Don Denny
Current Bike(s): R1200CLC, 75/5 Year started riding: 1955 Favorite ride: Previous Bike(s): Triumph 250 Tiger Cub, BMW 75/5, BMW RT80, BMW RT850

Back in the fifties I rode a Harley and an Indian that belonged to friends. I bought a new Triumph 250 Tiger Cub in 1961. A year later a friend let me ride his new BMW /2. I decided that evening my goal was to own a BMW as soon as it was financially feasible.

I bought my first BMW in 1970. It was a silver 75/5 with a large tank from Jim Underwood, St. Joseph, IL., and a handlebar fairing that Jim would not put on till I had ridden the motorcycle for a week to accustom myself to the handling. He included a set of leather saddlebags. The bill came to $1850.00. My friends gave me a hard time about buying an OLD MAN'S MOTORCYCLE.

I bought a new 1983 RT80 and a new 1996 R850 R. I have also owned a 60/2 and a R65. I still have the original 1970/5. I received my 200K BMWMOA mileage award this year. My wife Barbara and I attended our 28th BMWMOA National Rally this year in Charleston. We have ridden and camped in all of the lower 48 states, Alaska and 5 providences of Canada. After nineteen years of camping we now enjoy the motel.

My first impression of the R1200CLC when I saw it on the Twin City BMW floor was that it reminded me of the Harly Electra Glide of the 50's and 60's. I could not afford one then because they had a $1200 price tag. I looked at the CLC for a couple of weeks before I sat on it. I mentioned the CLC to Barbara and took her by the shop to see it. I did not need a new BMW but Barbara liked it at first appearance and thought that it had a comfortable seat. The heated seat and handlebar grips, floorboards and heel toe shifter convinced me that I would like this machine. The show room floor brown model had a light tan seat. I probably would have bought it if it had been fitted with a black seat. The silver model was in the process of being set up and we did like it and were convinced it was the one we wanted.

I drove the "Blue Roads" in the 50's and looked forward to the interstate system. After a few years of battling the Diesel Fume Addicts and the Cut & Fill Super Slab Riders I prefer the "Blue Roads" as much as possible.

My initial test ride was on a clear January Saturday at 18 degrees high. It took about three stoplights to get used to the heel and toe shift. Very comfortable ride, though I still have a problem getting used to the low rpm's in 6th gear. The six-speed transmission has the solid BMW clunk. I do not think BMW engineers are aware of synchronizing. They do not use bevel gears to my knowledge; the square cut probably increases the gear tooth's strength.

I rode 200k at 4200 to 4800 rpm's on various other BMWs. The CLC cruises in sixth gear at 67 mph on the GPS (71 on the speedometer) around 3100 rpm. The tail pipes are not turning blue like the older BMW's and I attribute that to the low rpm's and the throaty tail pipes. The seating is perfect for me; problems that I have experienced on previous BMWs seem to have been corrected.

TIP: My original mechanic, Jimmy Reed, would drill a 3/8 inch hole in the end of the muffler below the exhaust hole. The theory being that if you do not ride long enough to dry the exhaust system the hole gives the exhaust vapor a place to drain. I personally have never replaced a muffler.

The CLC is a cruiser with some adaptations from other current BMWs. Two low beam headlights from one model, two high beams from another model, heated handle bar grips from some model. I like the sculpted wind shield but would prefer the higher version, but not for $300. I do get more wind noise then I did from previous models.

TIP: Because of more wind buffeting my helmet visor is occasionally blown shut. It is a older helmet and the Jarrow helmet dealer at the national suggested that I take a short section of the hooked side of Velcro and cut a circular disk the size of a quarter, drill a hole in it and place it between the visor and the helmet under the visor screw.

I've installed dual headlight modulators, flashing stop lights, and lighted turn signals.

The CLC has the new ABC integrated braking system. This is a vast improvement in braking. I have noticed that I do not have any front end diving while braking unlike what I've experienced on the older BMW's.

I am used to a larger gas tank. My gas mileage the first 2k fell below 40. I have since ridden to Kentucky and the National and during those 2k miles I averaged 46 mpg. I have gotten as high as 51.5 mpg. I cruise at 67 on the GPS as I have previously mentioned. The (USA) BMW web site lists the fuel tank capacity as "4.6 gallons including 1.0-gallon reserve" (after the fuel light comes on), for all models of the C (classic, Phoenix and Montana), as well as for the CL and CLC. I think about a gas station at 120 miles and get real serious at 140 miles. This is the first BMW that I have run out of gas with.

TIP: If your BMW backfires and starts to miss on one cylinder and is very loud, check the black tube that comes out of the back of the cylinder on the side that is loud. The tube will be blown partially off. Unloosen the c-clamp and put the tube back on. Do not over tighten the c-clamp. I think if you crack the throttle with the key turned on and the cylinder is hot, raw gas is injected into the tube and explodes when the starter is activated.

I never felt at first that the CLC battery was strong enough on starting. I blame it on a tight larger engine. While I was hooking up the modulator I attached a wire to the positive and drained the battery. The battery would not hold a charge after that. The dealer replaced the battery on warranty with a Gel battery which is doing great.

TIP: The quickest way to tell if you have a Gel battery is to look on the on the left side of the mid section of the BMW. A Gel battery installation will have three black tubes going down the frame. If there is a 4th smaller black shiny one it is a vent tube from a lead acid battery, the gel cells do not have a vent tube.

I have had a hard time getting used to the cruise control. Previous BMW's had lock screws, lock screw with flip lever and a Throttle master that I did not like. I like the control now and it is very accurate and easy to use.

The CLC is easier to clean because of the mostly flat areas.

TIP; I have used Lemon Pledge for years to clean the wind shield and my helmet visor. Some of the bugs seem to slip off after an application.

For an extra $500 the CLC came with a radio/c player. I occasionally listen to the radio but it is not a big deal with me.

I miss having a center stand. I have had to basically change 40 years of my parking style.

The saddlebags and the rear case hold sufficent clothes for a long trip and seem to be sealed tightly.

TIP: Always park in gear. Do not trust the brakes with the engine off.

THINGS NOT TO DO
1. Never try a slow speed tight U-turn on an incline.
2. Never apply your brake when the wheel is turned (a biggy from the MSF class).
3. If you're unfortunate enough to have done #1 and #2 together on your CLC, forget about trying to fight her from going over --cuz you're going to lose that one and may hurt yourself in the struggle.

In closing I was pleasantly surprised with the $20 insurance premium increase over the 96 R850R.