Potential R1150R Owner!

[PeTTey]

Hi Guys...just joined the group after taking an '05 R1150R out for a test ride today!

It was a little wierd since I never rode a BMW bike before..only Japanese Customs so turn signals, foot positions, etc were a little awkward at first but I got used to it fairly quickly.

One thing I did find a little offsetting (pardon the pun) was the sudden lurching to the right at lower speeds with the clutch in and while blipping the throttle.
I first thought it was gonna throw me off the bike since I had no idea what was happening! Even stopped in neutral, just giving a little gas twisted the bike like crazy. The dealer told me this was normal for a boxer engine and you just get used to it.

So, all of you gurus...what gives!!!!!!??????

I love the look of the bike but I did find it a little tougher to ride than my Honda Shadow at low speeds...I guess this is normal??????

Do I buy it??? It only has 12,500kms and is in pretty nice shape...asking $8500.00

[NAIAD]

S' truth, with a longitudinal crank and those big pistons a rocking motion is TOTALLY normal. Guzzi's do the same thing. Something you get use to in a fairly short time. I rode mostly Japanese 4 cylinder machines, then Ducati's for a few years, so the Beemer dance was bit new to me as well.

As to a good deal...no opinion as prices vary quite a bit by region and time of year. Prime riding "season" in some areas is starting to slow down, so would expect prices to drop slightly in a few months. You don't indicate where you live, but I suspect Canada since you quote price in $ and odometer reading in Km. So that makes any feedback I could give practically worthless.

But heck, my advice is usually worthless anyway! Perhaps in a future post for other riders you could tell us your vicinity and then you might get some 'real world' price feedback.

Ciao! Bill J.

PS. Though I now ride an R1100S, the '50R I owned was absolutely one of the most versatile and best bikes I EVER owned in 40+ years. Don't think you'd be disappointed if the performance envelope fits your riding style!!!

[jeremell]

The 1150R is a super fantastic bike, the best BMW of several that I have owned. It is very versitile. I use it for spirited back roads riding and for long distance touring (including Iron Butt rides). I highly recommend it.

[sjbmw]

If the bike has ABS, it's in the ball park. If not, it's a tad high, according to Kelly Blue Book, but that's always a very rough estimate.

http://www.kbb.com/kbb/OtherVehicles/Pr ... earId=2005


The "piston pull" as my friend once called it, is not a big deal after 50 miles.

Be careful, you are being seduced.... the brakes and suspension, are hard to find on Pacific rim models.

[challey]

As you've discovered, this group is a bit biased when it comes to the R1150R.

Speaking semi-objectively, I can tell you that there are a lot of bikes out there with more power, some that are more comfortable, a few that handle better and maybe one or 2 with better brakes. The R is not the absolute best in any category you can name. What makes the R1150R (and for that matter, the R1200R) unique is that no other bike out there does everything as well. It is a complete motorcycle, able to do long distances, be a daily commuter, a weekend blaster and/or run errands - pretty much anything. There are very few machines with the kind of capable, real-world handling the R has and even fewer with better braking. If you're the least bit handy with a wrench, you'll find it's a very easy machine to work on.

As for the "lurching", it is a tad disconcerting at first but it's normal (and unavoidable) given the engine and crank layout and as NAID points out, not unique to BMW. As you probably discovered, it's completely unoticable once under way. The controls may seem a little quirky at first but, except for the horn, are actually placed well.

Bottom line: You can hardly go wrong with the R. Not sure the price you got is a bargain - I'd think that you'd be able to get the owner to reduce it somewhat since we're headed into winter.

Charlie

[hank]

Go for it.

The R1150R is an great all rounder I have used mine all year round through sun, rain, snow and floods to commute to work. I also use it for weekend rides, and with the panniers on we can carry home a weeks supermarket shopping or tour Europe 2 up with no problems.


Hank.

[PeTTey]

Thanks guys...I appreciate all the advice!
Hopefully, if I can sell my DANG Honda Shadow then I'll be on this discussion group as an owner and stop lurking as a wannabe!

Pete

[tkm]

My experience with the R is that it felt a little awkward in the beginning but has been the best bike I've ever ridden since I got used to its quirks.

[PeTTey]

On an '05 model, would you guys pay a bit more for ABS or save and go for the non-ABS model?
I read a few posts that people ended up spending close to 300 bucks just to DISCONNECT their ABS??????????

[CycleRob]

PeTTey,

Buying a bike should be more than it's looks, just like choosing a wife. Coming from a Shadow (1100?), it all depends 100% on the kind of riding you do -and- whether you or the BMW dealer services the bike. Here are your options:
(A)-Keep the Shadow or get a newer one.
(B)-Buy the 2005 R1150R
(C)-Buy a new R1200R

--If you're only doing slow city riding and short trips, I'd say (A).
--If you like the great handling, fantastic brakes, more power of the BMW and have a budget, then it could be (B).
--If you need a bike that's cheap to keep and you can do ALL the Beemer's service work yourself, it's definitely (B).
--If your bikes are always dealer serviced and ~$350 every 6,000 miles is OK with you, It's (B).
--If you're willing to spend over $13K "turnkey" for one of THESE and keep it for many tears, then it's (C) and there's no better choice.

I don't mean to dis the R1150R, but you need a dose of reality to temper the blind enthusiasm I also felt in 2001 when I bought my new R1150R. A big difference is that I knew everything about the machine and how to maintain it, without ever having to return to the dealer again. In over 61K miles, it has not been back. The Honda Shadow is an excellent, very low maintenance, high quality M/C. Unlike the R1150R, it will not overheat in traffic, need a valve adjustment or depreciate as fast.

.

[PeTTey]

"Brutally" honest, CycleRob...you are 100% correct though!!!!!
I currently do not do a lot of riding but mostly because I don't have too many pals that ride and that my wife finds the Shadow (750...sigh) very uncomfortable...not to mention a little underpowered.
I'm trying to justify whether or not a new bike will change all of that...I fell in love with the R1150R...not gonna lie...mostly because of the LOOKS at first (years ago) and I FINALLY rode one last week and am about 95% sold.
Now you REALLY messed me up...are the R1200R's THAT much better? There's a brand new '07 at the dealer that they're selling for about 10G's...no ABS. They also (hopefully) still have an '05 R1150R with panniers and a small windshield for $8500 CAN with about 13000kms.

I'd like to believe that I have the aptitude to do my own maintenance but must be honest and say I've never even changed my own oil on my bike...I could barely get to the filter!!??
I heard there was a .PDF manual floating around here somewhere...maybe that'll inspire me!?

Thanks again.....
Pete

[TicTac50]

"Brutally" honest, CycleRob...you are 100% correct though!!!!!

Thanks again.....
Pete

Somehow CycleRob is always CORRECT.
I have been reading his posts for years and could never did see anybody contradicting him.
Very wise man with tons of experience and great knowledge of motorcycles.
I wish I had his advise when I was buying my first BMW.
After 7 years and 80K of the ownership of R1150R Non-ABS, I would take an option "C" with an ABS.
I was in need of the ABS only few times. maybe more
I wish you will never need it and I hope you will always have it.
What ever you choose, you can not go wrong with the BMW.
Good luck.

[kantuckid]

The one thing you don't make clear is where the hell are you? You say kilometers and so the $8500 becomes a question mark for us all. Cyclerob is spot on, and I'll ad, that price varies considerably in proportion to your ability find a deal, which requires some no how,time and above all patience! I bid a 2005 R50R with some easy paint work that an "old guy like me had dumped and his wife made him sell it"bike on ebay a couple of years ago and got outbid by a guy from Iceland and it went for less than $6k with 500miles on the clock. These bikes are on ebay constantly as well as auto trader, plus the BMWMOA site has them(a bit high there as a rule) and the IBMWR site has plenty plus a bunch of other places like Craigslist and the classifieds. Back to my main point-where are you?

[PeTTey]

Oh...sorry. Someone already nailed it...I'm a Canuck!!
I moved back to Montreal after being in Toronto for ten years and found that there seems to be more BMW bikes here than anywhere else!!??

Sort of bad news...the '05 has been sold.

So...if I DO bite the bullet, is the R1200R a significantly better bike?
Is ABS the way to go on this model??
I won't bug you guys again...I promise!!

[gregor]

The R1200R is lighter- but better?
No beak and the oil cooler is awash with road grit and agricultural produce in UK conditions.

On the whole I am not inclined to change. Just done about 950 miles in all weathers last weekend and I love my R1150R!
But have a test ride.

[TBzz]

My sense of the R1200R is that it is really a very different bike than the R1150R. The 1200 is very light and gives the feel of an elegant sports bike. The 1150 is a lot heavier and feels much more substantial in that regard. I'm not sure which is superior. I own the 1150R and love it. Is the 1200R a cross-country tourer like the 1150? I don't think so. I bought my 04 1150 last spring with only 41 miles on it for $8,000. On Ebay. I thought I got a pretty good deal. But, with Ebay, you have to wait for the deal to come around. If you want your bike today, you have to pay your price. In either event, 8500 seems a bit pricey. The economy is tanking. Sellers won't get their prices. Wait him out.

[Tormentor]

Hi PeTTey,

I'm in Montreal too. I bought an '03 R1150R last year, with ABS, flyscreen, and system cases and I paid $9K. The bike had 7,500 Km and it was at the dealer (Moto Internationale). I use my bike every day (and almost every weekend) to commute and it's a fantastic bike. It now has 16,500 Km on it and it has been problem free. Maintenance is, I find, really easy to perform. I too come from a cruiser (V-Star 1100) and the contrast is remarkable. Way more torque, way more comfort and riding with a passenger is really more enjoyable.

it's true that I do see a lot of BMWs here as well. More GS than Beaksters though, but I still manage to race a few down the road from time to time...

If you can find one, around that price, I would say go for it! You won't be disappointed!

[marine dad]

i sold my latest harley 11 days ago because i wanted an 1150r. 2 of my best friends had em, and i had put off bying one for a couple of years. i was "watching" an '02 on ebay and had, in fact, talked with the owner twice on the phone. the minute i had money in hand from the sell of my harley, i ran in the house and clicked "buy it now". it had just had it's 12000 mile service, new gel battery, new metzler z6's, short windscreen, hyper lights, new givi top case, gps and/or radar detector mount. etc etc etc,... like NEW, $6000. there are some bargains out there if you really look for them. my only complaint is that i waited 2 years to buy an "R". 11 days and 900 miles later, i am addicted to this bike. one benefit i hadn't counted on is that after taking a spill with me on a bike in bermuda a few years ago, my wife refused to ride anymore. ( it wasn't my fault, they drive on the wrong side of the road over there ) my wife likes the r so much she has decided to start riding with me again.
so find yourself a bargain and go for it.
m

[PeTTey]

Thanks everyone...
the two that were available are now sold but I'll be patient and find one when the time is right!!!
Pete

[mnnden]

peTTey, You can't really go wrong with the "R" I have really enjoyed mine, BBBBUUUUUUUTTTTTTT!!!!!!! one does get a little tired of it's (BMW's) idiosyncrasies, I, for one, am really tired of it and have been looking at the st1300, or the Kawasaki C-14
and recently had the pleasure of taking a ride on a friends Bandit 1250, YES you read it right, BANDIT 1250, he has it outfitted with givi bags and it looks and runs great, and these bikes are selling at a bargain, before I jumped into the BMW I would take a hard look, JMOP Den