Buying R1150R

[thelazyman]

I am looking at purchasing a 2003 R1150R and have a few questions.

The bike is a salvage title and was repaired by a shop. From what they told me it was front end damage and the front telelever and fork tubes were replaced. Aside from obvious damage are there any issues I should look for with this model?

It has 30K miles and ABS. All damage will be repaired fully. I can get the bike for $5600 OTD. Is this a fair price for this bike in Northern California? All bikes I have seen for the same year have been in the high $7k range.

Thanks. If all goes well I may be a new beemer owner.

[gel9001]

I would seriously think about it. Frankly I would never feel fully confident on a bike that was salvaged. I was in a front end collision and my forks were totaled along with other parts. I would never feel fully confident if I had repaired the bike.

my 2 cents,
Good luck,

gene

[UT R1150R]

I would run from that one. The dealer will fix all obviously broken stuff but what assurance do you have that there are not other weaknesses such as cracks, etc in the frame? Maybe the dealer will notice that but maybe not.

Sounds like for a difference of about $2000 you could have one that wasn't crashed.

Good luck!

[Ed K]

What Gel and UT said ... buyer beware ...

[M1ka]

Find someone to check it out for you to verify the work is done well.

The other thing to consider is the cost of ownership. In this case you may save a buck on the front end with a salvage title but what will it be worth on the back side when you go to sell it? Hard to say but you should spend some time thinking about that.

[thelazyman]

Thanks for the replies everyone. This is a tough one. I have rebuilt japanese bikes before so I am not unfamiliar with the mechanics of it but I admit I have very little knowledge about BMWs.

[thelazyman]

Just another though. Does anyone know of any engine issues that may result from a front end collision...seeing as how it is an integral part of the frame?

[Jax]

My .02.
Price is to high for a salvage title bike with 30k miles.
Four months ago, I bought a 2002, R1150R/13k miles/ mint condition for only $5500 from a private party. It had a Cee Bailey windshield, tank bag and a cover included in the price.

Typically, a salvage titled bike that has been fully repaired is worth 25-30% less the same model that has not been salvaged.

NADA, high retail book for a low mileage 2003 with ABS is $7540 and low book is $5730.

For a bike with 30k miles and a salvage title, I would gueestimate that it is worth around $4500. This is assuming that there was no mechanical damage from the accident. Remember......when you get ready to sell it, you're going to have a salvage title and any potential buyers are not going to pay anywhere close to the average current retail price.

Good luck.

[wncbmw]

You have gotten good advice from others. Jax summed up my concerns exactly. Buying a salvage title is one thing, if it has been completely fixed, if you get it cheap enough and if you know resell will hurt you.

I bought a salvage title truck once. It gave me great service but when I went to sell it, I discovered, while I got a good deal on it, it wasn't good enough.


Check out the used market some more and good luck.

[Lion_Lady]

After wrecking my f650CS it was 'renewed' completely. All apparently damaged parts were replaced.

A couple months later, my tail light nearly came off. Seems that the housing had been cracked in my lowside, but the damage wasn't evident in the original inspection. Road vibration (um maybe the single cylinder vibration) finished off the cracked part.

In other words, theres a gazillion things that MIGHT have been effected by an accident. There's no way to know WHAT got missed, what was barely damaged, and will fail later.

P

[ProductUser]

Ask the dealer to pay for a NDI (non destructive inspection). You never know what stress has been placed on vital components due to the crash; it could take time for those weaknesses to surface. It's just too risky of a gamble to buy a salvaged m/c.

ProductUser

[Just-Beeming]

I agree with Jax. This may not be a good compromise even if the price is attractive.

I just purchased (Jan 06) a used '04 with only 4k on it. Still under warrenty. I paid just under 10k but it has EVERYTHING I wanted, bags, autocom, tall windshield, ABS, Low seat...I could have paid less for a bike but would have wound up either spending more or compromising my wishes and safety. I had mine shipped and it was perfect. Shipping was only 500. and lets face it, I spent more on my jacket.

There are deals out there if we are willing to be patient.

[Dr. Strangelove]

I, too, would tread lightly here. Too much unknown risk for not enough of a price break.

I bought a used 2004 w/ ABS and a few other doodads for mid 7's. Patience is warranted. This is the time of year good deals come available.

John

[thelazyman]

OK you have all convinced me. I guess I will pass on this one. Thanks for all the advice. I appreciate it.

[wncbmw]

Hey thelazyman - Stick around, even if you pass on the bike! Let us know when you find one! This place has a wealth of information!

[socalrob]

One reason I bought a new bike is I have a bad imagination of things like the handle bars or front wheel coming off as I'm cruising down the freeway. At least with bike bought new I know its history & feel that a catostrophic failure is not likely. Of course I know I may be mentally ill regarding this.

OTOH, were I to buy an RR right now, I would first want to decide if I thought buying a twin spark model was worth it. Not sure the opinion of others on the board, or when exactly the switch was made from single spark to twin spark, but I would most likely search out a killer deal on a twin spark. The 1150 twinspark motor was the last big modification prior to the 1200 Hexhead motor now in the ST, GS & RT.

[thelazyman]

Thanks guys. I will be back. The search for "MY" RR has begun.