Hello Everyone,
I have just bought a 2003 R1150 RT and collect it this coming week.
I think it may be 2004 model year as it is the twin spark version.
It has 32,ooo miles is in titanium silver and has top box and comfort seats and heated grips all which I think were optional extras at the time.
It has a full Service history although the last one was 2006 ...so it has missed its last.
The dealer is putting a 12 months mot on the bike and doing the 36 000 service for me as part of the deal.
Although he is an indepeendant dealer his background was service manager for a BMW dealer and he rides a Beemer himself.
The only crib on the bike is the fork stanchions are flaky but he is repainting these and a few of the fasteners are corroding here and there but it looks a straight bike.
I am a little nervous riding it for the first time properly it seems so much bigger than my Yamaha FZ6 which has been my steed for the last 2 years
But January in England !!!I am looking forward to the screen and heated grips.
I look forward to contributing to oyur forum going forwards
Andrew
New Owner (almost !!!)
Moderator: Moderators
New Owner (almost !!!)
1955 BSA A7 Shooting Star
1977 Honda 400 / 4
2003 BMW R1150RT
1977 Honda 400 / 4
2003 BMW R1150RT
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DJ Downunder
- Honorary Lifer
- Posts: 4776
- Joined: Sun Mar 20, 2005 3:26 pm
- Location: Melbourne
-
boxermania
- Quadruple Lifer
- Posts: 3644
- Joined: Thu Mar 17, 2005 6:37 pm
- Location: Baton Rouge, LA.....aproaching retirement
chana.....congrats, you will like the bike.
Yes, it will be slightly different than you F6, for one and the most noticeable thing is that you will not have to see more than 6K rpm to begin building steam, theR has tremendous grunt down low...you will love it.
Next it will take you a bit to adjust to the lack of front end dive upon braking, a little strange at first but after you get to know the bike it will become confidence inspiring.
Last, you will find that basically it does everything well and is very forgiving.
Best wishes on your new ride and post some pics.....
Yes, it will be slightly different than you F6, for one and the most noticeable thing is that you will not have to see more than 6K rpm to begin building steam, theR has tremendous grunt down low...you will love it.
Next it will take you a bit to adjust to the lack of front end dive upon braking, a little strange at first but after you get to know the bike it will become confidence inspiring.
Last, you will find that basically it does everything well and is very forgiving.
Best wishes on your new ride and post some pics.....
Member #312
06 Suzuki Burgman 650 "state of flux"
79 CBX
06 Suzuki Burgman 650 "state of flux"
79 CBX
I whittled it down to a pan and beemerboxermania wrote:chana.....congrats, you will like the bike.
Yes, it will be slightly different than you F6, for one and the most noticeable thing is that you will not have to see more than 6K rpm to begin building steam, theR has tremendous grunt down low...you will love it.
Next it will take you a bit to adjust to the lack of front end dive upon braking, a little strange at first but after you get to know the bike it will become confidence inspiring.
Last, you will find that basically it does everything well and is very forgiving.
Best wishes on your new ride and post some pics.....
The fact the beemer is lighter and more aerodynamic tipped the scales in all honesty.
the fazer does wake up and provide entertainment but realistically at illegal speeds
I gather the Bmw will provide grunt low down and I suspect mirrors my ideaology
I am not interested in 150 mph etc ..of more relevance is a bikes ability to provide the thrill up to 80 mph or so.
the r1150 seems to acquit itself admirably with this pre requisite.
As I have said it is totally different to the Yamaha which in all fairness has been 100 percent ...Cant wait lol
Andrew
1955 BSA A7 Shooting Star
1977 Honda 400 / 4
2003 BMW R1150RT
1977 Honda 400 / 4
2003 BMW R1150RT
Congrats on the RT. They are great winter bikes, with all of the weather protection, and heated grips like Biff said. The RT will have a much different power band from the FZ; very different bikes for different purposes.
Europe got the 'twin spark' as 2003 models while the U.S. got them as 2004 models.
Enjoy it!
Europe got the 'twin spark' as 2003 models while the U.S. got them as 2004 models.
Enjoy it!
John
Member 293 (I think)
'17 Triumph Tiger 1200 XRX
Member 293 (I think)
'17 Triumph Tiger 1200 XRX
Well I have done it ...In the uk i am a member of a legal forum with a motoring slant ...i have written a little piece re my first thoughts which I have shared so the context makes sense .
Well seeing as there are few bikers on the site ...I thought I would give my initial opinion of the Bmw R1150 RT I collected today , I find it interesting that this model some of the police brigade may well have used as their steed ,,,,and how my observations mirror theirs perhaps ?
Unlike some of the biking press, I havent ridden The Honda Pan European or Yamaha FJR so I cant make comparisons there...That is maybe not a bad thing The bike is judged on its own merits.
Having rideen around on a Yamaha FZ6 for 18 months a sports tourer and true middleweight , I imagine on leaving the garage today ...my blood pressure was a touch high.
To be honest setting off I was praying today wasnt the day someone pulled out ...I felt like a learner, Man and machine become one as they say ..but it does take a little courtship first.
The beemer is best part of 250 kgs ...sat aside the thing it seems massive compared to the fazer, And the natural conclusion is it is going to be a handful to control my confidence re roundabouts and slow moving traffic was questionable to be 100 percent frank.
First weird thing is starting it ...a 1150 boxer horizontally opposed twin engine ..the bike does a gentle nudge to the right until such time as the engine internals start to counterbalance.
A gentle clunk engages first gear via an hydraulic clutch, and off we go.
The BMW has a reputation of clunky gearboxes but to be honest was no more neanderthal than the Yamaha.
Literally as soon as the thing starts rolling the weight magically disappears.
My ears confused by the leisurely pace the bike accelerates, the engine note totally different to an inline 4 cylinder.
One of the first things to get your head around is the indicator arrangement....on anything other than the beemer all controlled from one pod on the left handlebar ....But Bmw seem to have stuck to their principles of having an indicator switch each side of the handlebars and one to cancel
Now perhaps because I was conscious I got along with it fairly well ...and only on a couple of occasions were my fingers pressing any switch that fell to hand to cancel the things.
I suspect they become a bigger problem after the honey moon period when one rides semi auto....time will tell.
Making my way out of Bradford ,I found my self on a pretty straight road and nothing behind me .....in fact that is a point a motorcycle where the mirrors actually work and you can see whats behind.
The Brakes are linked front and rear so no matter what lever is pulled the proportion of effort is shared between front and rear brakes.
A lot of bikers dont like this idea on the basis that if you hit a bend a touch to quick ...gentle rear brake doesnt upset the bike too much and speed can be scrubbed off Hit the front brake of course while braking on a bend everything is thrown out of kilt and there is a good chance you will end up in someones front garden on a lucky day
BMW brakes have a reputation of being a bit sharp ...naturally on a wet road another concern ...still gentle squeeze 50 / 50 ....the bike scrubbed off speed with no problem....so acclerate off ...bit of a firmer squeeze ...sixpence and stop on springs to mind. In the event of an emergency the bike has an ABS system for further reassurance.
The suspension is Bmw's paralever system ..where there is minimal dive on braking etc. The merits no doubt I will find out ...what is interesting though is the bike soaks up irregularities in the road with ease ...and it really is like a magic carpet ...You just seem to float along.
Apparently t is designed to hit a kerb at 60 mph at 90 degrees and not get ruffled ...to Be fair I dont have any desire to put that ot the test but it does acquit itself well .
On to the M62 ...heated grips on and electric screen fully raised I was trapped in a coccoon of still air I could raise the visor on the helmet and I wasnt being ram fed fresh air !...
Another concern was buffeting from passing my trucking bretheren, letting your arms relax on the bars and a gentle grip with the knees..the bike just tracks true not ruffled by any turbulence at all ...I was very impressed having made the journey an hour earlier on the Yamaha ...permanently wiping the visor and getting that chucked out dragged in feeling evertime I passed an artic. Car transporters seem to be the worst culprits.
The bike has a six speed box and sixth gear is a definte overdrive 70 mph and a round about 2750 rpm ...the yam 6500 rpm ..Everything seems so less hurried.
I was that content I decided to pay a visit to squires cafe in Sherburn in Elmet ...I was the only Bike there ..i dont know whether it is my madness or the efficiency of the beemer ...I will let those who know me decide lol.
However first scary bit ...hit a left hand bend and I drifted way offline. Pilot error the demons in my head again ...Actually this bit was scary nothing coming the other way to induce panic.
Cup of coffee and Cornish pasty later, I set off and decided in for a penny in for a pound ...take it down some twisties ... and build up my understanding of the bike and improve my confidence.
Crikey....It handles ..smoothly does it, to be fair not as well as the Yamaha ..but there again I wouldnt expect it too. There are two ways to steer a bike ...one is nudge the bars ..and the other is to swing the hips or combination thereof .. gentle nudge and twist of the hips falls quicker than Frank Bruno,...and holds her line the suspension again soaking up the the road surface.
So what were the negatives ?
Well it may be I am some sort of ergonmically challenged individual ...but I found my self locking my arms ...The stance I think should be butchers bike and things are far more relaxed when bending the elbows.
The seat is wide and I am currently wandering around the house bow legged. You shift back on the saddle first brake ..slip forwards and compress the family jewels...Eventually when I got home my hand was aching a touch from holding the throttle open.
Now it would be fair to say that perhaps it is me adjusting to the bike rather than bad design ...with the exception of the sliding forwards bit I suspect that is the way it is.
I was sad this afternoon pulling into the dealers in Bradford , I felt a bit of a traitor to the Yamaha she never let me down once. And daft I know but a little tear in the eye and a pat on the tank ..and a thank you ..!14000 miles since July 2006, Two foriegn adventures and camping trips.
But the BMW has given a glimpse of what she is capable of and tbh 80 mph on the autoroutes I think she will do for fun,,, It seems that is her remit, with sensible handling on the twisty bits will arrive.
Channa
Well seeing as there are few bikers on the site ...I thought I would give my initial opinion of the Bmw R1150 RT I collected today , I find it interesting that this model some of the police brigade may well have used as their steed ,,,,and how my observations mirror theirs perhaps ?
Unlike some of the biking press, I havent ridden The Honda Pan European or Yamaha FJR so I cant make comparisons there...That is maybe not a bad thing The bike is judged on its own merits.
Having rideen around on a Yamaha FZ6 for 18 months a sports tourer and true middleweight , I imagine on leaving the garage today ...my blood pressure was a touch high.
To be honest setting off I was praying today wasnt the day someone pulled out ...I felt like a learner, Man and machine become one as they say ..but it does take a little courtship first.
The beemer is best part of 250 kgs ...sat aside the thing it seems massive compared to the fazer, And the natural conclusion is it is going to be a handful to control my confidence re roundabouts and slow moving traffic was questionable to be 100 percent frank.
First weird thing is starting it ...a 1150 boxer horizontally opposed twin engine ..the bike does a gentle nudge to the right until such time as the engine internals start to counterbalance.
A gentle clunk engages first gear via an hydraulic clutch, and off we go.
The BMW has a reputation of clunky gearboxes but to be honest was no more neanderthal than the Yamaha.
Literally as soon as the thing starts rolling the weight magically disappears.
My ears confused by the leisurely pace the bike accelerates, the engine note totally different to an inline 4 cylinder.
One of the first things to get your head around is the indicator arrangement....on anything other than the beemer all controlled from one pod on the left handlebar ....But Bmw seem to have stuck to their principles of having an indicator switch each side of the handlebars and one to cancel
Now perhaps because I was conscious I got along with it fairly well ...and only on a couple of occasions were my fingers pressing any switch that fell to hand to cancel the things.
I suspect they become a bigger problem after the honey moon period when one rides semi auto....time will tell.
Making my way out of Bradford ,I found my self on a pretty straight road and nothing behind me .....in fact that is a point a motorcycle where the mirrors actually work and you can see whats behind.
The Brakes are linked front and rear so no matter what lever is pulled the proportion of effort is shared between front and rear brakes.
A lot of bikers dont like this idea on the basis that if you hit a bend a touch to quick ...gentle rear brake doesnt upset the bike too much and speed can be scrubbed off Hit the front brake of course while braking on a bend everything is thrown out of kilt and there is a good chance you will end up in someones front garden on a lucky day
BMW brakes have a reputation of being a bit sharp ...naturally on a wet road another concern ...still gentle squeeze 50 / 50 ....the bike scrubbed off speed with no problem....so acclerate off ...bit of a firmer squeeze ...sixpence and stop on springs to mind. In the event of an emergency the bike has an ABS system for further reassurance.
The suspension is Bmw's paralever system ..where there is minimal dive on braking etc. The merits no doubt I will find out ...what is interesting though is the bike soaks up irregularities in the road with ease ...and it really is like a magic carpet ...You just seem to float along.
Apparently t is designed to hit a kerb at 60 mph at 90 degrees and not get ruffled ...to Be fair I dont have any desire to put that ot the test but it does acquit itself well .
On to the M62 ...heated grips on and electric screen fully raised I was trapped in a coccoon of still air I could raise the visor on the helmet and I wasnt being ram fed fresh air !...
Another concern was buffeting from passing my trucking bretheren, letting your arms relax on the bars and a gentle grip with the knees..the bike just tracks true not ruffled by any turbulence at all ...I was very impressed having made the journey an hour earlier on the Yamaha ...permanently wiping the visor and getting that chucked out dragged in feeling evertime I passed an artic. Car transporters seem to be the worst culprits.
The bike has a six speed box and sixth gear is a definte overdrive 70 mph and a round about 2750 rpm ...the yam 6500 rpm ..Everything seems so less hurried.
I was that content I decided to pay a visit to squires cafe in Sherburn in Elmet ...I was the only Bike there ..i dont know whether it is my madness or the efficiency of the beemer ...I will let those who know me decide lol.
However first scary bit ...hit a left hand bend and I drifted way offline. Pilot error the demons in my head again ...Actually this bit was scary nothing coming the other way to induce panic.
Cup of coffee and Cornish pasty later, I set off and decided in for a penny in for a pound ...take it down some twisties ... and build up my understanding of the bike and improve my confidence.
Crikey....It handles ..smoothly does it, to be fair not as well as the Yamaha ..but there again I wouldnt expect it too. There are two ways to steer a bike ...one is nudge the bars ..and the other is to swing the hips or combination thereof .. gentle nudge and twist of the hips falls quicker than Frank Bruno,...and holds her line the suspension again soaking up the the road surface.
So what were the negatives ?
Well it may be I am some sort of ergonmically challenged individual ...but I found my self locking my arms ...The stance I think should be butchers bike and things are far more relaxed when bending the elbows.
The seat is wide and I am currently wandering around the house bow legged. You shift back on the saddle first brake ..slip forwards and compress the family jewels...Eventually when I got home my hand was aching a touch from holding the throttle open.
Now it would be fair to say that perhaps it is me adjusting to the bike rather than bad design ...with the exception of the sliding forwards bit I suspect that is the way it is.
I was sad this afternoon pulling into the dealers in Bradford , I felt a bit of a traitor to the Yamaha she never let me down once. And daft I know but a little tear in the eye and a pat on the tank ..and a thank you ..!14000 miles since July 2006, Two foriegn adventures and camping trips.
But the BMW has given a glimpse of what she is capable of and tbh 80 mph on the autoroutes I think she will do for fun,,, It seems that is her remit, with sensible handling on the twisty bits will arrive.
Channa
1955 BSA A7 Shooting Star
1977 Honda 400 / 4
2003 BMW R1150RT
1977 Honda 400 / 4
2003 BMW R1150RT