Looking at a 2004 R1150R and 1997 R850R

[samaaron]

I am middle age guy relatively new rider, have a license and took the MSF course. My friend is letting me use his Ninja 650R to gain more experience. Throughout my life I have always been around nice bikes. This will be my first motorcycle purchase. The 2 bikes I am looking at are a very clean 2004 R1150R ABS, 15k miles, side bags, engine guards, heated grips a touring and sport windshield , can purchase for somewhere in the mid sixes. The other bike is a 1997 R850R ABS, 37K, rebuilt transmission,new tires and battery 1 windshield, a tac and clock and motolights, I can buy it for 3200. Help me out here, I do not want to be penny wise, pound foolish. My cousin who rides a BMW R1100RT and has owned other beemers, thinks the R850 is a POS. He has told me to walk away from it. By the way I am a good sized guy, 6'1" and around 200 lbs. Any and all feedback appreciated or is this a no brainer?

[combustor777]

Never rode an 850r but the rebuilt tranny is a red flag for me. Could be spline problems? 1150r is much prettier anyway I think at 6'1 you might be a little cramped (legs) on either bike (it's about right for me and i'm 5'8). May need to investigate higher or aftermarket seat. ABS is either expensive to service at stealership or time consuming if you do it yourself. I have it and like it, just FYI. The 850 never had much of a market in America because it was nearly as expensive and heavy as the 1100/1150 with less HP and torque. I think at 200# you will find the 850 lackluster, and with 37k miles it probably has the original shocks which are shot and somewhat expensive replacement. I guess you can see where my vote is

[TicTac50]

Throughout my life I have always been around nice bikes. 6'1" and around 200 lb. or is this a no brainer?

I think that you answered your own question and you just need OUR support.
Here is my support for YOU!!!

.......................!!! GO FOR IT!!!.....................

Last week I switched from 2002 non-ABS to 2004 ABS and I can tell you this:
"IT IS WORTH EVERY PENNY I WILL LOOSE ON MY 2002 BIKE"

On the larger scale, the price difference between 2 bikes is only $3300.00

What are you going to tell your grand kids I could have had that, but instead I got this... (POS)

I don't know your financial situation, but years down the row you will regret depriving your self of a nicer bike

Treat yourself to a 2004 BEAUTY and get your self a life time membership to this board.

Good Luck and welcome to the board.

[Photoguy]

I've owned both and can say that he 850 was no POS!

Personally I prefer the 1150 styling over the 850. Really liked the adjustable height seat on the 850, wish the 1150 had one. Don't know your location, but the 04 1150 seems to be priced a little on the high side. In my neck of the woods it would probably be in the 5's.

Assuming that everything is as it should be on both bikes, I don't think you can make a mistake. They'd both be nice rides.

[Karmøy]

Its a prittyer and more modern bike that will serve you nice.....the 850 have a more revier engine,you have to drive it a bit sportier.

And whats wrong with a rebuilt tranny..?



Regards from Norwegen.

[popsnicker]

I just bought a 2004 R1150R with ABS as a relatively new rider too and absolutely love it. I am a bit wider than you, 6'1" 230lbs (working on it) and the bike fits me perfectly. The bike has a great balance to it and the power is perfect, plenty of getup without being scary. So of course my vote is for you to get what I have

[combustor777]

Its a prittyer and more modern bike that will serve you nice.....the 850 have a more revier engine,you have to drive it a bit sportier.

And whats wrong with a rebuilt tranny..?



Regards from Norwegen.

rebuilt tranny at 37k? The tranny is built like a tractor and with the 850 you'd really have to be trying to trash it in that many miles. Thats why I vote for chewed up clutch splines/input shaft, meaning manufacturing misalignment problems, meaning it will happen again at the same mileage on the newly "rebuilt" tranny...stay away, its likely this particular 850R IS a POS like your friend warned...

[pebmr]

samaaron:

I was in your same position about 2 years ago. Mid-life crisis age, had my endorsement from college still, thought it was time to have a bike again. I looked hard before I bought my 04 R with ABS. I had looked at the 1100R and the 850R, and I got my 1150R for not much more, yet it was relativley new with < 10K miles. I concluded that the 850R was basically the 1100R with just a smaller engine. Seemed to be few around and resale may not be as good as a more popular bike. I'm happy wth my decision and wouldn't do it any differently! Besides, at your height, you won't need to shop for the short seat like I did.

[sweatmark]

Having owned and ridden '96 R850R, '01 R1100R, '02 R1150R and '04 Rockster, I offer the following:

The 850 is a good bike. Lighter pistons mean smoother motor, with balance of machine identical to 1100 sibling. Only other difference is final drive ratio, which yields higher revs at cruising speed. Solid bike for lazy rides and back-road trips. Seat is comfortable, height adjustment useful, but the cast handlebars lock rider into fixed position that you either love or loathe. The 850/1100's 5-speed transmission is crude and can suffer shift dog problem, so a rebuilt unit could be viewed as a plus.

The R1150R is also a good bike, with superior 6-speed transmission, more ergonomic options, and wide tire choices if you use the 5.5" rear wheel. The 1150 has broader range of capabilities and more sporty feel, but suffers from a number of potential problems, from nuisance to nightmare. Still, many of us love these things for their balance of performance and comfort.

You might also consider perennial do-all bike favorites like the Honda VFR, available in the used market in your price range.

I'm also a Buell XB owner and fan, in case you have a Buy American sentiment.

Good luck with your quest.

[TexasRoadster]

As a new rider, don't let the size/hp of the larger 1150 be a deterrent. You'll be glad you you went with the larger bike in very short order. Also, being 7 years newer than the 850, you'll find parts and accessories easier to find. The sportier styling of the 1150 is a real eye-catcher and everyone will be asking you about your "exotic" looking bike - even the sport bike snoobs won't look down on your choice of rides.

[Daryl.Stamp]

R1150R; Sweet
R850R; something other than sweet

[boxermania]

I would go with the R1150R as it has more to offer. That being said, I would do a bit of due diligence and inquire as to the prior owners, who has serviced the bike, has it had any issues, does it have the service records. You can also walk into any BMW dealer with the VIN and request the recalls on the bike, no they won't have the service records, only the servicing dealer has those.

There are some issues, like mentioned on one of the above posts, some minor, some involved and some back breaking, unfortunately, they don't give you much notice when they rear their ugly head. Personally, I would stay away from ABS as it can turn into a monster....that is only my oppinion.

Potential problem areas
Nylon ties by the steering head severing wires in harness
Plastic fuel quick conects that age and break
Leaking fuel clamps affected by weather changes
High oil consumption if the rings have not seated
Failing stick coils due to high temperature (4 plug engine)
Potential pivot bearings failure (medium)
Potential FD (final drive) bearing issues (medium)
Potential trabsmission input shaft spline wear due to materials/misalingment (major)
ABS component failure (major)

Other than that the bike has an indestructible engine, if you keep the oil level where it belongs, basic maintenance is easy, has appeal, excellent suspension, the type that will make you feel in command and lots of torque.

I would buy the most recent model that you can afford......good luck.

[Biff's R]

I
I would buy the most recent model that you can afford......good luck.

That would be my advice, too.

[iowabeakster]

I've owned my 2004 R1150R w/ABS for just under 5 years (bought new). This bike has been a joy. Not one single problem. If I could pick one up, with the options listed above, for the price you are looking at...I would (after some token haggling). Although, I would sell those ugly sports and touring shields, get a speedster shield and paint it, then put that on it!!!

But, I've also been a member of this here website for just about as long. I've read all about the problems from hundreds of others who own the 1150. The bike does have some potential issues. (***SEE BOXERMANIA"S POST***) Some are cheap, easy to address before any problem arises...others are potentially very expensive. That said, all bikes have issues. Nothing is perfect. Sweatmark mentioned the VFR above. I like that bike too. I also would look at the Suzuki Bandit 1200.

A couple of opinions for you:

1. At 15K miles...the 1150 motor is barely broken in. In fact, you may need to do some hard core, wide open, speed tests your first few months...just to finish the break in. Depending on your preference for high speed travel, you might even enjoy it. This depends on the previous owner. Some folks still report oil usage up until 20K miles or more. Anyway, the motor is a very durable, reliable power plant. Unless oil changes were not done, it is as good as new.

2. The ABS system is...complicated. (oh no! ABS debate!) Make sure to take a long, long, test ride. It is different...not bad...but different. Make sure that you are cool with it. Taking the bike to the dealer to have the ABS regular service will cost some considerable money. That said, I've done my own, numerous times, and had no real difficulty with it. I am fairly proficient with a wrench, but by no means, a real mechanic. There are plenty of instructions, and service manuals floating around on the Internet...that we would be able to steer you towards. Not just for the ABS service, but for all regular maintenance items. Doing my own work has cost me nothing additional, and the ABS system has been flawless. I think it might have saved me from locking the rear wheel in a turn, when a varmit darted out of the grass at me. Those high sides cost a lot more than delaer service or a replacement ABS sysetem. All in all, the maintenance on this bike is really quite easy.


3. THIS website...the folks here, and their knowledge, make owning a R150R so much better.

[bikermeow]

Money aside, ... I would go for the R1150R, ... without ABS.

[samaaron]

Let me throw this out to the group. All of you are a great resource. I just got a great opportunity on a 2005 Black Triumph Bonneville low miles and nice extras. Let the comments come....

[bikermeow]

You love doing this to us, don't you? ....

It is not an apple and apple comparison. My take is that if it is for show and the odd commute around town then the Triumph (it is also a nice bike). The R1150R will be more useful (with panniers) for everyday use and more suitable for a long-distance job, IMHO. How's the Bonnie's load capacity?

Cheers

[samaaron]

My first bike after wanting one for over 30 years, so I want to make sure she's the one Small saddle bags, not a whole lot of capacity

[pinecone]

Samaaron - really excited for you! I don't think you can go wrong with any bike that you're comfortable on and is affordable and in decent shape. Just remember two things - the nicer the bike the more likely you will dump it and whatever you choose first you will eventually want another. You know, something agile for urban riding, something larger with storage for touring and perhaps something for the dirt...

BTW, the 850 is not a POS, but I agree the prices seem high on both R-Rs.

[samaaron]

The price on the 2004 R1150R with 15K started out at 7250 so he feels he is giving me a good buy at 6500 with all the option bags etc.