BMW R1200R R1150R/T F800 K1200R R1100R/T R1250R RnineT Message Board

Warning... dumb question...

I've owned my R1150R for a few years now and I've never heard of nor seen a R1150RS. Now I'm seeing a few used ones pop up.

What is the story of this bike?

They are loved by many, as much as we love our R's, but their resale value is in the dirt. Helluva deal, though, for a used one.

The next one to sink in value is the poor R1200ST. A superb bike but to get one now, you have to specifically order it, which means it is on its way out. Mostly due to that radical headlight design which, according to ST owners works GREAT. Just looks funny.

IMOP A great looking MC, a friend of mine just bought a used one, I am not sure of all the differences, a more aggressive riding position, a small fairing, about 10 more HP, fuel gage, I wish I had taken a harder look at them when I was buying, Den

mnnden wrote:IMOP A great looking MC, a friend of mine just bought a used one, I am not sure of all the differences, a more aggressive riding position, a small fairing, about 10 more HP, fuel gage, I wish I had taken a harder look at them when I was buying, Den

I had two of them. A '95 and an '02. Great for twisties also did a ten day two up trip along the Blue Ridge. Great bike and IMO very comfortable.

A few differences. I test rode the R and RS back-to-back before I bought. I have a weakness for naked bikes, although the RS would've been a better deal. The RS was eventually replaced by the R1200ST, which is a great bike too.

Here are the differences that I know of:
The seating position is a little more aggressive than the roadster.
It has the slightly higher HP motor from the RT (less low end grunt)
It uses the full sized left case, and a top case without any modification
It has an adjustable seat (three positions)
small fairing for minimal wind protection (the windscreen is manually adjustable)
RID (Rider Information Display) - basically a fuel gauge, oil temp gauge and gear indicator
I think the grips were adjustable

I think overall a good bike for some distance, and still capable in the turns. I'm not sure that they were a big seller, kind of like the ST is now. I think the front fairing/headlight design was a bit dated (looking) when I was buying, and I love naked bikes. There have been times I wouldn't have minded riding an RS.

When my wife and I replaced our F bikes, she got an R and had it lowered and I got an RS. I typically rode a lot in the winter and I wanted the better wind protection & more hp is always good. That was in 04. I recently traded mine in and I am restoring her R to somewhere between a Roadster and a Rockster for my personal ride. We don't travel as much due to owning our own business and she is interested in a Suzuki Burgman scooter. I loved the RS. It still is one of the most stylish and beautiful bikes around. The h/l is a little dated and I added some PIAA driving lights as well, but it is still a great bike. I'd take the look of the RS over the ST anyday and apparently so did a lot of prospective ST buyers...
Bert

A few years ago I got a low mileage R1150RS as a loan bike when my K75 was in for service at Rainbow. When I hit 90 mph in 4th overtaking I realised it was FAST. Totting up the extras fitted made me realise also that it was very expensive as well. Still - I did by my R1150R a few years later from the same dealer.

I just rode an 02 R1150RS yesterday. I own a 02 1150R. The RS was smoother and the clutch/shifting was smoother. I know the RS is tweaked a bit for more power but can't understand why its smoother- esp. the shifting. I run Redline Heavy shock proof tranny fluid in my bike which actually helped a bit but after riding this RS I feel a bit dissapointed in my R.

I've owned two R-RS. A 2000 R1100RS and a 2002 R1150RS. These are beautiful bikes and the handling is a little bit better than the upright seated R with more weight being placed over the front wheel. The riding position is quite a bit more "leaned forward" especially with the handle bars set in the forward position.

During the last 10 or so years, the RS hasn't even been in BMW-USA catalogs. When I bought mine in 2000, it wasn't even shown on the web site. Less than 200 were imported into the USA during that year.

As far as smoothness and responsiveness, those two bikes can't hold a candle to the 04 R1150R Rockster I currently have. I believe dual spark and a much nicer transmission have something to do with this. If I could have found a used 04 R1150RS rather than my Rockster, for the same $$, I would have bought it in a heartbeat.......

2002 R1150RS


2000 R110RS
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I assume the oil coolers are in there...somewhere on the 02

I'm an R1150RS rider & I reckon the ideal is the RS with a rockster or R handlebar to get a slightly higher ride positon..

Hughey

zooomart wrote:I assume the oil coolers are in there...somewhere on the 02

Oil cooler is hidden inside of the fairing below the headlight. I own an '02 RS and now an '04 Rockster. I like the RS, having put 35K+ miles on it since new, with three nearly 1000 mile days in the saddle!! My wife will enjoy the Rockster for its more upright seating position and weird but unique paint scheme!!! Citrus Green with matching colored wheels!

You RS riders....

talk about the rubber mounted handlebars.

Noticeable? Good at vibration dampening? Any soft or vague feel when cornering hard?

THX

GTR ..

unless the bushes are shot you wouldn't really tell the difference. There are minimum handle bar vibes as per normal, I guess.

Oldies may remember that some bikes like Suzuki had rubber mounted handle bars even in the early 70s.

Hughie
R1150RS '01