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The small tachometer is horrible. And they should have launched with rider mode pro.
On the RT, it just adds "Dynamic" to the standard "Rain" and "Road" -- basically, you have to pay extra to get the "sharpest performance" mode (a mode that also decreases the electronic nannies' point of intrusion, so you can slide the rear a bit more, etc., when you are in hooligan mode).I can't remember what options the rider mode pro adds. The better traction control like the S1000 has?
I can't remember what options the rider mode pro adds. The better traction control like the S1000 has?
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I meant to say that I don't like the bar-graph tach much. Tachs should be round and have needles. I don't understand why they did this. The tele forks (at least with dynamic ESA) are just plain better than the telelever: much more supple over bumpy roads, none of the harshness and jolting I experienced on bad roads with the telelever on my 2009 RT. And they don't dive enough to be a problem.I've got abo0ut 600 km on my new RS (Lupin Blue, Dynamic ESA, Ride modes pro, still waiting for the crash bars and cases.
First impressions: it's a lot quicker than my old 2009 RT low frame, feels small in comparison (I can now flat-foot easily with the stock seat) and handles like a dream. It really corners on the proverbial rails, way more flickable, all with a ride that is supple and comfortable even on our frost-ravaged Canadian back roads. The exhaust has a joyous, sonorous deep trumpeting when you give 'er, while being civilized around town.
The riding position has proved very comfortable over a couple of 3-hour plus rides - the seat is firm, a touch hard even, but your rear is well spread over it with your thighs taking some of the weight, and it's easy to move around for some spirited cornering.
Wind protection is much better than I expected - no serious buffeting (screen in highest position, I'm 5'10"). Hands are moderately protected (I suspect I'll need some warmer gloves in the fall, while the upper and lower body seem well protected. My faceshield does collect a lot of bugs, though: just as well the range isn't too good as I'm fairly well blinded by bug squash by the time the fuel light comes on!
Fuel consumption is averaging 4.8l/100km compared to around 4.6 on the RT for the same sort of pace, and with the smaller tank 300-350km is about all I'm getting. Not a big problem, as I usually need to pee by then anyway.
The dash has everything you could possibly need, if you can be bothered to set it all up. I've got mine on Style 1 (Sport) at the moment and I think I prefer it as the tach is much bigger. The standard style is pretty busy and the touring style pretty useless.
Gear shift assist is wonderful under the right conditions: shifting down with the throttle closed, or up with moderate acceleration. Some of the time, though, it gives an almighty lurch shifting up and it doesn't feel as though it's good for the transmission. I think it's a case of getting used to it, and although the instructions say not to (if I'm reading them right), it does seem to shift up more smoothly if you back off the gas a little when accelerating hard.
The engine is powerful, grunty, tractable (much more so than the old RT) and smooth - although I do notice a low-frequency thrumming through the pegs while trundling through town.
I really think BMW have nailed it with this one. Love it!
Some of the time, though, it gives an almighty lurch shifting up and it doesn't feel as though it's good for the transmission. I think it's a case of getting used to it, and although the instructions say not to (if I'm reading them right), it does seem to shift up more smoothly if you back off the gas a little when accelerating hard.
I've got mine on Style 1 (Sport) at the moment and I think I prefer it as the tach is much bigger.