R1200 RT - Police (2007)

[Gullible]

Before took my little commuter out for the first time I decided to read the instruction book.

Mostly because I am spending a lot of time in bed (I have Glandular Fever), but also because the last motor bike I owned was a 1987 Kawasaki GT 750 which was basic to say the least.

In the manual it talks about the on board computer and the need to adjust the spring pre-load.

Well I have the BC button but it doesn't do anything, and the instructions to adjust the pre-load involve removing the rear seat and then the front seat. I only have one seat.

So my question are:

1. Did the police bikes have the on board computer? or is my button just not working?
2. How do I remove the seat to adjust the pre-load and access the tool kit?

[ugu80]

The 750GT Kwaka was a great bike, for its time.

Its been a few years, but from what I recall, open the radio box. Seat removal was lever (handle really) accessed from front of the radio box (the box on the rear where a pillion seat would normally be). You have to grab the handle and pull it rearward and you should hear the seat pop. Pull the seat back and up. Putting the seat back is actually more difficult. Make sure the tabs at the front fit into their holders and the tab at the rear of the seat clicks into the handle. Fiddle around a bit you will find it and figure it out. Took me a while.

The BC button was for the trip computer (distance to empty, trip computer, all that sort of stuff). Although the button was there, the actual computer was not fitted to cop bikes.

Another point is that the police bikes were fitted with a higher compression engine than the civilian counterparts and had slightly higher torque and power. To run properly required 98 octane (95 for the civilian bike). One of the best handling bikes made. I hated BMWs with a passion, but I loved the R1200RT.

[Gullible]

Thanks for the good advice. I'd never have know about the fuel difference.

I'll have a play with the seat tomorrow.

[Gullible]

Well the seat has me stumped.

I phoned the previous owner and he had never taken the seat off, so no help there.

The seat has 3 parts. The main front seat and then 2 butt cushions (for want of better words) at the rear. The butt cushions slid a little way out to the side and I can see the tab that holds the front seat on. But I can not get the butt cushions out far enough to lift off the seat.

Any hints.

[ugu80]

I take it radio box has been removed (shame, excellent for carrying stuff). Sounds like some made up pads instead of a proper full seat. If such, I would say (just guessing) they have probably been just bolted onto the rear guard or sub frame somehow. Have a look above the rear wheel or any indication how they have been affixed and take them off. That latch handle to remove the seat has to be pulled, from memory, about 4 or 5 cms so you will have to take that pillion pad off. There is a good chance that the pads have just been bolted to the base plate of the radio box and that might be a bit cramped, but not impossible, to get to. Anyway, your just going to have to get your spanners out.

As for the seat, it has three height setting to adjust to what you prefer. You will see different mount points at the front of the seat for the three heights and a three position ladder on the rear latch. Be careful when replacing the seat as its easy to confuse the settings and the seat can only be at the same setting front to rear i.e. setting 1,2 or 3. If, e.g. you have the front on one and the rear on two, the seat with not fit firmly and will move around annoyingly and can even pop off and come off its mounts, not good mid corner on a fast sweeping bend.

The front of the seat goes in first then pull the latch back and align the rear tab to the correct setting and push the latch home.

Further, if they have just bolted the pads on without also fitting pillion foot pegs, it is illegal to carry a pillion passenger. Proper foot pegs must be fitted if you want a passenger.

[ugu80]

Or just cut off the damn pads and get a proper seat or old radio box. There is sure to be old radio boxes around. Try Motohansa, they did a lot of police bikes.