Rode a 2002 BMW R1150RS today

[kingoffleece]

A friend has it for sale very reasonable. Pristine condition and 43000 miles.
So I swapped my V7 for his BMW and took off.

What a disappointment.  And they call GUZZIS tractors! Yikes.  Vibes all over the place, and not in a good way.  The bike never gets smooth at any RPM-no sweet spot(s) like my V7.

I will say it carves a turn quite well and had great brakes.  Having almost zero experience on BMW's maybe I was expecting too much-BUT-I then took up a offer from my BMW dealer friend to ride a new R9T Scrambler.  What a blast THAT was.

If the 1150 was anything like that motor I would have taken advantage of a very fair price for a well maintained motorcycle.

[Chuck in Indiana]

<shrug> 

[Lee Davis]

I am a Moto Guzzi restorer and rider, but one of my favorite bikes I have ever had was a 2001 Harley Heritage Softail. After 3 years, I swapped it for a new 2004 BMW R1150 RT. I took only long trips on the BMW and really enjoyed the bike. My 14 year old Daughter would take rides with me around the neighborhood, and when she sat on the BMW her comment was  "I don't like this one... my butt buzzes too much". The Harley was a very smooth ride.

[Sheepdog]

Go try one of the current BMWs with the 1200cc, liquid-cooled boxer engine. It's a game changer...

[JJ]

I had one of these back in the day - - 1999 BMW R1100S - - it was OK, but generally underwhelming when compared to my '98 Centauro GT. 

I have never ridden a R9T, but I hear good things about them.  Sort of like BMW's version of the Griso... :1:

[cookiemech]

That RS must not have been set up correctly if it vibrated significantly. Very important to synch throttle bodies and do the "zero = zero" setup if necessary.

That said, some people just don't like BMWs because they're "sterile". I'm not one of them . . .

An R1150RS should have plenty of torque and should be smooth. Not Gold Wing smooth, but very pleasant.

[Kev m]

My 98 R1100RS had a decent amount of higher frequency vibration than my Harleys of the same era.

After about 40k miles I decided I was never going to really bond with it and got rid of it.

With a few exceptions, since then BMWs have just gotten weirder and weirder and all techy just for tech's sake.

I pretty much gave up on them, though I'd never say never.

[GypsyMoth]

As someone else mentioned, TB sync is critical. Before that can be done, the valves should be adjusted... I've had several BMWs, and 3 of the R series. My 1150RT was closest to the RS, and it was very smooth if I did the tune up, not so much if a dealer did it... Also as mentioned, the waterboxers are amazingly smooth!

Oh, a friend has a 1150RS- with over 220K miles on it...

[willowstreetguzziguy]

Several years ago, a HD dealership had a used 1150 GS that I took for a guided long test ride. the thing was "snatchy" and vibrated a lot. I could not wait for the test ride to end and get back on my BMW K75S, This was before I bought my Guzzi. Come to think of it, maybe the TB's were out of sync and thats why it ran rough... but if it had run smooth, I may have bought it and never gotten on a Guzzi!!!

[kingoffleece]

I've had a bit of seat time on a 1200Rt wethead.  Nice motor.
The thought of getting the bike at a good price was the prime mover in the experience.  I have zero desire to spend for a wet head BMW.
My current bikes cover it all for me.

As for the <shrug>, well, it's just a discussion among friends, is it not?

[canuck750]

I have owned a 2004 R1150RT since 2005, never have loved it but it has been dead reliable and a great long distance rig two up. Never noticed any vibes,

[Lcarlson]

Many bikes have come and gone since I bought my Beemer brand new. Other than my Cali, only the Beemer remains.

[kingoffleece]

I'm sure the vibes were not "excessive" but they were always present, but not pleasant to me.  Rather industrial in nature as opposed to the R9T where they were 'character" like my V7.

Like I said, I wanted to like and buy the bike but as Kev M pointed out, I was fairly sure I'd never bond with it.  No harm, no foul.

We do have a R310 ordered which should arrive any day with the understanding that if the Mrs. likes it it's ours.  Strangle enough, she is not nearly enamored with the V7 as I am because of the vibration.  She much preferred our Bonnevilles (now gone) or the new T100 she test rode last Sat.  BTW, I rode a T120 as was very favorably impressed.  Great motor and very nice stock suspension front and rear for a stock offering.

[Kev m]

As someone else mentioned, TB sync is critical. Before that can be done, the valves should be adjusted... I've had several BMWs, and 3 of the R series. My 1150RT was closest to the RS, and it was very smooth if I did the tune up, not so much if a dealer did it...

I've had 3 BMW R's, but only one Oilhead.

According to my manometer the balance was fine.

I shouldn't overstate the vibration, it was mostly at highway speeds.

It was the higher frequency that I didn't like. Nothing like an L4, but noticeably higher in frequency than a Harley, and stronger than what you feel on rubbermounted bike (for obvious reasons).

I mean my Guzzis all have stronger vibration too for that reason, but the frequency is lower somewhere between the R's and Harleys. Kinda Goldilocks, just right....

[chuck peterson]

Opposed twins have a secondary vibration that won't go away...period. Not included with your purchase of a 90 degree single crank pin guzzi.

Where's that illustrated motors website where they put everything in motion, with lines and arrows?

[Chuck in Indiana]

As for the <shrug>, well, it's just a discussion among friends, is it not?

It certainly is. I meant it as "well, I've been telling you guys this for ever.." I've had two BMWs.. neither was "Zee greatest best engineered motorcycle in zee vorld."  <shrug>  Gimme a Guzzi.

[timonbik]

BMW Canada once loaned the police department I worked for an R1150 Police edition in an attempt to woo us away from The Motor Company. I was the M/C instructor for the Force at the time. It was a terrible bike.  When BMW called to see what I thought I said it was terrible, running rough, lurching especially at slow speeds.  They came and picked it up to go over it stating it may not have been PDI'd.  Well a couple of days later they returned it.  It ran much better but in my opinion was not suitable for police work.  It was great at highway speeds and during brisk riding but a lack of flywheel weight made it difficult to shift smoothly when just putting around town.  Almost had to slip the clutch each shift.  Needless to say we stuck with HD.  The bike that really impressed me was the F650 police model that they also lent us.  Great machine and a local parks police service that I was training bought that one,  Think they still have it.

Cheers, Tim

[JJ]

It certainly is. I meant it as "well, I've been telling you guys this for ever.." I've had two BMWs.. neither was "Zee greatest best engineered motorcycle in zee vorld."  <shrug>  Gimme a Guzzi.

In all fairness...they are two different animals...and yes, gimme a Guzzi anytime as well!

However, this airhead I owned for awhile was kinda cool - 1978 BMW R100RS "Motorsport Edition." :1:   It came with a lot of performance upgrades from CC Products (San Jose BMW), so it handled much better than a stock one!  Cool bike!

[kingoffleece]

Last year I rode my buddies R100RT-an oldie but goodie.  Great bike.
Guess I'm just a Guzzi guy-and that's fine by me.

[Tusayan]

Opposed twins have a secondary vibration that won't go away...period. Not included with your purchase of a 90 degree single crank pin guzzi.

That's actually the opposite of true, boxer engines eliminate secondary vibration by balancing one cylinder against another instead of using a counterweight like a V-twin.  Using a counterweight introduces secondary vibration.  However (and I agree it's a big issue) the cylinder offset for a boxer is much greater than for a v-twin, which reduces the offset by having both rods on one crank throw.  The greater cylinder offset creates substantial vibration for a two cylinder boxer.  The non-counterbalanced large displacement BMW boxers of the 1100 & 1150 era are paint shakers, more unpleasant vibration than I find tolerable.

[Lcarlson]

I think I may detect some bias on this topic. After owning it for fifteen years, I still find my R1150R to be the closest I have come to the "perfect" motorcycle. At 500 lbs with the aftermarket can, it feels much lighter, like a middleweight. The motor (properly running with an AF-XIED 02 manipulator) delivers smooth, torquey, tractable power through the entire rev range -- way punchier than a V7/V9, and with much longer legs on the highway. Top shelf aftermarket suspension (Ohlins & Hyperpro) make ride and handling a breeze, and with windshield, hard bags and other enhancements it is truly a "do anything" machine. Yes, there is the rocking couple boxer vibe, but it's a low frequency, low amplitude vibration which i don't mind: it's just the way a boxer is supposed to feel. It's also slightly less than the vibes on a Griso that I rode. 

I like Guzzi's too, but as an all-arounder, my trusty R is the best I've had.

[GuzziDog54]

I have to agree with Larry. I've owned a number of BMWs and have ridden even more. I've never noticed more or weirder vibrations than the Harleys or Guzzis that I've owned. Just like Guzzis, certain models have their quirks as they try different things, but the new models are just amazing. If you get a chance, ride the new R1200RT, or something similar. I am partial to the boxer motors (R bikes), but they're also killing it with the K and F models.

[Kev m]

I think I may detect some bias on this topic.

That's a good bit of self-realization there, and the first step to the cure.   

After owning it for fifteen years, I still find my R1150R to be the closest I have come to the "perfect" motorcycle. At 500 lbs with the aftermarket can,

YOU LOST 52# with the installation of an aftermarket muffler????

The motor (properly running with an AF-XIED 02 manipulator) delivers smooth, torquey, tractable power through the entire rev range -- way punchier than a V7/V9, and with much longer legs on the highway. Top shelf aftermarket suspension (Ohlins & Hyperpro) make ride and handling a breeze

Shut The Front Door! Are you actually trying to claim that an 1150cc 4V twin with higher end suspension makes more power and offers more comfort on the highway than a 750cc or 850cc retro 2V.

In other news, the sky is blue and gravity keeps me down.

</sarcasm> 

Yes, there is the rocking couple boxer vibe, but it's a low frequency, low amplitude vibration which i don't mind:

You call that low frequency? I mean it's no say Suzuki Bandit, but man, you gotta ride some bikes with some real low frequency vibes...but meh, we're getting into subjective tastes. What's my Italian friend on the XLforum always saying "Tastes must not be discussed" or something like that.

 

[Kev m]

I have to agree with Larry. I've owned a number of BMWs and have ridden even more. I've never noticed more or weirder vibrations than the Harleys or Guzzis that I've owned.

I'm thinking the objections are limited to early oil-heads, not airhead, not hexheads... etc. But obviously from this thread it's very subjective.

[JJ]

Again, I prefer to ride a Moto Guzzi for all the reasons we have discussed, but having previously owned 5 BMW's, airheads and oilheads, (with a mileage of over 100,000 on all five), I personally would have no problem owning another Beemer. 
They are really good motorcycles overall.  :1:

[Lcarlson]

<<YOU LOST 52# with the installation of an aftermarket muffler????>>



 
[/quote]





Akrapovic claims their titanium can saves a little over 27 lbs compared to  the stock muffler.

[canuck750]

Every year for the past 12 years I have planned on selling my R1150RT, the reason is that I really miss the punch of a Japanese in line 4, Concourse 1400, Yamaha FJ, etc...

BUT then I take it out for what it was built for, extended rides on twisty roads at  high speeds and I remember why it makes me smile. It doesn't make any sense at city speeds or short trips, but get on it for a week and put on a couple or three thousand miles and it is very hard to beat. Excellent fairing, lots of luggage space, very good gas mileage, fantastic brakes and handling.

My RT is for sale once again this summer  but it will only be replaced by either a K1300 GT or a K1600 GT / GTL. At least a couple times a year I want a long haul bike that can make a mile when I need to and can scare the crap out of me when I get feeling brave in the twisty bits.

[Kev m]

<<YOU LOST 52# with the installation of an aftermarket muffler????>>



 






Akrapovic claims their titanium can saves a little over 27 lbs compared to  the stock muffler.

Ah I see where you got that number, but what so no truck scale? 

MCN (Consumer News), back when they used to actually do things like weigh bikes, claimed 552# wet in 2001.

[Lcarlson]

Ah I see where you got that number, but what so no truck scale? 

MCN (Consumer News), back when they used to actually do things like weigh bikes, claimed 552# wet in 2001.

I'm inclined to go with the Service and Technical booklet that came with the new bike....

[Kev m]

I'm inclined to go with the Service and Technical booklet that came with the new bike....

Passing the 2.5 decade mark on writing service/repair manuals for this industry, I'm inclined to go with MCN.

But hey, it doesn't really matter. I mean, you probably added some accessories right? A windshield, luggage? And you carry things in it right? And at the end of the day, I mean, you and I aren't bench pressing it whether it's 400# or 600#.

Hell, I believe it, but I'm still impressed at the muffler weight loss even IF it was "only" 27 lbs.