Old member is BACK with 04 Rockster. ADVISE?

[Hidalgo]

So, I am a previous owner of an R90. Then I got a K75. Today I am finally buying my friend’s 2004 Rockster! It has 40,000 miles. In beautiful shape.(lower seat option for those normal people of 5’8” height!) It’s a dream come true for me since I always wanted one. I spent a lot of time researching the web for articles and real customer experiences with this bike and I have not found anything too negative or detrimental that would prevent me from the purchase. So, this is my last cry for help. Other than the yearly tune up of valves, fuel system and regular oil changes the only odd maintenance I have seen is the yearly flush of the ABS. Anything else I should look out for? I have about 4 hours before the money exchange.

[kirby]

I bought it (Rockster) in '04. Put on standard r1150r bars, ohlin shocks (rebuilt 5 times) staintune (complete) exhaust (much lighter than stock, the cat and stock can is heavy).
I have done several track days and one all out 15 lap race. (radared at 141 mph with a slight tail wind .9 mile straight and never hit the rev limiter in top gear)
I have used dino oil and changed it at 6000 miles.(also dino in RD and Trans). Right now I do not have to add any between changes. Last compression check was 159/160 psi. Check the valves and rocker float around 12,000 miles. Rebuilt the right throttle (shaft clicking) one new hall sensor,3 fuel filters, stick coils once, front wheel pivot joint once, front wheel bearing once. Many instrument light bulbs.
I crabbed and pulled the transmission at 169,000 miles and there was minimal spline ware and the clutch plate still in great shape so did not replace.
Just passed 216,000 miles.

When it starts using oil or the compression drops off I will pull the cylinders and do a top overhaul.

Best all around moto I have ever owned (out of about 30).

About 80% of my street riding has been sport touring (solo) with very little stop and go stuff (city), with a fair amount of dirt roads out here in the western states. Never been dropped or damaged.
I'm good to it and it has been good to me.

mike Mojave CA

[peels]

kirby, those are amazing mileage numbers. and the 141mph.... i got mine near 130 once, and it just didn't feel good...psychologically... or physically.

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good luck hidalgo.

the ONLY thing that's a possible scary unknown is those darned transmission input splines. thats a difficult job. But mine were ok. and if kirbys were ok at 169k, you can now tell its really a bad luck of the draw kind of thing. maybe riding style... nothings been proven.

the rest is "simple" if you don't mind turning wrenches. Everything you and kirby listed, plus clutch slave. And when you "flush" the abs system, flush all 4 lines. AND give the calipers a good cleaning, and inspection. I had a sticky one. Eventually removing the abs altogether.

I also use dino oil.

[Hidalgo]

Thanks Mike. With 216 miles under your belt you give me full confidence on purchasing the bike. I particularly love how you dropped the tranny at 169,000 with minimal wear. I had to drop my K75 tranny every other year for lube and it took 8 hours of constant work. I hated my bi-yearly lube appointment! This bike only has 40,000 miles and it seems it may be my last bike for the next 10+ years! THANKS MIKE!!!!!!

[peels]

Thanks Mike. With 216 miles under your belt you give me full confidence on purchasing the bike. I particularly love how you dropped the tranny at 169,000 with minimal wear. I had to drop my K75 tranny every other year for lube and it took 8 hours of constant work. I hated my bi-yearly lube appointment! This bike only has 40,000 miles and it seems it may be my last bike for the next 10+ years! THANKS MIKE!!!!!!

if you arent put off already by pulling a BMW transmission, then there should be nothing on this bike to scare you... I worried for over a year after I heard of the spline issue. Opened mine at 27k, NO wear at all. it was 2- 4 hr days. then another 4hr day because I missed a connector and had no fuel pump.

Im certain you will be pleased. I havent found a better "all around" bike YET.

good luck.

[Hidalgo]

Well, I did have a lot of help getting that heavy tranny off. I would not have been able to figure it out all on my own.The worst part was hanging the K75 from my garage ceiling beams since the center stand is attached to the tranny housing. Yet, for as many searches I have made on the web, this bike seems to be one of the best of the best from the Oilhead line up. I never really worried about the spline failure since for what I remember it affected mostly the 1200 bikes, not the 1150’s at the time. Then again, with 40,000 miles of proven ownership, I think it’s safe to say this bike has done a good initial first impression. In less than an hour I will be driving it home.
Thanks Peels for your message.
Best!

Gil

[riceburner]

Mine has rolled over an (indicated*) 105,000 this year, I used it daily, and it's fine.











* at least 8,000 short

[Hidalgo]

Thanks to ALL for the great advice and support. THE BIKE IS IN MY GARAGE!! What an amazing piece of technology wrapped over two wheels! So a year ago all fluids were changed. It has less than 1,500 miles in the current fluids from brake fluid, tranny and gear box according to the owner. It will need oil change. That’s where the controversy and personal choices come into play. I watched 4 Youtube Videos on oil change. Two of the videos insisted on using Spectro oil and not synthetic. They claim Amsoil or any synthetic WILL eventually cause leaks on the seals. Spector 4 regular oil is what was HIGHLY suggested. The previous owner gave me the extra new Fram oil filters that he used along with Amsoil. I believe a reputable and reliable oil brand can mean years of riding or years of repairs. What’s the general and most safe recommendations for this bike?

[riceburner]

I generally use the same Castrol Actevo 10w40 that the bike came with (with the occasional top up of whatevers around).

NOTE: my bike loses about 1.5 - 2 litres of oil between changes. Either it wasn't run hard enough when new (I bought with 1,800 miles on the clock), or it's something else (glazed bore, valve-stem seals or sommat else). It doesn't (to my knowledge) smoke or otherwise leak, so not sure what it is.