BMW G450x – 1 year old

[PaulMember]

Well it is 2 weeks shy of a year since I got it and the short story is I am

The long story;

Like any bike it took a while to setup to my liking, this was not helped by me falling off twice and hurting my ribs each time forcing me to ‘lay off’ the bike for a bit each time.

I do blame both these falls on the front end of the bike because it was the front end that contributed to the falls, loss of grip – unsufficient handling.

To correct this I changed the front tyre to Dunlop D952, put forks up 10mm, adjusted comp damping clickers and added a steering damper.
I have also re-adjusted the rear spring preload to suit my weight (98-102Kg), this helps the front end steering angle too.

Now the bike handles to my liking.

Busted the radiator with a stick, repaired but I’m still pissed that no-one has made a good guard for it.

Replacet steering bearings under warranty due to water ingress.

Changed clutch lever to a pivot assist type to improve transition.

Replaced plastics under warranty, they are supposed to be unbreakable, I haven’t broken any since then.

Added exhaust header heat shield after melting 2 pairs of pants

Added sheep skin to the seat – bad case of monkey butt on longer rides

All in all though it is a very good thing and the people at Worthington BMW have been very good.

I love the smooth power delivery of the FI, brakes, ease of starting and very simple maintenance so far

I especially love the rear suspension, it just seems to float over everything

Air filter maintenance is easy and fuel economy is good in low power setting, it can do 140KM on open trails and probably 120 with single track riding but when the speedo says ‘fuel’ you are about to run out! No reserve This bike is awesome in high power mode

I will be interested to see if BMW make any changes to the bike, no rumors yet.

Would I recomend it to my friends?

Yes, absolutely.

Surprisingly no-one has asked for a ride on it and some have declined the offer of a ride :huh: but one friend did swap bikes with me and liked the “smoothness”. He owns a WR450f.

Wikd.

[alanMember]

think its strange no one wanting to ride your bike i love trying different bikes.good to here your happy with the bike don t see many around

[robert bamptonMember]

good stuff sounds like you have it sorted,weird how different riding areas and styles can make a huge difference to set up…..
i tried the 952 up front when i had the crf and the worst tyre i have ever used on the front but on the rear was awesome until it lost it’s edge……

[GregMember]

Nice report WB, interesting about the ride offers, if your game to have a go on the full house fiddy I would welcome a ride on the Bemmer.

TB

[PaulMember]

Trailboss wrote:

Quote:

Nice report WB, interesting about the ride offers, if your came to have a go on the full house fiddy I would welcome a ride on the Bemmer.

TB

I think we can do that on the next ride

[Bruce CurtisMember]

Glad you’ve made the bike your own now Beemer, I’m with Robo on the 952’s can’t believe they have the dunlop name on them, so either your bike loves that compound or the other tyre was a complete nightmare, for the front I highly recommned S-12/M-12 comps or Dunlop 742F.
The light front end, have you dropped the triple clamps a bit to help that?, never know may help, does on a lot of bikes.

BC

[PaulMember]

Mr Blue wrote:

Quote:

Glad you’ve made the bike your own now Beemer, I’m with Robo on the 952’s can’t believe they have the dunlop name on them, so either your bike loves that compound or the other tyre was a complete nightmare, for the front I highly recommned S-12/M-12 comps or Dunlop 742F.
The light front end, have you dropped the triple clamps a bit to help that?, never know may help, does on a lot of bikes.

BC

Yes I dropped the clamps 10mm and it helped.
I will try one of those tyres too, whats the wear like with them?

[Anonymous]

Nice report Wikd – I would like to have a go on the Beemer but its always a bit of a strange thing to ask someone for a blat on their pride and joy. (especially a Beemer).

[Anonymous]

As for me Beemer, well we all know what happens if I have a go on someone else’s bike. Best for me not to have a go I think. :laugh:

I am glad that you like it though. It’s nice to have a bike that you are really happy with.

I have told DanD that one day I will have a beemer. They look so cool.

[Bruce CurtisMember]

The s-12s wear fairly quickly, but give excellent grip
the M-12s not as predictable, but still really good, waer is excellent too.
Dunlop D742F, not as happy on really hardpack, but predictable when it lets go, excellent on everything else except yellow slimey hard clay, but nothing grips on that stuff, not even T-boots wear is quite good, three rears to one front.

Actually after yesterdays ride this thread inspired me to go and drop my triples another 5mm to a total of 14.5mm now, as yesterday I was having a little trouble with the tight going steering response, took a ride on a mates highly modded DRZ300 and liked his steering in S/T better, then read this and thought “may as well”

BC

[Mick DMember]

Great to hear your thoughts one year on. Having been on two BMW ride days,I am also convinced they are a great bike and if I was in the market for a 450 it would probably be my choice.

[PaulMember]

KylieD wrote:

Quote:

As for me Beemer, well we all know what happens if I have a go on someone else’s bike. Best for me not to have a go I think. :laugh:

I am glad that you like it though. It’s nice to have a bike that you are really happy with.

I have told DanD that one day I will have a beemer. They look so cool.

There are lots of bling options for them too KD but you need an inexhaustable money supply for that.
Tell Dan he can have a go too.
Cheers.

[Anonymous]

i never ask to have a ride on others bikes.
most of the time i don’t want to anyway.
but i really want to ride your bike.
if i bought a another bike. the bmw 450 would be one of the top 4Ts to consider with only the berg in front.

[Mick DMember]

I see Rock Motorcycles at Port Macquarie have two 08 demo models for sale.

[Anonymous]

micknmeld wrote:

Quote:

I see Rock Motorcycles at Port Macquarie have two 08 demo models for sale.

i don’t think you could pull me off my tm 300 though. i totally understand why others would find it horrible. but the bike is just me.

one of the reasons i rarely swap bikes. others would not find the tm a plesant bike to ride. it is a pretty old school design. not radicly different from a 1990 bike.

beme. you should charge people for a ride of your sweet bike at louee. i’ll be first in line.

[Author]

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