taking the plunge - deal breaker maintenance issues?

[cbesey]

After lurking for months while falling out of love with my, ahem, harley, I rented an 1150 yesterday and 300 miles later all questions were answered. At least about wanting one... Now.

It's going to be used, probably in the 20-40K mileage range, so I'll want maintenance records available but can't seem to find out specifically what to look for in them. I've read about valve adjustments every 6k, what sounds like total fluid flushes every... 12k? only at 24?

I'm looking for opinions - what are the deal breakers on a bike with this kind of mileage? Also, is there anywhere to find online specifically what BMW recommends?

Thanks... Dropping off the 1150 that morning was the hardest thing I'd done in a long time.

cb

[taosports]

Welcome to the board cbesey!

I've got an 04 R1150R right in the mileage range you're looking at. Mine's got 33,000 miles and has been trouble free since I bought it new. I've done all of my own maintenance since the 12,000 mile check except for the ABS brake fluid bleed. It's an easy bike to work on.

For good online maintenance sources, check the following links :

http://www.trickery.cz/manualy/bmw/

http://kenharlow.com/BMW/index.htm

http://advwisdom.hogranch.com/Wisdom/

[MIXR]

cb - The deal breakers (or makers) are more likely to be related to cosmetics and accessories rather than mechanicals.

If it has any sort of maintenance history, runs sweet and is nice and stable to ride, then the mechanicals are probably ok. Cosmetic damage can devalue a bike horrendously. Many 'extras' will be included for little more than the bike's value, so these are the things I'd watch for once you had confirmed the thing started, went and stopped ok.

Check for the usual consumable stuff - Clear oil in the glass, good brake pads and sound roters, no evidence of oil leaks/weeps. Basic stuff.

Noises can be normal. or 'they all do that', or abnormal. I don't give a stuff what others will say, but there are lots of 'normal' noises that can be cured, and some that are just a function of TB balance and valve adjustment. Gearboxes are generally pretty agricultural to be polite about them, but solid as hell.

Don't let anyone tell you that transmission whine is 'normal' because the bike has a shaft. It isn't and can be a sign of more serious issues.

Mine now has 85,000 kms on it and is as tight and smooth as a new one. All achieved through regular 10,000 km servicings and nothing more.

I expect to see 200,000 kms.

[MikeCam]

One deal breaker I would consider is this: a heavier than normal rider or routine two up riding and/or routine overloading with baggage. That is the apparent cause of premature spline failure and rear drive failures.

If you can feel good that the prior owner did his own maintenance (fluids, valves, TBS, etc) I would consider that at least as good if not better than a fully dealer serviced bike. Perverse logic is this: owner takes better care than service department and thus, the bike is likely better maintained. Holds true for a readily serviced bike like the Roadster.

Lastly, the more electrical add-ons he has, the less I would trust the alternator/wiring harness/battery. Same perverse logic, now perversely reversed!!!

[johno]

I was going to start with , " If you buy one," but I will start with,
" When" you buy one, get yourself a workshop manual, and familiarize
yourself with the bikes workings.
I find the best thing about the Boxer Beemers, is the simplicity of being
able to work on them yourself.
I get a lot of satisfaction out of doing my own maintenance, and repairs.
This may sound corny, but it makes you feel part of the whole bike experience.
I have had 4 Oilheads, and have replaced a clutch on one, as well as both head gaskets, on my own. This was the first R1100RS model, that had
sus clutches, and leaky head gaskets, all obviously did not fail under the warranty period of the previous owners.
As stated by others, unless very high miles, and sus looks, you wont have much to worry about with any 2nd hand Oiler.
Best of luck.

[cbesey]

http://www.trickery.cz/manualy/bmw/ had exactly what I was looking for, maintenance schedule for the first 12K.

Everyone I know rides harley or japanese and talks about how the bmw's are impossible to work on, but looking this stuff over it doesn't seem too bad - certainly not bad enough to pass on a bike with servo assisted ABS! I tried t engage the ABS on my rental but decided it was good enough to know that before I actually had to stop that fast I'd need fresh underwear

Good insight from all, can't wait to get this Sportster sold and show off a new beem...

cb

[HILLBILLIEBIKER]

I find it a hoot when guys worry more about the use and/or abuse of a motor vehicle they are considering than they did with the woman they married. I bought an 02 with 9.5k and it has 12.9k and never seen the inside of a dealer. Come spring I will do the valves and buy a Twinmax and plugs. I have had nothing but lousy service at dealers and DON'T trust the guys that work there. First bike I had in 64 was a Honda Super Hawk. I went cheap and took it to a different dealer than where I bought it and as I watch the guy drains the oil and then starts it to adjust the valves. I had to stop him. Then a guy on crutches comes hobbling in and says he's going to sue them because the first time he does a wheelie after they work on the forks they slide out and dump him in the intersection. Then there was the time I took my RD350 in for some work and I watch it fall off the lift table to the floor braking the tail light lens. Then I took the cylinders to another dealer to have it bored and honed and I got back deep ridges that I could not believe. Anybody who thinks they are getting "peace of mind" with dealer service just maybe fooling themselves. I will never take my bike to a dealer for anything I can figure out how to do myself and there is plenty of help on the internet like this fine site and the help from you folks.

[challey]

cb -
As you've seen in the replies so far, maintenance should not be an issue. I now due virtually all the routine work on my '03 and find the R to be one of the easier bikes I've had to work on. This board is a big plus - if you have a question, chances are someone here knows the answer. And, there are plenty of other instructional aids available online, as has already been pointed out. Working on an oilhead has got to be an order of magnitude easier than working on an in-line 4 or V-twin.
On the other hand, if you do have to pay a dealer to get the work done, ownership can become very expensive for marginal work (with apologies to the good dealers out there). Perhaps this is source of the "nightmare" stories that you may have heard about BMW's.
Though I haven't owned an HD, I've ridden quite a few and rate the Sportster highly in the "fun" category. That said, it isn't even close to the 1150R which offers significantly better handling, much better brakes, better power and which can be either a weekend blaster (a la Sportster) or distance machine (think Road King) or anything in between.
Let us know when you pick up the new Roadster!

[pneuby]

Start by asking for the owner's manual. There's pre-printed boxes in the back for the service shops to stamp the performance of the 'authorized' dealer 6K services. Nothing to account for oil changes, but you have to assume the seller's honesty on that in the absence of receipts for it.