2002 ABS and Clutch failures

[ornk]

Hello
Have been reading articles posted on the internet by Affordable Beemer Services. They also have maintainence film clips posted on youtube. I currently have an R1150R with ABS. I have 12k on the machine. I bought it new and didn't ride it as nearly as much as my previous BMW motorcycles. It has been carefully stored in a heated garage for the past 4 years. Over this past winter, I installed a new battery, changed the oil. The last dealer service was performed at 6k. During storage I completely drained the entire fuel system. After installing the new battery and a fresh tank of fuel, the bike started and runs great! Here is my dilemma:according to the info presented by Affordable Beemer Services, if I decide to ride the machine on a regular basis again, I can expect the ABS servo pump to fail, the clutch splines to fail due to poor design by BMW, possible driveshaft failure or oil leaks, and possible transmission failure. The technician that owns the shop is an ex BMW dealer employee. I have corresponded with him, and he seems to be genuine in the information he presents, and a very nice man. He is not anti BMW motorcycle- he is angry that BMW has denied any of these problems exist, so he struck out on his own to make a living repairing the flaws, and perform the necessary factory maintainence that the motorcycle needs to remain roadworthy and run properly. He does offer reasonable labor prices to fix any BMW afflicted with the problems stated above. He also states that aftermarket replacement parts without the factory flaws can be purchased through Beemer Boneyard. I really like the motorcycle, however, I am wondering if I should sell it before it becomes a future mechanical nightmare.Due to health reasons forcing me into an early retirement, I no longer have the income that I had when I first bought the motorcycle.However, I feel that the motorcycle shouldn't have had these problems to begin with. It has eroded my confidence in riding the motorcycle in the future, as my health has improved enough to be able to ride again. He states that most of these problems surface from having as little as 20k on the problematic motorcycles. In the end, he says that some of these motorcycles run for many thousands of miles with nothing more than routine maintainence. Finally, has anyone on here experienced any of the problems with your own R1150R? Thank you.

[vwdoctor]

I bought my first BMW 04 Rockster in December. 2 days later bike would not crank right. Tried jump starting didn't work. Figured out its bad battery. While taking the tank off broke quick disconnect. After checking the battery figured out it was a starter. Took it apart and grease plate was lose. Known issue. Fixed that and put it back together. Two days later got fed up with iabs and decided to take it out. It was working fine but the system is crap. Put it together and figured out one of the stick coils was bad, after replacing spark plugs. Decided to delete stick coils as well. Started getting paranoid and decided to take it apart and look at the clutch splines. They were on the way to failing. But then again I always end up working on anything I buy. Overall I like the bike but if I had to pay for the work done so far I would be out at least 2k. Bottom line is buying a used European machine of any kind is a gamble with more to be won or lost then with Japanese ones. Ymmv.

[AZBMWRIDER]

I've had no major issues with my '02 R, non-ABS bike, in the 12 years I've had it .
About the only real issue, was with the fuel quick disconnects, which I removed within a year of getting the bike .
Don't know if it makes a difference or not, but with residing in a warm climate, the bike gets ridden just about every day .
The ABS system on BMW bikes has been a problem area for years, not only on this model bike .

[towerworker]

I've a 2004 R1150R with almost 53,000 miles. Have had no problems with anything. I learned to do all my own maintenance (including tires) and have fun doing it. I would do the regular maintenance (learn how if you don't know how--lots of help on this site) and just ride the heck out of it. If it breaks (which I doubt it will) get out your wrenches and have fun learning something new. It's all part of the BMW experience.

btw--for every one bike that has had issues there is probably 1000 that haven't.

[ornk]

Thank you for your comments. I do know how to perform regular maintainence on my 1150. My previous ride was a 95
1100GS. I put 50K on that one and did all scheduled upkeep on the motorcycle myself. I had no problems with that motorcycle except for occaisonal throttle surge at low rpm. I really like the 1150. I like the integrated ABS. I know all machines break, however, I bought the 1150 thinking it was as durable as my 1100. I am leaning towards keeping the 1150 and enjoying riding it. I have grown accustomed to the telelever front end. It gives an incredible ride! I didn't want to stir any controversy by asking for personal horror stories. I was just wondering if any of you 1150 riders have experienced any of the major problems that I mentioned. As long as I can repair the problems should they arise, it is still less expensive to fix the 1150 vs the cost of a new motorcycle. Thanks again.

[towerworker]

I hope I didn't come across as implying that you didn't know how to work on it. That was not my intent. I went thru a stage where because of all the horror stories I was concerned about my bike's reliability. For the most part I've gotten past that. My funds and my abilities are limited as well but if I have to learn how to do clutch or FD repair I guess I will. I had to decide that if I was to enjoy my bike I'd have to realize that BMW's weren't perfect and that they do break down but the chances of that were minimal. And as a plus they are relatively easy to maintain and repair. And I really don't want to own any other type of bike.

I have a friend here in town who's 2004 R1150GS just turned 100K with no major issues. Best of luck to you!

[kirby]

Hi,
I have an '04 Rockster I bought new. (non ABS) One of the best all round moto's I have ever owned. I have flogged it allot with track days and one real club race. Usually when I leave CA on a trip I will typically do 4 to 6 thousand miles. It has always been ridden solo but do load it heavy on a trip.(leaving Friday on a 6 thousand mile trip)
Its always been reliable and never stranded me.

I have had the transmission out and checked everything..at 90 thousand...splines looked new and clutch not worn much (.300 and the new plate I had just in case .320) so did not replace.

I have never had a failure of any of the dreaded items just normal ware and tear.

If it were me and I had reservations about the reliability of the machine..I would sell it. You have low miles so you would probably get good money or trade it on another brand.

Like the man said "you pay your money and you take your chances".

All jokes aside, it seems you either get and good one or you don't..is yours a good one?

If your worried let it go.

BTW Just passed 173,000 miles.

Good luck!

mike

[Metisse]

I bought an 04 ABS last winter. I've wanted a BMW for years but didn't want to fork over 20k for the one I really want until I knew I could live with the twin. 17k on the odometer with service records and I was the 4th owner. It spent its life in southern so rust wasn't an issue but apparently dry seals were.
I put 3k miles on it in a month and the clutch started slipping. I went straight to my local dealer in southern CA to address the problem. I got an estimate of $1500 to replace a rear seal and put in a new clutch. They offered me $500 trade in on a new GS so apparently they don't think it's a good bike either.
I set up my appointment to bring it in for repair and after further inspection by the mechanic decided it wasn't the rear seal. It's a leak caused by the bolt on the right cylinder head. Should be an easy fix unless it's this, or that, or may this. Potentially $3k after exploratory surgery. And if a tensioner breaks while replacing the bolt then we need to crack open the engine $$$.
All for a test bike to see if I can live with a BMW. Time to cut my losses, so I just gave the bike away last weekend to a buddy that has the space and ability to fix it himself. To bad because I really did like the bike and was caught up in the whole BMW mystique. I'm left with the impression that the reason people get such high mileage on the BMW is because they pay for the bike twice. I wish my experience had been different because I really like that GS but I think I need to go across the street to Truimph.