Looks like I'm joining the R1150R club

[cmann]

Hi,

I made a deal on a black 2004 R1150R today. I'm giving $8000. Has 15,000 mi. It is the ABS model and has the hard bags, rear carrier, a tank bag, and a handlebar lift kit thing that pushes the handlebars back and up. Even has a termometer on it!

Would like to get one of those Stealth back rests. Anyone know where to get one cheap?

Back to the bike: I think this is an acceptable price, especially with all of the extras on it. If I'm way off here, let me know! Probably could do better if I was patient and waited. They have an 02 with only 5000 mi. at the same dealer for $5995. I may end up buying it instead!

I should be bringing it home Saturday if it looks good when I get there (I haven't seen it first hand yet -- a friend looked at it for me and said it was really clean).

I really hope I like this bike. I started riding 1.5 years ago. My first was a Honda Shadow Aero 750, then I got a Honda VTX 1300. These are good bikes -- no complaints, really. I did, though, have to buy aftermarket seats for the Hondas because my butt would burn badly on the stock seats. I hope the BMWs have better seats. . . We'll see. Anyway, I just fell in love with the r1150r, and from what I've read, I think it'll be more what I want in a bike that the honda cruisers were. Basically, I want to be able to do lots of things (from long tours, to twisties, to commuting). Seems like it'll do all of those pretty well. I hope I've found my last bike (for a good while at least -- otherwise, my wife is going to kill me).

Best,
Casey[/img][/url][/list]

[Rootin55]

Congratulations. Where in Texas? The Woodlands here. I would get the 02 and use the savings for an aftermarket seat, among other things.

[DJ Downunder]

Congrats Casey...I'm sure you're going to love it no matter which one you end up getting..it may even come down to which color you prefer..welcome aboard.

DJ

[crashfaster]

I'm still new to the cult as well, but I can assure you...you won't be sorry. I have owned nothing but Japanese bikes for the last 12 years, and my R1150R is by far the best motorcycle I have owned. It has character, it has guts, it's comfortable and well thought out. I'm able to enjoy the ride without worrying about how much my @$$ hurts, or excessive shifting because all of the power is at rediculous RPMs.

[iowabeakster]

don't get your hopes up for a comfy seat.

buy it, buy it, buy it
ride it, ride it, ride it
love it, love it, love it

but hell, i'm kinda biased

[johno]

We all are!!
Go for it, you wont regret it. Model depends on what options you want.
If you want to do a lot of touring, then the later one maybe it, as it has all the luggage with it.
Way up the costs of these extras, versus the older one.
Whatever, dont hesitate, it maybe sold.

[wncbmw]

Welcome to the collective!

I think you will find either bike one of the most versitile, do-everything machines out there and will love it.

The '04 is a twin spark, which has less of the famous BMW surge problem but my '02 has none and runs great. Not much difference in the two if they are similary equipped, other than that.

[cmann]

Thanks for the friendly welcome.

I'm in the Tyler area, Rootin55.

The 02 is tempting at the price and milage. It has no extras, though, and is a couple years older. The 02 and 04 are both black and look virtually identical. The 04 also has a touring windshield I forgot to mention. The 02 is a little more scratched up and worn looking too, but not bad.

I may end up getting the 02 anyway -- we'll see. I think it is a wash money wise. One thing I'm sure of is that come Saturday I'm going to be riding an R1150R!

My wife rides too. If she likes this bike, I may end up with two of them.

Can't wait to take it to the Rockies, Ozarks, and Apalacians. Should be a little more fun than the cruisers.

Casey

[mcmarcia]

Hello, I am new to the site as I just bought an 1150r. I paid $9K for an 04 about 6 weeks ago via sleezebay from a private owner. Mine has hard bags and tail rack and lots of accessories and carbon fiber stuff. Had 6k miles on the dial. I was able to get all the warranty stuff transferred thru BMW so I have thru next year or until 36K miles of coverage. If you choose the 04, I would work that into the deal, that the dealer includes the warranty that is left on the bike (if any). I think the prices are good for either considering it is a dealer price. Get the dealer to agree to do a 12K checkup for either bike, so you know you get a bike that has fresh fluids, plugs, valve adj, CS, etc. Chances are the brake and clutch fluid in the 02 bike has never been changed out (rough appearance=poor maintenance) and it appears that should happen every 2 years from what I have read. I priced the brake bleed at a 3 hour job at $70 to $85/hr. I bet the dealer knows some of the history of the bikes and can/will provide you with a vin inspection for no cost to you. Do some homework and I bet you will find some info to help you make a good choice.

If you want the extra stuff, bags (single keyed) and such, the 04 might be the better choice, but the 02 seems like a deal.

I love my bike and have put over 4k since I got it. Going to Austin next week to visit my Bro and then Big Bend Park. Yes I vote you buy one or both so you and the wife can be at peace with it all. Cheaper by the dozen I hear.

[ebiker]

Hi, I made a deal on a black 2004 R1150R today. I'm giving $8000. Has 15,000 mi. It is the ABS model and has the hard bags, rear carrier, a tank bag, and a handlebar lift kit thing that pushes the handlebars back and up. Even has a termometer on it!

Would like to get one of those Stealth back rests. Anyone know where to get one cheap?

Back to the bike: I think this is an acceptable price, especially with all of the extras on it. If I'm way off here, let me know! Probably could do better if I was patient and waited. They have an 02 with only 5000 mi. at the same dealer for $5995. I may end up buying it instead!

I should be bringing it home Saturday if it looks good when I get there (I haven't seen it first hand yet -- a friend looked at it for me and said it was really clean).

I really hope I like this bike. I started riding 1.5 years ago. My first was a Honda Shadow Aero 750, then I got a Honda VTX 1300. These are good bikes -- no complaints, really. I did, though, have to buy aftermarket seats for the Hondas because my butt would burn badly on the stock seats. I hope the BMWs have better seats. . . We'll see. Anyway, I just fell in love with the r1150r, and from what I've read, I think it'll be more what I want in a bike that the honda cruisers were. Basically, I want to be able to do lots of things (from long tours, to twisties, to commuting). Seems like it'll do all of those pretty well. I hope I've found my last bike (for a good while at least -- otherwise, my wife is going to kill me). Best, Casey[/img][/url][/list]

IMHO, forget the 2002 bike. Having owned a 2005 Roadster, I would suggest you go for the '04 with twin spark and 6sp transmission. Have dealer show you the service records (booklet) on the bike that PROVES the 6K and 12K scheduled maintenance were performed at a BMW DEALER. Also, have dealer PROVE that ABS recall was done. Bike may still be under 3 year 36,000 mile factory warranty.

Service records? No service records?

And ROADTEST the motorcycle BEFORE you negotiate the price.

Yes, you can be secure in your feeling that Ebiker doesn't have much faith in MOST motorcycle or car dealers, with one exception---Iron Horse BMW in Tucson is one motorcycle dealership I do trust.

[dwayne]

Casey, all that I will add is to be vigil of checking your oil consumption for the first little while until you establish your bikes appetite for oil, if any. Just to be on the safe side. I too use to ride Japanese bikes, and if you're like me checking oil on those bikes is done at the time you do an oil change. The R bikes do seem to have a taste for oil, not necessarily a bad thing but it is something you should be aware of. I've been told that a motor that is designed to burn a little bit of oil should technically outlive a motor that doesn't. Like I said not necessarily a bad thing, just something you may not be expecting.

[Lobo1625]

Welcome to the club! Regarding your question about a backrest, there was a thread about alternatives to the Stealth a while ago here. http://www.r1150r.org/board/viewtopic.php?t=7193 Depending on your skill and resources you could make your own as I have or watch for one to come up on eBay or the 'For Sale' area of R1150R.net. Be assured whichever bike you pick, you won't be disappointed.

[Lion_Lady]

Hi,

...Would like to get one of those Stealth back rests. Anyone know where to get one cheap?...
Best,
Casey

Ummm. Not likely to happen.

Welcome to the insane assylum!

P

[priapismic]

Welcome aboard, Casey. I think you're gonna love your Beemer, no matter which one you buy. One word of advice from one who has Been There: save some money in your budget for a replacement seat. I absolutely HATED mine, it was very first thing I changed. Followed by a peg lowering kit. Then a fairing and windshield, Hyper Lites, engine guards, bar backs, GS handguards .... Geez, the list could just go on and on.

Gimme a shout via PM one of these days after you take delivery of your new toy, I'm in Wood County, just north of Tyler. I can get you hooked up with a couple of local BMW clubs and a really friendly internet bunch from TwoWheeledTexans.com who meet monthly for dinner in a revolving location (next week in Canton), and I can show you some of my favorite twisty stomping grounds out in the hills and piney woods of East Texas.

[munchmeister]

As everyone has said, you're gonna love the RR, especially if you are coming from a cruiser and want to ride twisty roads. Get the 04 with the luggage, which has the dual spark plugs. And the touring screen is probably something you'd want down the road.

I got one in April, purchased from a good friend, and have just loved having the wide power band, ABS brakes, and great torque. I never want to get off the thing. I've got a $20 beaded seat cover that worked quite well recently on a 2900 mile trip but seats are very much a matter of personal need and preference.

Happy, happy RR owner.

[cmann]

Well, I can't wait. I'm going to get it tomorrow. My BMW mechanic friend (really, he worked in a BMW shop for a few years) is going along.

It's a five hour drive back home, so I should know by tomorrow evening if this R1150R is all it is cracked up to be! All of you people can't be wrong

[dwayne]

Well, I can't wait. I'm going to get it tomorrow. My BMW mechanic friend (really, he worked in a BMW shop for a few years) is going along.

It's a five hour drive back home, so I should know by tomorrow evening if this R1150R is all it is cracked up to be! All of you people can't be wrong

I wish you a safe and happy journey...just try not to grin so much on the ride back that your teeth are turned into an insect gravyard.

[Brady]

Just purchased a 2002R1150R, blue, hard bags, fly screen, 4500 miles in perfect condition. Paid $5,000 to a private owner. He hasn't riden in a year so I need to get everything checked/drained/flushed etc. My question is this. The closest BMW Dealorship is a good 1.5 to two hours away, while the is a motorcycle repair shop a quarter mile from my house. Would you trust a non-BMW Dealor to work on it or is it worth the time to take it to the dealor?

Thanks for your help, I love the Bike!

Brady

[priapismic]

Just purchased a 2002R1150R, blue, hard bags, fly screen, 4500 miles in perfect condition. Paid $5,000 to a private owner. He hasn't riden in a year so I need to get everything checked/drained/flushed etc. My question is this. The closest BMW Dealorship is a good 1.5 to two hours away, while the is a motorcycle repair shop a quarter mile from my house. Would you trust a non-BMW Dealor to work on it or is it worth the time to take it to the dealor?

Thanks for your help, I love the Bike!

Brady

Has the guy ever worked on an Oilhead Boxer? On any BMW? Does he even have metric tools? Think about it: Do you really want someone learning on your new bike? If it starts and runs, and has air in the tires and oil is visible in the sight glass, then go ahead and ride it - gently - to the nearest dealer. Then contact me when you get up to full riding speed, and I'll introduce you to some BMW clubs and some cool internet friends who meet and ride in East Texas regularly.

[cmann]

The previous post wasn't from me. But, I did bring it home yesterday. It is a really, really nice bike. I'm pretty jazzed. I did 150 mi in one stretch on the way home. It is really smooth. I'll post a link to some pictures later.

I put it on the center stand last night. This morning I check the oil and there is no oil in the window. So I read some posts about the weird rituals for checking your oil level (which are inconsistent at best!).

I just took it out to warm it up. I put it on the side stand about 5 minutes ago. I think I'll go out now and put it on the center stand and see if the level is up. If not, I guess I'll add a little oil (but I'm a little nervous about it).

Casey