Bike Summary
'Sab' is short for Suave Agile Badger. When I bought the bike and road it for a little I decided its color scheme reminded me of a badger. Additionally I felt it drove/rode so well it made me feel I was a really good rider. I'm not. I'm average. Even after 30+ years riding and perhaps all the more for that reason I am simply ordinary in terms of riding prowess but this bike is clairvoyant.
I've always wanted a boxer because they're a bit mad looking. They look sort of cumbersome with those bulbous reciprocating cylinders. There's about 100 years of R&D behind that boxer configuration. Some bikes you ride and some bikes ride you but this one sort of rides for you. When I first rode the bike, I was truly surprised to experience how it sort of took over. It feels as if you could fall asleep and it would bring you home safe and sound. It rides like a much lighter bike. It's smooth and does just about everything well. I doubt you'd win a GP on it but it handles really well. So well in fact that I have scraped the center stand off the ground in cornering on several occasions. It's easy to lean it over fairly low but as mentioned, there are some unpleasant surprises inherent in doing so. I've often thought about removing the center stand as a result but then I remind myself to chill out and ride that way on the Kracken (the KTM SDR 1290R).
Modifications
Console Shade
I think this is a Wunderlich accessory too. It helps on sunny days when it's difficult to see the dials.
I think this is a Wunderlich accessory too. It helps on sunny days when it's difficult to see the dials.
Side Stand Plate
From Wunderlich. It has prevented the bike from keeling over a few times on softer ground.
From Wunderlich. It has prevented the bike from keeling over a few times on softer ground.
Wheels
The classic comes with nice spoked wheels. I still have them. However they are tubed. I wanted tubeless modern wheels for a stiffer ride. These are off a BMW sibling bike, the RT 1200. I liked their aesthetic more than the alloy R1200R wheels of the same year so had them fitted with a slightly longer bolts as I recall.
The classic comes with nice spoked wheels. I still have them. However they are tubed. I wanted tubeless modern wheels for a stiffer ride. These are off a BMW sibling bike, the RT 1200. I liked their aesthetic more than the alloy R1200R wheels of the same year so had them fitted with a slightly longer bolts as I recall.
Lithium Iron Phosphate Battery
If you want your starting motor to jump to life every time without hesitation and also want a lighter battery, I strongly recommend investing in one of these. This one is by EarthX. It has a lot of CCA's!
If you want your starting motor to jump to life every time without hesitation and also want a lighter battery, I strongly recommend investing in one of these. This one is by EarthX. It has a lot of CCA's!
Power Distribution Module
Think adjustable and configurable fuse box and you've got the picture. They're expensive but pretty slick. Rowe Electronics is the OEM.
Think adjustable and configurable fuse box and you've got the picture. They're expensive but pretty slick. Rowe Electronics is the OEM.
Quick Shifter
I installed a Healtech QuickShifter. It just takes care of shifting up without a clutch. It's a little notchy but not bad. Doubtless I can fine tune it further but I haven't felt the need..I don't use it that often.
I installed a Healtech QuickShifter. It just takes care of shifting up without a clutch. It's a little notchy but not bad. Doubtless I can fine tune it further but I haven't felt the need..I don't use it that often.
Yacugar Front Shock
After a chat with Ted Porter (Beemershop) I upgraded the front and rear shocks for fully adjustable Yacugars. They're setup for a firm ride.
After a chat with Ted Porter (Beemershop) I upgraded the front and rear shocks for fully adjustable Yacugars. They're setup for a firm ride.
Custom License Plate
To achieve a tidy tail, I had to remove the OEM structure. Next, I bought a spring loaded '69 Camaro hinged license plate holder which I set to work on with a grinder. I attached some painted acrylic to it and it now holds my license plate and protects the aperture to the saddles key lock.
To achieve a tidy tail, I had to remove the OEM structure. Next, I bought a spring loaded '69 Camaro hinged license plate holder which I set to work on with a grinder. I attached some painted acrylic to it and it now holds my license plate and protects the aperture to the saddles key lock.
Oil Cover
Tidier and a significant improvement over the bog standard OEM black ABS cover. I just liked the way it sat flush with the cylinder head. Wher eis it from? Can't recall - might have been a Wunderlich purchase but could have been Hornig too.
Tidier and a significant improvement over the bog standard OEM black ABS cover. I just liked the way it sat flush with the cylinder head. Wher eis it from? Can't recall - might have been a Wunderlich purchase but could have been Hornig too.
Rear Hugger
Added a Puig rear hugger to protect the Yacugar monoshock.
Added a Puig rear hugger to protect the Yacugar monoshock.
Custom Seat
The 'Classic' came with what they call a 'Low Comfort Seat'. It feels a little like you are sitting into the bike rather than on it. After several years martial arts and a few of life's scrapes my back isn't what it was so I took the seat to a custom seat modifier here in San Francisco and had him add some foam and shape it and then cover it in the cover you see which also has some gel of its own. The result is a nice comfortable saddle. This coupled with the RT wheels changes the bikes ride altogether. You're higher but the ride seems a little more street fighter-ish. That wasn't intentional - it's just a consequence of all the modifications.
The 'Classic' came with what they call a 'Low Comfort Seat'. It feels a little like you are sitting into the bike rather than on it. After several years martial arts and a few of life's scrapes my back isn't what it was so I took the seat to a custom seat modifier here in San Francisco and had him add some foam and shape it and then cover it in the cover you see which also has some gel of its own. The result is a nice comfortable saddle. This coupled with the RT wheels changes the bikes ride altogether. You're higher but the ride seems a little more street fighter-ish. That wasn't intentional - it's just a consequence of all the modifications.
Yacugar Rear Monoshock
After a chat with Ted Porter (Beemershop) I upgraded the rear and front shocks for fully adjustable Yacugars. They're setup for a firm ride.
After a chat with Ted Porter (Beemershop) I upgraded the rear and front shocks for fully adjustable Yacugars. They're setup for a firm ride.
Rear Indicators
I swapped out the plastic rear indicators for these aluminum ones. An Amazon purchase.
I swapped out the plastic rear indicators for these aluminum ones. An Amazon purchase.
Tail Light
I think this was a Wunderlich purchase. It's the (smoked out aesthetic) LED tail light.
I think this was a Wunderlich purchase. It's the (smoked out aesthetic) LED tail light.
Adjustable Mirrors
Bike came with chrome wing mirrors. They had to go owing to my chrome abhorrence. These are great - fully adjustable. I can't recall, but I think they are made by Touratech....or likely provided by same and made by somebody else.
Bike came with chrome wing mirrors. They had to go owing to my chrome abhorrence. These are great - fully adjustable. I can't recall, but I think they are made by Touratech....or likely provided by same and made by somebody else.
Hand Guards
Have you ever been hit on the hand by a rock thrown up by a truck on a cold day on the freeway? I have. Even through a glove it stings like a **tha. Soon after the incident I acquired these. I bought them on the Hornig website. When they arrived, they had a big gaudy Hornig sticker on them which I removed only to witness a Touratech emblem under that. A few coats of black paint from a rattle can later and I am no longer advertising either establishment for free.
Have you ever been hit on the hand by a rock thrown up by a truck on a cold day on the freeway? I have. Even through a glove it stings like a **tha. Soon after the incident I acquired these. I bought them on the Hornig website. When they arrived, they had a big gaudy Hornig sticker on them which I removed only to witness a Touratech emblem under that. A few coats of black paint from a rattle can later and I am no longer advertising either establishment for free.
Tank Guards
Tech Specs Snakeskin tank guards for protection and grip.
Tech Specs Snakeskin tank guards for protection and grip.
Raximo Levers
Brake and clutch levers are fully adjustable. It's the small things which enable a truly custom fitting interface on any bike.
Brake and clutch levers are fully adjustable. It's the small things which enable a truly custom fitting interface on any bike.
Throttle Lock
A form of cruise control is made manifest using the ThrottleMeister throttle lock bar end. I think this OEM has gone out of business.
A form of cruise control is made manifest using the ThrottleMeister throttle lock bar end. I think this OEM has gone out of business.
Shock Socks
The bike is ten years old so these ought to help the shock seals. Just some neoprene with velcro and held in place with a couple of zip ties. I think it was an Amazon purchase.
The bike is ten years old so these ought to help the shock seals. Just some neoprene with velcro and held in place with a couple of zip ties. I think it was an Amazon purchase.
Windshield
This is an OEM accessory for the bike. It's made from tempered glass and helps the wind scoot a little better over ones head. Occasionally I get bored of it aesthetically and replace it with a the Wunderlich Trophy headlight shroud (not shown).
This is an OEM accessory for the bike. It's made from tempered glass and helps the wind scoot a little better over ones head. Occasionally I get bored of it aesthetically and replace it with a the Wunderlich Trophy headlight shroud (not shown).
Belly Pan Fairing
Occasionally, the bikes aesthetics are a little challenging for my eye so, I added this belly pan from the Hornig website to improve them a little.
Occasionally, the bikes aesthetics are a little challenging for my eye so, I added this belly pan from the Hornig website to improve them a little.
Boxer Guards
Silicone cylinder head guards by MotoGadget. Really worthwhile investment.
Silicone cylinder head guards by MotoGadget. Really worthwhile investment.
Custom LED Headlight
The bike came with the most anaemic headlight. You can't too well from this shot but the headlight casing has been modified to hold two LED bulbs. The custom work entailed was visually captured in a series of photos which can be browsed here as part of the discussion in this R1200R forum.
The bike came with the most anaemic headlight. You can't too well from this shot but the headlight casing has been modified to hold two LED bulbs. The custom work entailed was visually captured in a series of photos which can be browsed here as part of the discussion in this R1200R forum.
Motolights
Caliper mounted LED auxiliary lights by Motolight improve night vision tremendously. I don't think they make this particular model any longer.
Caliper mounted LED auxiliary lights by Motolight improve night vision tremendously. I don't think they make this particular model any longer.
Radiator Guard
I can't recall where I bought this. It was either the Hornig website or the Wunderlich one. In any event, a little protection for the vulnerable radiator guard.
I can't recall where I bought this. It was either the Hornig website or the Wunderlich one. In any event, a little protection for the vulnerable radiator guard.
Remus Exhaust System
The Remus muffler and headers are a big improvement over stock. Those coupled with a power booster plug (not shown...under gas tank) gave the bike a noticeable performance boost.
The Remus muffler and headers are a big improvement over stock. Those coupled with a power booster plug (not shown...under gas tank) gave the bike a noticeable performance boost.
Potentiometer Guard
First piece of 'farkle' I bought for the R1200. Protects the bikes single point of failure.
First piece of 'farkle' I bought for the R1200. Protects the bikes single point of failure.