2003 R1150R surging problem

[NJJim]

I am new to the forum and looking to purchase a R1150R. I am looking at two bikes one is a 2003 single spark and the other is a 2004 dual spark. The 2003 has all the things I want and is the same price as the other bike. My concern is that single spark bikes are known to suffer from surging that was made better or fixed in the 2004 and up models. Is this a big enough problem to steer away from the 2003? Is there a way to fix the problem on a 2003? I can certainly limit my search to 2004 and newer bikes but this 2003 looks good to me. Is this a big consideration or something I should disregard?

[snowprick]

I have a 2002 and it has never surged. Its as smooth as molasses. Do a test ride of both bikes then buy the single. If you buy the twin you will inherit the troublesome stick coils (200 bucks each) go figure. My 10 cents

Peace twins........... no flaming!

[NJJim]

Snowprick, I did notice the coil on head arrangement on the 04. I guess each improvement brings a new set of risks and rewards.

[sweatmark]

We have a 2002 R1150R Roadster and 2004 R1150R Rockster. During "real life" riding, any tendency for the older single-spark to surge is inconsequential. The only situation we've encountered where surging (or ECU hunting via lambda sensor closed-loop control) has been evident is during low speed travel 20-30 mph in fixed gear at 3000-5000 RPMs. Thankfully, that's a traffic situation that only occurs on the way to- or from a good ride, and only lasts a couple miles at most.

The dual sparks didn't get any significant boost in performance via the extra plugs and complexity. In fact, you could argue that BMW's use of stick coils for the main/center spark plugs caused more cost & nuisance than any tangible benefit from the dual-spark implementation.

Dual-spark is believed to have been the result of tightened environmental legislation anyway.

[NJJim]

Sweatmark, That is very good information. I can do a test ride and try to induce it. I do a lot of riding under those conditions. I live in an area with strict 25 mph speed limit for quite some distance. I have a F650 and ride in 2nd between 3K and 4k quite a bit. I was hoping an 1150 would do that speed with torque at a lower rpm. I will test ride the 2003 and see how it does.

[snowprick]

Sweatmark, That is very good information. I can do a test ride and try to induce it. I do a lot of riding under those conditions. I live in an area with strict 25 mph speed limit for quite some distance. I have a F650 and ride in 2nd between 3K and 4k quite a bit. I was hoping an 1150 would do that speed with torque at a lower rpm. I will test ride the 2003 and see how it does.

NJJim
The 1150 is not at its best trickling thru urban jungle. It likes the open road. Slow speed city work will induce overheating and be heavy to handle. The 650 is far better at this kind of thing. You might want to re-think your requirements or adjust your use of the big bike.

[AirForceDirt]

I commute with my 04 1150R on base with a speed limit of 30 mph. Its only about a 1 mile or so ride but the bike does great. Sure, its easier to handle on wide open roads, but you learn to adjust to flicking a 500 pound monster through low speed areas. Its an adjustment, just like everything else with this bike. One just gets used to it.

I've never had my beakster overheat, even through hot desert days in slow traffic, and I've never had an issue with it's low speed maneuverability, but since its my only mode of transportation, I get a lot of seat-time and a lot of time to learn to handle it.


I don't know about the <04 surging issues or the >04 coil stick problems. Mine's never had a problem (at 25K so if it takes longer, then w/e), and I would imagine one would just get used to the surging.

Ride them both and buy the one you like more and suits your needs more (ie farkles, or accessories, and such-not).

[mnnden]

[quote="snowprickNJJim
The 1150 is not at its best trickling thru urban jungle. It likes the open road. Slow speed city work will induce overheating and be heavy to handle. The 650 is far better at this kind of thing. You might want to re-think your requirements or adjust your use of the big bike.[/quote]


I agree, although I am very comfortable riding the "R" in the urban jungle, but if I did a lot of riding there it would be the 650
As for the "Surging" I have found the Boxer engine to be very sensitive to Valve adjustment, If I sense the least bit of surging I get to the valves, a very easy operation, I am not sure if a BMW shop can be counted on to do it correct. I am sure some do, Den

[Boxer]

If you think riding a R1150R in an urban environment is difficult, just go test ride an old Harley Road King through town one day. The Roadster will feel like 300 lb dirt bike afterwards.

[Hawkman]

My '03 R has the "surge". As stated, it hits in 2nd gear when crawling at 20-30mph around 3,500rpms. I don't really feel it anymore...it just makes the ride that much better when you get going again.
You get used to it and it seems like there are some mods that you can do to mitigate or remove the surging.

Is is bad for the bike or just not ideal?

[owldaddy]

Keep the bike in tune, and it will be much better, install a Techlusion, dial it in and it will be eliminated, for good. I only do a tune up once a year now, no need to stay on top of the tune to keep the bike running without surging. As stated before, the valve adjustment is critical to keep it running without surge, and the dealers don't always take the time to make sure they are perfect when they do a tune up. A lot of us have become excellent tune up technicians......
Don

[Photoguy]

I've never experienced the surging that I've read so much about either with my 02 1150R or my previous 850R. FWIW, my bike is an urban bike exclusively... seldom do I get to go much over 50 MPH or so and i think the bike handles city street just fine!

[kantuckid]

03 single spark here and zero surging. My bike never overheats/surges and that includes seemingly endless routes of gridlock through certain Mexican cities . Biggest problem I ever saw in same towns was that,after a rain, the bike is so large and heavy that the streets being covered with oily slick crap make for dicey riding due to lack of traction and same for hwys there after rain as there are so many older crankcase leaking vehicles.

[Dr. Strangelove]

On my 04 the surging is not noticeable when the throttle bodies are in sync, and only slightly when out of sync.

At least for me it is not an issue and I wouldn't judge based on that alone, but rather the whole package. I personally feel newer is better, all other things being equal.

John

[Daryl.Stamp]

I commute with my 04 1150R on base with a speed limit of 30 mph. Its only about a 1 mile or so ride but the bike does great.

You get ATGATT for a 1 mile ride?
Us Navy guys thought you AF's were a little ...... but a 1 mile commute?

Of course that was back in the day, I know things are little different now.

All joking aside if you've been 'over there'; my best regards.
If not, then refer to initial sarcastic comment.

DLS