R1150R for First Street Bike

[tipstall]

Guys, neat site with what looks to be lots of good info. I did some reading and also I'm very impressed with the lack of name calling and arguements you see at some other boards.

I looked for a while and did not see anyone ask this question, (I'm sure it's there). I have been riding dirt bikes for years and bought an XL250 used to get some street time with the thought of getting a new XR650L. The BMW F650GS caught my eye. When I was at the dealer I saw the R1150R and fell in love. What a get looking bike. I also thought a $10M dirt bike was a little stupid to ride around with my son on his XR100.

I can always get a dirt bike to ride with my son and wanted to spend more time riding on the road. The XL tought me that dirt bikes with headlights don't handle the best on the road.

Is the R1150R a good general bike? I live in the Chicago suburbs and will be taking short rides under an hour to just have fun, run around town and relax. What are the bikes strong points? Any weak areas? I love being able to ask this here as my friends all are Harley riders and I can't ask them.

Thanks for the help.

[DJ Downunder]

will be taking short rides under an hour to just have fun, run around town and relax

"What are the bikes strong points?"...that's about it... ...add to that long all day rides with ease.

Welcome and congrats on the new bike...what color...what year is it?

Is the R1150R a good general bike?

Yes...the best...

DJ

[rph802]

Hey,

I hadnt even ridden a dirtbike in almost 20 years when I got my R1100R. Took the MSF course and just rode in my skill level. It looks huge and can be a pig to handle at least until you get upto about ohhhh. 2 mph or so!!

IMHO,
Strengths:
Do it all bike, sporty in the twists and load it 2up with cases and a screen and go cross country if you want.
FUN FUN FUN!!!
Totally customizable with aftermarket parts to fit your ergos
Just twist the throttle and smile
Even a mechanical idiot like me can do a lot of the maintenance at home and its fun!!
Engine will last forever (forever and 2 days with perfect maintenance)
It's not a H-D!! (Sorry man I had to!!)

Cons:
When you do have to take it to the dealer, be prepared to with a small home equity loan.
Higher initial cost (but the bike will last forever, can pass it along to your kids!!)

Craig

[yjleesvrr]

tipstall - If you are a careful sort of person with a reasonable amount of physical strength and are over 5'5", then this bike is a plausible choice as a first road bike. I wouldn't recommend it with enthusiasm however, as it is a bit tall and is not the lightest bike around.

[tipstall]

tipstall - If you are a careful sort of person with a reasonable amount of physical strength and are over 5'5", then this bike is a plausible choice as a first road bike. I wouldn't recommend it with enthusiasm however, as it is a bit tall and is not the lightest bike around.

Guys thanks for the input. I'm 6" 190 lbs so the size seemed OK to me, (still alot more than a dirt bike). I looked at some used ones and think I would go new, silver or red. It seems to me that these bikes hold their value, is that true? I like the fact that the stock bike needs no changes other than maybe the seat. Some other bikes seem like you need to spend $$ to just get to enjoy them, (from what I've read and friends).

[Boxer]

tipstall, sounds like it may be a bad choice for you. I mean, all your buds ride Harleys. They won't want you around anymore, because you will always be wanting to ride instead of hanging out at the bars and such. That's what this bike does to you! You may find yourself running a simple errand that normally would take you about 10 minutes and 2 miles of riding, taking a much longer time. This could have ill effects on your marriage as well...Are you married?...If you are, she's gonna be jealous. When you aren't riding you will be hanging out on this board looking for ways to "uniquefy" your new "baby" or just seeking advice on special oils and tires. This takes a LOT of time away from you-know-who! Not to mention the money you will squander buying "things" that you must have!....and those long tours to far-off places. Hmm, mmm, mmm!!

Watch your step here pal! Trust me. I've been there.

[srosenfeld]

I think that the R1150R is a great first road bike. I also live in the Chicago suburbs and commute to work in the city on it almost every day during the spring and summer. It handles well, is well-balanced, does well in traffic, and is great on not-so-perfect roads (and in the rain). I have two other bikes that I love to ride, but for around town, the R1150R is the best. It is simply a great all-purpose bike. In addition to short (50 mile round-trip) rides around town, I have ridden it to Colorado and through the Rockie mountains.

Also, I wouldn't worry about the weight. I am 5'9 and 180 lbs and have never had any trouble with the weight of the bike.

[socalrob]

With your dirt bike experience & size I think the RR should be ok as a first street bike. IMO, the only drawback is that if you got a lighter bike you could get some confidence with wheelies & power slides, two things I'm not attempting on my RR, but did on my dirt bikes.

It is controversial, but I like the ABS brakes for road use as a new street rider. If you panic you can haul down on that front lever & at least theoretically not worry about locking up the front wheel. Look up some lengthy past threads on ABS.

I got my son a CRF80 & myself an XR400 this past year. Its alot of fun, but I only get the XR into about 2nd gear following my son. Even though the XR is yesterday's technology, has more power bone stock than this 47 year old needs in the dirt.

The RR's loose a bunch of $$ the first year, look on ebay & there are good 2 spark (they may surge less) models (2004 & newer, I think) with ABS, cases, & sport shield for about $7,500.

Of course, I bought mine new, & there is something nice about new if you don't mind the $$ lose.

A new model R1200R should be coming out in 2006. Will be faster, lighter, better gas mileage, & all around better. At least I hope so.

[tipstall]

Thanks for all the replys.

I have been reading about the "new" R1200 here. Tell me what you think about these points.

1.) $11,000 seems pretty cheap for a BMW, what will the 1200 cost?

2.) I love the looks of the current bike. What will the new one look like?

3.) First model year. I 3 times have purchased 1st model year cars, 2 turned out to be big problems.

4.) Going with #1, availability.

5.) I don't have a street bike. With the warn summer we had there is a lot of fall riding available and my calandar is opening up.

[tipstall]

I forgot to mention a reason to get a new bike.

[dans58]

After a 20 year period with no bike, I got back into riding again last year. My "get back into riding" bike was a ZR7S Kawasaki (750 CC and about the same weight as the R1150R).. I bought it and rode it for 2,000 miles. Then I traded it for an 2004 R1150R. My reason for going with the Kawa was that I assumed that after 20 years of not riding, I would probably drop it once or twice and it would be a lot cheaper to fix the Kawa than the BMW.. Well it never got dropped.
The BMW is a great bike. As you have been riding dirt bikes, I think that you'll be fine going with it as your first road bike. The one thing to watch with the RR is the throttle control and engine torque at slow speeds. In a slow turn situation, if you let off the throttle suddenly, it's almost like hitting the brakes. I found that it took me a while to get used to the engine torque/braking.

[DK]

I live in the northwestern Chicago suburbs and bought my '04 RR this year. I really love this bike. I've been on every back road I could find this summer and when I see the "curves ahead" signs, this bike shines. I tell everyone it will go as low in the curves as you have the nerve to take it! I also took a trip to Southern Ohio on it, a little over 500 miles. I actually did 600 miles in one day and it was fine. I don't think you'll go wrong with this machine. BTW, where have you looked, Chicago BMW? That's where I got mine.

Good luck.

DK

[tipstall]

I live in the northwestern Chicago suburbs and bought my '04 RR this year. I really love this bike. I've been on every back road I could find this summer and when I see the "curves ahead" signs, this bike shines. I tell everyone it will go as low in the curves as you have the nerve to take it! I also took a trip to Southern Ohio on it, a little over 500 miles. I actually did 600 miles in one day and it was fine. I don't think you'll go wrong with this machine. BTW, where have you looked, Chicago BMW? That's where I got mine.

Good luck.

DK

DK,

Where in Chicagoland? I live in Lakewood, (Crystal Lake). I met Peter today at Chicago BMW, he is the one who got me going on the R1150R vs the GS, great guy.

[DK]

You're not going to believe this; I live in Crystal Lake. By Lundahl school.

DK

[tipstall]

I'm on Redtail. Way too funny how close you are. I'm getting ready to do this. The next big question, ABS yes/no.

Do you have kids? Mine will go Bernotas next year.

Ken Massett

[tipstall]

Tipstall,

If I were king, I would make it mandatory for everyone who rides a street bike to start out riding in the dirt. The transition from dirt to street is relatively easy, going the opposite way is not.

For one of your questions - first model year, all I can say is NEVER AGAIN. The two worst machines I’ve had (for repair that is) were first model year BMW’s. Did I say NEVER AGAIN?:evil:

By the way, I live in Lake Bluff, just on top of srosenfeld, East of Crystal Lake, home of you and DK, and about 1/2 mile from Mike Abt - the General Manager of Chicago BMW and an all around good guy.

Even when I lived in Alaska I bought machines from him. I used to mechanic for his father when the only BMW bike dealer in the Chicago area was ABT motors. When I went to school in Kentucky, I bought my new BMW’s from his dad. In 9 months I'll be leaving Illinois and moving to our home in Florida; where will my wife and I buy our machines - Chicago BMW and Mike. Everyone who works there is a good egg; parts, service, and sales.

Just my two cents worth,
Frank

I meet Mike and Peter today. Peter took the time and listened to me being a none rider and recomended the R1050R. I think this is my bike. What was the your experience with Barrington BMW? How about Rockford and Geneva?

[Bones]

FGanger for King. Long live the king!

My first bike as an adult was an R850R and within a month I bought the 1150R. I am small (5'7") and found that while the 1150R is no feather, it is very well balanced. As a do it all bike for the needs you describe, there might not really be a better bike out there. Wanna then go do a thousand mile weekend? You still have the right bike.

Go for it.

Will the 1200R (if there ever is one) be lighter and more powerful? Yes. And it won't be a first model year, really, as the 1200 platform will have already been used for the RT, ST, and GS for at least three full runs of production Half year runs, as I understand it).

I say, go for it.

[greer]

I've never hesitated to buy a well-maintained used BMW. Lots of the used bikes out there still have warranty. Good luck, Sarah

[machew01]

It sounds like the Chicago riders are getting it going here. Get yourselves together for a group ride and enjoy those Roadsters together. We mid-Atlantic riders have built some good friendships around this amazing piece of machinery. Northern Illinois and southern Wisconsin in the fall, what a great place to ride.


mac

[RandyRandy]

I'm in the southwest Chicago 'burbs... Downers Grove.

It would be fun to do a group ride around southern Wisconsin. That's where the nearest hilly twisties are, right?