Yellowjackets Unite!

[Yellowjacket Charlie]

Yellowjackets Unite! Take a few moments to introduce yourself if you own one of the limited edition 2002 R1150R Yellow/Dakar color bikes. I have heard that there were around 200 of these bikes shipped to U.S., although later years had more of this color. Anyone have any more info?

My bike in West Texas Hill Country.


Everglades National Park



My options:

sargeant seat
custom cargo rack &system cases
aux lights
BMW touring windshield
CCS tank knee pads

[MikeCam]

YC,

2002 was the only year these were produced and sold in the U.S.

I have heard of one dealer who tried to foist one off as a 2003.

Welcome to the YellowJacket sub-membership!

[ranmar850]

err, can anyone see where they got the idea for the later Rockster paintjob????

[hotzuk]

I'm with you yellowjacket. I love my color scheme on my bike. I have a couple of pics of my bike that I would love to post but I am never really sure how to post images within a post.

[R4R&R]

If I was going to buy another roadster, it would be a YJ. My dealer has a used one on the floor.

[mnnden]

Charlie, Great looing bike, I really like that color scheme, Nice pictures,
Den

[popgazer]

I have one. I think it's harder to maintain (wash) than other all aluminum wheels, engine etc. because of the painted parts.

[X-Cruiser]

YJC, BMW must have shipped some of them up to Canada, as there is a 2002 with 6,200 miles for sale at the local BMW dealer. I just saw this morning. It looks identical to yours, (same options etc) except it has the factory luggage rack.

[frbank6]

I have a 2003 YJ. I bought it on the very last day of the .9 finance program and it was my fifth color choice. I have mixed feelings about its appearance. I get a lot of comments from passers-by, mostly positive, but I get the impression they might be trying to be nice. I had no idea they were so uncommon.

[Yellowjacket Charlie]

It was my understanding that in 2002 the bikes were uncommon, but in at least 2003 and maybe 2004 the yellow was a standard color choice and made in the thousands.

The 2002 came standard with ABS, and integrated braking, and every other R1150R option offered.

The dark engine is difficult to keep clean, as well as the other painted surfaces. They show dirt only to well.

In addition, the cylinder heads don't accept head guards since the small ports where the guards screw into the engine are not drilled and tapped.
You can have the ports drilled, no problem. I had mine done last week by the dealer. Its a $100 job or less with the guards. According to my dealer it does not void the warranty.

I get a lot of comments on the bike. Mostly, "what is that?" since the yellow seems to really highlight the R1150R body style, but the color is just...different. I think its an extremely unusual looking bike, as only BMW can make.

[beemer-biker]

Mine is also a yellowjacket, but I call it the BumbleBee-mer!
Are you sure they only made 200 for the '02 model year? Mine is an '02 as well, but it just seems that there are many more than 200.

[gelbe Kulter]

I have one. I saw one while riding in SE Missouri last year. That's the only other one I have seen on the road.

I bought mine for the paint scheme. I think it looks sporty, whereas the other schemes look rather invisible. I like the silver, but the red and black don't interest me. Once I rode the bike, I really found it was a great all-rounder. It took that paint scheme to catch my eye and get me to try it.

[NZPOM]

When I first saw a YJ in the local showroom, it just stood out from all those normal conservative BMW colours. It just looked great, a bit prototype-ish, with the R1150R stencil in red.

After visiting the showroom almost every weekend for months the boss (her who must be obeyed) insisted I take it for a test ride.

Two days later I reluctantly returned the bike.....but only to sign up the papers!

In the 3 years we've covered over 45000kms (not too shabby considering I was incapacitated for six months!).

To the best of my knowledge, there were only four YJs bought into NZ. Two with ABS, two without.

Unfortunately, one of the non-ABS bikes sat in the showroom for 1000days. The dealer was so fed up looking at it, that he decided to re-spray it.....black! He then sold it a few months later.

So, NZ is now down to three YJs.

Not sure if I would have chosen the Ferro/ferro colour if it had been available in 2002. But I like that one a lot too.

As for keeping YJs clean. Haven't had any problems. It still comes up great, especially with some Mothers help.

[socalrob]

I got the ferro / ferro, bought it because they didn't have a yellowjacket in late 2003.

[JerryTreeXprt]

Yeah, the YJ color scheme was what sold me on mine. I love the blacked out engine and drive train. Here's a pic of mine when it had the Remus carbon fiber exhaust. I loved the look with the tinted sport shield, but in my opinion it was a piece of &$#&...noisy as hell and heavy wind buffeting. The bike treated me very well for 12,000 trouble free miles before I sold it to a nice gentleman from Long Island. I would've loved to keep it, but when I saw the 1100S Boxer Cup Replika I had to have it. Besides, when my wife told me that she was at the dealer and saw 'that bike you've been talkin' about, and if you don't buy it you're an idiot!' what was I to do? I'm no idiot, I bought it. Unfortunately, the 1150R had to go. I just couldn't walk past the Boxer Cup to ride the 1150R. Anyway, great bike, bestest color combination available in the whole run of 1150R's.

[Yellowjacket Charlie]

Now thats what I'm talking about! Good posts.