New 2002 R1150R........Wondering what I've done

[Ksbeemer]

Chirs,

See your private messages.

Buckster,

Thanks for the encouragement. I have wondered about what difference there is, or if I should have gotten a newer model with the twin spark. I've heard that the twin spark models might get better gas mileage. Any Comments?

Regards,

John

[owldaddy]

I believe the twin spark was supposed to eliminate the surging problem associated with the R1150R. I have an 04 twin spark, and it still surged slightly, adding a Techlusion to it cured that totally. It also made the machine much more enjoyable to ride.

[NoRRmad]

I've got a single-spark ('02) model. It hasn't surged yet.

[Ksbeemer]

Is the Techlusion hard to hook and tune? Looks like they are about $300.00.

Right now, I am just anxious to get the bike here safe and sound. I was able to order an OEM rider's manual. So, I hope that clues me into the basics of what button/switch does what.

Thanks for the input.

John

[owldaddy]

The Techlusion was very easy to hook up, tuning it wasn't to bad, if you choose to get one, you will find a thread on here where the settings I used have been posted. It seems some others used similar settings with theirs. I bought mine on ebay for $75. I didn't buy mine to cure the surge, I bought it to cure a WOT condition. I didn't realize my engine surged till I got the thing set up, and realized that it had been doing it all along. Funny how you don't notice something like that till it is gone. Unless it is very pronounced of course. Keep an eye on ebay or Craig's list. It was one of the best things I did for my R.

[JPeck]

I also recently acquired an 2002 R1150R (my prior bike was a 1993 K75S, which I still have). I was only able to ride about 600 miles last fall before the snow, but I liked the bike more and more with each ride. I especially like the power, the low center of gravity, the stable suspension, the handling, and the ABS brakes. I know that a lot of people complain about the servo brakes, but I think they're great.

Because my bike only had 4000 miles when I got it and maintenance was suspect, I've spent some time working on the bike, changing fluids, filters, etc. and generally checking things out to get ready for spring. I've generally found the bike straightforward to work on, with the help of Clymer and Haynes manuals and help from this site, IBMWR, and BMWMOA forums. I got some good advice on things to check out on the BMWMOA forum (see post "New to me low mileage R1150RA). Changing the fluid in the ABS brakes and clutch took several hours (I already had the gas tank off), but didn't turn out to be hard, just different than I'm used to. Speedbleeders on the brake calipers and clutch bleeder are a convienience if you work without an assistant. The brake bleeder funnel tool (I got mine from beemerboneyard) or something like it seems essential to changing the fluid in the servo unit. You may also find the DVD's that beemerboneyard sells helpful.

John Peck
Maple City, Mi

93 BMW K75SA (mystic red)
02 BMW R1150RA (red)

[mase]

John,
I believe I saw the bike on the showroom floor and it's a nice bike.I have a black one and love the ride And I'm an older dude 60+ . Enjoy.
Mase

[sweatmark]

Now having browsed through this forum, I am wondering if I am going to need a PhD in Beemer school just to be able to keep the thing running.

KS,

Welcome to the group!

You will notice that this board has a great group of R1150something owners eager to help our fellow riders. You won't need a PhD in BmW to keep your machine running, just the willingness to ask a bunch of questions. We'll answer and help however we can.

BMWOR is my local dealer of choice. We've done a lot of businss with the dealership, including our most recent bike transaction: trade of our 2002 R1150R Roadster (black, so probably not yours) for a dealer demo F800S. All of our BMW Oilheads (5 in all) have been serviced at least once at BMWOR's Eugene shop, with excellent results.

You'll notice that this board's traffic has shifted in the past year from R1150R to R1200R Q&A and commentary and stories (and farkles, of course). Regardless, the R1150R crew is still tuned in, and many of the R1200R owners moved up from -and earned their ownership stripes via- R1150R Roadsters and Rocksters.

Post, or PM, call - we're here to help.

[GypsyRR]

Born in Kansas.

John

How about that! Me too! Salina. But I lived in Topeka and a few other cities in Kansas before coming to Texas. The tornados of Kansas keep me from wanting to ever live there again! (Go Jayhawks!)

Welcome to the BMW RR group here. You are going to love your new bike! I've had 5 other bikes along with my RR over the past 4 years (not all at once), and none of them could ever sway me from my R1150R.

[brem]

Just to throw in my 2 cents, even though this has kind of moved on to technical subjects - this forum is populated by the most polite, well-mannered, and helpful people I've ever come across on the internet. I'm not a wildly active member but I've repeatedly received good technical advice as well as participated in some good discussions here. Whether the bike has problems or not you can't really know yet - but with the knowhow you can find here you'll be fine.

If you like it, I feel obliged to point out that you might throw down for a membership. It's some of the best money I've spent.

Cheers, and enjoy the R1150R.

Oh, and just a tip - don't tell WILDPIG that he left the CAPSLOCK on.

[Boxer]

KsBeemer, you will soon learn, if not already, that these forums reflect a VERY small percentage of owners....and on top of that, most of the posts here will be about "problems" encountered, because no one posts to say they have NO problems. ...Well, I say no-one, but some do, like that CamFarm fellow.

The fact is that there are many, many owners of this bike riding around with few or no problems other than routine wear and tear and normal maintenance issues, which, as already said, can be fixed by the average person with some mechanical inclinations.

That said, I personally chose to turn my back on this model, because I came to a point where my bike with 80,000 miles on it was about to need some major work on the clutch and/or top end of the engine/or throttle bodies...PLUS, I kind of fell in love with the F800/650GS twin and bought one of those. Now I miss the telelever more than anything else...and that feeling of instant "grunt" as I went to pass another vehicle on the highway. It sure feels like it has a lot more than 85 HP!

And I've been through Kansas several times, in both directions, and I prefer the southeastern quadrant to the rest...But thats just me. Welcome.

[Ksbeemer]

Hello R1150Rs,

I never in my wildest dreams thought I would stir up this much conversation. It is nice to know that there are so many loyal RR owners. That fact alone makes me all the more confident that I made the right choice.

For those that commented on Kansas, I was born here, but grew up in Arlington, Va. It took quite a while to get used to a more "middle America" attitude, but now, after more than 35 years, I'd never move back. It kind of grows on you.

I will definitely check back in and let you all know when the bike arrives. I am really looking forward to getting it here. Many thanks.

Best Regards,

Ksbeemer

[wncbmw]

Don't know how I missed this thread! Welcome to the R1150R world! It is one of the best all-around bikes on the planet!

Yes, there are occasional issues but on the internet, everything is amplified. This board is extremely helpful and if you pay attention can save you some money. Because of what I learned on there, I recognized the symptoms of a final drive bearing failure and fixed it before it cost much more.

Like many have said, most maintenance can be done by the owner, saving the hassle and expense of dealer visits.

Enjoy the bike and check out the spring Bash in Group Rides. Sounds like a good ride from Kansas!

[owldaddy]

I was just rereading this thread and realized that no one mentioned the QD problem or the tight wires under the steering head. Both problems are easy to solve. If you do a search of the board you will find some good info on these problems and be able to fix them easily. I wouldn't hesitate to fix them before they become a problem. The QD's are very fragile and will break with the slightest pressure. The wires are a simple matter of cutting a couple wire ties. I'm one of those guys who can say that this has been the most reliable machine I have owned. Good luck with your new purchase, your gonna love it.