Can the S1000rr be setup for light riders 65kg 10 stone ish

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cre0108

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Hi Have just bought a new s1000rr and its amazing. I came from a blade and the BMW is so much better. The suspension is an area I would like to understand more about. I am no track jockey but I like my bike to be setup right. MCT who did my last bike have told me there is little I can do but to change the springs . I am happy to do this but I wanted to get people thoughts. In a previous post a fellow member told me to take it to MCT . Currently the bike is not too bad but on certain roads it does bounce me in the air but to be honest its not so bad and much better than my friends Ducati 959 on the same road surface. If anyone has experience on this I would love t hear it before I book it in.

Regards Chris
 
Suspension Setup

MCT who did my last bike have told me there is little I can do but to change the springs.

The advice that MCT have offered is absolutely correct. Given your weight you would benefit significantly from fitting lighter springs in order to get the most from the bike.
 
What rider weight is the bike set up for stock?

I feel my HP4 is too hard? For the road I too weigh 65 ish kilos.

(I have had a GS for 4 years so this may not be helping to get dialed into the suspension on these bike.
 
Well i am faced with eating lots of pies or spending ?300 on new springs and set up.
Has anyone managed to have support from BMW? Its a new bike so maybe they would like to make a contribution to take it to MCT ? Would the dealer put new springs in Any thoughts?

Chris

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Well i am faced with eating lots of pies or spending ?300 on new springs and set up.
Has anyone managed to have support from BMW? Its a new bike so maybe they would like to make a contribution to take it to MCT ? Would the dealer put new springs in Any thoughts?

Chris

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I just had to reply to this!
I did get help from BMW through my dealer A/J of Shipley. I complained to them from day one about the hardness of the suspension. After a test ride on it, I commented to the sales team how bloody hard the ride was. I was told that I would be able to soften it off by the usual means when I got it home. I subsequently purchased the bike, ex demo, 2 months old with 500 miles on the clock!
Next morning, out with the tools and tape measure, only to find front and rear spring pre load adjusters at their softest settings. They all come like that as far as I can see. So if you weigh less than 90kg, you haven't a hope in hell of achieving the correct sag measurements!
So as I said I got onto a director of A/J's and complained to him. I had to write a letter outlining my complaints, which he forwarded onto BMW.
After a few months he got back to me and said BMW would help with costs, though they said the work would have to be carried out by a specialist of my choice, but NOT by BMW?
So I arranged for MTC do it for me while I waited. Very informative it was too. If I need to change it again I shall do it myself.
The new springs and the adjustment to oil levels transformed the bike and now it rides like it should have done when I purchased it.
From memory, they paid me just short of ?400 I think! I had to wait for the cheque for a while, but I got it all the same. I purchased all the parts myself and hired a van to transport the bike. The only costs I didn't recoup was for the van hire and diesel, though I did try.
For the record I also weighed 60 odd kgs with all my gear.
As a footnote I think MCT will now stock the softer springs, as they didn't when I had mine done.
Hope this helps.

I've another story in the pipeline which I will divulge after I've had some further work done. Nothing, I might add, to do with the suspension.

This again is due to my dealer A/J's of Shipley. I cannot praise them enough!
 
Have booked in to MCT but will also check with the dealers to see if i can get some contribution towards cost

Chris

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Oh to have that problem [emoji23]. By belly weighs 60kg ffs

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It will come as no surprise that the dealership tried BMW but they said that they could not support using non approved springs so would not pay anything. My dealership is great so no complaints about them but BMW should offer a softer or harder springs for riders . I will take a video when I go to MCT if possible and ask BMW how I was meant to get the best out the bike with standard springs. The bike is fantastic so why not offer this as aftermarket option ? I can select the colour of the bike but not the springs??
 
You're totally correct. I think oem's are all missing a trick on at least supplying options in the catalogue.

When suspension is so critical to enjoyment its in their interests to get people comfy.

- Alex
 
It's definitely a good point to make. Factories not wanting to open a bag of worms perhaps since dealers generally dont know anything about suspension?? Springs really are a pretty straightforward weight and skill based decision though so no reason why the factory couldnt give guidance. Table for your info; most fast guys will run a step up from what is advised here in my experience:

Weight l/r fork spring weight
65 to 72 kg 9.0/9.0 Nmm
68 to 80 kg 9.0/9.5 Nmm
80 to 88 kg 9.5/9.5 Nmm
84 to 90 kg 9.5/10.0 Nmm
88 to 100 kg 10.0/10.0 Nmm
95 to 107 kg 10.0/10.5 Nmm
105 to 115 kg 10.5/10.5 Nmm
111 to 123 kg 10.5/11.0 Nmm
above 123kg 11.0/11.0 Nmm
 
Last edited:
It's definitely a good point to make. Factories not wanting to open a bag of worms perhaps since dealers generally dont know anything about suspension?? Springs really are a pretty straightforward weight and skill based decision though so no reason why the factory couldnt give guidance. Table for your info; most fast guys will run a step up from what is advised here in my experience:

Weight l/r fork spring weight
65 to 72 kg 9.0/9.0 Nmm
68 to 80 kg 9.0/9.5 Nmm
80 to 88 kg 9.5/9.5 Nmm
84 to 90 kg 9.5/10.0 Nmm
88 to 100 kg 10.0/10.0 Nmm
95 to 107 kg 10.0/10.5 Nmm
105 to 115 kg 10.5/10.5 Nmm
111 to 123 kg 10.5/11.0 Nmm
above 123kg 11.0/11.0 Nmm
Has anyone here a contact name at BMW i am happy to draft a letter not to get money back but ask why they spend millions on developing a bike that can only be ridden to its full potential by someone who is around 85kg.

Once i change the bike springs then i could be impacting on my warranty which is my key issue.

Chris

Sent from my SM-G935F using Tapatalk
 
Has anyone here a contact name at BMW i am happy to draft a letter not to get money back but ask why they spend millions on developing a bike that can only be ridden to its full potential by someone who is around 85kg.

Once i change the bike springs then i could be impacting on my warranty which is my key issue.

Chris

Sent from my SM-G935F using Tapatalk

100% you will not affect your warranty.
 
Spring Rates

Springs really are a pretty straightforward weight and skill based decision though so no reason why the factory couldnt give guidance. Table for your info; most fast guys will run a step up from what is advised here in my experience:

Weight l/r fork spring weight
65 to 72 kg 9.0/9.0 Nmm
68 to 80 kg 9.0/9.5 Nmm
80 to 88 kg 9.5/9.5 Nmm
84 to 90 kg 9.5/10.0 Nmm
88 to 100 kg 10.0/10.0 Nmm
95 to 107 kg 10.0/10.5 Nmm
105 to 115 kg 10.5/10.5 Nmm
111 to 123 kg 10.5/11.0 Nmm
above 123kg 11.0/11.0 Nmm

This is a very good reference point for selecting spring rates.
 

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