1997 R850R questions

[samaaron]

I am considering purchasing a 1997 R850R with ABS and 37K. It is the black and silver model. Allegedly it was used as a courier bike in 1996 Olympics. I want something that is entry level, good for tooling around and some touring. There are a few spots of rust. This my first bike I am 59 years old, 6'1" and 200 lbs. The price is around 3200. Is this a wise choice will I be able to sell it if I want? My cousin is BMW guy and he says walk away. The transmission was rebuilt a while back which I see as a good thing.
Thanks

[CRazyCam]

Hi samaaron.

Hmm, a time travelling BMW...gotta be worth something!

If it's a 1997 bike, how was it used at the 1996 Games?

Apart from that, if it's in good condition, and everything works, it's a really nice machine and a good intro to BMWs provided it's cheap enough.

regards,CrazyCam

[samaaron]

I can purchase it for 3200

[CRazyCam]

I can purchase it for 3200

<shrug> What can I say?

I'm in Australia, you (I assume) are in the US.

I paid 5,000 of our dollars for a 1998 model R850R and was very happy with that.

regards,CrazyCam

[boxermania]

Gentlemen, it would help if you indicate the country/location as pricing and models vary significantly. If in the US, I would say stay away from the 850 and look for the newest R1150 R you can afford. Nothing against the 850, but they didn't fare well in the US and were gone after a couple of years.

[far2389]

I owned that exact bike - purchased from dealer right after they were distributed to dealers to sell (after the olympics). Yes, they were 1997 model year and special olympic versions were black/grey. Mine was non-abs in excellent condition (came w/bmw side cases) when I sold it 3 yrs ago for $4,700 (New Yorker flew to Michigan and drove it home and bike still going strong last i heard). It was very reliable - normal maintenance was all that bike ever required while I owned it. Probably an Ok price if good condition, maintenance records available, etc.

[CRazyCam]

Gentlemen, it would help if you indicate the country/location as pricing and models vary significantly. If in the US, I would say stay away from the 850 and look for the newest R1150 R you can afford. Nothing against the 850, but they didn't fare well in the US and were gone after a couple of years.

Yeah, the 850 versions didn't sell very well here in Australia, either.

If the bike I got had been an 1100, it would have cost probably 6 grand rather than the five I paid.

Here it seems to be a perception thing, you must be a bit of a woose or girls blouse or otherwise sexually inadequate, if you ride the smaller engined option of almost any motorcycle. <shrug>

The motor spins very nicely and smoothly, and has, in the words of the Rolls Royce adverts, "adequate" power.

regards,CrazyCam