Rode a 2002 BMW R1150RS today

[Lcarlson]

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.

In addition to being relatively svelte, one beauty of the boxer architecture is that its weight is also carried very low, making it feel even lighter. it's an elegant design. And FWIW, Akrapovic also claims that the muffler adds about 5 hp and ft-lbs of torque.

[JJ]

Again, all relative depending on one's perspective....

1978 BMW R100RS = about 507+ pounds
1998 Moto Guzzi Centauro GT = about 510+ pounds
1999 BMW R1100S = about 504+ pounds

[Kev m]

In addition to being relatively svelte, one beauty of the boxer architecture is that its weight is also carried very low, making it feel even lighter. it's an elegant design. And FWIW, Akrapovic also claims that the muffler adds about 5 hp and ft-lbs of torque.

My 98 R1100RSa felt heavier than my 96  FLHRI (which was 100# heavier).

Don't get me wrong here I like the BMW R-bikes enough to own 3 of them.

[Lee Davis]

A funny thing happened on the way to Canada... I rode a 2001 Harley FLHSC for 3 years on long road trips and loved the bike. The counterbalanced (hard mounted) engine was as smooth as can be. But, while stopping by the Santa Fe BMW dealer to pick up a tire for my riding buddy's 650, I laid eyes on a new BMW R1150 RT... the twin plug good one. And it was black, which is always the correct color for BMWs. Loaded with hard bags and power windshield, I bought it on the spot. Doug quickly bought a new R1150 RS.  I essentially only rode it on long road trips (for 3 years). On the first trip north with the new bike, we stopped at a turn out in Colorado, and as we got back on and started off in a turn from the gravel surface to the hardtop, I stalled it and fell over at 2 mph. I was so used to the low end torque of the Harley, and hadn't realized that the revs need to be kept up and the clutch slipped on the Beemer, when making narrow starting turns. Of course, being the long time rider that I am,  it was the fault of the motorcycle, and certainly not mine. I came to love that bike though...  We always traveled at high speed (and I have the tickets from Montana and Alaska to prove it), and so 'vibration' was never a thought.  I assumed that my new Stelvio would be just like the BMW for starting off, and the revs would have to be kept up... but I was pleasantly surprised to find that the Guzzi is geared lower than the RT, or even the GS's, and has great low end torque. Not as good as the Harley, maybe, but still great. Still, I have loved every bike I have owned... even the 1970 BSA Victor that went 7,650 miles before blowing up. Man! I sure loved that bike.

[Lcarlson]

A funny thing happened on the way to Canada... I rode a 2001 Harley FLHSC for 3 years on long road trips and loved the bike. The counterbalanced (hard mounted) engine was as smooth as can be. But, while stopping by the Santa Fe BMW dealer to pick up a tire for my riding buddy's 650, I laid eyes on a new BMW R1150 RT... the twin plug good one. And it was black, which is always the correct color for BMWs. Loaded with hard bags and power windshield, I bought it on the spot. Doug quickly bought a new R1150 RS.  I essentially only rode it on long road trips (for 3 years). On the first trip north with the new bike, we stopped at a turn out in Colorado, and as we got back on and started off in a turn from the gravel surface to the hardtop, I stalled it and fell over at 2 mph. I was so used to the low end torque of the Harley, and hadn't realized that the revs need to be kept up and the clutch slipped on the Beemer, when making narrow starting turns. Of course, being the long time rider that I am,  it was the fault of the motorcycle, and certainly not mine. I came to love that bike though...  We always traveled at high speed (and I have the tickets from Montana and Alaska to prove it), and so 'vibration' was never a thought.  I assumed that my new Stelvio would be just like the BMW for starting off, and the revs would have to be kept up... but I was pleasantly surprised to find that the Guzzi is geared lower than the RT, or even the GS's, and has great low end torque. Not as good as the Harley, maybe, but still great. Still, I have loved every bike I have owned... even the 1970 BSA Victor that went 7,650 miles before blowing up. Man! I sure loved that bike.

Nice to hear from somebody who has liked every bike they've ever had. Wait -- so have I....

[Kev m]

Nice to hear from somebody who has liked every bike they've ever had. Wait -- so have I....

So have I, well at least something ABOUT every bike I've ever had.

Now someone tell Lee he didn't own an FLH. [emoji13]

[LowRyter]

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

yep

[JJ]

So have I, well at least something ABOUT every bike I've ever had.

Now someone tell Lee he didn't own an FLH. [emoji13]

Well stated ......and the same for me...all 33 bikes in the last 50 years! :1:   I have fond memories of all of them!

[Lee Davis]

Whoops... What is a Heritage Softail Classic, anyway? But, perhaps I can be humored a little on the designations. My Uncle Armen, a retired butcher in Amityville, Long Island bought a new 1949 FLH when he was 18. 67 years later, he still keeps a tattered photo of himself on the bike in his wallet. Last march, I bought a new  Softail, identical to the 2001 that I owned... even down to the color. I always looked back on that '01 with good memories, and thought "why not?".  This has started me thinking about the bikes I have had, and I sure miss them all. One that I brought in from Australia was a 1951 Ariel 350 Red Hunter. My parents had a framed picture of my Dad sitting on his Ariel in England, with me as a 3 year old sitting on the tank. He was in the Air Force, stationed at Upper Heyford. He bought the Red Hunter at the PX for commuting to the base, and rode it for the 3 years we were there. In 2004, I bought an identical Ariel. I got my Dad to sit for a pose on the bike, just as he had sat on the '51 (but without me on the bike as well, I am just too big now)... He was then 86 years old, but interestingly, he had the exact same shirt and leather riding shoes that he wore in the earlier picture. I guess that I can honestly say that the first bike I ever sat on was that '51 Ariel.

[Kev m]

F = Big Twin
L = Touring front end/floorboards etc.
H = Touring chassis (Glides/Kings)
ST = Softail chassis

after that letters equal various models.

IIRC Heritage Softail Classic or something like that would be:

FLSTC

I just knew from the counterbalanced motor that it was a ST and not H.

[ChuckH]

Interesting discussion.  I use my '07 R1200R (current bike) the same as I used a '12 Stelvio NTX (previous bike), long distance touring and camping trips.  I bought the Beemer in August, '15 with 58K miles, it now has 74K miles. 

It's comfortable on the road (thanks to a Russell seat), has adequate weather protection (thanks to a V-Stream windshield, heated grips and Aerostitch tank panniers), has more than adequate carrying capability (thanks to a set of large Trax cases), has been dependable on the road (no road failures to date) and has more than enough smooth power to keep up with traffic.

The down-side of the change is the reduced fuel tank volume -- down from 8.5 Ga to 4.7 Ga.  I have had to make some changes in my riding habits -- probably not a bad thing to get off every 175 miles or so for a walk-around.  The up-side of the change is the reduced weight -- 100# -- which has allowed me to manage the bike more easily.

All in all, it's been a good change.  Ride safe out there.

[Lcarlson]

Interesting discussion.  I use my '07 R1200R (current bike) the same as I used a '12 Stelvio NTX (previous bike), long distance touring and camping trips.  I bought the Beemer in August, '15 with 58K miles, it now has 74K miles. 

It's comfortable on the road (thanks to a Russell seat), has adequate weather protection (thanks to a V-Stream windshield, heated grips and Aerostitch tank panniers), has more than adequate carrying capability (thanks to a set of large Trax cases), has been dependable on the road (no road failures to date) and has more than enough smooth power to keep up with traffic.

The down-side of the change is the reduced fuel tank volume -- down from 8.5 Ga to 4.7 Ga.  I have had to make some changes in my riding habits -- probably not a bad thing to get off every 175 miles or so for a walk-around.  The up-side of the change is the reduced weight -- 100# -- which has allowed me to manage the bike more easily.

All in all, it's been a good change.  Ride safe out there.

 

[JJ]

  :1:

[Kev m]

I think the R1200R and Nine-T variants are the nicest of the modern R-bikes! A lot to like there!

[kingoffleece]

Agreed.  I wanted to line the 1150 and even had my money with me when I went to test ride it-but no bond.
The, as I mentioned, I rode a 9T.  Great bike and if I didn't have two bikes already with a third on order there might have been a bit of explaining to the Mrs!

[JJ]

I think the R1200R and Nine-T variants are the nicest of the modern R-bikes! A lot to like there!

Agree.... :1:

[et18]

I rode a '94 R1100RSA yesterday, the same one I've owned and loved for 23 years.  75 miles on roads I've ridden a million times and it was still great.  The sweet spot for oilheads is around 4K in 3rd gear.  Pick a curvy road, stay in 3rd and marvel at how well a 23 year old bike can move.  Oilheads and Guzzis make great stablemates, I'm surprised by how many people here are saying the opposite. 

I'm taking the C-1400-T out tomorrow and I'll enjoy it just as much, but the ride will be more a cruise and less of a blitz.  Really, I can't think of two bikes that compliment each other more then these two.  Maybe a Griso and a R1200C?

[Tusayan]

My feeling when riding any of the oil heads or later BMWs is of being slightly disconnected from the bike.  They have a lot of driveline slop, slightly imprecise throttle control, and depending on model often have abrupt, nonlinear braking feel.  The steering and chassis work pretty well, although some have cornering clearance issues, but overall they feel to me like they're designed by somebody who isn't in really tune with motorcycling the way Italian manufacturers tend to be.  I do like and respect the earlier airhead BMWs, when compared to their competition in the era they were made.

I rode an R1200R for the first time on Saturday, and it came back to me why I don't warm up to most BMWs introduced since the early 90s.  The driveline and brakes generally feel clunky and as mentioned before some of the pre-counterbalanced engines shake hard.

[kirby1923]

My feeling when riding any of the oil heads or later BMWs is of being slightly disconnected from the bike.  They have a lot of driveline slop, slightly imprecise throttle control, and depending on model often have abrupt, nonlinear braking feel.  The steering and chassis work pretty well, although some have cornering clearance issues, but overall they feel to me like they're designed by somebody who isn't in really tune with motorcycling the way Italian manufacturers tend to be.  I do like and respect the earlier airhead BMWs, when compared to their competition in the era they were made.

I rode an R1200R for the first time on Saturday, and it came back to me why I don't warm up to most BMWs introduced since the early 90s.  The driveline and brakes generally feel clunky and as mentioned before some of the pre-counterbalanced engines shake hard.

After 300K miles on 3 different models of the oil heads ridden all over the planet, I don't believe anyone could have a more opposite opinion of these machines to mine.
Much of the above is patently wrong! Some will believe, pitty!

Not that it matters a bit.

Amazing!

Felt compelled.....

Mike

[Steph]

First read the thread title and hoped it was going to be about the BMW 2002...
As I'm not a familiar with the BMW motorcycle naming convention 

[steven c]

 I enjoyed my 97 R1100RS, fit me like a glove, great seat, only bike I owned I could ride 300 miles without butt pain. Hated the clunky gear box and the abrupt off throttle. I still think it is a great looking bike that had held up well.

[Huzo]

Please correct me if I'm wrong, but didn't Tamburini have a hand in the styling of the R 1100S ? The body work doesn't look quite ugly enough to be German..

[Tusayan]

Please correct me if I'm wrong, but didn't Tamburini have a hand in the styling of the R 1100S ? The body work doesn't look quite ugly enough to be German..

To the best of my knowledge, Massimo Tamburini worked only on Bimotas (as a principal of BimoTA) and brands owned by Cagiva/MV, as director of the Cagiva Research Center, starting around 1985.

[Gusable]

I just sold my 1150gs because it's too buzzy around 4K.  Could have been a keeper for life. But frustrating. Tune tune tune. Ahh hell with it.  Goose goose goose!!!gave me the excuse to come to the fine red wine side... Prost!

[Sheepdog]

I have an R1200RS and a California Vintage in my shop. They are both magnificent machines that cover the breadth of the streetbike paradigm quite elegantly. The Guzzi sounds better, but that Beemer can really cut a rug. I feel lucky to have the pair...

[canuck750]

I just sold my 2004 R1150RT, part of me is going to miss it, been dead reliable and took me to a lot of places over the past 100,000 Km.

Looking for a lightly used K1600 GT or GTL to replace it.

[Lee Davis]

I walked in to a BMW dealership to pick up a tire for a friend in 2004, and spotted a new R1150 Rt, with full bags, in black. It was the right color! I bought it on the spot. 3 years and 60,000 miles (3 long road trips) later I got divorced, and had to sell the bike. I loved it though. The most rewarding part was when we would come upon a group of Harleys on a straight stretch of Wyoming or Nevada and I would crank it up to 120 and blast past them. Wow, was that satisfying (and, I am a Harley Softail rider).  The BMW had absolutely no distractions. It was the only dual plug 1150 year... I got lucky. Had the tall auto windshield. It was the perfect bike for me, and I could see no faults at all.
    I sold it though. In 2012, I longed for that bike, and so I bought a great used 2004 RT... flew to Arizona and rode it back. It was identical, except for the regular height windshield, and blue color. I took a 1000 mile trip to Colorado and back and hated it. My butt was sore. The windshield seemed all wrong. Sold it right away. Maybe it was the older butt that I have now... or the color. But, what it taught me is that bonding with a bike is a fragile thing. I have learned to not belittle any bike (well, perhaps except Goldwings or BMW K bikes). It is all up to how you feel at the time.  Current Stelvio NTX owner, and love it!

[Lcarlson]

 :1:

I rode a '94 R1100RSA yesterday, the same one I've owned and loved for 23 years.  75 miles on roads I've ridden a million times and it was still great.  The sweet spot for oilheads is around 4K in 3rd gear.  Pick a curvy road, stay in 3rd and marvel at how well a 23 year old bike can move.  Oilheads and Guzzis make great stablemates, I'm surprised by how many people here are saying the opposite. 

I'm taking the C-1400-T out tomorrow and I'll enjoy it just as much, but the ride will be more a cruise and less of a blitz.  Really, I can't think of two bikes that compliment each other more then these two.  Maybe a Griso and a R1200C?

[canuck750]

The most rewarding part was when we would come upon a group of Harleys on a straight stretch of Wyoming or Nevada and I would crank it up to 120 and blast past them. Wow, was that satisfying (and, I am a Harley Softail rider). 

I can relate to that, my RT was a great Harley Hunter, never came across a single Harley that could ever keep up to the RT on any type of road.

[boatdetective]

I've had my R1200R with the DOHC ("camhead") motor for a month or so. Really great bike. PO put on an Akrapovic that changes the tone considerably from the sewing machine OEM can. Can't say enough good things about it.