Look, Bewbies

[cworley5150]

Now that I have your attention, I would like everyones help here with something. After all of the recent threads BMWing about oil consumption, final drive failures and the like, i would like to start a thread about how many miles, what service has been done, failures and warranty issues. This thread is designed to show the positive side of the quality of service these machines are capapble of. All machines break. I think BMW riders get their panties in a wad more easily due to the indestructible reputation and expectations from the machines. Should be interesting.

This may have been done before. I'm kinda new around these parts of cyberspace. If so, just pretend it's a new topic and post anyway.

I'll start.

2004 R1150RA Rockster. Purchased new May 29, 2006 (I think). 8900 miles so far. Dealer performed break in service. I have done all of the rest right on schedule with the manual. No failures, hiccups, funny sounds or smells. Keeps running better and better. Probably uses less than 1/2 quart of oil between changes and consumption is progressively slowing.

[Silverr]

2004 R1150RA Purchased new 2004 sold bike with 12k miles in 2006

-After first 3 months, engine was replaced due to unknown engine problem- was burning massive amounts of oil (approx 2 quarts per 500 miles)
-Broken throttle grip at 1.5 year mark
-At the 2 year mark, bike stated burning oil again at a very high rate, same unknown engine issue as noted above...Engine was replaced again, YES, again for the second time.
-Broke down on the freeway once, was due to above noted engine problem...

Dealer performed all scheduled services on time and bike was well taken care of . Everything was done under warranty. Sold bike, 2 new engines in two years was final straw. Once, its a fluke, but twice??

Still a BMW Fan, purchased K12R in 06. Bike has been great!

[socalrob]

2004 R1150R ABS, 20,500 miles

Under warranty has had right (throttle) heated grip replaced.

Dealer has done all service. 18,000 mile service was $700 or so with synthetic oil.

Bike burns about 4 to 6 ounces of oil / thousand miles, but that seems to be very much related to how many cold starts are in that 1,000 miles. I think if I rode 1,000 miles in one day the bike would burn very, very little if any oil.

First battery lasted 2 years, I need to replace battery now (getting ABS voltage light). I do not use a charger and if I don't ride the bike for 3 or 4 days I think that is what does the battery in. I ride the bike 5 or so days per week 52 weeks per year.

[iowabeakster]

04 bought new in 8/04. due to other obligations have only exceeded 3K miles in a single year once.

04 did about 4K miles (3K the first month)
05 did about <1K miles
06 about 2.5K miles so far

burns very slight amount of oil, less than .25 qt over any riding season, in fact never added any between changes.

not one single problem

[TonyT607]

2002 R1150 R ABS (Black of course)

Purchased new from Cross Country BMW in Metuchen NJ in Nov '02.
Drove the bike for 3.5 years / 26k miles as a daily driver. Dealer did all services at 6k mile increments. I did oil/filter every 3k. BMW filters only.

No major issues at all. Not even surging. Zero fuel line problems. Replaced one heated grip, frayed connector/wiring for horn (which I f*cked up) , tiny final drive leak (dealer went looking for probs right before warr expired), all under warranty.

OEM battery lasted for 3 yrs/3 months. Original tires (Z4's) replaced with Z6's (by CycleRob) at 12k miles.

Bike burned oil (as expected) for about 12k miles. Dropped off significantly after that and went to almost nil after 18k. I broke the bike in very "aggressively".

Customer sat = HIGH

Traded it in on April 15 for the..............

2005 R 1200 ST (ABS) (Dark Graphic Metallic/Sydney Blue Metallic)

Purchased new from Cross Country BMW in Metuchen NJ in April 06. Bike now has 5k miles. Also my daily ride. Did my own oil and filter at 3k. Did all my own electrical work to install fused wiring harness for GPS/XM/V1/PIAA's.

Zero problems. The bike is being broken in very aggressively. Burns very little oil.

Customer sat = VERY HIGH

[JCsman]

2004 with only 11,500+ miles

Total problems:
Broken turn signal - I dropped it
Dead battery - I left the switch on
Clock time adjusting switch broke - replaced under warrenty

Scheduled service at dealer (just completed 12,000 service).

Burns less than a quart every 3000 miles (oil change interval)

[Boxer]

2003 Black R1150R Non-ABS -52,000 miles
Purchased with 675 miles in December '02.
Dealer serviced it at 600 miles and 6,000 miles. I've done the rest.
I had my oil pressure sensor go out last year and replaced that for about $12
It's high time for new shocks but I'm holding out til I win a lottery.
Used tons of gas and averages anywhere from 45-50 mpg. I switched to synthetic engine oil at about 25,000 miles and now also use synthetic transmission and rear drive grease. I change out the rear drive oil each time I change the engine oil at 6,000 miles. No leaks at all except engine oil was seeping by the cam covers after the OEM plastic ones warped. I replaced those with the metal ones from MotoTechniques. And switched methods of finding TDC. Now no leaks there.
That's about it. I love this bike. I can't imagine having one that is cheaper to maintain and it goes like the energizer bunny. (knock on wood)

[boxermania]

2002 R1150R Atlanta Blue

Bought June 03 with under 2000 miles on it with bags and Givi A750 screen already on the bike. It also had the extra warranty to 5 years 60 K.

It s now close to 15K miles and nothing has gone wrong with it, not even a bulb. Ooops, I lied one of the fuel clamps started leaking and I had them all replaced, under warranty with the K bike screw type.

[LA]

2005 R1150R Rockster purchased new in May 06 from Coastline BMW in Queensland...highly recommended.

4100 kms(I know..I really need to ride it more.) Did initial run in exactly by the book...I figure BMW should know the correct procedure. Bike uses no oil at all to this point. Makes only the right noises.
In fact I was a little concerned as my dealer led me to expect initial relatively high oil usage.
Have had no problems at all and I guess none should be expected on a new bike at this stage.
Hate the mirrors and am looking at options.
Other than that I love this bike.

[jas]

2004 Rockster purchased new 6/2006

9500 miles (120 miles a day, six days a week) with very little oil usage. Cannot wait to hit 100,000 + miles (5-6 years?).

45 mpg

300 and 3000 completed at dealership, the rest has been / will be completed by me (with everyone on this sites help, thanks).

Love it. Have not stopped smiling since the day it came out of the box.

[DJ Downunder]

02 Roadster..purchased new in 01.

I ride almost every day..no real problems at all.

Except two issues caused by too tight cable ties.

It's the great reliability of BMW's that made me buy one.

I'm glad that I did...it's a great bike.

DJ

[Sunbeemer]

2002 Atlanta Blue R1150R bought in Jackson, Mississippi Nov. 2004 with 5800 miles on it.
Changed the oil and rode it home to St. Pete, Florida (750 miles) in 2 days. Learned how great heated grips are (I used to think they were frivolous)
Have done all maintenance at ~1/2 the recommended intervals.
Updated left cylinder cam chain tensioner to eliminate start-up noises.
Now has 15,000 miles and uses ~ 1 pint oil between 3K oil changes, but this varies with temp... uses less in winter.
Drive to work and play around on weekends, but will try to get to some Appalachian twisties this fall.

The only thing I can say about this bike is...Whenever I stop for a break, I can't wait to get back on...it's addicting!
I never worry about whether it can, because I know it can!

[owldaddy]

2004 ABS bought with 360 miles on it. The dealer gave me $1000 off because it was a demo bike. I too hate the mirrors, and plan to replace them someday. As far as relaibility goes, it has always started, never left me stranded or broke down. No failures of any kind at this point in time, not even a burnt out light. It did consume oil the first few thousand miles, I was shocked when I got it home after the first real ride in the Sierras. After a few of those vigrous rides in the mountains, the oil burning almost stopped totally. Now I have 19,400 on it, and oil useage is down to a trickle. This bike never fails to put a big grin on my face. If I had any complaints, it would be the transmission, I am used to asian bikes that have butter smooth transmissions, Rommel is a bit on the clunky side.
Don

[cworley5150]

Thanks for the honest replies everybody. Good and bad. Keep'em coming.

Sunbeemer- if you come up my way soon, please look me up. I can show you some great roads and sights up here. Fantastic riding. PM me if you head my way.

Chris

[r1150rider]

'02 Atlanta blue bought in Aug of 2001, now has 63,200 miles on it. I had the dealer do the 600 mile service, I've done everything since then. Changed engine oil every 5k miles, gearbox and rear end every 10k. Zero problems of any kind, now on it's 9th rear tire and the 6th front, Metz Z4's until lately- changed to Z6's. About to install the 3rd alternator belt, still on the original (!) front brake pads but 3rd set of rears (non abs) even though I don't use the rear all that much. At 45k, even I could tell the original shocks were trashed so replaced with Ohlins and a full Remus system at the same time. It was like getting a new bike! I have a deposit on a 1200R, but the 1150R will be a tough act to follow...

[NZPOM]

Bought Dec 2002 YJ (with ABS) ex demo with 5000k's on. Avoided test ride for months because of the inevitable!

Just turned 50,000km last weekend (but missed six months riding due to poor health).

Problems? Leaking final drive around 42k. Dealer split bill with me. Blown number plate bulb.

Servicing - all done by dealer every 10k. No interim oil/filter changes.

Extras - GS handguards, Givi A750 (colur-matched Ferro).

Original battery just replaced (August).

Rear brake pads replaced @ 20k. Front still original.

Currently running Avon Azarros (10k so far, still plenty meat left).

When I bought this I aimed to clock up 100,000kms and certainly feel like this will happen as bike is still a joy to ride.

We're just heading into Spring here, so the better weather will see those K's go up quickly.



Oh, and yes, I still like the YJ paintjob!


NZPOM

[R90rider]

04 Rockster purchased 4/05
fuel quick disconnect leak at 2k miles
Both wheels bent around 6k miles. I still have no idea how it happened.
Powder coat on valve covers is starting to bubble at 13k miles.
burns about 6oz of oil every 1k miles

[BlackBart01]

2004 R1150RA purchased new in April 2004. 7,000 miles. All service by dealer. No problems except a defective OEM battery. I add 8-10 oz. oil every 1000 miles or so. MPG is 37 with mixed road riding.

BB01

[apaulcopy]

2005 1150R (no ABS) dark metallic blue, purchased new last November from Max BMS here in New Hampshire. Only put about 200 miles on it before the snow fell (that was one long winter, with a new bike in the garage!). Traded a 2000 R1100R, which I had bought used and really enjoyed (except the clunky tranny, which the 1150 does not have). Incidentally, the 1100 did not burn a drop of oil at 26K miles.

At 5000 miles, no problems at all. Had 600 mile service done by dealer, change my own oil and filter every 3000 mi.

As so many say, this bike actually seems to run better with more miles. Can't say that of my previous Japanese bikes.

So far, I'm real happy with it.

[apaulcopy]

Whoops...I meant that I bought the bike from Max BMW (of course). Good shop.