R1150R Issues

[Buckeye Beemer]

Looking at a used 2004 with ABS. Any glaring issues with the model and year? Maintenance costs are enormous, spline lubes are severely problemmatic, etc.

I haven't been able to find anything in my searches but that could just mean that my googling skills are lacking!

Thanks!

Larry

[Hogan's Hero]

Twin spark on the 04 resolved "surging". ABS has volumes, both good and bad. As will be said, if you do your own service, this bike will be cheaper than most, if you don't, it will cost you as more than most. There are few recurring issues on a great bike. You won't be sorry.

[boxermania]

Buckeye Beemer

From the standpoint of maintenance, if you can do basic maintenance the cost will be minor. The ABS will be costly if it ever needs repair.

Yes, there have been some issues with the splines, the fuel quick connects and in some occasions clutch slave cylinder leaks and clutch disc spline failure. Most of these have been isolated to earlier vintage bikes, 02's and 03's, although there are some 04' owners that have experienced the problems.

When all is said and done, the plesure and riding experience ofsets most of the issues, unless they are re-ocurring.

I don't know how you feel about ABS, but if you don't want it that is one way to potentially dismiss some serious repair charges. Likewise, if you are buying from a dealer find out if the bike is a CPO (Certified Pre Owned) they charge a little bit more but tack on 2 yrs and 24 K miles to the standard 3 yrs and 36 K miles standard warranty.

Good luck and keep us posted.......

[wncbmw]

What boxermainia said. But your biggest problem will be paying for the gas because you want to ride it so much!

[Biff's R]

+1 on Boxermania, and Hogan.

The fluid changes are cake, as well as most of the minor maintenance. I take my '04 w/ ABS in every couple of years to have the ABS System bleed. $200

[NAIAD]

+1 with the other folks!

In 40 years of riding, I've owned most of the major Japanese motos, and had a couple of Ducati's as well. BMW R maintenance costs monumental? Uh, I don't think so, but particularly if you don't mind the "Art of Motorcycle Maintenance".

Good Luck! BJ

[R4R&R]

Maintenance costs are enormous, spline lubes are severely problemmatic, etc.

Sure, take it to the dealer at every recommended interval and tell them to do whatever service it needs and it will cost a lot. Like the others said, most of the service is easy to do yourself. If you're not comfortable doing it yourself, then find a local BMW club, they usually hold tech days and you can usually learn there.

[Boxer04]

Buckeye Beemer
I have a October 2004 build date model with ABS.

All the information supplied to date on your question is good. I, like others here, get the ABS serviced/checked every couple of years.

One suggestion that you may consider is that if you take it to a dealer for a pre-purchase check or get one from a dealer ask for the ABS print out of the test that is carried out. Couple of pages of useful information - fault codes if present; fluid levels in the main unit; front (and rear)wheel speed sensors ; front and rear brake switch operation; and pressure on front and rear on brake test.

Member

[Buckeye Beemer]

Thanks for all the feedback. Bought the bike last evening. Waiting for a half decent day to ride it home. After 35 years I finally I have a opposed twin.

Boss was even okay with it....as long as I get rid of one of the other two.

[owldaddy]

I have an 04 / abs, the only problem I have had is with those cheap plastic QD's, change them out post haste, for they WILL cause a problem sooner or later. I am happy to say the bike has worked reliably other then that.
Don

[NAIAD]

Congratulations and welcome to the Boxer Boys (and Girls) Club.

Betcha' gonna love it. I sure love my '04!

Ciao! BJ

[OU812]

It's never too late!

[Buckeye Beemer]

Well, got her (Christine) home yesterday afternoon. What an ordeal. Rolled the bike out of the shop and while getting my gear on the wind blew her off the sidestand! I couldn't believe it! We had terrific wind ahead of a front that came in last night.

Anyway, drove 40 miles home in this wind, needed gas, got stuck in traffic...all in 40 degree temps.

But she is safely in the garage.

Very different from driving my K bikes! Miss the gear indicator and gas gauge from my K bikes....love 6 speeds though.

[Biff's R]

Good to see you got the bike home.

It was an interesting day to ride yesterday. I tried to avoid roads that were not tree lines. The wind was pretty wicked. I was on a mission to see if the pie is still good at Peggy Sue's.

[Dr. Strangelove]

Miss the gear indicator and gas gauge from my K bikes....love 6 speeds though.

Congrats, mine is an 04 with ABS and an Apr 04 build date; No issues with it and I have 23K+
Do some maintenance myself, especially fluids and valves and TBs. Lots of how to's on this site.

A trick, picked up from this board, 4th's tach position parallels the speedometer needle. But after a while, you just kinda know what gear you're in, or can quickly figure it out whether you're too high or low.

Color? Pictures?

John

[bransan]

Thanks for all the feedback. Bought the bike last evening. Waiting for a half decent day to ride it home. After 35 years I finally I have a opposed twin.

Boss was even okay with it....as long as I get rid of one of the other two.

How much for the k100?

[Buckeye Beemer]

Well, she needs new tires (have those, just need to get them mounted). But also has a tranny leak.

Good bike, nice cosmetic shape, only 21000 miles. Want to get her fixed up this spring.

Larry

[wncbmw]

I was on a mission to see if the pie is still good at Peggy Sue's.

Hey Jeff - judging from your avatar, you've been sampling a lot of pie lately!

Hey Buckeye Beemer - at least you made it home your first ride! When I bought mine (used) at a dealership 2 1/2 hours from home, I ended up in a snowstorm with the wife and kids following me in the car! I had to abandon the bike at a police station 20 miles from home and come back and get it the next day - with temperatures in the 'teens! Didn't want to crash my new machine and get run over by the family!

[sweatmark]

Well, she needs new tires (have those, just need to get them mounted). But also has a tranny leak.

Where's the transmission leak evidence? If you're seeing something on RHS of transmission housing, then it's likely the fuel lines/clamps/quick connects issue - well documented here on the board.

[Buckeye Beemer]

I am going to try and get a picture today and upload it. I was very frustrated with this purchase for a number of reasons but there did not seem to be any issues with leaking fluids. A month or two after I have her home she started to leak.