Rockster Rant

[jas]

I have a 2004 Rockster purchased new in 2006, currently with 20k miles that I ride every day, unless there is snow or ice on the road. On the weekends my wife and I journey into the hills for a picnic or just a short jaunt to get away. During the school year I use it to takes the kids to school, even when walking makes more sense.
Thus far I have experienced ruptured fuel lines (both lines, one occasion), flat tires and that is about all, knocking on wood. The bike has not been to the dealer since the 6000 mile check-up, all the preventative maintenance has been performed by my wife and I (she has learned to do the valves and synch). This winter the bike will head back to the shop for the abs cleaning, unless somebody in Boise that is knowledgeable wants to walk me through the process.

I love this bike. If something should happen to it, I will most likely find another R to continue my journeys on. It handles back roads and fire roads just fine and is a blast to commute on. Rain or shine, I look forward to the daily grind knowing that I get to ride to work.

Like many others, money is and always has been tight. What extra cash I do have goes towards the kids college funds. This is why I have taken every opportunity to work on my bike myself and seek out those more knowledgeable than I to help fine tune the process (valves, etc.) and teach me new things/tricks. However, if money did grow on trees, I would continue to ride this bike until the wheels fall off. At which time I would find new wheels and keep this lime green beauty going. Should the bike have a failure in the rear or any other issues arise (that BMW knowingly ignores), that won’t change the way I feel about this roc.
All things mechanical, hell all things can fail. My 96 Dodge lost its transmission at 60,000 miles in the dead of winter leaving my wife and I stranded on a mountain pass in a white-out conditions. I view this as “things just happen” for better or for worst.

Did I mention that I love this bike?

[sweatmark]

There are many of us that feel just as you do about our Rocksters (and Roadsters too).

Everytime I pull the tank off and start messing with the bike, I'm reminded that BMW did a pretty good job keeping the bike simple & accessible, in the spirit of the airheads.

Everytime I put the bike back together and ride (whether it's slab or twisties), I'm reminded that BMW did a pretty good job incorporating sophisticated technology that really works for a bike intended for do-everything use.

Yep, they're keepers. Regardless of what problems we may encounter with long-term ownership.

[riceburner]

Maybe "Eulogy" would be a better title than "Rant"??

(Where I'm from a rant is more of an anger fueled diatribe... )

Have to agree though - the Rockster does it all.

[jas]

Now that I think of it, "Soap Box" or "Soap Boxer" may have been a better title. I just wanted to express my appriciation for the bike. Should it fail in the future, I'm sure the kids will have to cover their ears while my language becomes colorful, however that will not take away the fun of past ownership or future ownership for that matter.

[rudytenorio]

I love my Rockster too......but i think I did some damage when I used 87 octane gas. It was the only thing I could find, I was in the middle of nowhere. Since then, I have re-fueled a couple of times with 94 octane but it continues to ping. Did I kill my baby?

[jfslater98]

...but it continues to ping...(

Did you refuel from the same place? Maybe their Premium tank is fouled with water.

[Buckster]

I think that with gas prices so high that the premium sets in those tanks a lot longer than usual. I have been sticking with mid grade and using Seafoam about avery 5th tankful.
Typically I would use premium in the summer.

[jas]

+1 for Seafoam.

[Tripton]

I love my Rockster too......but i think I did some damage when I used 87 octane gas. It was the only thing I could find, I was in the middle of nowhere. Since then, I have re-fueled a couple of times with 94 octane but it continues to ping. Did I kill my baby?

I have ran 87 octane in mine lots and lots of times, with heavy loads and hard riding, no damage.

I try to run higher octane, but here in Iowa, the 89 octance is an ethanol blend (No.) and some places dont have premium. When you need gas, you need gas.

We cant even get 94 octane here!





I dont know why it would still be pinging though...