Black pipes - too hot?

[rsperko]

Hi, I am looking at a R1150R with 16,000 miles. The exhaust pipes are very dark all the way down. Should I be concerned by this? I am not worried about how pretty they are, just concerned whether this is a bad omen. Looking at pics of various bikes at various miles, it seems a bit dark for the number of miles. Is this an indicator it was ridden harder than normal?

Thanks for any feedback,
-Rick

[jcridge]

Rick,

It depends on what you mean by dark?

If the bikes sits idling for long periods of time, the pipes will over heat and turn blue ( dark blue over time) If the bike lives outside and or is used in the rain allot the pipes can darken from slight oxidation ( dark gray or brown)

Does the bike have a Techclusion chip or mods done to it?

16K miles and well taken care of, the pipes should look like new with a slight blue near the head.


John

[b12bandit]

R1150R. 2002. 30k miles.

My bike have been a dirty grey colour for ages. Right from the head down to the collector box. That is a sandy brown colour.

No amount of polishing is ever going to get them back to shiny and bright.

All down to BMW's cheap chrome plating.

Disappointing.

[rsperko]

Here is what it looks like:


Thank you for any input on this. It actually has 17k, I was mistaken.

-Rick

[jas]

Mine looked like that of the pictured bike at about 12,000 miles and have not changed much (I'm over 30K now).

[rsperko]

Thank you, I am chock-full of ignorance on these bikes. I put a deposit on it today. I wont be able to pick it up for over a week due to my insane schedule. If anyone sees any concerns from the picture (besides scratched valve cover) please let me know.

-Rick

[AirForceDirt]

Thank you, I am chock-full of ignorance on these bikes. I put a deposit on it today. I wont be able to pick it up for over a week due to my insane schedule. If anyone sees any concerns from the picture (besides scratched valve cover) please let me know.

-Rick

My only concern is that the blue one down the line a bit isn't in my garage...

The pipes on that R don't look much different than mine, mine have a lot more blue, that's all.

[boxermania]

I enlarged the picture and it appears that the PO had attempted to polish the pipes on more than one ocassion, dulling the appearance, from the angle it also apears that the rear tire might need replacement.

If it is a BMW dealer ask them to pull the recalls on the bike, if it is also the servicing dealer ask them for a copy of the service work on the bike.

Good luck

[rsperko]

I enlarged the picture and it appears that the PO had attempted to polish the pipes on more than one ocassion, dulling the appearance, from the angle it also apears that the rear tire might need replacement.

If it is a BMW dealer ask them to pull the recalls on the bike, if it is also the servicing dealer ask them for a copy of the service work on the bike.

Good luck

Here is an even larger picture. http://sperko.net/files/r1150r-large.jpg Please let me know if you notice anything else.

Thank you,
-Rick

[boxermania]

Well, I see it has an after market windscreen screen, with the metal brackets, maybe the BMW brand? It also appears to have throttle locks installed.

The thing that caught my attention is the black small diameter wire running just under the steering head that sneeks under the tank?????.....that is not normal wire routing.

[rsperko]

Wow, good eye. I did not notice that wire, I will ask about that.

[keithbw]

Single wall stainless steel construction, unless you have them ceramic coated, that's what they look like.
I use 000 steel wool or the equivalent synthetic pad to clean mine, not shiny like double wall chrome, but they sure are smooth.

[rsperko]

Thank you, I pick it up Saturday.

They pulled the recalls and it turns out the dealership I am buying from did the services. They performed it's 18k and I had him double check the tread on the tires, he says it looks about 70%, bad pic I guess. He thinks the wire looks like something for communication equip. I will look at it when I get there.

Anyway, I am pumped. My Enfield is in pieces in the garage awaiting parts, so nice weather and nothing to ride.

-Rick