tour reports » BMW RR Experience

Not exactly a tour report, but I traveled 700kms to get there and 600kms to get home. Does that count?

Does BMW have this event in any other countries? Here in Australia BMW hold this event at race tracks in our 3 State Capitals along our eastern coast. The format was 3 track sessions of approximately 20 minutes on your own bike (R1200RS) in 2 experience orientated groups. I was in the inexperienced group, having only been on a track once before (R1200ST) a few years ago at the same event.

The 4th and final session is again graded and onboard your choice of either a BMW provided S1000RR or an S1000XR. I chose the awesome S1000RR.

I know I am preaching to the converted, but after 2 years and 10 months and 32000kms of ownership, my bike still impresses me every time I ride it. 99% of my rides are a minimum of 400kms. Many are 1500km weekend rides - 400kms to my brothers place on Friday arvo, 600kms on Saturday on some of the many great roads in the surrounding mountains and valleys, and 500kms back home the extra long way on Sunday.

So, back to this "Tour", Saturday and 500kms gets me to free accomodation at my daughters place. After spending Sunday spectating at the Leyburn Sprints, a leisurely 200km ride to my cousins place (15 mins from the track) for more free accomodation. Monday morning out to the track bright and early for sign in etc.

At the scrutineers suggestion, I adjusted my RS's Michelin Road 5s to 34 and 38 psi, 2 psi down from my normal pressures and had a fantastic day not worrying about radars, spilt gravel on corners, dodgy road repairs or texting car drivers in any direction. I left my suspension set at rider with luggage for extra ground clearance. I also used Dynamic/Dynamic settings.

This bike that is so good at eating up the kms on average country roads is also brilliant at the race track. Way above my ability.

It was also a real blast to end the day on something very different, but also very confidence inspiring, the S1000RR. Thanks BMW.

Tuesday was a 600km (the extra long way home - I hate the highway) cruise home and back to work on Wednesday.

I was impressed to notice a few days later on the BMW Motorrad Australia facebook page, a photo of my bike, the only private bike.

https://www.facebook.com/bmwmotorradaus/...uQVs9UI&theater

I have a few of videos if anyone is interested.

This poor guy was having backfiring issues. His bike suddenly slowed dramatically, backfiring on corner exit and I almost ran into him expecting him to accelerate away.

https://youtu.be/ai9Ye_lTmFk

I don't know if this guy had a problem with the old man on the sports tourer passing him or he always rides like that.

https://youtu.be/z1nYZSjt9_g

The last session on my RS was the best of course because I had got used to the track and was very comfortable with my bike. Be warned, it is 8 mins long.

https://youtu.be/AwRsAZMaXtE

Zitat von Stan im Beitrag #1

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I don't know if this guy had a problem with the old man on the sports tourer passing him or he always rides like that.

https://youtu.be/z1nYZSjt9_g

The last session on my RS was the best of course because I had got used to the track and was very comfortable with my bike. Be warned, it is 8 mins long.

https://youtu.be/AwRsAZMaXtE

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Zitat von Stan im Beitrag #1

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I don't know if this guy had a problem with the old man on the sports tourer passing him or he always rides like that.

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Great riding skills there for "inexperienced",.. great vid too.

Was that an RGV 250 at 6:15, I love two stroke bikes, I had quite a collection of those in the 80s-90s.

Zitat von Grumpy Goat im Beitrag #2

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Nice post Stan. Great job on that Granite Grey RS.

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Loads slower, he'd of been too busy looking for flowers

Very nice videos, but I have to say that the titles of the first two ("Near miss 1" and "Near miss 2") isn't exactly inspiring me to take my RS down to my nearest track!!

Thanks Grumpy, this bike does everything I ask of it so easily.

Sorry Bill the Cat, no RR video. I wish I had one, the bike was incredible. I think I only have size 6 shoes. That thing was so fast I never took my eyes off the track, but I'm sure I never got anywhere near redline.

Hi Ray B, thanks for the tip. There actually was an older guy cruising around on his fully optioned RT including panniers and top box.

Hi Boxerfan, at the previous RR Experience a few years ago on my R1200ST there were witches hat on the track marking corner entry, apex and exit points. I found them very helpfull. Yes, an RGV 250. He rode around cautiously each session. Giving a classic a run.

Hi Bravo, maybe the Lupin would be too fast for me as I find the Grey plenty fast enough.

Hi Fugly, I must admit I enjoy looking at all the fauna while touring.

Hi Freddyfruitbat, please go to your nearest racetrack. It is an excellent opportunity to open up your bike away from the dangers of the street. It is unbelievable funds you get used to the track. Those were the only 2 incidents all day and the 1st 'Near Miss' was caused by a backfiring motorbike, so not his fault. Neither incident has put me off. I'll be back next year.

Big fan of the RR and the track.
Will of course, again put in a plug for the BMW-sponsored California Superbike School. They do schools at Phillip Island, Morgan Park and Sydney Motorsports in addition to a few dates scattered around for the Kiwis.

Not only do you get to run the latest RR for a day or two, but the coaching is always top-notch. Last time out, my on-track coach was Johnny Haynes (no relation to the footballer) - who directed the English satellite of CSS, and my off-track coach was Jon Groom - also another Brit...., the islanders sure seem to understand superbikes.
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Not to mention Willow Springs for us Californians. I've heard nothing but good things about the CSS. A riding buddy took it and related the story of how a guy in the very first group to go off was a bit too amped, hammered the throttle on an RR and plowed straight into a retaining wall. Length of training for his 2-day school was about 5 seconds.

Hi Holger,
When you get the training dates for the Nordschleife, it might be worth sharing as it would be good to get a few boxers together.

What brilliant fun, Stan.
I really miss track riding, but currently can't afford a dedicated track bike, and I couldn't afford to risk my RS.

What was touching down on the bike? I heard a couple of very distinct scraping noises when you were fully banked over. Hero blobs on the pegs, or the centre stand?