Interested in Purchasing 2003 R1150R w/ 24k Miles

[bergj1986]

I've had my eye on the R1100R for years, looked at a few, but the price never matched the condition of the bike. While cruising around CL yesterday, I came across a 2003 R1150R with 24.5k miles for $7k. I've been emailing the owner and have received the service history as well as additional pictures of the bike.

Here is the service information I have been provided about the bike:

Maintenance:
- 12,000 miles
-- New plugs, air filter, throttle body synch, valve adjustment, brake checks, oil filter and oil, transmission oil, rear end, and other checks (brake fluid and clutch pull.) BMW gear lube for the tranny and rear end.

- 13,900 miles: (work performed by Bogart BMW in Birmingham, AL)
-- Metzler Z-6 tires installed
-- Oil Change
-- Rear Brake replaced
-- Drive shaft seal inspected

- 16,300 miles: (work performed by Ohio Motorcycles, Hilliard, OH Apr 06)
--New BMW gel battery
--Oil and filter change
--Fuel filter change
--Transmission fluid change

- 18,000 mile check-up (work performed by Ohio Motorcycles, Hilliard, OH 07)
-- Oil Change

- 21,000 miles
-- Metzler Roadtech Z-6 tires installed
-- Front: 120/70 ZR 17 (58W) -- Rear: 170/60 ZR 17 (72W)

- 24,000 miles (work performed by MOTOHIO European Motorcycles, Columbus, OH 09)
-- Full 24K BMW MX performed
-- New Oil filter, oil, air filter, spark plugs, gasket rings

Accessories included with bike:
-BMW hard cases
-BMW touring windscreen
-Heated handgrips
-Padded handgrips
-Pillion rider backrest
-BMW battery charger

Pictures:





I would really appreciate your guys/girls opinion on this bike and what I should look for when looking at this bike in person. Keep in mind I have owned many bikes over the years and am very mechanically inclined. I am looking to get a bike which will allow me to do more long-distance riding, which my 2005 Ninja 636 does not allow.

[Doug]

Cant see your pics.. looks like they're from your email. Post them on flickr or something!

[jas]

In my opinion the price is about $2k too high. If you are interested in a fly and ride, I would sell my 2004 Rockster for less than his asking price to include:
Sargent seat
Ohlins front and back
RS intake tubes
full Remus exhaust with carbon can (lowered).
System cases with full size left bag
fly screen
PIAA driving lights on autoswitch
upgraded head lights
metal disconnects
external fuel filter,
cyclinder guards
bar risers
GS hand guards

Full service 1,500 miles ago (ABS flush, clutch fluid replaced, all fluids, new filters, all bolts re-torqued, etc.). Z-6 tires with 3k miles. 36k miles total, one owner, Purchased new in 2006. Runs like a top.

[bergj1986]

Uploaded the pictures to Imageshack, thanks for the heads-up Doug!

Looked at the bike yesterday and took it for a 10 minute ride. Noticed when the bike was cold, it was a bit difficult to get into 1st gear from neutral, but that went away as it warmed up. Figure that is due to heavy oil in the transmission (the bike is from Ohio and now is in south FL).

Front brakes felt a bit spongy, but worked well. The bike had stainless lines front and rear. One thing I found a bit strange is that the front brakes utilized a distribution block; usually when someone installed stainless brake lines, they do a double lines from the master cylinder directly yo the calipers.

She rode very well, smooth and powerful. Only strange noise I noticed seemed to be coming from the instrument cluster whenever I would fully open the throttle in a low gear. It sounded like a pinging noise. I checked to make sure none of the instruments or dash were loose, but that wasn't the case. Didn't sound like it was coming from the engine. Thinking it's something in the gauge cluster that gets stressed when the bike is ridden with WOT in a high gear. Anyone else ever experienced this issue on an 1150R?

What would you guys pay for a bike of this year and mileage?

[Doug]

Did you check KBB?

[bergj1986]

KBB shows a retail price of this bike in excellent condition at $5,625, NADA shows a value of $3,630. Yes, I checked this before looking at the time. First time I've seen NADA and KBB differ by $2k.

[snave]

looks a lot like my bike! I agree with previous post on the kbb price. I was surprised at your comment about brakes. Mine has ABS and stops in a HURRY! Does this one have ABS? perhaps it was removed? could be the source of the different feel
Paul
lawrenceville, ga

[bergj1986]

The front wheel does not have the sensor wheel for the ABS so I don't think the bike ever had ABS.

Anybody have any ideas regarding the issues I experienced with the bike?

[jas]

Brakes – Any record of a fluid change since the 24k service in 2009? Old fluid, air in the lines.

Noise could be the cam chain tensioner

- or -

You’re lugging the bike. What rpm range were you in when deciding to accelerate? If the bike is below 3200 (at least my bike) and I roll on the throttle it will make some pinging sounds until 4200ish.


If the last service was in 2009, and you want this bike, have the owner agree to pay for another service. New fluid in the trans, FD, brakes, clutch, motor. Have him replace the fuel filter while it’s being done.

It appears to be a nice bike with a few extras (Remus can, bar risers/set-backs, back rest, lights, but again, the price $2000.00 too much in my opinion. You can get a well sorted GS, same year and mileage w/bags for $7K, at least in my area. Bikes similar to the one you posted are in the $4500.00 - $5200 range.

[cswett]

I agree, much too high. Two years ago I paid $6,500 for a similarly equipped 2004 (mine came with Navigator III GPS) with 2,000 miles. That was an excellent deal, but I think most bikes of the vintage and mileage you are looking at are in the $5,000 range. Sadly, the R' don't hold value quite as well as the GS.

[eduardobelmonte]

I believe the price being asked for would require the bike to be PERFECT
that means...
1000 miles at the most.
new battery, the one it has is like 5 years old.
full service just done.... NO other way.
new fuel filter..., the one it has is due to change.
external fuel filter.... otherwise it is too complicated.
Left case should be full size and that enforces the can to be lowered.
Cylinder guards..., inexpensive and always needed.
Not an OEM seat. Corbin or any other, the original is too low and makes your knees go south in long trips.

I agree the correct price as the bike is right now would be not greater than 5000 bucks.