light Magnesium (hers) Luis Roth BMWMOA #143775 BMWMOA Moderator

11-10-2009, 07:44 AM	#9
hlothery Seeking Mental Floss Join Date: Aug 2005 Location: San Antonio, Texas Posts: 2,364	IMHO, no need to order parts or spend money. I used zip ties the entire time I had my RT.....never a problem. __________________ Hugh 2008 Goldwing, 2007 Porsche Cayman Life is a Cabernet!