BMW tuning

[mikeyh]

I've just come back from 5 days riding the Alps on my R1150 GS. The bike is a fantastic cruiser and handles incredibly well round the twisties BUT needs about another 25 bhp to even have a chance of keeping up with my mates on sports bikes on the more open roads. Has anyone got any experience of tuning the 1150 engine?

[DennisTheMenace]

Could try a road legal race can and power commander on the fuel injection ?

[rsvnigel]

The BMWs come with catalytic converters IIRC, removing them and fitting a lighter end can should sort it out.

[mikeyh]

Apparently losing the cat and putting a Remus can will get me about 5bhp. Not sure if this is going to be enough though, 120mph top speed (with paniers) is not too impressive...

[vmax]

Mikey, it's a question of horses for courses. If you want to cruise down the Autobahn at 185mph, buy a Hayabusa or a Blackbird. The GS will never be able to do that, but it should be able to keep up, if not lose the sportsbikes on those Alpine passes. Stick your toe out and you'll know exactly how far you can lean that puppy (a loooong way).

To free some some extra horsepower, check out Power Engineering at www.powerengineering.co.uk/powereng/index.htm. Haven't visited them yet but will do so soon.

There are several firms offering upgraded chips. Just google the web. A K&N filter certainly is a good idea.

Other good links at www.r1150r.net/

Hope this helps.

Vmax
(Morgan +8 4.8, R850R)

[grandadmotorbike]

Concentrate on what your GS does best and compare it to the aches and pains of your sportsbike pals. Remember with your GS you should be able to post higher AVERAGE speeds on a long run (less fuel / comfort breaks). After weighing the pros and cons then decide whether you have the right bike for you.

[mikeyh]

I hear what you're saying and was very happy when my GS stayed up with my Blade and 999 riding friends in the twisties. The main problem was settling into a steady 110-120mph cruise back through France and finding I had nothing in reserve...

It is so close to being the perfect bike - cruises, scratches and commutes so well. Just needs a little more power

[mikeyh]

just checked out the r1150r site - thanks for the link! couldnt get through to the powerengineering site though.