A few questions about my new Ed. 80

[Randy M]

I should be getting it tomorrow. Last night I was looking at the specs in the brochure frothing at the mouth in anticipation of owning this beautiful beast, and in the literature it said something about the headlight assembly being the best you can find on any bike. Those of you with Rocksters or GS's care to share your experience with the headlights? They can't be HID can they? Also, what are the break in procedures for these new dual spark motors? Does BMW use synthetic oil from the get go? And what is the maintenance schedule for these bikes? Thanks in advance for any response.

P.S. I went to the Japanese bike dealer and the Harley/Buell dealer the other day just to make absolute certain that the Ed. 80 is for me, and it is by a wide margin. I dont know how Harley gets so much for their bikes. Granted they are nice but they aren't that nice. I'm also so glad that I'm not buying another sport bike like my past bikes ('90 Katana 600, '92 RGV250, '97 GSXR600) as you can see I'm a bit of a Suzuki fan so this would have been a really tough decision if Suzuki offered something current that caught my eye. I was looking at the SV1000 but it didn't come remotely close to the bike I'm getting.

 

[MarkF]

Congrats on the new bike

The Rockster 80th is a great looking bike! I would like one, although I'd have to raise the bars, some. I think I would have a hard time choosing between the Ducati Monster S4R, the Buell Lightning and the Rockster but would probably settle on the BMW based on the company's track record and the folks who ride BMWs.

I think the headlights are the same as the GS, not HID, unless something was changed. Nice lights but that description sounds like company propoganda.

I don't know about the new motor but on other oilheads the motor and tranny start out with dino oil. They don't recommend synth oils until properly broken in. Which I hear is 10k - 15k miles. I just put synth oils in my Roadster at 11k.

Good luck with the new ride.

MarkF

 

[Randy M]

Cant wait

 

[knary]

lights

To be blunt: the GS lights suck. It's akin to riding down the road with a cheap flashlight in your teeth.

 

[99007]

Rockster lights

Wow, saw the comment on GS lights. I don't know about them, but I am very happy with the lighting on my Rockster. I live in the country and work about 10 miles from home so driving at night I use the brights all the time (deer are abundant in Michigan along with other critters) and the brights do a great job of lighting things up for me.

I have now put 1600 miles on the Rockster and my grin is still big - you made a good choice.

 

[99007]

Rockster maint

Forgot to add the Rockster maint schedule is like the other Beemers. There is one at 600 miles in which they do an oil change and check everything out. Then they let you ride up to 6k, then another at 12k.

 

[MarkF]

maintenance

As I understand the maintenance on all oilheads is based on two measurements. Some items need to be done every year regardless of mileage while other items, such as valve check and L/O/F is done every 6,000 miles.

MarkF

 

[moterbiker]

Trust me the headlight bites, throw a set of PIAA's or Motolights or other aftermarket light on it, preferably low and use them all the time, I had somebody explain to me once about how the eye sees a triangle different from other things.

Also from experience putting higher wattage bulbs in the stock headlight really don't make a difference that can be seen from the saddle.

 

[luisvrockster]

Great bike

I have @ 2,400 miles on my 2004 RK. The lights work just fine for me. Use "natural" dino oil until 12k.

 

[RoxsterSD]

My lights work great

Bright lights are bright. And I believe I was told that the PIAA lights will work on the RK. My bike is actually in the shop right now (wrecked 6 weeks ago). I may go in and talk to the service manager and see what he says. I will keep you posted.