850 or 1150

[JohanOtten]

Hi there people! Aaaaaalmost finished my lessons to get my motorbike license (1 week) and already looking around for a bike to start on. Now what is was looking for was a 850r or maybe a 1100r ('98 or newer) I'm not a real speedfreak I mainly want to use it to drive it to work (40mins) and take it away on holidays tour around nice countries (belgium, germany, france etc...) so I thought the r850r would be a nice starterbike. It sells quite a bit cheaper then 1100's with the same age and total km. (about 500/800 euro's difference) but now I also came across this quite nice r1150r (dutch link to the auctionsite http://link.marktplaats.nl/592513636) but it has done a 150000km. Now I know beemers are awesome durable bikes that do a lot of km's but 150k seems like quite a lot. For the same price i find a 850 (from around '00) with 40/60k. So I like to get you guys advise and what's wiser: get a quite fresh 850 or the more use 1150.

I can do quite some repairs myself, but I don't want to get my hands black every month, I just want a smooth no nonsense naked bike that'll ride with me without much trouble.

btw, about the seating position, is the saddle to footpeg distance about the same on both bikes or is 1 of the 2 a bit bigger? I plan on getting a extra high seat and the lowered GS pegs/shiftlever.

Thanks people, this is an awesome forum where I already learned so much!

[CRazyCam]

Hi Johan.

I certainly bought the R850R because it was cheaper than it's bigger brother.

Dunno what the speed limits are like in the rest of Europe, but an 850 will easily go fast enough for you to loose your licence in Greece, and also Australia.

My R850R is from 1998, when the bigger option was R1100R, and the seating position was exactly the same between the two machines.

I think that the later 850 was identical in seat arrangement with the R1150R.

So, I (admittedly prejudiced) would recommend the "fresher" R850R.

regards,CrazyCam

[tiPirate]

I'd choose the one you can verify the best service history for.

[JohanOtten]

Thanks all. I'm interested in people who have some exprience with driving the more km's/miles that could tell me what the extra 100000kms does to the bike. What failures can you expect?

[CRazyCam]

Hi again Johan.

I bought my R850R with about 90,000 kms on the clock.

It had been well maintained (according to the log book) by it's one previous owner.

I've had it for over four years now, and the odometer reads something about 130,000 kms.

Apart from normal servicing, the only drama I have had was a failure of the Hall effect sensor(s).

That is the electronic business that tells the engine management computer where abouts the crankshaft is at any time, so that the computer can inject fuel or light the spark at the appropriate time.

It was a nuisance at the time <shrug> as I was only 70 kms short of completing a trip of 1,600 kms.

It took less than half a day to find and fix, once I got the bike to a good BMW mechanic.

It wasn't even terribly expensive.

regards,CrazyCam

[CycleRob]

JohanOtten, You do not state your height/weight/age. Considering the weight and expense to repair a Boxer, the possibility of at least a tipover drop and being a new rider, maybe you should be looking at something lighter, inexpensive, really low maintenance with a stellar reliability reputation like a Honda NightHawk 750. It has hydraulic lash adjusters (no valve adjustment), chain drive, runs smoothly and while being very easy to ride, it would still be dangerously "fast" for a new rider. There would be less costly "events" in every situation and if you or the wife decides 2 wheels are not for you, easy to sell.

Some here will say you can handle the size/weight/cost of a Boxer as a first bike - - and that can be true - - - but there are potential costly repairs for high mileage OilHead transmission shaft splines and the final drive bearing(s). I'd hate to see you walk into that or worse yet be "challenged" by the size/weight/cost of a BMW as a new rider's first bike.

If it has to be shaft drive, a 750/1100 Honda Shadow cruiser would fulfill the riding plans you have. MotorCycle riding is a very unforgiving sport so take these words as from someone that has enjoyed, suffered and learned from each and every 2 wheel experience for 46 years and over 320,000 miles. At best, you'll become a really good rider more than able to purchase and enjoy a better Beemer in a year or so, with fond memories of riding your 750 NightHawk.

[JohanOtten]

Thanks for the advise Rob. Really appreciated. The thing with a shadow is: i fit really badly on it. Translated to inches and pounds i'm roughly 6'9" and 225 pounds. I already dat on a 1100r and rove a bit and it fits quite well. Especially with aftermarket seat, highered bars and maybe the gs pegs. So thats what got me going towards the BMW. But your advies got me doubting. I der quite a lot of 11100r's from 98 to 00 with about 30k miles that have ABS at the moment. But yeah i have no idea what can come up on terms of maintenace and what or costs. Falling over wint be a big problem. My das had a motorlift in his garage (he rides a goldwing). I am very open to suggestions what a cheaper bike would be to start on but which will fit me well (36" inseam) so i can get to know 2 Wheel riding a little better. Like to hear from you Rob, thanks.

[JohanOtten]

Oh and I'm 27 years young

[TonyT47]

Johan, you make me at 6' 4" look small.
Here's my suggestion: look for a good, used Kawasaki 650 KLR. They're rangy beasts, with lots of leg room and you'll have no trouble planting your feet on the ground with that inseam.
KLRs are simple and cheap and if you drop it, it's hard to do serious damage. After you've had your fill of it, sell it for almost what you paid.
Then, if you decide you enjoy motorcycling, you can spend more money on a permanent machine.
BTW, my inseam is 34" and I'm comfortable on an 1150R.
Cheers,
Tony

[Ol' Jeffers]

Agree with TonyT....Also a KLE650 (Versys) would be a good place to start....cheap, now the 1000cc
model is out, and easy to ride.
...all these tall folks here are giving me an inferiority complex at a tiny 5ft. 8!!!