Tyres, Brakes and Suspension » Sportier R1200RS

I Love my RS!! Well almost everything.
Two issues I was continually rolling over in my mind every time I had the opportunity to lean on the bike a bit, whether it be mountain road twisties or faster stuff. (80mph+) The bike was unstable in the wind at higher speeds, passing cars could get a bit dicey from the wind buffeting the bike, was even worse with the bags on the back. Felt to me like the bike was sitting up a bit tall, center of gravity also looked high to me, at least higher than say the K1300S I had owned previously. So I decided to lower the RS and test the results, this needed to be achieved w/out loosing any front or rear suspension travel. The front is straight forward and easy, lowering the triple clamps on the fork tubes 1" seemed a conservative place to start. The rear was a bit more complicated. Called a friend who has designed suspension components in the sportscar racing world and asked for advice. He designed a new rear suspension link to replace the stock on that lowered the rear ride height .5" with no loss of travel. Now I have a slightly lower center of gravity and more stability in all situations.
The stock rear wheel and tire were the next problem to issue. I couldn't buy the performance rear tire I wanted due to the stock 5.5" rear rim width. Wanted (190/50/17) Did some research and found a 6" aftermarket alloy wheel that would work on the back of the RS. Now the bike has a 6" wide rear wheel with a Michelin Pilot Power Sport 190/50/17 and the front to match on the already wide enough front 3.5" front wheel.
Riding the bike now: Bike is even more responsive than stock on direction change and turn in, inspires more rider confidence. Stability has also improved at higher speeds. Have yet to touch the peg in the hard corners and im using every bit of the 190/50. Much more fun in the corners.
Love to hear any feed back from the group good or bad. Thinking of putting together a kit with the hardware and instruction to create this setup on your own R1200RS R1250RS R1200R and R1250R. [[File:IMG_20200402_141523486_HDR.jpg|none|auto]] [[File:IMG_20200402_141523486_HDR.jpg|none|auto]][[File:IMG_20200402_141523486_HDR.jpg|none|auto]]

Odd you should say about cog ,I find the RS to be better than my old K

My K1300s was rock solid at higher speeds, didnt feel that with the RS.

Zitat von Markj im Beitrag #3

---

My K1300s was rock solid at higher speeds, didnt feel that with the RS.

---

You forgot to mention that you also achieved a 1 inch bar rise, without using risers.

I like the concept, but although you didn't sacrifice suspension travel per se, I'm curious if you'll slap the roadway when cornering hard and encountering a bump while at lean. I have two such near-apex bumps on my way in to work each day.

Did you shorten the sidestand? Any lowering on my bike would cause problems in too many situations.

Frank

Zitat von BusBoy11 im Beitrag #5

---

You forgot to mention that you also achieved a 1 inch bar rise, without using risers.

---

That sounds pretty comprehensive, Mark. Glad that you've arrived at the solution to your problems in a relatively short period of time. Connections are helpful! It's always interesting when someone takes the road less traveled, when it comes to mods. Where did you find the rear wheel?
My experience with pegs (and other bits) touching down has been directly related to the ride mode I'm currently in. Setting preload for 2 riders keeps those bits from dragging in the twisties. In 1 rider + luggage mode or 1 rider mode things get a little dodgy. All that to say, height makes all the difference, for me, anyway. And coming from a '92 900SS Ducati to my '16 RS was amazing, as it relates to stability. I've ridden in wind that would have certainly had the Duc in the nearest ditch. While the RS seems to ignore it. All about what you're used to, I'm sure. Keep us updated!

Zitat von Duckbubbles im Beitrag #6

---

Did you shorten the sidestand? Any lowering on my bike would cause problems in too many situations.

Frank

---

I haven't shortened the side stand yet but I am going to shorten it 3/4". As some of you mentioned, its a bit too short even at the stock ride height, although with some careful parking planning its still working
The pegs would be the first thing to drag, haven't touched them yet. Do plan on visiting my local road racetrack which is a bit primitive by modern standards (Bumpy) as soon as the weather gets a bit warmer to give the clearance issue a solid test.
Thank you for all the comments, very much appreciated!!

Zitat von Markj im Beitrag #1

---

Did some research and found a 6" aftermarket alloy wheel that would work on the back of the RS.

---

Mark,
Through some digging I found a 6" rear to test my ideas. If everything comes together for an online business I have a well known wheel manufacture who can make the front and rear wheels for these models. R1200RS / R1250RS / R10000R and R1250R. The wheels I would be selling would be around 15% lighter than stock and be available in three color choices. Approx $800.00 for the front and $1200.00 for the rear. The stock 3.5" front is fine as modern performance tires already work with that front width.
As I mentioned earlier I hope to start a website and market the lowering kit, 6" rear and matching 3.5" front.
Billet side stand (shorter) also become a dealer for Akrapovic and Remus exhaust systems.
Small potatoes I know but there has to be more people out there than just me who want just a bit more performance out of an already great motorcycle.

Zitat von Markj im Beitrag #12

---

If everything comes together for an online business I have a well known wheel manufacture who can make the front and rear wheels for these models. R1200RS / R1250RS / R10000R and R1250R.

---

Zitat von Markj im Beitrag #1

---

The stock rear wheel and tire were the next problem to issue. I couldn't buy the performance rear tire I wanted due to the stock 5.5" rear rim width. Wanted (190/50/17) Did some research and found a 6" aftermarket alloy wheel that would work on the back of the RS. Now the bike has a 6" wide rear wheel with a Michelin Pilot Power Sport 190/50/17 and the front to match on the already wide enough front 3.5" front wheel.

---

Zitat von Ray B im Beitrag #14

---

[quote=Markj|p25285]
1. What size tire did you use up front?

---