Yesterday, MB had to go to work, so I goofed around on my bike, eventually ending up at BMW of Denver for another test ride. I intended to ride the R1150GS, but it was very popular that day, and I had to entertain myself by riding other bikes. So, I decided to try out an R1150RS because I had been impressed by the R1100S before, and the R-RS is similar, but with a more sport-touring than pure sport orientation. I also like the way they look, even though the basic design is over 10 years old now.

They didn't have an R1150RS for me to ride, so they set me up on a black, (barely) used R1100RS. Upon mounting, I immediately noticed that this R-RS idled more smoothly than the R-S that I rode last week, which is a good thing. Upon take off, I also noticed that the bike is not as firmly sprung as the R-S, which is less of a good thing. Still, the R-RS has a telelever front-end, and that makes a huge difference in cornering behavior (and a difference that I like a lot).

I put into action a new plan for testing bikes from this particular dealership: I took the R-RS down to the Denver Tech Center (DTC) to get in some relatively agressive turning and acceleration. The DTC has quite a few twisty streets that are little-traveled on weekends. There is one in particular that I always take home on my K1100RS, so it's a great way to directly compare my bike to the test bike.

What I found was that I like the handling of the R-RS more than that of my K-RS. The footpeg position, while nowhere near as tucked as with the R-S, is still more tucked than my K-RS. This gave me more cornering confidence (even though I'm sure I'm nowhere near dragging pegs on my K-RS), and just felt more comfortable for fast riding in curves. I believe I took these curves around 5mph faster than on my K-RS, which is saying something about how well the bike handled for me, since it's an unfamiliar bike. I have to believe the telelever front suspension, with its rock-solid feel, plays a big part in giving cornering confidence, as well.

The one downside that I noticed, and perhaps it's just this particular R-RS, is a flat spot in its power curve. When returning to the dealership from the DTC, I have to make a hard right turn followed by an acceleration up a fairly long hill. The R-RS didn't bust a move up this hill like my K-RS does. A little disappointing.

When I returned to the dealership, the GS was still not available. The R-S looked at me with its cock-eyed mug and said, "you really ought to ride me through the DTC." I agreed, and asked to ride it. My immediate impression upon mounting (again) was that it idles pretty roughly (maybe it's just this particular bike?). The whole fairing shakes. But again, once up to speed (which happens very quickly), the bike is solid and smooth.

Heading down to the DTC, I had the opportunity to wind it up a few times, and found that the engine pulled much harder than the R-RS (probably shouldn't surprise me). I loved the torque available while putting around in 3rd. Still, even when wound-up, that odd R-engine calmness is there. The engine never sounds like it's working.

My trips through my favorite turns uncovered something interesting. While I enjoyed the trip, I didn't seem to do it any faster than on the R-RS. I think when it comes down to it, I was just more comfortable on the R-RS. The tuck on the R-S (in the legs, as least) is pretty severe compared to the other bikes I've ridden, and I think this was just uncomfortable enough to throw me off a little in the twisty sections. There's also a bit more of a "sitting-on" feeling on the R-S, than the "sitting-in" feeling of the R-RS,and perhaps that made a difference.

I have a feeling I'll end up with an R-RS, if I can get a used one for a reasonable price. I may have to replace the shocks to get the taut suspension feel that I like in the R-S, but even stock, I liked it a lot. I have to think that the flat spot in the engine performance was just this particular bike's level of tune. Even if it's not, I could live with it. I don't think I'll get an R-S, or if I do, I'll have to lower the pegs just a bit to make it more comfortable long-term.

Next week, if the weather is right, I'll head back up and try again to ride the GS. I'm also going to ride the R1150R again - I haven't ridden one since my very first test rides, when I bought my K-RS. I believe it's tuned for more torque than the R-RS, and definitely has a great riding position, so perhaps I'll dig it.

Oh, and I'm going to crank the pre-load on my K-RS up one more notch to see if that tightens up its rear-end a little better. I always notice that the K-RS feels a little "wallowy" when I get back on it after riding other bikes.