1150 issues?

[Rampant]

I am a potential buyer of an 1150rt

I heard of a few issues: surging, driveshaft failure.

How prevelant/fixable are these?

Also, I was surprised to see that valve adjustments need doing ever 6k miles. This seems a lot for a tour bike. Are valve adjustments mandatory (or your engine explodes) at 6k miles, or is it like some japanese bikes where it is a suggestion of where to look if your engine starts running weird.

[MikeCam]

Surging is a non-issue for the dual spark engines (2004 and beyond). Earlier models had a simpler fuel map, extreme sensitivity to local gas quality, and required very close adjustments of throttle bodies and throttle position sensor to run smoothly. Overall, very few were plagued by surge while those few gained lots of attention. Final drive failures of the ring bearing, main bearing, and overall unit occurred in 3-5% of the 1150 models, mostly the RT. Clutch hub and input shaft spline failures occur in some number under 1% of U.S. models. Clutch slave cylinder seepage and failure, rear main seal failure, and ABS low power (battery weakness) failure are other well reported issues. Overall, reliability and durability rival other brands but these problems do occur in enough numbers to bear attention.

Valve adjustments are rare. The 6000 mile figure is the valve check. Makes little difference since the procedure is easier than cleaning your toaster at home. These valves require no shims, minimal tools, knowledge, and skills. If you choose to own an 1150, then doing your own valves is a prudent approach to maintenance.

If any of my 1150 bikes started to run weird, I would not suspect the valves as the first culprit. Air, fuel, spark checks followed by drivetrain checks would occur to me first.

[Rampant]

Is it worth paying the extra $$$ for a 1200 vs an 1150RT?

[boxermania]

The 1200 model is lighter, has higher HP and a significally improved engine managemenr system. From my perspective the model, other than some early issues with seal leaks on the final drive it has been devoid of problems.

From the owner perspective a lot of them feel that the 1150 model has more character/looks than the 1200 model. Last but not least there is the price difference, as you so noted.

[Rampant]

I guess what I am asking is... on a practical level.. do the differences matter?

at 95hp, the 600lb bike has double the performance of my cruiser, with at least 3x the brakes and probably 2-3x the handling.

Does the r1200 require less maintenance, or does it just go faster/easier?

if the second... meh.

[Flashdog]

The R1100 and R1150 engine was and is one of the great motorcycle engine designs. It showed the world that BMW could make a viable modern day boxer engine capable of continuing their reputation of making the worlds best mile eater. They succeeded! Many overland adventure riders have proven that. The 1200 engine continued that tradition and has become yet another benchmark design. They're all good.

The problem with model/make specific forums is that we tend to talk about the bad. If you go to the VW TDI forum you would think that those cars couldn't make it down the block without needing an engine overhaul. In actuality, they are one of the most reliable engines you can buy.

Yes, the 1200 engine is awesome. I just wished they would have put the 1150R tank on it!

[challey]

I do not believe that the R1200R is significantly different in terms of maintenance than the 1150R. One very big plus for any oil/hex head BMW is that most routine maintenance (fluid changes, filter and belt replacement, valve clearance adjustment, TB synch, etc) is relatively easy and well within the capabality of nearly all shade-tree mechanics.

With respect to valve adjustments, I can second what MikeCam said from personal experience with my R, though I'd put it slightly differently. After the intial break in period, the valve clearance tends not to change much and is usually within the factory-recommended clearances when checked at the recommended intervals. If you take your bike to the dealer for servicing, they won't bother adjusting them under those circumstances however, many owners (myself included) find for various reasons, that it's worth making the small adjustments needed to get each set of valves (L/R intake and L/R exhaust) in synch. More importantly, the adjustments are very easy to do - I think the procedure is the same for both the R1200 and 1150. But this really falls into the category of "nice to do" rather than "essential".

In sum, my take is that the R1200 has solved some of the durability/reliability issues (FDs, clutch hub/input shaft splines, wire harness) and provides a higher level of performance with a significantly improved power/weight ratio. The maintenance and upkeep for each model are probably very similar, if not identical. The brakes on both are outstanding. Each bike has more than adequate power and more importantly, useable torque. You've stated that you're coming from a cruiser. The handling on both will be far better than what you're used to and the general ergonomics, particularly the seating, are more conducive to spirited riding and higher-speed touring (an aside: I've never felt with the cruiser bike concept - I find it disconcerting and uncomfortable leaning back in a motorcycle saddle with my feet in front of me working the controls). There are very few bikes out there that do so many things as well as either R1200R or the R1150R and that's what makes either model special.

Bottom line is that this is a much different bike than a cruiser and the differences between each model are insignificant compared to their differences to a cruiser. Do the differences between the 2 models matter? Only you can answer that question. IMHO, the only truly significant differences between the 2 models are that one has slightly better performance and will cost more than the other.

Charlie

[Rampant]

sounds like it won't matter so much for my purposes. I think I will save the 2-3k, since the 1150r near me is a police model with all the trimmings and crash guards and so on.

Now I just have to find a bunch of money.

[Boxer]

OMG! Don't get the police model. For some reason that model inexplicably chases after speeding cars on the freeway!

[MattPie]

I guess what I am asking is... on a practical level.. do the differences matter?

I guy I know graduated from an R1100S (the 'sport' model) to a R1200RT, and says the RT is awfully close in terms of performance to the S. I know he can lose me in the twisties on my R1150R before too long.

[Rampant]

how about the R1100RT?

There is one of those for sale as well. Is the 1150 a lot better? The 1100 is quite cheap!

[R4R&R]

how about the R1100RT?

There is one of those for sale as well. Is the 1150 a lot better? The 1100 is quite cheap!

One of the biggest differences between the R1100 and R1150 layouts is the addition of a sixth gear. If you're planning on putting on some highway miles, then go with the R1150RT.

[Mr. C]

how about the R1100RT?

There is one of those for sale as well. Is the 1150 a lot better? The 1100 is quite cheap!

For my vacation this summer, I rented a 99 R1100RT from RJ at http://www.classicmotorcyclerides.com/ . I spent 3 weeks touring / camping in the northwest (Glacier, Yellowstone, Tetons, Sawtooth Mt Range, etc...) The bike had about 33K miles on it. I added another 3000 miles to that. It was a great bike, even though it was a 5 speed, gear spacing was very good and it got a consistent 50 - 52 MPG, 2UP, with full luggage and camping gear. The only downside was it was top heavy with all of that stuff on-board. I did some daytrips leaving the baggage at camp and it was very comparable to my R1150R.

I would not hesitate to buy that bike!

-mc

[machew01]

I've not ridden an RT in the 1100 or 1200 version. I have, however, ridden an R1150RTP (cop bike) that still had the blue lights on the front. It handles the twisties like a sport bike, and all of the cars in front of me were, inexplicably, happy to get out of my way. Sadly, I could never find the switch for the siren.


mac

[def38]

Have you considered the GS model? The GS is BMW's Swiss Army knife motorcycle. It will do what other boxers do but you treat it like a pack-mule. Comfortable, good touring manners, good handling (it will spank many sportbikes in the twisties), imposing, sort of farm implement looks and the ground clearance and handling to leave the asphalt and handle off road excursions.