Should I buy?

[street bob 59]

I currently own a Harley 08 street bob, and am looking for something lighter and more maneuverable, better brakes, with an ability to turn, yet tour with if I want. And oh yes, reliability. Upright seating position wanted. That led me to this bike, and I am close to purchasing. I've sat on one and can make it fit ok, but no test rides around here. I am buying used, so I will probably ride what I buy, unless I get it far away and must ship.

Two questions please. 1. Am I on the right track for the kind of bike I described? 2. Is it true any BMW I buy would be a 50 state bike and easily registered in California, regardless of it's original state of registration?

Thanks in advance,
Ron

[MattPie]

I currently own a Harley 08 street bob, and am looking for something lighter and more maneuverable, better brakes, with an ability to turn, yet tour with if I want. And oh yes, reliability. Upright seating position wanted. That led me to this bike, and I am close to purchasing. I've sat on one and can make it fit ok, but no test rides around here. I am buying used, so I will probably ride what I buy, unless I get it far away and must ship.

Two questions please. 1. Am I on the right track for the kind of bike I described? 2. Is it true any BMW I buy would be a 50 state bike and easily registered in California, regardless of it's original state of registration?

Thanks in advance,

1. The R1150R is certainly capable of touring, I've put 500 mile days on mine with no soreness afterwards. The only comfort-related upgrade I made was a Sargent seat, but that was at least in part because it's a taller seat; my inseam is 33" and my knees would bother me after an hour or so. On the flip side, I've had my bike at track days a few times and it'll hang with the sport bikes in the corners but lose some ground in the straights. The brakes are top notch for all but really serious track usage. There are a few reliabilty issues with *some* bikes, look around the forum for 'final drive' and 'clutch spline', but those are fairly rare (<1% of bikes).

2. I believe the bike is 50-state legal, but I'm not entirely sure.

[Sunbeemer]

Welcome. You have come to the right place for entirely unbiased opinions

I wouldn't hesitate to buy one of these Roadsters again. In fact, I've decided to keep mine forever. This is the best handling, all-around machine I've ever ridden that exceeds any states standards, and was well ahead of its time for all bikes. With EFI, cat-coverter, O2-sensor-controlled fuel-metering, carbon-canister vapor-recycling and lean-burn programming for various countries (programmable via the "Cat Code Plug" (CCP), the bike complies with all current global emission standards. And that all makes the exhaust smell good too

To be fair, there have been a few niggling issues that are reasonably inexpensive to resolve with aftermarket parts readily available, including the fuel-line quick-disconnects cracking (replaceable with metal ones), the under steering-head over-tightened cable-ties (snip and replace with looser ones), and very few (<1% of bikes) transmission input-spline and final-drive bearing failures. You might want to search the archived threads of this forum for more details.

You would probably want to ride one to be sure the bike is not too high for your stance as they are somewhat taller than you may be used to, though if you're at least 5'7', it probably won't be much of an issue. You will notice the torquing of the longitudinal crankshaft, and soon become comfortable with it, even using it to your advantage in the twisties! And you will actively seek out twisties to press your luck in...don't worry, the bike is extremely capable (in fact, it is more competent at road-keeping than I am - a fact that has saved my butt more than once ) And when you exceed your margins, the brakes are just AWESOME! I call them "Think-Stops" - you just have to think about stopping and it stops ...even without the ABS (which I don't have). And once you hit them hard and are not thrown over the handelbars (thanks to the anti-diving unique telelever front suspension) you will never go back to sprung forks.

As far as riding home...I bought mine five years ago during Thanksgiving vacation 1000 miles from home when I found a deal too good to pass up and rode it home in 2 days. I still recall the bliss and adventure of that ride..for which I was totally unprepared; I had no riding gear with me, borrowed gloves and a scarf and wore everything I had! The bike fared far better than I did making that trip! It did make me realize how valuable those grip-heaters really are; I previously thought they were just a fancy BMW farkle! No, this is a bike that was built by riders, for riders; They knew what you'd need...


I say go for it - you can't go wrong; you'll never look at another bike and wonder how it rides...you just won't care; you'll know it can't compare.

[cswett]

I bought my 1150 almost a year ago and love it. My most extended experience with HD was renting an Electra Glide for a 4-day, 2-up tour of Idaho/Montana last summer, and the 1150 was way more fun to ride. I'm 5-5 and I was scared to death that I would drop the EG every time I came to a stop. My one gripe with the BMW is the seeming lack of a good, protective wind screen for long-distance riding. Judging from this forum, very few people seem happy with theirs, myself included.

[Hawkman]

Isn't the charcoal canister the put on especially for the CA emissions standard? I think that all BMW bikes are CA legal so long as they have the canister still attached.

BUY IT! You will not be disappointed!

[Mitchell]

I used to own a Harley FXRT. In comparison:
1. The R1150R handles much better
2. Both has similar torque for low RPM take-offs (although the R's engine breaking is more pronounced and still catches me unawares at least once a year on a downshift. The engine shutoff on the kickstand gets me at least once a year as well)
3. The R1150R has a similar upright sitting position, but the seat is much higher and the stock handlebars require a bit more of a lean
4. Both are great touring bikes (once I got bags and a windshield for the R)
5. The Harley sounds better (the R is very quiet)
6. Having to take of the tank to get to the battery on the R is a lousy piece of engineering design
7. My wife says the Harley was more comfortable as a passenger. She doesn't ride with me as much with the R. Is that a plus or minus?

I have no regrets about getting the R -- it is an amazing all-around bike. Go for it.

Mitchell

[TicTac50]

I got my first R1150R in 2001 (2002 model).
On the beginning of the last year I got an LT.
Last summer by accident, I purchased a 2004 R1150.
I still have my old friend from 2001 and every time somebody makes me an offer, I find the way not to sell it.
I think I will part with an LT before I let 2002 go.
You can not go wrong with R1150. It can be a tourer and it can be a bandit.
Good Luck.