the real pros of an R1150R?

[rclbaker]

Hello there,

My first ´real´ post and already a foolish question.

After 10 years of riding my R1100RS - > 150.000 km - through whole Europe, mostly with the wife (and commuting all alone) I want something different. But a beemer of course.

Roadtests are very enthousiastic about the R1200R. However, I do not like the model very much. The design is not my taste and the wife don´t like sitting behind me on this bike because of the height difference (she is roughly as tall as I am). All other actual BMW bikes are either too heavy (R1200RT), too high (R1200GS or F800GS) or too fast (the K´s) for my kind of riding.

The R1150R model is imho one of the most beautiful bikes BMW has made to date. And the pillion seat looks quite comfy!

To all the R1150R lovers who ride also with someone on the pillion: what are your compelling reasons to continuing to ride an R1150R instead of the R1200R (with much more power, lighter, etc etc)?

Thanks a lot for your wisdom!

Rob

[TonyT47]

About $12,000.00.
Cheers,
Tony

[Keppelj]

If you like how the 1150rr looks, sounds to me you are on your way to a decision. I'd find one, plunk down some cash and take it for a ride. Mind you, if you aren't familiar with riding the machine, you may not "get it" immediately. But seeking opinions here wont get you nearer a decision. Go check it out; spend time on the beast. Obviously this forum if full of pumped up enthusiasts.

[Grey Thumper]

To all the R1150R lovers who ride also with someone on the pillion: what are your compelling reasons to continuing to ride an R1150R instead of the R1200R (with much more power, lighter, etc etc)?

Uh, it's paid for ;D


I'm with you on the looks; I think the R1150R has more interesting design details (tank mounted radiators, telelever arm, variety of available colors, etc.) than the R1200R. However, it's hard to argue against an almost 40% better power-to-weight ratio. I think I'll eventually replace mine with some sort of boxer-powered roadster, but not anytime soon.

[grwrockster]

Apart from the money part of things, I'm another who thinks the 1150R is better-looking that the 1200R (apart from the lumpy front mudguard - I can never quite get used to that and reconcile it with the rest of the bike, but maybe I'm the only one).

Also, I know the 1200R is lighter, but to me it also seems more flimsy and 'plasticky' in places as well. I know that they've saved weight and that's good on the 12, but for me it's lost the robust feel of the earlier bike, which I like (can't have it all ways I suppose).

As for the power issue... well, I saw some power/torque curve comparison somewhere ages ago (think it was a magazine tech thing) between the then new 1200R & the 1150R. Yes the 12 made more, but it seemed only right at the upper end of the tach scale where most riders aren't spending any significant time on this style of bike - so the extra claimed oomph I'm not sure is actually all that noticeable/beneficial/accessible? (I place the ? cos I've only ridden a 2006 1200GS for a couple of hours, and it didn't feel noticeably better than my bike to me. Others may well know better).

As for 2-up... the 1150R seems to cope with pillions/luggage very well, and the torquey engine isn't fazed by lugging the extra kilos about - it doesn't seem to affect perfomance or economy a great deal.

Having said all that.... I actually own and ride a Rockster (with non-std GS Bars/H-Guards/Vario Screen, and you won't find a more 'Marmite' love it or hate it styled bike to polarise opinion than a Rockster ! My opinion though is that an R1150R (esp. in Black) is a very handsome and useable roadster. If you like it (and if you rode an RS there's a good chance you will, then why not?

[riceburner]

Having ridden nearly all 3 bikes in question: R1150R, R1200R, R1100RS (well R1150RS tbh), I have to say that I still prefer the R1150R of the 3 (my bike is a Rockster too).

As GWR says - the R1200R doesn't have the "planted-ness" of the 1150 series, nor will it trickle at low revs like the 1150. Don't get me wrong though, the 12 is a great bike, light, fast, well-handling. Personally I prefer the 1150.

Please don't take this the wrong way though, but having ridden an R1150RS, I'd go for quite literally anything else! I had one for a hire bike for a few days and even though it took the impact of a deer well, it was ergonomically one of the worst things I've ever ridden. I know this is all very personal, but the bars/seat/footpeg relationship was all wrong, the seat was like a plank of wood, the fairing seemed deliberately designed to funnel the wind and rain at my hands and the adjustable bars created a highly unpleasant vibration.

I applaud you for riding one as far you have, and can only say that if you haven't tried an R-R, try one as soon as possible!!

[sjbmw]

I have loaded up the R1150R with almost 700 lbs and ridden hundreds of miles 2 up. Still have stock shocks, but did have new FD bearings installed last year, so there is my new shocks.
2-up on a stock seat will make your gal angry in time. I recommend a Sargent Seat, and add a bead rider, if you plan on piling up the miles.

As far as the R1200R goes, I own my bike, and I'm broke with a kid going to college in 2 weeks.
(most compelling reason)

Also, I am not a fan of the post 2006 origami body styles on the BMW's. The R1150R looks like a road shark, and still turns heads at red lights.

If I added another BMW to the stable, it would be a 02-04 K1200GT, or a 1996 K1100RSA.

[Sunbeemer]

Welcome, rclbaker!
You came to the right place to get the answers you want to that question! The list of pro's for this bike is exhaustive, but my favorites are how fast it goes, how fast (and flat) it stops, and how fast it turns. It's fast enough to earn me some awards from our local LEO's and if it were any faster, I wouldn't have a license to ride...

The R1150R model is imho one of the most beautiful bikes BMW has made to date. And the pillion seat looks quite comfy!

You have excellent taste and are in good company...The "Art of the Motorcycle" show at the Guggenheim Museum in NYC exhibited the R1150R and it enjoyed a central spot in a stunning National Geographic article about that show.

To be fair, the pillion is not one of the pro's of the bike, but easily cured with an Airhawk cushion from Roho.

[hawkdad]

Yep.. you're right.. it's a beautiful bike..

IMHO the R1150R is really a great do it all ride. You can hit the canyons and zip thru them dragging your peg feelers, keeping up with the best of the sport bikes..
You can load it up and tour for days (done that quite a bit.. ) You can do your daily commutes, run around town.. with a couple system cases, you can stop at the store.. pick up a sixer, gallon of milk... even a big pork loin.. ( I put a Hepco Becker top case on!)

Solid under your butt.. but snappy enough to grin for days after riding in the twisties.

But everyone is right.. the saddle could use some attention. My gal LOVES.. ABSOLUTELY LOVES riding our R1150R (named the bike Mistress-Gulliver's Travels thing).... in fact over the last three weeks, my gal was railing on me to get the clutch fixed so we can RIDE!!!

As much as she likes being pillion, when we do multi day trips, her rear end needs breaks. A custom saddle will go a LONG way for you and her.

For more long distance stuff and better wind protection, we are looking at a R1200RT... but even if/when that comes.. I'm still keeping my R1150R. She's too sweet of a ride to give up

[rclbaker]

Thanks a lot for your replies. Feels always well getting some confirmation!
For touring purposes I am not interested in the additional power at higher revs of the R1200R. I always liked the´planted´ feeling of the R1100RS, so, I know where riceburner is talking about.

As far as I am aware the differences along all model years are quite small, with the exception of one or two sparks.
After two hours of searching in this forum: may I state that there is no real reason to prefer a twin spark?

Next week we will try a very well maintained R1150R (50.000km, ABS, 2001).

Cheers,
Rob

[Rog(UK) - Yorkshire Dales]

A couple of years ago I took my Rockster in for a full service and was given an R1200ST for the day. I was really inmpressed with the lightness and extra power of the bike (quite considerable to my mind) and I enjoyed putting in 150 miles during the day. Nice bike. I liked it a lot.

Later on in the day, I picked up my Rockster and the strangest thing happened as I pulled away; the broadest grin suddenly appeared on my face!!!! 'nuff said!

Rog

[Sunbeemer]

may I state that there is no real reason to prefer a twin spark?

I believe that was introduced to solve a surging problem, but there have been stick coil failures.

This is like the debate about ABS; is the solution worth adding complexity that decreases reliability?
I opted for the K.I.S.S. principle.

[sweatmark]

Roadtests are very enthousiastic about the R1200R. However, I do not like the model very much. The design is not my taste and the wife don´t like sitting behind me on this bike because of the height difference (she is roughly as tall as I am). All other actual BMW bikes are either too heavy (R1200RT), too high (R1200GS or F800GS) or too fast (the K´s) for my kind of riding.

The R1150R model is imho one of the most beautiful bikes BMW has made to date. And the pillion seat looks quite comfy!

To all the R1150R lovers who ride also with someone on the pillion: what are your compelling reasons to continuing to ride an R1150R instead of the R1200R (with much more power, lighter, etc etc)?

I agree with you about the design of R1200R versus the R1150R - strictly a matter of personal taste. But make this statement within the message board's R1200R section and expect a different type of answer.

Must humbly disagree about the perceived and objective weight of the R1200RT: the bike is <600lb per quoted specifications, and in combination with the much-improved 1200 motor (versus 1150), the bike possesses an impressive balance of handling, performance, utility, and comfort. My test rides of the R1200RT have been very convincing - if I rode two-up often and/or commuted daily on a bike, then the R1200RT would be my choice... and I'd keep a trackday crotch rocket in the garage for emergency purposes.

The R1150R, R1200R, and even the R1100R are certainly capable of two-up travel. FWIW, my regular moto travel friends ride two-up on a /5 carefully configured for rider and pillion comfort. But given a choice, I would select a bike with a fine balance of touring traits like the 12RT.

<edit> BTW my understanding is that the twin-spark 1150 motors initiated with Rockster model were BMW's response to Euro2 emissions regulations, not a response to "surging" complaints. The stick coils have proven to be unreliable (at least the early parts), and the two extra spark plugs provide no performance improvement over the single plug 1150s.

[riceburner]

Roadtests are very enthousiastic about the R1200R. However, I do not like the model very much. The design is not my taste and the wife don´t like sitting behind me on this bike because of the height difference (she is roughly as tall as I am). All other actual BMW bikes are either too heavy (R1200RT), too high (R1200GS or F800GS) or too fast (the K´s) for my kind of riding.

The R1150R model is imho one of the most beautiful bikes BMW has made to date. And the pillion seat looks quite comfy!

To all the R1150R lovers who ride also with someone on the pillion: what are your compelling reasons to continuing to ride an R1150R instead of the R1200R (with much more power, lighter, etc etc)?

I agree with you about the design of R1200R versus the R1150R - strictly a matter of personal taste. But make this statement within the message board's R1200R section and expect a different type of answer.

Must humbly disagree about the perceived and objective weight of the R1200RT: the bike is <600lb per quoted specifications, and in combination with the much-improved 1200 motor (versus 1150), the bike possesses an impressive balance of handling, performance, utility, and comfort. My test rides of the R1200RT have been very convincing - if I rode two-up often and/or commuted daily on a bike, then the R1200RT would be my choice... and I'd keep a trackday crotch rocket in the garage for emergency purposes.

The R1150R, R1200R, and even the R1100R are certainly capable of two-up travel. FWIW, my regular moto travel friends ride two-up on a /5 carefully configured for rider and pillion comfort. But given a choice, I would select a bike with a fine balance of touring traits like the 12RT.

<edit> BTW my understanding is that the twin-spark 1150 motors initiated with Rockster model were BMW's response to Euro2 emissions regulations, not a response to "surging" complaints. The stick coils have proven to be unreliable (at least the early parts), and the two extra spark plugs provide no performance improvement over the single plug 1150s.

I don't think anyone would even attempt to argue that the 1200s aren't a technically better bike, in pretty much all aspects. But, in my opinion at least, they lack a certain "personality" in comparison to the 1150s, which similarly are probably less characterful than the R100 series etc etc - technological progress often leaves "emotive" values behind in the chase for performance. For example, riding a '50s Brit single can be incredible fun (if likely not to last very long due to mechanical failure... )

[sweatmark]

I don't think anyone would even attempt to argue that the 1200s aren't a technically better bike, in pretty much all aspects. But, in my opinion at least, they lack a certain "personality" in comparison to the 1150s...

Wholeheartedly agree. Probably why we both ride R1150R Rocksters at present.

[DAQ421]

The R1150R is my 11th MC and my 2nd BMW (the first being a 97' Funduro 650)..

In all my years of riding I've never enjoyed a bike as much. It's composure on the road is amazing, and the build quality is like nothing I've ever ridden. Further, I have never had a bike attract so much attention. It's an 04' but it looks completely up to date, and I think it's hands down one of the most beautiful bikes ever..

-Peter

[rockstercliff]

I fell in love with the green Rockster at a bike show, when they didnt sell very well my local dealer was anxious to make an end of model year deal on one, and it is the only new bike I have ever owned. Borrowed a R1200R for a few days while mine was being serviced, and liked it OK, and it seemed a tad lighter, and maybe a tad peppier, but once I got my Rockster back, there is no way I would trade. It wasnt just the money difference, I enjoy the polarizing looks of the Rockster, and it does everything better than my old Airheads.

[sweatmark]

Instead of a new topic, I'll post this link here in "pros of an R1150R"... the thread in ADV shows the process of resurrecting an R1150* bike with 190,000 miles. Look how straightforward the tear-down and rebuild process can be, and then consider that R1150* bike parts will be available for some time to come, offering solid options for long-term R1150* bike ownership.

http://www.advrider.com/forums/showthread.php?t=723667

[peterbulgar]

My only quibble against the R1200R is the smaller gas tank compared to the R1150R. That and about $12k dollars of course... I think that the R1150R looks better, but who cares about that?

This summer I turned over 100K miles on my 2004 R and I still enjoy riding it. I still have the stock BMW seat (tall), which I find to be comfortable enough. However, I used to ride long trips with my skinny son as passenger and he complained bitterly about the stock passenger seat, and also the BMW "comfort" passenger seat replacement. A Sargent passenger seat was to his liking, and there were no further complaints - about seats anyway.
Peter 1973 R75/5, '04 BMW R1150RA, '06 Kawasaki EX500, '08 Suzuki DL6750A