Used R1150R buying advice requested

[crazyhawk99]

Hello all.

I am new the this forum and am considering purchasing an 03 R1150R.

I have always been interested in BMWs, but don't have any experience with them. Can someone tell me what to look out for, be aware of, questions to ask when shopping for a used R1150R?

The bike I am looking at has 1900 miles on it, ABS, heated grips, small windshield, engine guards, chrome valve covers and a luggage rack. The owner is asking $7300 obo.

Thanks in advance for the input!!!

[OU812]

Service history, dealer invoices are always nice. I can't think of anything that is going to be afu @ 1900 miles.

[Dauntless]

If it has the original battery, figure on replacing it. Also, the fuel line disconnects may need to be replaced because they may fail even with low miles.

[Robert_winter_1000]

Service history, dealer invoices are always nice. I can't think of anything that is going to be afu @ 1900 miles.

OU812, in general you are right; unless our friend Marty is/was the owner (lol).

http://r1150r.org/board/viewtopic.php?t=10614&highlight

Regards
Robert

[OU812]

Hey Crazy, you live near San Diego?

[crazyhawk99]

Service history, dealer invoices are always nice. I can't think of anything that is going to be afu @ 1900 miles.

Thanks for the info. Sounds like to won't be much to worry about. Kinda what I was hoping.

[crazyhawk99]

Hey Crazy, you live near San Diego?

Nope. I am in Germany. My oldest son lives in El Cajon, though.

[MartyWadd]

[johnnydee]

Hello all.

I am new the this forum and am considering purchasing an 03 R1150R.

I have always been interested in BMWs, but don't have any experience with them. Can someone tell me what to look out for, be aware of, questions to ask when shopping for a used R1150R?

The bike I am looking at has 1900 miles on it, ABS, heated grips, small windshield, engine guards, chrome valve covers and a luggage rack. The owner is asking $7300 obo.

Thanks in advance for the input!!!

Hey Crazy if you don't want that bike I'll take it!

John

[crazyhawk99]

It's in Germany if you want it.

I haven't ridden a BMW before, so I want to test ride it and see, but I can't until next week. I am stuck in Tblisi on a trip. I am pretty sure I will enjoy it though. The 1150R just looks fun.

We'll see. I don't really need another bike right now, so I am in a position to offer him something lower than normal. If he takes the offer, it's all good.

If I get it, you will read about it here as I will be asking for advice on improving it (exhaust, bags, etc....).

[hirsty]

That'd be an okay price in the UK, but towards the high-end for a private sale rather than from a dealership (where you'd get warranty etc). If it's in good cosmetic condition & not accident damaged then you'd be very unlucky to have any serious mechanical issues - if it's your fourth bike (!) then you can afford to put in a more adventurous offer!

Is it only 1,900 miles, rather than 19,000? If so it's not even run-in yet, I've read that most long term BMW riders don't consider a Boxer to be properly run-in til the the third service at 18K ... Mine certainly keeps getting better at only 10K in 18 months so far and is so far totally faultless.

It's a good spec (heated grips should be the law on all bikes IMO). ABS is more personal choice, but the 1150R is a well proven model with few real issues - batteries & fuel lines already mentioned above. If it is that low mileage, I'd want all the fluids changed, double-check the tires if it's been sat around & inspect the exhaust system closely for corrosion if it's been used only for stop/start short journeys where it never got properly warmed up.

For accessories, Wunderlich will provide much of what you need & should be better priced in Germany than in most other countries where it can get quite expensive. Best of luck!

[dwayne]

Hello all.

I am new the this forum and am considering purchasing an 03 R1150R.

I have always been interested in BMWs, but don't have any experience with them. Can someone tell me what to look out for, be aware of, questions to ask when shopping for a used R1150R?

The bike I am looking at has 1900 miles on it, ABS, heated grips, small windshield, engine guards, chrome valve covers and a luggage rack. The owner is asking $7300 obo.

Thanks in advance for the input!!!

Not sure if anyone else mentioned this, so I will. One issue that may disturb you with this bike, is a tendancy to burn oil. Some burn more then others, some less. The BMW manual states that consuming a liter of oil per 1000 Km's is normal...I beg to differ, but that is something you should think about if you're not the kind that like to get on your knees everytime you put gas in the tank. Just stating facts, not trying to persuade you not to get the bike; I love mine, I just like to make sure people know what they are getting into.

Post pics of whatever it is you end up with.

[Robert_winter_1000]

Hello all.

I am new the this forum and am considering purchasing an 03 R1150R.

I have always been interested in BMWs, but don't have any experience with them. Can someone tell me what to look out for, be aware of, questions to ask when shopping for a used R1150R?

The bike I am looking at has 1900 miles on it, ABS, heated grips, small windshield, engine guards, chrome valve covers and a luggage rack. The owner is asking $7300 obo.

Thanks in advance for the input!!!

Not sure if anyone else mentioned this, so I will. One issue that may disturb you with this bike, is a tendancy to burn oil. Some burn more then others, some less. The BMW manual states that consuming a liter of oil per 1000 Km's is normal...I beg to differ, but that is something you should think about if you're not the kind that like to get on your knees everytime you put gas in the tank. Just stating facts, not trying to persuade you not to get the bike; I love mine, I just like to make sure people know what they are getting into.

Post pics of whatever it is you end up with.

Dwayne, I heard many owners telling about burning oil. I have 02 R1150R with 35K KM on the clock. In my last trip, few weeks ago I made 3500 km more than half of it in the high Alps Mountains. The tachometer was reading some times more than 6500 RPM. At the end of the trip I found out that the bike has burned 0.4 letter of oil. I think burning oil depends on how the bike has been driven the first 3000 km of her life.
Regards
Robert

[dwayne]

Hello all.

I am new the this forum and am considering purchasing an 03 R1150R.

I have always been interested in BMWs, but don't have any experience with them. Can someone tell me what to look out for, be aware of, questions to ask when shopping for a used R1150R?

The bike I am looking at has 1900 miles on it, ABS, heated grips, small windshield, engine guards, chrome valve covers and a luggage rack. The owner is asking $7300 obo.

Thanks in advance for the input!!!

Not sure if anyone else mentioned this, so I will. One issue that may disturb you with this bike, is a tendancy to burn oil. Some burn more then others, some less. The BMW manual states that consuming a liter of oil per 1000 Km's is normal...I beg to differ, but that is something you should think about if you're not the kind that like to get on your knees everytime you put gas in the tank. Just stating facts, not trying to persuade you not to get the bike; I love mine, I just like to make sure people know what they are getting into.

Post pics of whatever it is you end up with.

Dwayne, I heard many owners telling about burning oil. I have 02 R1150R with 35K KM on the clock. In my last trip, few weeks ago I made 3500 km more than half of it in the high Alps Mountains. The tachometer was reading some times more than 6500 RPM. At the end of the trip I found out that the bike has burned 0.4 letter of oil. I think burning oil depends on how the bike has been driven the first 3000 km of her life.
Regards
Robert

You're absolultely right! That's why I broke mine in according to the manual.

[stevedore]

Hello all.

I am new the this forum and am considering purchasing an 03 R1150R.

I have always been interested in BMWs, but don't have any experience with them. Can someone tell me what to look out for, be aware of, questions to ask when shopping for a used R1150R?

The bike I am looking at has 1900 miles on it, ABS, heated grips, small windshield, engine guards, chrome valve covers and a luggage rack. The owner is asking $7300 obo.

Thanks in advance for the input!!!

I just bought an '04 for 7k. It was about 890 miles away (bought from E bay) Took a short test drive and left for home. Two days on the road without even having a mechanic look at it. No worries. It's been great. Good luck the abs is nice as are the bags.

[Barney]

I bought a 2003 R1150R with 12,000 miles, BMW side bags, Givi top bag and aftermarket windshield for $7000 in May, 07. I've put on about 1000 miles and have found this to be the sweetest machine I have ever known. I agree that the bike is barely broken in at 12K. Great bike all around. :

[crazyhawk99]

Thanks for the reply and input. I took a look at the bike and it is pretty clean. No dings or indications of ever having been down. It does only have 1900 miles on it. Not sure what services he has had done. I haven't had a chance to test ride it yet. If I like it, I may offer him 6K for it.

I haven't heard of Wunderlick before. With the Euro-Dollar exchange rate. it my not be so cheap here in Germany. I'll have to check them out, though.

Thanks again and if you think of anything else, don't hesitate.

[crazyhawk99]

Thanks for the reply. I had no idea that Beemers used that much oil? How much is the oil and is there a certain spec required? Oil here in Germany isn't cheap. I can't imagine putting a in liter in every 1000kms. This is definitely good stuff to know.

What kind of oil consumption is everyone else seeing? Sound off, please.

Not sure if anyone else mentioned this, so I will. One issue that may disturb you with this bike, is a tendancy to burn oil. Some burn more then others, some less. The BMW manual states that consuming a liter of oil per 1000 Km's is normal...I beg to differ, but that is something you should think about if you're not the kind that like to get on your knees everytime you put gas in the tank. Just stating facts, not trying to persuade you not to get the bike; I love mine, I just like to make sure people know what they are getting into.

Post pics of whatever it is you end up with.

[crazyhawk99]

Robert,

Thanks for the info. The oil consumption you mention seems much easier to live with. I am excited about possibly adding a BMW to my current list of bikes and I know that there will be adjustments to be made on my part, as all brands have thier quirks (I am a Harley owner, so I know), but I can't believe the owners manual says a liter per 1K is acceptable.

As a side note, last September, me and a friend and our wives did a long weekend in the Swiss alps on our Harleys. They aren't the ideal bike for the passes, but it was still amazing riding. You are one lucky dude to live there.

Best wishes.

[dwayne]

Robert,

Thanks for the info. The oil consumption you mention seems much easier to live with. I am excited about possibly adding a BMW to my current list of bikes and I know that there will be adjustments to be made on my part, as all brands have thier quirks (I am a Harley owner, so I know), but I can't believe the owners manual says a liter per 1K is acceptable.

As a side note, last September, me and a friend and our wives did a long weekend in the Swiss alps on our Harleys. They aren't the ideal bike for the passes, but it was still amazing riding. You are one lucky dude to live there.

Best wishes.

Feel free to read the owners manual, as well as the repair manual for the bike. In the repair manual, on page 11.5 states: "Permissible Oil Consumption l/1,000Km's (miles per Imp. pint / miles per US quart)"
If you PM me I'll forward a copy of the Manual to you. Your owners manual will state the same.