Purchase Advice

[dac77]

Hello All,

I just joined the forum after reading several threads - looks like there is great info/help available here.

I'll get right to the point. I have the option to purchase a 2004 R 1150RT Police edition. It has 30K on it;
seems in great shape though I haven't ridden it yet. The asking price is $5400.

I have owned 3 different bikes over the years (2 Hondas, & 1 Yamaha). I am a complete NUBIE when it
comes to BMWs, and I am trying to educate myself on them. I just got through reading the thread by
"CycleRob" on lubing the transmission and drive shaft splines. All I can say is WOW! (I commend
"CycleRob" for the effort and write up).

I'm a believer in preventative maintenance but how often does this spline work need to be done?

What would be the cost if a shop did the work?

Also, is the ABS problems I've read about any more/less prevalent on a 2004?

Any advice at all (on any subject) would be much appreciated.

Thanks in advance

dac

[bikermeow]

Welcome to our part on the Web.

Can't say much about splines (although plenty had been said!).

I removed the ABS when it started giving me some grief. The bikes are getting to the stage when its value may not justify a replacement of the costly ABS. However, with the removal of the ABS, the servo brakes (a love/hate thing) also went, and in my books my bike's now conventional brakes have good feel and are firm.

The bikes are relatively easy to wrench. The BMW will have more character than the Honda / Yammies, but is likely to require more attention and care.

Cheers

[boxermania]

Generally speaking RTP bikes, due to their service, are better outfitted than the general public bikes, by the same token they see a more severe service but also a better maintenance schedule. I'm surprised at the low mileage on the one you are looking at, it must have been a spare, a training bike or that of the supervisor.

I don't know of your location, so I can't very well relate to the asking price but if you can request/verify the service history and the bike is clean the asking price is not too bad. I would put the price somewhere between $4800 and $5500.

Best of luck and welcome aboard.

[dac77]

Thanks very much for the info/advice. Unfortunately when I went to look at the
bike today, someone had put a deposit down on it 20 minutes before I got there.

Guess I'll keep my eyes open for another.

dac