R1150rs

[lorazepam]

I am thinking about upgrading my roadster (R850R) with a new R1150RS. Anyone out there own one, and if so, how does it do as a tourer? I imagine it does a great job as a sport bike, but I am curious as to how it does for the long haul. I was approved for the great financing that BMW is offering, and think it is time to step up. Any insight would be appreciated.

[jdiaz]

I thought mine was a terrific touring bike, but I only put about 90K on it. You might want to hear from owners a little more 'seasoned' than myself. :bliss

[saab93driver]

I've had the R850R (24K miles), the R1100RS (47K miles) and my current R1150RS which is at 13K miles.

I liked the 850 but as you can see I am partial the the RRS. I use it for commuting to work and a few long trips (2-up) per year when work load allows.

If you want some more opinions go to
http://www.employees.org/~tw/rrs/ib219/cgi-bin/ikonboard.cgi

which is a dedicated RRS board.

[cruisin]

I don't own an RS but know three people who swear by them as touring bikes--"with pizzaz". The most memorable fella, I met at Top of the Rockies last July. He is retired from the military and pretty much travels on his 1150RS year-round as the weather allows. If I remember correctly, he now lives in El Paso which allows him a lot of warm weather for riding, even in the winter. In getting to TOR he had driven his RS about 5K going from one rally to another. That tells me the RS is a capable touring bike, since this guy was no spring chicken (probably mid 60s or older). I was on my RT and asked him if he had ever tried one of those. "Once" he said, "but I prefer the RS because it is lighter, and much easier to work on with less tupperware to remove for regular maintenance." If my touring were more one-up than two, as it is now, I might very well go to an RS. But the RT seems to be better for my SO on the back.

Good luck with your decision.

[DarrylRi]

I love the oilhead RSes.

http://darryl.crafty-fox.com/mcpics/2002/P1030442med.jpg

I've got a '94 R1100RS that has 182,000 miles on it. Stranded me once when the driveshaft siezed in eastern PA at about 150,000 miles. Otherwise has been rock solid. The only changes I've made to it are a Rick Mayer seat, Ohlins shocks, the GS handguards, and I've played with a couple of aftermarket windscreens. I like to tour and I like to get a bit sporting, too. The bike has been to a number of track days, including three days at the Nürburgring. Now I've got it stored in Germany and go over during the summer to tour and ride the twisties.

http://darryl.crafty-fox.com/mcpics/2001/Nürburgring1med.JPG

Two years ago I bought an R1150RS. It's just about to cross 40,000 miles. So far I've only put on a Rick Mayer seat (http://www.mayercycle.com) (Rick does GREAT work). In the last 6 weeks I rode it from my home in Santa Cruz, CA, to the RA Rally (http://www.bmwra.org) (I can mention that here, right?) in Birmingham, AL, with stops in Seattle and Bozeman, MT. That included three days of riding in the CO rockies and southern Utah. Total was 8,600 miles. Then, last weekend, I went to a BBQ in Deming, NM (http://www.deminggathering.com). That was another 2,500 miles.

http://darryl.crafty-fox.com/mcpics/2002/P1040452med.jpg

For me, it's the perfect do-all bike. The ergos fit me well. I can sit forward and get nearly straight up-and-down, or I can sit back for a more sporty position. I leave the windscreen on both my RSes fully down for a quieter ride.

If you want more information, I suggest you check out the R11xxRS forum (http://www.employees.org/~tw/rrs/ib219/cgi-bin//ikonboard.cgi).

[DarrylRi]

Originally posted by jdiaz
I thought mine was a terrific touring bike, but I only put about 90K on it. You might want to hear from owners a little more 'seasoned' than myself. :bliss

Here's Jon (and Sue!, 3rd and 4th from left) putting on some of those 90k miles with some other RS friends at the Wet Leather Great Pacific Northwest Dryside Gather a few years ago:

http://darryl.crafty-fox.com/mcpics/1997/gpndg.jpg

[jdiaz]

I love that pic. We actually toured with Gary's (far left) wife for a bit last summer before Sue's bike broke. It was funny to send Gary home to babysit. Whatever happened to Andy....did he finish his house? :)

I only have this pic from that same trip. Note the tennis shoes!!

[kbasa]

They're fun.

http://kbasa.smugmug.com/photos/814941-M-2.jpg

http://crash.smugmug.com/photos/1145745-M.jpg

and they'll go down dirt roads kinda OK.

http://crash.smugmug.com/photos/1145742-M.jpg
Thanks for the pictures, Crash!

[saab93driver]

My blakc 98 R1100RS on Jekyll Island

Wayne Dowers

[DarrylRi]

Originally posted by jdiaz
I love that pic. We actually toured with Gary's (far left) wife for a bit last summer before Sue's bike broke. It was funny to send Gary home to babysit. Whatever happened to Andy....did he finish his house? :)
Glad to hear that Gary is doing well. I don't think I've seen him since then (or maybe the next GPNDG).

Andy's still slaving away at the 'soft, but he DID finally get his house built, only took 2.5 years and 3 generals. He learned to cut and lay tile and pull wire, too, since he couldn't get those things done the way he wanted. He has since gone over to the dark side and bought a GS and a KLR, and does a lot of dirt roading. ;-)

[DarrylRi]

Dave's right; they are fun. Here's a couple shots from the Pyrennees a year ago:

http://darryl.crafty-fox.com/mcpics/2002/spain/P6061309smed.jpg
Touring Mode

http://darryl.crafty-fox.com/mcpics/2002/spain/P6271752med.jpg
Sporting Mode

[lorazepam]

Thanks fellow Idiots, for your input, and thanks to the others as well. Guess my choice now is Pacific Blue, or Dark Blue/Frost Blue. I just can't pass up the deal that BMW is offering. it is like buying the bike with no interest after making the payments, and if my cyfering is correct, I pay back less than I finance after they make 3 payments. Guess I will now go surf the 'net to see what goodies are available. :bliss

[DarrylRi]

Originally posted by lorazepam
Thanks fellow Idiots, for your input, and thanks to the others as well. Guess my choice now is Pacific Blue, or Dark Blue/Frost Blue.The King Idiot has a Pacific Blue RS, like mine. Therefore...

[Mr. Frank]

Hi Darryl,
Where was that seacoast photo taken?

[lorazepam]

Well, guess I will call the dealer and have him round up a pacific blue one for me, may as well get in step with the other Idiots. I will also be selling a set of Givi bags and a Techlusion box soon. Ping me if anyone is interested.

[kbasa]

Originally posted by Mr. Frank
Hi Darryl,
Where was that seacoast photo taken?

Looks to be slightly south of Carmel on Hwy. 1, here in Cali.

[DarrylRi]

Originally posted by KBasa
Originally posted by Mr. Frank
Hi Darryl,
Where was that seacoast photo taken? Looks to be slightly south of Carmel on Hwy. 1, here in Cali.
KBasa's got it generally right. The bridge in the background is the Bixby Canyon bridge. It's pretty well known and lots of car commercials are shot along there.

I liked the idea of the Pacific Blue bike looking over the blue Pacific.

BTW, that was taken in January last year.

[cat0020]

Here's my trusty steed, 21500 miles in 21 months..
I had a K1200RS before the R1150RS.. sure it's not as powerful, but seems alot more nimble than the K-bike.
Could use a good set of handgards to block the cold wind from hands in the winter, besides that, it goes off-road where the GS would, at least when I'm riding.

http://www.bmwmoa.org/forum/attachment.php?s=&postid=7626

http://www.bmwmoa.org/forum/attachment.php?s=&postid=7627

http://www.bmwmoa.org/forum/attachment.php?s=&postid=7628

[jdiaz]

Here's my wife with her RS the last summer she had it. Shaun Sartin shot the photo.

[DarrylRi]

Jon, nice shot! Are either of you going to be at any rallies this next year?

[jdiaz]

I have to be in Spokane for two separate events next summer, so we will probably fly out for the National. That's probably it, except for the Blitz to Branson in April and southern California at Christmas-time.

[DarrylRi]

Too bad you won't be riding, but under the circumstances...

Hope I get to see you guys there!

[Rad]

I have a soft spot for the RS. My first Oil Head was an R1100RS. I loved it but it had a nasty habit of eating trannys.

I'm kinda move'n outta my GS phase and I can not believe I'm think'n about a new RS. Yes, they have that sweet 6 speed tranny now.

Funny how the poor bike gets no respect, it did not even get a section in the BMW accessories catalogue.

:wave Hi neighbor Darrel, when ya gonna post pics of that old BMW ya got?...Or did ya, and I missed um?

[DarrylRi]

Originally posted by Rad :wave Hi neighbor Darrel, when ya gonna post pics of that old BMW ya got?...Or did ya, and I missed um?
They're up in the vintage section under this thread (http://www.bmwmoa.org/forum/showthread.php?s=&threadid=1185). Just scroll down a bit.

[lorazepam]

Hey guys, call me a wuss if you want, but after thinking about it for a week, I decided to keep the Roadster. It is paid for, I have it running and handling like I want it, and at 50k miles. it is just broken in well. I may go for a new bike next year, but for now, the R850R is going to remain my main ride.

[DarrylRi]

Hard to beat "paid for", and my experience is that these bikes are just getting settled at 50k miles. I had a head replaced under warranty on the R11RS at about 50k and when the dealer opened it up, you could still see honing marks on the cylinder walls. (That was when it was still a 3yr/unlimited miles warranty.)