May be about to buy an 02 R1150R

[Oilsooner]

I am thinking of moving from a sport bike to an R1150R. All my friends are already making fun of me.

Anyway, I went to the local BMW dealership, sat on it, heard it run, and just fell in love with it. Its an 02 with 22K miles on the clock, comes with BMW locking side cases, new tires, new maint. free battery in 08, heated grips, carbon fiber windshield, two brother exhaust. They want $3750, but I could tell an offer of $3250 would take it home.

The problem is just that I don't know anything about these bikes, and my dealership is new (Big Dog chopper dealership that just took on the BMW line). The sales guy didn't seem to know much about the bike, other than the basics.

I really want to get this bike, but am worried about spline and final drive failure, as well as high maintenance costs and a possibly inexperienced mechanic at the dealership.

Can you tell me some things to look for or ask about? Do a lot of people work on their own? I do all the work on my jap bikes, so I am mechanically inclined.

Thanks a bunch for all advice/info in advance.

PS I'll have to get a track bike if I get this one for sure...or risk losing all my sportbike friends.

[marsdog]

I bought my 02 R1150R ABS in 2005 for $6900. It had 13K miles on it at the time, and yesterday, I took her past the 50K milestone without any problems. Unfortunately, I've both dropped her by slipping in diesel fuel and on gravel and went for a good slide both times (me and bike). She got some scratches on the valve covers and a dent in the tank, but just picked her up and kept on going. I've never thought of myself as a mechanic, but with hourly rates as astronomical as they are, I've little by little learned to do most of my own maintenance, including the dreaded fuel filter change! There are so many resources online with detailed pics and instructions, if you're halfway competent with a wrench you should have no problem! It's no sport bike, but she's pretty much bulletproof, great for urban commuting (45 mpg) and the fun canyon run (I call her my "WarHorse"). I've never had any issues with the shaft final drive so I'm not sure if that helps much.
Good luck!

[boxermania]

Some of the earlier bikes had some issues, now and again, I owned one and never had any problems with 20K+ miles. Maintenance is fairly easy if you have any inclination. The lower price seems very palatable, if the current dealer sells the BMW brand, ask them to pull the recall notices.....any service records can only be had from the servicing dealer.

Good luck

[Oilhead]

My 2002 I bought new in 2001 has been incredibly reliable. I have 26K+ miles on it and really have not had any issues whatsoever. I do maintain it meticulously and the bike still looks and runs like brand new. If I never read about the spline issue on the internet, I would say there isn't anything to worry about this bike. I would say that the spline issue would be my only concern(a minor one). My bike runs so well, shifts so smoothly, and feels so tight, I really can't imagine that my spline wouldn't be in perfect condition. However I suppose you never know. There really is no tell tale sign is there? I have heard that the downshift starts becoming difficult when the spline is on its way. Can anyone verify that?

Other than that, the bike is a joy to ride and maintain. Even the fuel filter isn't that bad and IMO nowhere as bad as it is made to sound. Also I don't know what kind of condition this bike is in but $3,750 sound awfully low.

[iowabeakster]

I've got an 04 that I bought new and has about 23K miles. It has been a great bike. It has a comfortable seating position, but still takes the curves well. I've upgraded the fuel lines and quick disconnects. An aftermarket seat was a good improvement. Except for that, it is stock. I've never had a problem. It's got a nearly bullet proof engine and transmission. Overall quality is very good. The brakes and suspension are fantastic. The suspension can be improved still with aftermarket shocks. I'll get those when the stockers are worn out.

I've done the maintenance myself, it is pretty easy and not expensive at all. If the bike does not have ABS, then I would say the maintenance is very easy.

As was mentioned, the clutch and FD have failed some owners. Those topics are always beat to death when they appear on the discussion boards... especially the clutch spline issue. The FD bearing failure can be usually be caught early, and it is not as costly as the clutch spline problem.

I think it's fair for clutch spline victims, who bought their bikes new, to be upset with BMW. They should be, as the bike came from the factory with that issue (all models of oilheads suffer from this, not just the R1150R's). They got faulty bikes that don't reveal themselves until (typically) the warranty has expired. I think BMW is really doing themselves a disservice, by not helping those folks out. Those people who bought the bike new, paid A LOT MORE than you are looking at spending... keep that in mind.

To be completely honest, I have some worries about this myself. I will open my bike up and inspect the splines. I am generally not a lucky individual... so I am probably more worried than I should be. After my worries are laid to rest, I expect to keep the bike for a long time... fingers crossed.

Besides that one issue which only a small percentage of people have suffered, I think it's a great bike. It's not perfect, but I have never expected that of anything. It is what I want in a bike. From normal daily road riding, fast and twisty joy rides, to light touring it does everything for me, very well. It is as tight and fun as the day I bought it.

At the price you are looking at... I think you may get a great bike... that has a ton of miles left in it... at an amazing price.

Get those service records if you can.

[Xdot]

I recently bought the same bike you're talking about (year, miles, etc.) except mine has ABS. I love it. You'll find you can ride much longer than on a sportbike and people will look at you differently. Don't be surprised if you get a lot of buffeting noise off of that short windscreen. I find mine is MUCH quieter with no windscreen at all.

Price seems a little low, though - for around here (North Alabama) at least. Check the title. Make sure it isn't a salvage.

John

[wncbmw]

My 02 will be getting the 60K service done this fall and except for a FD bearing (not the entire final drive), it has been a reliable ride and a great all-around ride. I have upgraded the suspension as the OEM parts gave up the ghost.

Maintenance is relatively simple if you have any basic skills. Except for the ABS service, I have done most everything myself.

Most importantly, I still love the bike after all these years.

[Arbreacames]

Never had a BMW before, and in the 6 years that I have owned my '01(now 9 years old and 62,000 miles), I have never had to go to the dealer. I even do the ABS service. If you can do some maintenance yourself, this is a great bike. Having the dealer service it is as expensive as for any other bike.

[chibbert]

Most importantly, I still love the bike after all these years.

Vann would be a good ambassador for the brand.

EDIT: Wasn't trying to be a smart-a$$ either. I really admire your love for two wheels.

[CycleRob]

It sounds like a good deal to me. Many x brand dealers, like that not up to speed new-2-BMW Big Dog shop will use the lower book price because of the 22K miles on the clock and it's age. Also, some think the R1150R is considered an odd bike, when compared to all others.

You need not worry about riding with your SportBike friends, especially if you can get them on roads with more curves than long straight-aways. All it takes is a set of Metzler Z-6 tires and just over a grand for a set of fully adjustable aftermarket shocks, properly set up of course. Another plus will be that when they all decide to quit and go home for the day, you'll be fresh enough to continue riding . . . . or take the longer, slower way home. BTDT on This bike.

If you service your 2 wheel RiceBurners, the BMW OilHead is in many ways as easy as a car. Everything you need in the form of info and spoon feeding guidance you need to educate/acclimate yourself is available here!! It will be much cheaper to maintain too. The oil changes, valve adjustments and throttle body (TB) synchronization are easy to master. I also guarantee your wife or SO will be much happier on the seat behind you than on the CrotchRocket you had. Because of the new roads taken and the every ride real world practicality of that bike, like going for a long country road solo ride, you will not miss the dangerous off track road thrills you had before. With only one post so far, welcome to the group. Read on. . . .

[jsparks6288]

I've got an '02 R1150R with 30,000 miles and nothing but good service. No issues, all services are realitively easy with the noted exception of the gas filter. The way I look at final drive / spline issues is that up this point I have not had any costs for chain and sprocket replacement and when and if I have to pay for repairs it will be in lieu of waisting money on sprockets and chains. And it is real easy to keep the bike clean without all the chain lube issues. sounds like a good price, I gave $5,600 for mine a few years back.
Jeff Sparks
R1150R

[Daryl_stamp]

I am thinking of moving from a sport bike to an R1150R. All my friends are already making fun of me. Ride behind Cyclerob for a little while & see how it's done, more the rider than the bike when the road tightens up

.... They want $3750, but I could tell an offer of $3250 would take it home Sold mine a few months ago w/ 48K for $4500, had Wilburs shocks; $3250 seems like a great price

... am worried about spline and final drive failure Worry doesn't help, stuff happens, happened to JohnnyJS1 @ 14K or something like that, didn't happen to most of the rest of us

...or risk losing all my sportbike friends.

They'll be complaining about wrists and backs; while you'll be stuffing a weekends worth of stuff in your sidecases & heading out to cross a few state lines, having a blast all the way. Heated grips? Toasty on those cool nights & mornings if you're so inclined

[BMWEW1]

That sounds like a great deal, and they won't be laughing when you blow them away in the twistys or certainly have no problem staying on their tail.

Go for it, and enjoy!