Not familiar with BMWs...need some advice!

[caseylee]

I've been looking for a new-to-me bike for next riding season.  Looking to do some weekend excursion this summer and wanted something a little more sport-touring oriented (currently on a Kawasaki ZR7s).  I will also be commuting a pretty good bit next year (100 miles one way).  I have found a 2001 R1150 for sale locally with only 15k miles on the odometer.  The guy is just wanting to get rid of it due to not having time to ride and said I could have it for $4500.  Seems a bit cheap to me but everything seems to be in great condition besides a small rip in the seat.  What all should I look for when buying used on this model?  I haven't had a chance to give it a good going over yet but plan to in the next few days.  Just want to get some opinions from you guys......

Also another thing I am worried about is maintenance.  The closest BMW dealer around here is about a 4 hour ride for me.  How bad off do you think I would be on the maintenance end?  I'm mechanically savvy and have always done my own but I figured the BMW would be a little more than I can handle....

[miles]

Maintenance on R bikes is pretty easy, actually.  Unlike I4 bikes, everything you might need to work on is out in the open (once the plastics are off).
Get the shop manual.  It's worth it.


miles

[info]

They are easy to work on. Generally just valve adjustments and fluid changes.
Ride it, make sure it doesn't pop out of gear. It does tend to clunk a bit shifting though.
Surging is a problem in that engine.
I am assuming an R1150R so no tupperware...

[big papa]

Get on this site and ask away.
 
r1150r.org
 
The 1150R is a great bike to have if you are far from the dealer. Many owners do all the maintenance themselves. The new K-bikes are another story...

[info]

Check out ebay item #320055469047
A new LT being sold by Orlando BMW for $17995 after the first 3 payments by BMW. BMWFS has a deal going on(check the BMW website.) I saw a new one for 18,900 OTD before taxes. Did they tell you about the finance deal??

[dflow]

At 15K miles anything wrong with it should be obvious with a good look and a test ride. That is a good price and you better move fast on it if interested. As for maintainance, oilheads are easy to work on if you have good mechanical skills to begin with and a support group to teach you some of the basics like anti-surge fixes. Good luck.

[bikerfish1100]

do not hesitate. unless something really appears to be wrong, i'd be all over that like deal white on rice.
probably no easier model line to work on for the shade tree mechanic than a boxer (for the typical issues, anyways).

[Driveshaft]

If you deside you don't want it, I'll come and get it.  Just tell me where.
 
Yea they are super easy to work on and mostly bullet proof.  Some people just don't dig the vibes from a Boxer though.

[RickC1957]

do not hesitate. unless something really appears to be wrong, i'd be all over that like deal white on rice.
probably no easier model line to work on for the shade tree mechanic than a boxer (for the typical issues, anyways).

[cworley5150]

Grab it fast!  That's a pretty decent price.  I do all of my own maintenance on mine.  It's honestly kinda fun.  
 
See if you can take it for a little ride.  Fantastic bike, but they are not for everybody.  Myself, I love the boxer twin.  When they are properly tuned, they don't actually vibrate that much.  I get great mileage and love all that torque.

[cole]

I say take it for a ride to see if you really like it from there you might just have to have it or you may not. Being far from the dealer really not a big deal. Maintenance is easy and what is the chance that something will go that you cannot fix yourself.

[def38]

I've been looking for a new-to-me bike for next riding season. Looking to do some weekend excursion this summer and wanted something a little more sport-touring oriented (currently on a Kawasaki ZR7s). I will also be commuting a pretty good bit next year (100 miles one way). I have found a 2001 R1150 for sale locally with only 15k miles on the odometer. The guy is just wanting to get rid of it due to not having time to ride and said I could have it for $4500. Seems a bit cheap to me but everything seems to be in great condition besides a small rip in the seat. What all should I look for when buying used on this model? I haven't had a chance to give it a good going over yet but plan to in the next few days. Just want to get some opinions from you guys......
 
Also another thing I am worried about is maintenance. The closest BMW dealer around here is about a 4 hour ride for me. How bad off do you think I would be on the maintenance end? I'm mechanically savvy and have always done my own but I figured the BMW would be a little more than I can handle....

If you are savvy, the BMW is the easiest motorcycle to maintain on the planet. And, the 2001 is likely the easiest oilhead vintage regarding maintenance. At 15,000 miles, the bike is barely broken in. Act fast and get back to us so we can help. If necessary, message me at def@wtez.net.

[bikerfish1100]

btw- if you decide against buying it- I WANT FIRST DIBS!! seriously- if not for me as a second bike, then i know people who would love one of those, especially at that price (probably about $1-2K below what i would expect a fair price to be!)

[Driveshaft]

btw- if you decide against buying it- I WANT FIRST DIBS!! seriously- if not for me as a second bike, then i know people who would love one of those, especially at that price (probably about $1-2K below what i would expect a fair price to be!)

 
Now now, I had dibs in post 7.

[bikerfish1100]

Now now, I had dibs in post 7.

dude, you SUCK!! allright, i'll get back in line. but if you  pass it by.....

[sagerat]

You might want to see if it had the dreaded surging problem.  That era boxer, IIRC, had a deal where at lower RPMs the engine would surge as the computer tried to find the correct fuel mapping.
 
The twin spark boxers (two sparkplugs per cylinder) eliminated the problem.  Not all Beemers of that era had the problem.
 
Of course one solution that for some reason people hated to do was just downshift.

[dflow]

Yea sagerat is right. The surging problem is awful just plan awful. You better pass on it, in fact you all better pass. Now what is the owners info so I can warn him to.

[Boxerdawg]

I never had the surging problem, but I have '04 1100S, twin spark.  The vibes can be quelled somewhat with correct [and self-done] tune-up, especially throttle body synching.  I do my own maintainence and as the others said, it's pretty easy.  
I have spoken with boxer owners who swear that their new exhaust fixed the vibes.   I'd only go that route if I really wanted a louder bike.  
And yeah. $4500 is a really good price for that vintage boxer.

[def38]

Contrary to popular belief, surging is easy to cure.

It has little to do with TB sync.

It DOES have to do with valve timing and ignition.

If your boxer surges, it is not being maintained properly. If your boxer surges and you want to cure it, let me know.

[Against The Wind]

I hate BMW's I hate BMW's I hate BMW's..........




I have to keep telling myself that. The problem is that I went to the bike show this weekend and sat on the new R1200R.........about 5-6 times........and now I have this problem........which could cost me $16,000 Cdn to fix.

Dayum that is one good looking bike.

[Oilhed]

Get the shop manual.  It's worth it.


miles

I got a brand new Clymer FOR SALE.

[cbsnbiker]

Hi caseylee, I don't know if you're still reading this thread.

You've gotten some good input. Here are few more thoughts.

First off, you haven't told us specifically which bike it is: R1100R, RS, RT, or GS? Price will depend in part on which model it is.

Second, does it have ABS? That also affects resale value and desireability.

Others have mentioned surging. Here's how to find out if this bike does it. Ride the bike for a while to get it all warmed up. Then, on a flat road, ride in first gear at about 3000 to 3500 RPM. That's roughly 30-35 MPH, IIRC. Try to hold a steady throttle. If the bike has a throttle lock (e.g. Throttlemeister), use it. If the bike just rides, that's best. If it surges, that's less than ideal. (That's what my '94 R1100RS would do.) If it bucks like a bronco, don't buy it.

If the bike surges, there are ways to reduce it, but (despite what def38 wrote), it cannot always be eliminated.

Have you made a decision yet? Let us know!

[bikerfish1100]

if the bike has a surging issue (and yes, most of it can be removed with a good TBSync), it should show up in any gear in that 3-4K rpm range.
as previously mentioned, not a deal breaker, but some individual bikes were more difficult to tune out the surge than others. just something to be aware of. the R1100S seems to be the model least prone to surging, the RT was the most.

[sagerat]

And for $4,500 you can buy a lot of parts, tools, and shop manuals to fix it and still be waaaaay ahead.  

[def38]

If the bike surges, there are ways to reduce it, but (despite what def38 wrote), it cannot always be eliminated.

I must differ with you.

A boxer in proper tune does not surge. Over the years, my 2001 GS has suffered from surging. Careful valve lash adjustments, precise ignition timing as well as correcting vacuum leaks in the intake track have eliminated ALL suring in my boxer. As miles have accumulated, TB sync has become almost unecessary. The last time I performed this adjustment was 11 months ago (~4000 miles) When I removed the throttle bodies for cleaning and servicing of the O-rings. TB sync plays a minor role in boxer performance and surging.

Some boxers may surge from a poorly operating lambda sensor and can be corrected by replacement of the sensor. However, this is rare.

Also, performing the zero = zero adjustment can cure the worst cases of surging. This adjustment is rarely necessary.

Some have reported that switching to Autolite spark plugs (single, conventional side ground electrode) has helped. I use Autolite 3923s in winter and 3922s (one heat range cooler) in summer. My fuel mileage increased and cold starting improved when I switched to the Autolites.

My GS runs smoothly with only moderate load at 2000 RPM in 6th gear, a good indication of correct fuel/air distribution and proper stoichiometry.

[cbsnbiker]

I speak from direct experience with a '94 R1100RS. It had careful valve adjustments, ignition timing, TB sync, zero=zero, etc. It still surged--nowhere near as bad as other early oilheads, but it surged while I owned it, it still surged when I traded it in eight years ago, and I gather that it still surges to this day.  

Then again, surging was the least of that bike's problems. It was a shop queen.

My brother's R1150R, OTOH, does not surge.

I must differ with you.

A boxer in proper tune does not surge. Over the years, my 2001 GS has suffered from surging. Careful valve lash adjustments, precise ignition timing as well as correcting vacuum leaks in the intake track have eliminated ALL suring in my boxer. As miles have accumulated, TB sync has become almost unecessary. The last time I performed this adjustment was 11 months ago (~4000 miles) When I removed the throttle bodies for cleaning and servicing of the O-rings. TB sync plays a minor role in boxer performance and surging.

Some boxers may surge from a poorly operating lambda sensor and can be corrected by replacement of the sensor. However, this is rare.

Also, performing the zero = zero adjustment can cure the worst cases of surging. This adjustment is rarely necessary.

Some have reported that switching to Autolite spark plugs (single, conventional side ground electrode) has helped. I use Autolite 3923s in winter and 3922s (one heat range cooler) in summer. My fuel mileage increased and cold starting improved when I switched to the Autolites.

My GS runs smoothly with only moderate load at 2000 RPM in 6th gear, a good indication of correct fuel/air distribution and proper stoichiometry.

[andmoon]

Ride it.
100 miles one way can get triesome on a naked bike.
I used to have a r1100r...and never found good wind protection for it.

[caseylee]

Sorry guys I've been outta the country for the past few weeks!  Anways thanks for all the great advice.  Went and checked the bike out a few days ago and it is a 2002 r1150 R not a 2001 and has 11k on the odometer.  The guy is good friends with the family so he is giving me a good deal and said he would hold the bike as long as I needed.  He doesn't have to sell it, he is just frustrated because he can't ride much anymore and hates seeing a bike sitting there not being riden!  Hopefully if the weather will ever clear up i'll take it out for a spin in the next few days and get a good shake down of the bike.  Don't know if it is the bike for me yet but hopefully it will be since it is such a good deal!

[rtjohn]

I've been looking for a new-to-me bike for next riding season.  Looking to do some weekend excursion this summer and wanted something a little more sport-touring oriented (currently on a Kawasaki ZR7s).  I will also be commuting a pretty good bit next year (100 miles one way).  I have found a 2001 R1150 for sale locally with only 15k miles on the odometer.  The guy is just wanting to get rid of it due to not having time to ride and said I could have it for $4500.  Seems a bit cheap to me but everything seems to be in great condition besides a small rip in the seat.  What all should I look for when buying used on this model?  I haven't had a chance to give it a good going over yet but plan to in the next few days.  Just want to get some opinions from you guys......

Also another thing I am worried about is maintenance.  The closest BMW dealer around here is about a 4 hour ride for me.  How bad off do you think I would be on the maintenance end?  I'm mechanically savvy and have always done my own but I figured the BMW would be a little more than I can handle....

[cbsnbiker]

Sorry guys I've been outta the country for the past few weeks!  Anways thanks for all the great advice.  Went and checked the bike out a few days ago and it is a 2002 r1150 R not a 2001 and has 11k on the odometer.  The guy is good friends with the family so he is giving me a good deal and said he would hold the bike as long as I needed.  He doesn't have to sell it, he is just frustrated because he can't ride much anymore and hates seeing a bike sitting there not being riden!  Hopefully if the weather will ever clear up i'll take it out for a spin in the next few days and get a good shake down of the bike.  Don't know if it is the bike for me yet but hopefully it will be since it is such a good deal!

Well, best wishes with that potential new bike.

I hope you live somewhere that is receiving great weather. I know that I went on a fun group ride earlier today, in January, in upstate NY. This uncharacteristic weather is doing bad things to local ski resorts, but sure is making life fun for us riders.