considering 04 1150r

[concourde98]

Hey folks,

New to the forum which looks really impressive!. The only BMW I've owned was a 99 f650. I'm currently riding an 03 concours and an 03 hd 883r. I was at Cross Country BMW the other day where they had a near mint 04 1150r abs silver , approx 3K for 7299.00 warratied through april 07.

With all I'm reading about the vibrations of the 1150r I'm wondering if I shoudl just keep my Harley which is pretty smooth up through about 72 mph and is also super easy to maintain. no carbs, no emmissions, no fuss. I know I'll get superior handling with the 1150r and abs. this seems justification in itself. any input from sportster converts would be appreciated.

Thx Greg

[DJ Downunder]

Welcome Greg..buy the Beakster...have you test ridden it...once you do you will want to buy it for sure....and about that vibration..what vibration is my answer..mine never has..I've never met anyone who has had a vibration problem..I once had a Harley Sportster..now that thing vibrated.

Also about the carb thing..once you've had fuel injection you'll never go back..no choke to worry about..always quick starts..hot and cold..no fuel tap to worry about..it's all great.

Once you test ride it you will see what good brakes and good handling is all about...I'm sure you will be hooked...go for it..it sounds like a great buy.

DJ

[iowabeakster]

i have never owned a harley, but i have been on a couple. i think the r1150r vibrates far less than the harleys i have ridden. i find it smooth riding up to about 120, with no speed wobbles either!

[sjbmw]

Go ride it.

Then report back that you chose not to buy it.


We will wait back here....let us know.




<snicker>

[peterbulgar]

There are reasons not to buy an R1150R, but vibration is not one of them. I think that BMW went to a counterbalancer on the new R1200 engines because of a higher state of tune (more compression) that produced more vibration. The 1150 engine is quite smooth IMHO.

If you do your own work the R1150R can be cheap to maintain. However, periodic maintenance at a BMW dealer will be expensive. ABS maintenance is a $350 item every two years and the fuel filter is inside the tank. Worth it to me, YMMV.

$7300 seems like a good price for a low-mileage '04 with ABS.
Peter '73 R75/5, '04 R1150RA

[Marty2]

Have owned a couple of 1200 Sporsters. Sold the last one to be able to buy the R1150R. No regrets whatsoever. You'll love the bike. Take it for a test ride and see for yourself.

[Dauntless]

I used to own a Harley Softail. Your Harley will seem like a tractor after riding the R1150R. That's a great price too.

[R4R&R]

...my Harley which is pretty smooth up through about 72 mph

Harley? Smooth? These things don't vibrate too bad, it's the surging models that you have to look out for, but that is usually corrected by a proper valve/throttle body tune.

...I know I'll get superior handling with the 1150r and abs.
Thx Greg

Handling, yes. ABS? Watch the added maintenance costs. Even if you are a do-it-yourself-er, the ABS system is pretty complicated and will typically involve dealer service. Everything else is pretty easily maintained.

[KMACR]

Greg... go for it. You won't regret acquiring an '04 R1150R....especially in the coolest color---silver

Like the others here, I've not experienced a vibration problem with the R. Compared to my brother-in-law's Harley Sportster, the BMW is a smooth running sewing machine---a big sewing machine---- and one that quietly keeps your fillings intact.

Sounds like a great price for a great bike.

[madbinkster]

You're considering the exact bike I bought new for my 55th birthday. Best gift I ever gave myself. This bike is a totally different beast. Runs great, stops unbelievably quickly (I have ABS and love it), and won't give you a headache or backache after an hour of riding. I ride with several Harley guys, and they wonder why I run way ahead or way behind. I like the sound of air rushing by, not a constant drone of unbaffled exhaust. And let's face it, Harleys need to be loud. My vote is buy it, ride it, and wonder why you waited so long to make the change.

Bink

[boxermania]

I agree with SJBMW....we will be waiting.

I rode a 1200 Sporster about 6 years ago and felt tlike I was riding on a wobbly piece of spaghetti, the front end dive was excessive and the brakes? what brakes? Ahhh.....I also forgot then vibration.....Hmmmm

Maybe I was skewed in my evaluation, I was ridding a well set-up Ducati Monster 900 at the time.......

[JCsman]

You're considering the exact bike I bought new for my 55th birthday. Best gift I ever gave myself. This bike is a totally different beast. Runs great, stops unbelievably quickly (I have ABS and love it), and won't give you a headache or backache after an hour of riding. I ride with several Harley guys, and they wonder why I run way ahead or way behind. I like the sound of air rushing by, not a constant drone of unbaffled exhaust. And let's face it, Harleys need to be loud. My vote is buy it, ride it, and wonder why you waited so long to make the change.

Bink

Substitute Christmas gift from my wife when I was 52 and my experience is IDENTICAL. I was riding an '02 Sportster 1200 when I got the R1150R. Night and day.....

I still cannot imagine a better bike for someone (like me) who can only have one in the garage.

[cbesey]

Currently riding an '88 Sportster and took an '04 R1150R w/ ABS out for 280 miles last Monday - no comparison. The 1150 turns on a dime, stops on a nickel, and I could sit on it all day going down the road - much smoother ride. More fun in the twisties, more comfort on the highway and great torque, plus feels way safer than the ol' MoCo sled.

The Sportster is for sale and as soon as it does, I'm getting a bmw.

Someone, please, forget everything you've read on this thread and buy my harley

Chris

[OU812]

Good price. If I was looking for one, I would buy it! I have an 04 wo ABS, and I would not want anything else. I have owned about 20 bikes.

[BigC]

I can't believe you found that deal at a dealer!! I just paid $7200 for my '04 non-ABS w/8k on it from an individual a little over a month ago. And mine needs new tires...shortly :\

I don't have much of an opinion on Harley other than I think they're overpriced and the ergonomics of a cruiser are somewhat disconcerting...

[Brownw3]

You must not have ridden the bike yet. When people talk about BMW vibration, they are comparing it to the smoothness of a japanese engine. Also, the vibrating is almost non-existent by 30k miles. Sportsters don't vibrate, they shake. In all frankness, the Beemer will be a quantum leap in performance, handling, comfort and safety; Huge difference. I love concourses (I'm too tall to ride one but I love them) I think you'll find the Beemer to be similar, with rawer acceleration but nimbler handling.

I agree with others. Ride the bike. I have yet to find motorcycles I love more than BMW boxer twins.

[dwayne]

The only thing that may cause you to lift a brow, would be the oil consumption that some of these bikes, mine included, seem to have. I was for a long while, burning about a liter of oil for just over a thousand kilometers...that's a bit much, though I don't know what its like now, havn't riddin in a few days, almost a few weeks now. Although I bitched A LOT about the oil issue, its not quite as bad as I first thought. I have had some build quality issues that the dealership took care of quickly. Other then that if you can get the bike at a good price, go for it but don't buy it thinking that you are buying a superior machine to the Jap bikes as far as maintnance goes; you stand to be disappointed. Again, not a major issue but it will cost more to maintain then the average jap bike...but a lot more fun to ride Besides, why ride a Honda when you can fly on a Beemer