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Rhine
West K1200RS/GT Cam Kit Customer Comments |
| I just came
back from my first run after installing the Rhinewest Cam Kit. It is like
riding a different bike…..It freakin’ jumps out from under you
when you whack it at 4,000 RPM in second. Side benefits……the engine
has a growl to it that it did not have before and the buzz at 3500/4000
rpm is totally gone. Thanks to Amber for hooking me up with the right chip.The
install was not bad as long as the heater was working in the garage.Gus
- Seattle Gus Sestrap / 1999 K1200RS / Seattle, Wa |
| Got the
Rhinewest Cam Gear & Chip kit installed on Monday. Finally got out on
the bike yesterday and it was very, very noticeable that it had more torque. Sounds a bit different as well, sort of a growly tone added. I also noted that it has a smoother idle, seems less lean. At first as I was running over my local twisties, I was thinking that it was a little more torque-y, but not a lot. Then I realized I was in 4th or 5th instead of 3rd or 4th, and was feeling the same pull as I would have in the lower gear. Pretty impressive. The overall power seems pretty much the same, but 'you get there faster'. Since the roads still have tons of garbage (downed limb debris, mud in the apexes, etc) I did not really hammer the throttle as I would on a sunny dry day, but suffice to say I was duly impressed, the front end got a little light on one exit and I didn't even have it pinned. Accelerating onto the freeway from the carpool on-ramp this morning was Very impressive, point and shoot. I can't wait till the roads are clear and dry, or better yet, a day at the track. As part of the discussion with one's better half, the kit adds significant passing power to use when fully loaded with gear and riding two-up. Installation was a tad more intensive than the directions might indicate. When inserting the 4" 'pin' to release the chain tension, it did not do that. Fortunately I was installing the kit with a friend that is a very competent mechanic, and we just used a big screw driver to reach back and depress the chain tensioner to gain the needed slack. Other than that, it was cake, and it was nice to have the instructions on the throttle switch reset....I am not sure I ever knew one had to do that any time you disconnect the battery! The overall work took about 4 hours including checking the valve clearances and body work removal and replacement. It would likely take only 2 or three if we were to do it again. Follow-Up 2 weeks later : With the Rhinewest Chip, I would get about 42+ mpg for my regular commute trip unless I dipped into the throttle a lot, then it would drop to 40 or below if I was really having fun. With the Cam gear and upgraded chip, I got the same mileage in the casual operating range but in the high-fun-factor range, it seems to have dropped farther. So, for the folks concerned that this change to get better performance would destroy their fuel economy across the board, that is not happening. Casual riding fuel economy seems to be unchanged. Fuel consumption during highly spirited riding seems to drop more than it did before, but then again, the performance index has gone up proportionally. Below is by my recollection. Casual Riding: Stock chip.... 42+/- Rhinewest chip ....42+/- (as high as 48 on one trip) Cam Gears/Chip...42 +/- (one tank, 42.98) Spirited riding: Stock Chip.....39-40 Rhinewest Chip....38-40 CG/C.......37-38 or less so far (only the results of a partial tank) Track Stock chip ....35+/- RWchip......32-34 CG/C.....can't wait Jim Douglas / 2000 K1200RS / Fiddletown, CA. |
| The last
time I visited Rhinewest in San Antonio (on my way to the Texas Hill Country
Rally) they let me ride one of their BMW K1200RS' that they use for testing
and development. Me and Hank (RW tech guy) took off for the rally and I
immediately noticed that this stock looking RS was much more powerful than
my own chipped (with Staintune) 98 model. The first couple of stops I nearly
went sideways with "MY" standard amount of throttle. What the
f#@*?? At the first opportunty I pulled Hank over and asked him if they
had done anything to the bike.. He smiled a huge smile and said.. "You've
got the new Cam Kit in there. Did you notice?" In a word.. Impressive. Jerry (Pirate) Finley / 1998 K1200RS / Asheville, NC |
| Luck
would have it, my Rhinewest Chips/Cam sprockets kit arrived this week and
the weather is mild. Installation was straightforward and it was time for
a road test. I have the advantage of having two K1200RSs in the garage so
I could do a good "real life" side by side test instead of trying
to figure out what the dyno chart really means. With both our bikes stock,
we did various tests, roll-on from 60-80-mph top gear, roll on from 30 mph
in 3rd gear and both bikes were always dead even. So, I got the kit installed and out we went for a comparo. The difference is DRAMATIC! First test, was 60mph/6th gear roll-on, the rhinewest mod bike easily jumped ahead and by 80mph was 30-40ft ahead!! 3rd gear/30 mph roll-on same results, clearly, significantly faster. As soon as I let the clutch out, I knew there was a big difference, pulls very strong right at the start. Another pleasant surprise, is the smoothness. I thought the bike was smooth before but now vibration is nil. Gone is the slight buzz around 70-75mph when rolling off the throttle. The engine just feels different, more responsive. I'm very pleased with this mod, well worth the money. Now... my wife is going to want one for her bike. My "gixxer buddy" who helped me with the mod is nervous.... Brent Boshart / 2001 K1200RS |
| The cam
kit is outstanding. Very, very noticeable. Worth every penny. John Johnston / 1999 K1200RS / Coral Springs Fl |
| Track Day
at Thunderhill (where they film tons of car commercials) was a HOOT. The
MPG at the track came in just about 27 mpg. The cam gear kit did the trick
for me....lifting the front end when shifting from 2nd to 3rd most every
time. I never whacked the throttle leaned over so I rarely broke the rear
end loose, but it accelerated noticably quicker than the last time I was
at the track.. All in all another fantastic day at the River City Beemers
track day, made more special by all the improvements I have acquired through
the Pirate's Lair, most notably the Wilbers Suspension and the Rhinewest
Camgear & Chip kit. Thanks for being there and adding to the mix! Jim Douglas / 2000 K1200RS / Fiddletown, CA |
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