is 79,000 miles too many?

[bucky katt]

the BMW dealer in atlanta has a 2003 r1150r for less than 4,000 dollars but it does have 79,xxx miles on it. theyre asking only 3750 dollars for the thing too. i had my heart set on a rockster but this deal seems almost too good to pass up. opinions?

[Boxer]

Eh, eh. Is it black? That sounds like the Dominatrix! Does it have "Boxer" on the starter cover? (but I guess they could have painted over that)

You never know when something is going to "break" at that mileage, but that bike was given the best care it could have during its time in my hands, and as you say, for $3750 you just about can't go wrong, even with a couple of major issues that could possibly emerge.

[iowabeakster]

I wouldn't want to make up your mind one way or the other...especially about Phil's Dominatrix. (I'm riding on the custom saddle that used to be on that bike...and my butt is loving it.)

But, I saw in another posting you were willing to spend quite a bit more. With some extra money, you are certain to find exactly what you are looking for. And you will be able to find one with less than 20K miles. I've seen some 04 bikes that are being sold with less than 5K miles.

Just as an example from the Buy/Sell section (you didn't want ABS)...this bike may be long gone (post from april). Looks, like the seller wasn't finding too many buyers out there either.

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[CycleRob]

That IS your old bike Phil.
Now you know how I felt!

Answering the question . . .

"is 79,000 miles too many?"

Yes!

[towerworker]

But that bike has such a distinguished heritage!!

[challey]

With all due respect to Cyclerob, I think the real answer is "maybe".

The basic boxer engine can easily go well into 6 figure mileage - it's the other stuff that's suspect (FD, input shaft splines and the like). You would definately be taking a calculated rick but in my view - which given what happened to my own 2003 with far fewer miles is pretty jaded - it's a reasonable gamble if the price is right. I personally wouldn't be willing to take the gamble at $3,750 but would think seriously about it at some lower level, maybe $3,250 (assuming that the suspension is not in need of replacement and the tires have some life left in them). The $500 of so bucks saved can go quite a way toward replacement splines when they are needed. Oh - make sure the dealer has implemented the SB regarding the wiring.

Charlie

[jfslater98]

And there are NO surprises with this bike. He can spend a few hours searching on Boxer's posts and learn absolutely everything about the bike. And Boxer.

[CycleRob]

"He can spend a few hours searching on Boxer's posts and learn absolutely everything about the bike".

I wish that was my answer!! . . . . but the end result would be the same.

[Arbee]

Agree with Cyclerob, YES.

For the reason that parts are almost the same price for old bikes as what they are for new bikes
if one major thing goes wrong you have spent the same as a bike with Low Miles and own a bike
which you will never sell without major losses... ask Daddy for a few dollars to get one with low Miles.

[Boxer]

I can tell you, the tires are brand new ME 880s. The rear shock has less than 10K and the same with the front. New Odyssee PC680 battery. Virtually new fuel distributor, coil, plug wires, rear final drive big bearing and FD pivot pins and bearings. When the dealer checked it out for trade-in they told me it was "noisy". Who the hell knows what THAT means? Could be TB slop or valve guides worn. Its still a good bike...but $3750? Dunno? But that is ALL they found wrong...NOISY. I almost rode it back home at that point.

[toolinalong]

My thinking lies closer to the CycleRob camp then the Challey....probably the most pertinent question is: How much will you ride it it? How many miles per year will you actually put on it?

Are you a long distance tourer? A once a summer long tripper? Every weekend for as long as you can stand it? A commuter?

If you honestly can't say, then chances are you want a lower mileage bike. If you know you might only put a few thousand a year on, you might take a chance, but
expect a few items to need replacing.

My own experiences north of 80k miles last summer are posted in various places here. Now the bike runs like new, but who knows what's next?

And I seem to remember a post where Boxer said the dealer told him the noise was due to the throttle bodies being worn. New ones are $800 plus labor, though you can rebuild them for less.

[kantuckid]

I have seen lots of extremely low mileage R's go for that same sort of price on Ebay. I bought my 03 R with 3k on it and won't say how much , but it was listed here and $4k is too much for that bike you reference. It may be a great bike but why buy miles if not a classic? You asked-I say keep looking.