BMW R1150R Review

The BMW R1150R bike has tons of character, you know there is an engine thumping away beneath you, something I like! The engine can be felt slightly through footpegs and bars but nothing to worry about (no white finger!). The gearbox takes practice to get snatch free changes but I am getting better all the time(pre-load the lever slightly before changing and knock power off a tiny bit)The stretch to the handlebars is not ideal and I will be buying risers. The seat height is tallish I am 5'8" and can get both balls of my feet on the ground. The bike is so drivable and easy to manage that paddling around is not neccessary and I get my feet up as soon as I can and use throttle and back brake to manouvre. The heated grips have two settings and are fantastic. The brakes require one finger! two for panic stops! With the engine switched off it needs more force so be careful when moving around in garage or confined places. I have come from Suzuki GSX750 in early 80s to a 1956 Sunbeam for last 5 years and this feels so easy to ride, so smooth and torquey and solid handling it's a good job I was not put off by reading some other reviews. It draws admiring glances when parked up and I will be getting spanners out for maintenance as soon as service parts arrive. Word of caution before testing or riding one,'check tyre pressures''. It is easy to be new fangled and overlook vital things, I checked fluids and functions but not tyre pressures. The bike had done 30 miles only since last MOT and I rode it 240 miles home from purchase with 6lbs in front and 12lbs in back, should be 32 and 36 respectively! I put strange handling down to'character'' nearly fainted when checked them next day. Bike was transformed with good air. Buy one you will not be dissapointed!