[Kenneth_Moore]

I'm seeking comments on the BMW1150RT from current and previous owners. Maintenance and durability, overall satisfaction, useage, accessories and upgrades, etc. are the type of things I'd like to hear about, in addition to anything else you'd care to share.

Thank you!

 

[BrowningBAR]

I always liked the design of the model and the Beemers in general during this time period. It was a nice organic shape but with some fun retro fighter plain details in them.

Sorry, though. I've never been on one or was able to afford one at the time. I've got nothing for you, but, I'm guessing your asking cuz you found one at a good price. Well, Good luck, hope it works out.

Motorcycles are like guns; you have more than you need, but never as many as you want.

 

[seruzawa]

The earlier years had some tranny bearing problems in those early 6 speeds. You might want to check the BMW forums for more specific information. I do know that a friend bought an early 1150RT and had to have some of the bearings replaced.

 

[Kenneth_Moore]

This is the one I'm going to check out tomorrow. His price is about $1k over the NADA for it, the bike has 11k miles. He says he has had it serviced at the local dealer, so I can check on that. It's a neat looking bike, and it has the top case and a few other accessories.

 

[12er]

I was going to buy one but didnt fit on it, ended up with my k12rs instead. Hope that helps ya!

 

[BrowningBAR]

To big or to small? I'm assuming you mean ergos/footpegs.

 

[Kenneth_Moore]

Reviews -n- Stuff

The earlier years had some tranny bearing problems in those early 6 speeds. You might want to check the BMW forums for more specific information. I do know that a friend bought an early 1150RT and had to have some of the bearings replaced.

Thst could be quite valuable info. The one I'm seeing tomorrow is an '02, which I believe is the first year after the change from the 1100 series. There is an '04 that's a few grand more I may see too, but it's a couple of hours up the coast. If they had some "teething" problems in the early revisions I'd sure like to avoid them. Dropping a couple extra g's now could be money well spent.

I've been reading lots of reviews and the only consistent gripe I've heard is some minor FI issues. The reviews were mostly on '02's. Somebody at MO did a fairly high level review on one back about then. All the reviewers seemed to like the bike a lot overall, but then, they almost always do.

 

[Buzglyd]

Hey KM,

I've got quite a few miles under my belt on one. The later models don't have the surging problems of the earlier ones. Great bike to put major miles on. Super plush suspension. They handle better than you think as well.

I don't know what you're looking to spend but I've got a buddy in MN who's looking to sell his (I think it's an '05). He wants to buy a K1200LT.

His is metallic red and it's in great shape with a top case and fancy seat.

 

[Buzglyd]

To big or to small? I'm assuming you mean ergos/footpegs.

Ha! 12er is a gigantor. His foot is about the size of my leg.

 

[BrowningBAR]

Oh yeah! Now I remember the thread where we commented on his shoes could act as water skis!

 

[longride]

My comment would be to skip the Beemer and go buy the Connie 14.

 

[Kenneth_Moore]

Hey KM,

I don't know what you're looking to spend but I've got a buddy in MN who's looking to sell his (I think it's an '05). He wants to buy a K1200LT.

His is metallic red and it's in great shape with a top case and fancy seat.

The prices I'm seeing range from $8k to $12k. I'll forward you my email in a PM and you can send it to him. The LT is that mega-tour thing, right? That I posted the photo of? Guess he's going for the luxo-tour mode.

I looked the the 1150RT today. It was in average condition at best, especially to have only 15k miles. It really fits me well, but the kid hates it! It's not like he's going to pick the bike, but having him ride along is a big deal for me, and part of the reason I'm ok with selling the LR.

On the way home from Palm Beach we were zooming down the Turnpike at 90 on the Concours and I actually started wondering if maybe...maybe, I should give the 14 another look or three. I'm going to check the Kawi website and see if I can find a demo ride. I mean just because it will do the 1/4 mile in 10 seconds it doesn't mean I HAVE to ride it like that. RIGHT???

 

[sarnali2]

Sorry I'm late here.....I had an '02 R1150RT for a bout a month before I unloaded it. The surging issue is annoying but it's an easy fix, BMW uses's plug in relays to tell the EFI which program to use, pink I believe is the leanest and the one that causes surging, green is for Canada and UK, in Europe they don't use one at all and the service manual shows the electronics tray w/o a relay in place. The cure is to pull the relay out and the FI programming reverts to a richer setting eliminating the surge.

What annoyed me the most was the electronic assist interlocked braking. I'm all for ABS but with system in place on the '02 it's a major learning curve to ride smoothly with it. It was pretty much an all-or-nothing set-up, I thought it totally sucked.

One more issue with the '02's I gleaned from a BMW Sport Touring web site was wiring harness issues relating to the '02's, appearently the harness could rub through and short out, cooking a number of very expensive little plastic boxes.

I think the '02 was fairly unique being the first year and all but I'd be pretty leary

 

[Kenneth_Moore]

Urk!

Sorry I'm late here.....I had an '02 R1150RT for a bout a month before I unloaded it.

I think the '02 was fairly unique being the first year and all but I'd be pretty leary

Actually, I think you're right on time! F that noise, I don't need another headache. The whole idea of unloading the high-maintenance LR (and I guess the Concours after that) is to get a reliable, low maintenance ST that I can just ride. First model year bikes do have their issues. There's several 04s on the market. If I wait till next year I could probably spring for a new one.

There's a Concours 14 on EBay for $10k with 350 miles. I assume it's a demo. It has the extended warranty till 2013, but I worry about a demo having been flogged. I can afford a new 14 if I wait a couple of months and/or get a good price for the Concours 1k.

 

[The_AirHawk]

There's a Concours 14 on EBay for $10k with 350 miles. I assume it's a demo. It has the extended warranty till 2013, but I worry about a demo having been flogged. I can afford a new 14 if I wait a couple of months and/or get a good price for the Concours 1k.

Well, think of it this way: The ADVANTAGE of a bike that's been flogged is, any "fatal flaws" that otherwise might have taken a few years to show, will in all likelihood rear their ugly heads quickly, and you can "get them out of the way" in the fixing department.

I mean, this IS an "Old Man's Bike" - exactly how much abuse do you suppose it could possibly be subjected-to in just 350 miles?

 

[seruzawa]

Repeat after me.....

Actually, I think you're right on time! F that noise, I don't need another headache. The whole idea of unloading the high-maintenance LR (and I guess the Concours after that) is to get a reliable, low maintenance ST that I can just ride. First model year bikes do have their issues. There's several 04s on the market. If I wait till next year I could probably spring for a new one.

There's a Concours 14 on EBay for $10k with 350 miles. I assume it's a demo. It has the extended warranty till 2013, but I worry about a demo having been flogged. I can afford a new 14 if I wait a couple of months and/or get a good price for the Concours 1k.

Tiger....
Tiger....
Tiger....
Tiger....
Tiger....

 

[Kenneth_Moore]

Tiger....
Tiger....
Tiger....
Tiger....
Tiger....

Sprint St
Sprint St
Sprint St
Sprint ST

Me and the kid are going over to Pure Triumph this morning to have a look. MSRP is $10,999 w/o ABS. If they'll trade the Conster at almost any price I can buy it outright. I'm reading the reviews now.

 

[seruzawa]

I was thinking....

Sprint St
Sprint St
Sprint St
Sprint ST

Me and the kid are going over to Pure Triumph this morning to have a look. MSRP is $10,999 w/o ABS. If they'll trade the Conster at almost any price I can buy it outright. I'm reading the reviews now.

... the Sprint but I couldn't remember whether you had back issues or not. Either one would be the shiznits.

 

[Kenneth_Moore]

... the Sprint but I couldn't remember whether you had back issues or not. Either one would be the shiznits.

I have back issues for sure. Two compression fractures courtesy of the Q-Tip From Hell. They make a bar riser kit for the Sprint. Unfortunately their website doesn't have their store hours right, they were closed. Guess I'll have to wait to see one. They had a heap o' Tigers in the windows though. Pretty nice looking bikes!

 

[tripleripple]

My XB was a demo and I hem hawed about that. Figured it just means somebody else disregarded the break-in period instead of me.