BMW S1000R UK MOT 2024 : from 12,427 miles 25/11/22 to 16,604 miles 21/12/23 : 4177 miles

 

UK requires yearly MOT test
large number plate goes back on

Princess Street Motors 

12,427 miles 25/11/22 

16,604 miles 21/12/23

thats 4177 miles  (of which 1500 was the NC500 trip link)

for comparison

link to last years https://johnoldfield.blogspot.com/2022/09/draft-year-of-motorcycling-in-review.html

I did 3174 miles in 2021-2022

Golf GTI Edition 35 : 2 new front tyres Michelin Pilot Sport 5 225/40/18 at 60,500 miles

last time new front tyres (PS4)  fitted were at an MOT in Aug 2021 

Car is now at 60,500 miles

Large screw in the sidewall ended the right front PS4
tread approx 4mm ! 

So the PS4 fronts have lasted 10,000 miles for 50% worn (from Aug 2021 MOT at approx 50,000 miles)

I always replace in pairs

So move to the new (ish) Michelin Pilot Sport 5

Fitted from Tyres On the Drive (Halfords)

Used them last time , great service again.

PS5 new starts with >7mm tread

PS5 new things.

greater tread life (higher wear rating 340 vs 320)
fancy sidewall
bit noisier
Wear2Check indicator 3 'holes' representing 25/50/75 % wear 

PS4 : C A 71db
PS5 : C A 72db

PS5 fact sheet

BMW S1000R (and XR and RR of certain years) camshaft / camchain noise. Fitting the updated silver (from black) cam tensioner cap at 16395 miles

BMW S1000R (and related engines for RR and XR)

Many describe S1000R engines as noisy
I think my engine sounds like a bag of spanners, certainly compared to any of the Japanese inline fours. (probably one of the very few 'negatives' of an S1000R when parked up with your mates on a rideout)

Probably my biggest complaint of this bike, but in reality I dont think theres anything really wrong and it still performs really well.

In this case the 'noise' is related to

1. Noise from around the cam/chain area on startup (oil drain from the tensioner?)

2. Noise from general engine running (stretched cam chain)

3. (if you have a noise/tick that persists as you rev the bike up to 4krpm, then this is an indicator you have an issue that would NOT be solved by this updated cap.) From the videos Ive seen this can indicate camshaft lobe failure. (especially if you have a early Gen 1 S1000R)

4. the clutch's can also be noisy. try pulling in the clutch lever to see hwo much if any difference to the overall noise it makes (as this has nothing to do with timing chains!).  search for noisy clutch basket, or clutch basket failure

For my own engine S1000R 2017 Gen 2 Ive owned it from 9,000 to 16,000 miles(today) and the noises have never changed in that time.

1.  I can definitely hear a few seconds additional noise on startup when the bike is left for > week without running (assumed to be the tensioner filling with oil)

2. engine seem noisy but im not entirely sure how much is cam chain

(every other S1000R Ive met in the flesh on rideouts has sounded the same or worse!)

BMW have never issued a recall.
BMW did issue a statement and an alternative part but many dealers are not aware of this. (for the USA really)

All you can do is check your own bike

Heres the USA note on the issue
BMW PuMA measure 54380454
https://static.nhtsa.gov/odi/tsbs/2019/MC-10154766-9999.pdf

States that at around 9000 miles the cap can be replaced from black to silver IF you have a noise.

BLACK cap is OE fitted at build : Part No 11317718069
SILVER cap                          : Part No 11318534849

Silver cap (only) is £29
https://www.motorworks.co.uk/timing-chain-tensioner-screw-plug-ena34849-1.html

NOTE : Do not fit the silver cap if you have a low mileage bike
NOTE : If you fit the silver cap and there is no change in noise, you should probably put the black one back in
NOTE : silver must be replaced back to black if you get chain etc replaced (on my bike Im expecting this at 36k miles)

In reality all this cap does is place more pressure on the tensioner which is transferred onto the chain

Alternatives

Instead of just swapping plugs (with fixed distance push on the tensioner), you can go for a 

manual tensioner
https://www.camchaintensioner.co.uk/product/bmw-1000rr-manual-cam-chain-tensioner/
£57

this allows infinite adjustment but is a little trickier to setup to make it tension just the right amount (not too little or too much)

My biggest suggestion would be watch lots of videos and listen to other bikes

videos

startup noise

a continued ticking noise at 4k rpm indicates cam failure and was seen in early RR's?


Fitting Silver cap

I fitted the silver cap at 16395 miles to my bike.

I bought 24mm spanner  (£10) specifically to remove and refit.
https://www.amazon.co.uk/dp/B09XB9GN8F
I didnt remove any fairings to get access, but it is tight to get access.
I re-used existing o ring

• Unscrew bolt
• Take o ring off black cap and fit to silver cap
• Screw silver cap in (you will have to push it to get the threads to catch)

Of note theres another o ring inside around the tensioner (its bigger than the diameter of the tensioner so i presume its a secondary seal for the cap itself.

It did definitely take away some chain noise from the background 'clatter'

Of note its still a noisy idling bike, so by no means quiet but quieter.

Mine AFTER the silver plug installed

BMW S1000R 2017 front brake pad replacement options, chose and fitted EBC Double H Brake Pads - FA604/4HH (4.5mm backplates)

 

fitted set of EBC front pads at 16144 miles
see associated full service post : 


Useful information from the service book

4.5mm backing or they fall out when worn

• front are sintered OE
• rear are not

• 4 pads per caliper
• 2 calipers per front
• 8 pads needed

min max pads   0.8mm minimum pad material left

min max discs  5mm when new 4.5mm min  

my front discs  are 5mm (no appreciable wear or have been replaced in the past?)

Replacement Pad Options

In the end I chose to fit EBC 

OE ? 34117714800

https://www.arnoldclarkautoparts.com/products/genuine-bmw-motorrad-brake-pads-34117714800

https://bmw.europe-moto.com/gb/bmw-motorcycle-brake-discs-and-pads/12210-bmw-set-of-original-front-brake-pads-s1000rr-k46-s1000r-k47.html

£68 x2 

Carbonne Lorraine XBK5 

Brembo (this is OE isnt it?)

SBS RST 

Lucas TRW https://mtp-racing.co.uk/Front-Brake-Pads-Lucas-TRW-Sinter-MCB829SV-MTP17777

AP Racinghttps://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/383722736495

for 8 7.99 , must be fake surely ?

EBC

https://ebcbrakesdirect.com/motorcycle/bmw/s-1000/58105

The ones I went with on recommendations and price were

£34.98 x2 

EBC Double H Brake Pads - FA604/4HH

https://www.sportsbikeshop.co.uk/motorcycle_parts/content_prod/215336

chose Royal Mail delivery and arrived in 2 days

https://brooksbarn.co.uk/products/ebc-hh-series-sintered-front-brake-pads-fa604-4hh.html

https://www.bikersworldstore.co.uk/ebc-brake-pads-fa604-4hh-p7377

https://ebcbrakesdirect.com/motorcycle/bmw/s-1000/58105

BMW S1000R 18k service at 16144 miles 28/09/23

bike at 16144 miles
bike is 2017 so 6 years old

BMW service manual states things to do at 18k service as

Ideally Id get this done at a dealer but its £££
I never got a response from any BMW Motoradd dealers as to which if any service plans covered this work.

So Ive gone for independent completed on my drive by AG Motorcycles

1. N/A
2. N/A
3. Engine oil/filter
4. check valve clearances
5. check timing
6. replace spark plugs
7. replace air filter
8. fork oil change
9. change brake fluid (front and rear)
   
   

I could have had 4/5 and 8 also done, but voluntarily chose to exclude them to reduce the costs

doing some research
valve clearance / timing checks almost always show nothing needs to be done
fork oil change isnt necessary 

cost at dealer (also 3 year service plan)

i supplied brake pads see replacement brake pads options post

Replacement front brake pads

A 4.5mm backplate is required to prevent the brake pads dropping out of the calliper when worn to a high percentage

brakes down to 5.8 mm

min wear limit is stated as 0.8mm

given a 4.5mm backplate (pic) mine were down to (5.8-4.5) 1.3mm
assuming OE brembo pads are 9mm (like the EBC replacements)

Full pad when new = (9-4.5) 4.5mm

So in 16000 miles (assuming pads are from new) I (and others) have used (4.5-1.3) 3.2mm wear

Out of the total pad depth they are 71% worn (if you were to go to 0mm)

if 0.8mm is the wear limit the useable pad depth is (4.5-0.8) 3.7mm
then they are 86% worn.

EBC Double H Brake Pads - FA604/4HH
2 sets 1 for each caliper. for £70 (they were on offer)

EBC pads Sportsbikeshop

9mm thickness total
4.5mm backplate
4.5mm friction material

see also its own blog post 

https://johnoldfield.blogspot.com/2023/10/bmw-s1000r-2017-front-brake-pad.html

Golf GTI Edition 35 hits 60,000 miles at 11 years old

 

taken by the passenger on 25/09/23

2017 66 plate VW Tiguan 150 TDI 4Motion : hits 60,000 miles

 

still performing caravan duties as seamless as ever this week.
Tows a single axle Elddis Xplore 586 with ease.

VW Golf GTI Edition 35 MOT (UK) Pass : 59,223 miles

 last years MOT  55490
 this years MOT  59223

3733 miles between MOT's

Advisories

• corrosion on front coil springs
• ridges on brake discs (get this every year esp on rears)
• worn rear brake pads

Rear brakes on the mk6 (and mk5) platform always wear unevenly leaving unswept patches. doesnt look great but doesnt effect overall use.
I do try to use the handbrake at speed to 'clean' them up (allowing cool down of course)

At some point Ill have to replace the rear discs and pads.

inner surfaces behind the wheels are corroding, so will need resprayed or powder coated (black chrome?) in due course

front bumper is delaminating, so will need resprayed at some point
will do rear bumper as well and get rid of all the bumpers holes so I can run small plates!)

car still cleans up well though.

NC500 Trip BMW S1000R costs overview

5 days / 4 nights / 1592 miles

£220 : Fuel 1592 miles at an average of 47 mpg

£250 : Accomodation 4 nights     flat/hotel/hotel/caravan

£220 : Food

£free : pillion tank bag

£25   : 1 cheap alarmed disklok

£8    : 1 small siphon and piping just in case but never used

£10   : wet weather gloves :   

£18.50 : wet weather jacket / pants :  

£20 : 2 rok straps 

£59 : myrouteapp navigation

£12 : skin so soft

£25 : nikwax wash/treatment/spray. done on return home but should have done before I left!

£114 : quadlock mount / usb charger / vib mount

£981.50

if we add in things I had to do anyway

£330 : 2 Michelin Road 6 tyres (usual bike maintenance)

£20 : chain clean and lube before trip / after trip Motul C1/C2 (usual bike maintenance)

£1331.50

Trip Summary : NC 500 motorcycle trip BMW S1000R 2017 Gen 2 : 5 days 1600 miles

A simply incredible trip


NC500 stats

Day 1 455

Day 2 238

Day 3 296

Day 4 284

Day 5 319

1592 miles in total

4 riders

BMW S1000R Gen 2 / BMW 1250GS / KTM 1290 Superduke GT / Kawaski Ninja 1000SX

Sat 01/07/2023  to Wed 05/07/2023 : 5 days (4 nights) total

Bike mileage start 14274  Bike mileage  end 15866

Tyres

Michelin Road 6 tyres were new for this trip, and had been scrubbed in (at least 200 miles) michelin recommended tyre pressures

36 f / 42 r

seems very harsh so ive dropped to

32 f / 38 r
great feel. Given over 5 days it was almost always wet roads Im glad I had new tyres.

Id seriously evaluate the tread depth and wear before you set off on a trip.
AND think about the mileage and how the tyres will be at the END of your trip not just the start.
At 1500 miles you could easily finish off many quick wearing tyres from new!
Dont get caught in the middle of the NC with poor tyres in soaking wet conditions

Fuel

1592 miles at an average of 47 mpg 

1592/47 = 33.87 gallons fuel used

33.87 gallons x 4.54 = 153.7 litres fuel used

153.7 x £1.43 per litre average = total cost of fuel for trip estimated at £220

I didnt realise but the last large bar is part of the fuel gauge (not the fixed display)
This is the first trip Ive actually had that final bar go out, and still had 30 miles range indicated.
Red arrow in pic below

Of note after fillup , it will take 30 miles before the range starts to change

14 litres fillup when no further bars on guage and range showing <30 miles

The "usable fuel capacity" specified in the technical data is the

quantity that the fuel tank could

hold if refilled after it had been

run dry and the engine had cut

out due to a lack of fuel.

Usable fuel capacity

approx. 17.5 l (reserve is stated as 4 litres)

empty gauge but still some range , 

on 14 fillup this would leave 3.5 left so 25 miles left to empty ?)

(from what I can tell Gen 3 is less at 16.5 litres)

So in mixed riding, using all the gears and the full rev range (but NOT pinning it everywhere!)
14l == 3.07 gallons, at 47MPG that makes the sensible useable range of a Gen 2 S1000R is around 145 miles.

to be honest Ive never taken mine much beyond 140 miles.

but in theory there is some more left to get you around 25-30 miles more, but dont hold me to that.
On the NC500 route we took, there was only twice I took mine to no bars and <30 range indicated.
Fuel availablity is good on the NC500 in most places, but if you are below 1/2 and see fuel top up.
Of note many stations are self service using a bank card (not contactless), so make sure you have an actual card

range always goes up to 155 miles

Carrying your gear

I carried all my gear in

single 20-30 litre motocentric pillion bag, its a generic bag so you can find the same design under multiple naming.

https://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/353122890891 : £54

motea brand tailbag

Heres it on the back of the bike before I put the rain cover and additional straps on, fully expanded to 30 litres

Truth be told, this was given to me by a friend, I really wanted the sw motech panniers but they are still around £300, given the other costs I thought Id try this first time out.

fit tape to your rear pillion coloured bits to prevent damage

bag was fantastic for the money, huge amount of space 30l, only sacrifice I made was a pair of jeans

I carried

where Ive added a price I bought specifically for this trip, other items I already owned

• 6 t shirts
• 6 pants
• 6 pairs of socks
• pair of size 10 trainers
• toiletries
• 1 large hoodie
• 1 D Lock : https://securityforbikes.com/DIB-D-Locks.php
• 1 disklok :  £25
• 1 small siphon and piping    £8 took it but never used it
• wet weather gloves :   £10
• wet weather jacket / pants :  £18.50
• Anker powerbank
• UK power socket to USB adapter
• cables to charge phone / sena 30k headset

Of note , I would NOT recommend relying ONLY on the supplied straps, they are not enough.
I also used 2 large ROK STRAPS
these were simple and worked really well and kept the bag secure.

I used one strap to attach to the pillion seat pegs, the other one went under the pillion. I overlapped them to create a sort of triangulation.

I also kept my wet weather gear on the outside of the bag but under the cover for easy access.

remember put your gear into plastic bags to prevent it getting wet , dont rely on things staying dry! The bag externally  did get wet despite me having the rain cover over it. so seperate your things and put them in bags, dont say I didnt warn you.

Travelling with 3 other bikes who had far more luggage storage, I was fortunate that they carried tools , puncture repair kit / compressor and large chains which means I didnt have to.


you need to try getting on and off, with the height extended its a fair challenge to get your leg swung over ! 
you can try standing on the lower pegs but given Im 115kg Id really prefer not to!
If you have a GS then its fine to stand on the pegs.

Security

bikes were placed in an X shape at night and secured using 2 main chains and a multitude of disklocks, ideally also to something large and fixed to the ground.

For a lodge we could see the bikes
For hotels at least one of us could see the bikes
For caravan they were down the side of the van

In reality everywhere we went there were lots of bikers doing the NC500

Dont leave your bike EVER in Glasgow or Edinburgh city centre!
It will get pinched


Prepare to be wet

Look at the weather forecast.
I found it easier to have wet weather pants on from the start of the day rather than try and take on and off.
jacket and gloves easier to take on and off.
Make sure you put your gear on BEFORE it rains.

overgloves work well in torrential rain and are fine once you get used to them but I hate the feeling of them, so often I prefer to just get wet gloves/hands.

I did use the jacket and pants though and they worked really well for a generic pair for general use at £18.50 , highly recommended

see Aftermath at the bottom I cleaned and waterproofed my car AFTER I returned, I should have done it before.

nikwax / rainex for plastic visor

Ear protection

not just an NC500 thing, but one of the biggest game changers for me.
riding any distance without ear protection creates fatigue.
if you intend to ride long distances or just want to stay fresh, get some good earplugs
I bought Alpine MotoSafe Tour
Alpine MotoSafe Tour

doesnt block out completely and allows you to still hear comms etc just fine

Prepare for Midges!

Took but never used because the weather was so dismal
Avon skin so soft

Navigation

	1x Motorcycle - Vibration Dampener Note: This product is currently on backorder - shipment will be delayed	£15.99 each
	1x Motorcycle - USB Charger	£27.99 each
	1x Motorcycle Kits - Galaxy - Galaxy S23 Ultra / Handlebar Mount PRO / No Weather Resistant Poncho	£82.99 each

£114 for all inc a discount

no poncho cover !

myrouteapp navigation lifetime offer £59
(routes had been planned in myrouteapp) , this is the easiest way to allow navigation (as it turns out without a quadlock poncho and the rain I didnt lead very much)

Hydrate!

We rode with regular stops (at least every 2 hrs) for at least 10 hrs a day, its easy to forget to drink. Even in wet conditions you still sweat.
Make sure you drink plenty to keep hydrated, keeps your energy up and combats fatigue

Enjoy the experience

Goes without saying, but talk to people, take lots of pictures, slow down (sometimes) and look at the scenery, its breathtaking

Speed Cameras

Our route had some small average speed camera sections, but these were limited.

In the north of scotland and on back roads you are more likely to see a stag than a camera van.
The further south you go the more likely to see mobile vans (we saw one on the A7)

Just pay attention to the limits and keep looking ahead.
Waze or Google Maps can be great to show locations.
(myrouteapp nav only seems to show fixed camera and average speed locations not mobile)

The aftermath

rear axle adjustment locking nut backed off on last day, quickly nipped up

bike is filthy.

tank/crotch area is now badly scuffed, as are tail sections despite tape.
of note running the pillion bag pushes the rider further forward touching the tank. I would normally ride seated further back

will need to cut the paint back to shiny, Ive already tried and its going to need a few goes, so the damage is deeper than I expected.

really need Paint Protection film in place.
I could use tank grips, but havent really find any I like that dont spoil the look of the bike

Fully washed all textile gear Dianese CarveMaster 2 using nikwax clean and treat inc extra spray on water repel.
I did this on my return but in hindsight would probably have been better to do so BEFORE I went on the trip.