Pre-2004 models

[Guest]

I looking to buy a used R1150R and I understand about the dual plug models from 2004 forward.

The surging that you hear so much about bothers me some. Just how noticeable is it? Should I really be concerned about it?

Would, say, a 2002 or 2003 model with low miles be a good decision, or should I stick with a 2004 or newer?

Great info here.

Look forward to any info on the subject.

George

[Yewan]

George,

A lot depends on how you're going to ride it. I used to own a 97 R1100R that surged real bad at low speeds - and no amount of tinkering really got rid of it and if I'm honest this was the reason I traded it in. I love the boxer engine and the next bike I got - a 99 RT didn't surge at all (perhaps I was one of the lucky ones ). My current bike R1150R twin spark has also never surged and I love it . If you don't go for the twin spark get a good test ride to check for any surging.

Wayne

[Boxer]

Mine is an '03-built in July '02-and it has never surged...that I've noticed.

[tomski12]

My '03 never surged.

[gagator79]

I have an '02 here. No surging problems yet. Bike has 11K miles. Find an '02 with lots of accessories and fairly low mileage.

[dallara]

I've got a 2002 Atlanta Blue R-1150-R and it has never surged in the slightest, period.

Didn't surge when it was bone stock. Didn't surge when I added the BMC gauze air filter. Didn't surge when I replaced the catalytic converter with a Staintune collector box. And finally didn't surge when I fitted a Neptune muffler in place of the stocker.

Mine's only got one spark plug per cylinder, and it runs wonderfully.

I wouldn't worry about it...

Cheers!

Dallara

[arkline]

I'm going to suggest that, if you're looking at a single spark, you take it out long enough for the engine to warm up completely. Then try motoring on city streets at legal city speed limits while running 2500-3500 rpm, maybe slightly less, maybe slightly more. Try to maintain steady speed and a steady throttle. Try it in 500 rpm increments. If you get to a place where the machine starts to buck a bit or feels unnaturally unsmooth, it surges. If that bucking goes away, magically, at another 100 rpm, it is surging. What you do, once you have that information is up to you. There might be a Techlusion in your future...

[R1150RDave]

Mine is a 2001 single spark job and never surged in the 17,000 miles I have done of its 28,000 total miles.

Try before you buy. Go on urban and highway roads. If it feels ok, make sure if you buy the bike, it comes with a warrenty.

[GJBushman]

My wife and I own a 2003 1150R and 2002 1150GS, no surge in either of these bikes. We did have a 1996 1100R with a techlusion installed that had very smooth acceleration compared to the previously mentioned bikes. I'm not sure I could identify a surge problem anyway, never having experienced it.

[yjleesvrr]

Mine ('02) surged slightly in the first 15k miles. After that, it's hardly been noticeable.

The R1150RT with its higher-tuned engine has more of a reputation for surging.

Each bike is unique - be sure to test ride before you buy. As Arkline said, make sure you let the engine warm up enough and ride in the range he recommends on a level road with the throttle held steady to try to maintain speed.

[wncbmw]

My '02 does not surge at all, or at least not enough for me to really notice. I had a '98 GS that surged noticeably at about 3500 rpm.

On either bike, any surging, slight or otherwise was cured with a twist of the wrist!

[Leno]

I've had R1100R, R1100S, R1150GS and a R1150R. None of these bikes ever surged. Surging might not be a myth but it is in my view not as common as some people would have to believe.

There are differances in in the models the bigest change being from 1100 to 1150. The only way is to test a few to see which suits you. Being a bit old is not as much of a problem as a lot of other bikes.

[Guest]

Hi George, I don't want to be a rude brat, but I sure wish you'd go to Buy/Sell/Trade and take a look at my '02 for sale. I've put 6,000 miles on it and I've never noticed a bit of surge; and I get 50 mpg consistently. I think maybe some of those surging folks had their throttle body synch way off. Thanks, Sarah

[greer]

Sorry, George; that's me above. I always forget to sign in when I sneak and get online at work. Sarah

[rainmaker]

Like you I was worried about the surging issue, then I thought about it a bit, most of the bikes I've owned had some irritating problem some where in the rev range.
Had a 3 hour test drive on a RT1150 twin spark, never felt a surge, well not from the engine anyway. More concerned playing with the torque reaction at the traffic lights and the electric screen.

So even though I was looking for a problem I never found one.

Now proud owner with almost 6,000 miles..........love it.
Paul

[rdsmith3]

I have a 2002 and I do not have a surging problem.

I have occasionally had incidents of very slight "hunting". The last time this happened, it was bad gas. I put some Techron in the tank, topped it off with different gas, and rode it aggressively. That cured the problem.

this happens maybe once a year, but it is not a chronic condition.

You will do fine with a used 2002 model.