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So I rode the S1000RR... in the rain

iehawk

iehawk

Well-known member
Joined
Jun 4, 2005
Location
Union City
Moto(s)
S1000 R
Name
Al
Sorry, one more thread on S1000RR.

So I went up to Alice's Restaurant on Sunday, 02/21/10. I knew it was going to rain, but the forecast said not until 3pm, thought I could have a bit fun before that. I left home at 10:30 and entered the rain just before going up, entering the twisties. Too late to turn around, might as well turn it into a test. :)

Words that came to my mind:

  • Usable power
  • Confidence inspiring
  • Can push more
  • Great engine brake (on the way back downhill)
  • Excellent throttle feel
  • Very balanced
  • Hard to shake off
  • Rain mode feels just right
Riding mostly in Rain Mode, it took me 14 minutes to go up Hwy 9 (crawling; a local motorcycle road), but it was without much drama. The rear wiggled a few times, but just for a fraction of a second, not even enough to freak you out. The first concern came to my mind was the tires' performance in wet, but it went to the back of my mind pretty quick. Before I know it, I was giving it more gas and playing it smooth. The system did a good job and keeping the bike pointed where I wanted it to go. No blowing the line, etc.

Anyone familiar with Hwy 9 knows what I'm talking about... I was going through the twisties part at speed limit and could open up a bit more on the straights. The bike instilled that much confidence.

After spending about 30 minutes at Alice's Restaurant warming and drying up, I took the same way home. Going downhill, one thing really caught my attention, the engine braking. It's so good that I could leave it on third, around 3000 RPM, and just coasted down. I tapped the brake a couple times when the sign said 15-20 MPH curves, but that's it.

I spent half a day today riding around the next day (dry Monday), running errands, stop and go traffic. I admit it doesn't feel as flexible and comfortable as riding the K1200R, but it's pretty damn close. Certain things are trade offs from one bike to the other. If you have a track day or two in mind, you'll live on this bike just fine.

It's so easy to ride and settle into, even in the rain. I imagine the DTC will trickle down to the other models, even adopted by other brands. It works really well, especially combined with the rain mode map and throttle response.

I think some magazines said it right, the next generation of motorcycles is here.

Sorry if it's a bit all over the place... still brainstorming. Will clean it up shortly. :teeth
 

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Nice write-up. :thumbup

The S1000RR is an awesome bike but too much for me. Performance, that is...
 
iehawk said:
So I went up to Alice's Restaurant on Sunday, 02/21/10. I knew it was going to rain, ......... Too late to turn around, might as well turn it into a test. :)
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Good on you Al for manning it out and taking the awesome new BMW for ride (albeit a short one) in the rain on Sunday! :thumbup

I put in about 200 rain miles on the same, and additional, backroads in the SC mountains on Sunday too. Sure didn't see many other bikes out there that day.

If your shop needs someone to fully test the wet-weather performance on the new S1000RR, at the upper level .... and report back in on it, just let me know. Be glad to offer my services! :ride
 
Gary J said:
If your shop needs someone to fully test the wet-weather performance on the new S1000RR, at the upper level .... and report back in on it, just let me know. Be glad to offer my services! :ride
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yes, please :teeth
 
its good to hear that the force field rain deflector, otherwise known as the Moses button, worked well. maybe if it rains hard enough, you can test out the flip out carbon fiber outriggers.
 
after all the things i have heard and read about the S1000RR, i'm more than convinced that it's a great bike.

But man, those headlights are real UGLY! :thumbdown
 
Couldn't we have added this info to one of the many threads already in existence?
 
Thanks, Gary. It was an interesting experience to say the least. And the next time I hear about the sportsbike ambassador program, I'll let you know. :)

weak_link said:
Couldn't we have added this info to one of the many threads already in existence?
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I could've, except that my previous S1000RR thread (a couple of them) have gone a bit off track.

Slowest_One said:
But man, those headlights are real UGLY! :thumbdown
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It's not that bad after a while, in fact it gets better... go figure. But then again, I let other people worry about it when they see me coming. :wtf:laughing
 
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If your shop needs someone to fully test the wet-weather performance on the new S1000RR, at the upper level .... and report back in on it, just let me know. Be glad to offer my services!
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I wish I could say that :cool
 
Neat bike, but the man love threads about this bike are getting a bit ridiculous. Considering how ugly it is compared to the high dollar Italian bikes and and considering its about $18k out the door with the options that make it such an amazazing bike, all I can say is that it better be pretty damn special.

I'm waiting for the "I just bought an S1000RR and now the supermodel next door wants to have my baby" thread...
 
Personally I like all the write-ups (no hatin here) the bike warrants it. Did you get your bike or is this the shop demo?

Michael
 
Just wondering Al...How quick are you at the track?
 
Not yet, Mike. Still the demo bike, got me thinkin a bit whenever I opened the throttle. :laughing

No idea, Joe. I was once on Group C at Infineon, Reg Pridmore's School. I passed a few people. But if it means something, I was going through the sweepers at posted speed that Sunday... 20, 30, etc. It was just a smooth riding all the way. Even with the initial wiggles. :)

Added: what really impressed me is that I worry less and less as I progressed on the ride. The bike (DTC, Rain Mode, etc.) let me concentrate more on the ride, following the line and being smooth on the steering input.

As mentioned earlier, the minor wiggles were self induced, more of me getting curious to see how the bike would behave in such situation (chopped/whacked the throttle a bit, grab the brake a bit harder, rode through the tar snakes, etc.).

The throttle was never choppy at any time, even if I hit a bump. The brake will never lock or bite unevenly, since they're linked, they also stabilized the chassis a bit better.
 
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18,000 miles! :)

And mine was approaching 18,000 miles a couple nights ago (17975 miles to be exact). :teeth
 

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Rain Mode? You mean, that's not your right hand? lulz
 
My previous all-season jacket was good for about 30 minutes, then the water start to go through. The current gear I have work great, although I've only worn them in the rain for about an hour so far.

ngng said:
Rain Mode? You mean, that's not your right hand? lulz
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Funny. But yes, Rain mode. When you ride almost every day, rain/shine, you'll appreciate all the help you can get.
 
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iehawk said:
Funny. But yes, Rain mode. When you ride almost every day, rain/shine, you'll appreciate all the help you can get.
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I know it's hard to believe, but there have been people riding in every weather condition...for as long as there have been motorcycles.

Gobs of them did it, with no rain mode, or Traction control, except for their eyes and brain and throttle/brake applications.

They (and a rider can still do it now) developed a sense of what their tires told them...and it was an on-going sensing as the road conditions are always changing...either in surface or turns,etc in the road, and the combinations of all that.

Ya want to depend on something....You're better off depending on yourself.

The marketing dept. would love to convince you, that they have the perfect device, that you need, from them.....But...You would also be wise to know...
It isn't as good as a rider can be....at least, at this time.


With that said....I like the headlights /front end look of the S1000RR, and the bike, and I'd sure like to see someone using it on the street....put streetfighter handle bars on it.
 
louemc said:
I know it's hard to believe, but there have been people riding in every weather condition...for as long as there have been motorcycles.

Gobs of them did it, with no rain mode, or Traction control, except for their eyes and brain and throttle/brake applications.
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They didn't have lightweight bikes with 190hp.

Electronic aids don't replace skill, but complement it and provide an extra degree of safety.

Fighter jet pilots used to rely on mechanical or hydraulic controls and their brains as the only sensor and computer. Not any more with airplanes that are exponentially more powerful and capable.
 
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^^^hey curvesurfer don't confuse facts with a good story lol! :twofinger

nice writeup iehawk i like anything moto related.

only two things stopping me from owning an S1000rr---skill and money!!
 
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