Rockster

It's service time and I've been kitted out with a loaner - the R1200RT "armchair" in Red is my temporary steed.

I tried for the K1200R and the R1200R but there was none available (perhaps a godsend - it's cold out there!) and thus I elected to choose "anything with a fairing".

What do I like about it?  Well it's quite comfortable and has a good road presence; protection has meant that in 2-4 degrees, I don't need heated grips; with the luggage option installed, I could actually carry things ().

What don't I like about it?  I can't get to grips with the positioning of the gear change; somehow even though my arms are relaxed, they don't quite feel comfortable; the 1200 engine seems lighter and more "vibey" - also it does feel like it needs to be in the right gear to be sweeter.

And I can't filter very easily

Would I spend 25-odd grand on one?  Nah, it's not for me.  Except for about 6 weeks per year where it would prevent me freezing to death!!  GIVE ME BACK MY ROCKSTER!!!!

7'600km - rear replaced (BT012 out for a Metzler Z6 Sportec)
11'800km - front replaced (again to Z6)

Overwhelmed with Laziness (yes, me!), I stopped adding the MPG for every single tank as, frankly, it's always the damn same!

Points of interest - the bike has 10'000km on it and got a new rear (Metzler Z6) at 7600km but the front's still hanging in there (albeit becoming malformed).

Oil - about 250ml per 1000km...or maybe even less.

To arrive on the bike - cylinder head covers and perhaps a switch to bar-end mirrors as I find my arms obscure some of my vison.

And heck, I might take a picture soon as the Sozius paket is mostly removed and it's in single-seat mode now

I had to fuel up before the light came on due to England - Trinidad & Tobago being right around predicted next fuel-up time

So economy 6.1 litres/100km or 46.3mpg.  Impressive.....growing....!

so a step backwards to 6.72 litres /100km.  Or around 44mpg, as usual.

With 5000km coming up, the bike suddenly has started to feel loser and at an indicated 145kph, finds a whole new source of torque

thus making 6.39 litres/100km.  Or 44.21mpg.  Same old, same old.....

Slowdown on distance due to master disaster....bad back! 

.....thus giving 6.41l/100km efficiency - or 44mpg.

Screen plus slightly more efficient velocity is bringing rewards

....maybe slowing a little has added to the economy

259km refilled with 17.15 litres giving 6.62 litres/100km or 42.7mpg.  No stupid tax to report today, by the way

or should I consider the fact that I absolutely brimmed the tank and have been going a little faster with the screen on?  39.3mpg...

I should consider my higher motorway velocity - or should that be - my old velocity as I met some nice officers of the law on Friday and was charged 120 francs "Idiot Tax" for going past them at a recorded 145kph