R1150R or R1150R Rockster 80th Anniversary?

[kromedome]

Hi All,

I am about to buy my first BMW, and have an envious quandary:

Do I buy the basic R1150R, or do I get the Rockster 80th? The latter is a demo unit, the former is new. The R1150R is at a dealer with a good overall reputation; while the Rockster is at a dealer with an ok, but not sterling, rep.
The Rockster is currently priced a little less than the R1150R.

Any feedback would be appreciated,

Jason

[Visian]

I am about to buy my first BMW...

How old are you? The Rockster is for 20- and 30-somethings, the R1150R is for old farts! :brow.

Seriously, what's you're intended use for the bike? The R1150R is a very all-around bike... a great touring bike with a windshield and bags. The Rockster is *intended* for, uh, stylin' and profilin' (?)

Seriously, the bikes are really similar. The Rockster has no back seat... which is a downer should an appealing member of the opposite sex wish to ride along.

Most of the remaining differences are cosmetic. Looking at the circumstances, my personal preference would be the R1150 R, because you would be the person who broke it in and you would know how it was treated from the very beginning.

Glad you're considering the marque!

Ian

[kromedome]

I am 30-something, and I want a bike to ride, not put on display. Having said that, the Rockster in question has a full seat incl. passenger accommodations.

I can't see any real problem with adding the options that I require, such as a set of System Bags, and quick-release windshield.

All feedback is welcome.

[kromedome]

Thanks Visian, I hope my reply didn't come across as anythiing other than elaboration.

Blue Knight, which model did Cliffy buy?

Anyone care to relate experience(s) with BMW's ABS? Apart from cosmetics, this seems to be the biggest difference between the bikes in question.

Thanks

[Cliffy777]

hey jason,
got your pm. here is my answer. i am on my 2nd rockster. i went with the copper/black one originally because i could not justify spending the extra bucks on the 80th to get the abs and the limited edition bike (i really wanted that one to begin with). i bought the rockster because it moved me visually and then when i rode it i was hooked.
i had an '01 r1100rl. it was a great bike, but i liked what the rockster had to offer with the dual spark motor and braided metal brake lines, etc. rode my first rockster every dang day as a commuter (actually i only work 6 days a week, so i rode for pleasure on sundays). never had a problem. traded it in after 17 months and 15.7k for the 80th model because my dealer was dealing on the price. have only put 512 miles on the new one (80 of them today out looking at frozen rivers). have not had an occasion to use the abs, but i dig the hell out of the linked brakes so all you have to do in a normal stop is use the front brake.
personally i don't think you could go wrong with either bike. i put around 12k on my first roadster (r1100rl) and traded it for the rockster. the rockster was a nice step up in handling - i noticed it right away. (grand rapids bmw let me take it for a week-end test drive so i put around 550 miles on it before i bought it.)
i don't know what visian meant about no rear seat on the rockster and you should know this rockster fan is 46.5 years old. pirates lair makes a great little backrest for either bike.
how about i turn the tables - what do you like most about the rockster? what do you like most about the r1150r?

[kromedome]

Thanks Cliffy. I really dig both bikes aesthetically. I have always been partial to standards; having said that one local dealer has a Ducati MH900e, in stock, that makes me weak in the knees.

I prefer the simple colour choices of the basic R;of the Rocksters, I think the 80 is the best looking. Either bike is more than sufficient to my needs. I can get an '05 R1150R in a couple of weeks, or I can get the Edition 80 now, as it is currently a demo unit (and is $500 less). The downside being that I don't know how the mileage was accumulated; I have been told that I will still be covered by the full warranty.


hey jason,

personally i don't think you could go wrong with either bike. i put around 12k on my first roadster (r1100rl) and traded it for the rockster. the rockster was a nice step up in handling - i noticed it right away. (grand rapids bmw let me take it for a week-end test drive so i put around 550 miles on it before i bought it.)
i don't know what visian meant about no rear seat on the rockster and you should know this rockster fan is 46.5 years old. pirates lair makes a great little backrest for either bike.
how about i turn the tables - what do you like most about the rockster? what do you like most about the r1150r?

[Cliffy777]

for what it is worth, my local dealer whacked about 2k off the price of the 80 because they have been sitting on it since it came out (and first made me drool). IMHO they should be taking more than $500 off for a demo.
my first bike, the '01 r1100rl, was a "program bike" and it had just under 800 miles on it. they trimmed $800 off and put on a back rest/luggage rack that was worth $375 as i recall.
if you want the 80, i might try to push the price or have them toss in some extra stuff or service. are you getting the .9% financing from bmw?

[kromedome]

I guess I wasn't clear enough, the 80th is $500 less than the '05 1150R; so about $2500 less than original price. I have arranged financing through my bank, BMW Canada is not offering the rate you mention. I will be getting everything I need at the same time. I will also be pulling for a couple of things that the bike doesn't currently have, like the centrestand, etc.

for what it is worth, my local dealer whacked about 2k off the price of the 80 because they have been sitting on it since it came out (and first made me drool). IMHO they should be taking more than $500 off for a demo.
my first bike, the '01 r1100rl, was a "program bike" and it had just under 800 miles on it. they trimmed $800 off and put on a back rest/luggage rack that was worth $375 as i recall.
if you want the 80, i might try to push the price or have them toss in some extra stuff or service. are you getting the .9% financing from bmw?

[Kneedragon]

With all thngs being equal, I'd go for the Rockster! It's edgy looking. I like the paint schemes and the mechanicals are the same as the R.
And I'm not a 20 something. Classic style is good but, times change too. Go for it and have fun! :thumb

[The_Veg]

I hope you've thrown a leg over them by now. I got to ride a friend's R1150R a couple of weeks ago and it seems to have been designed for the world's shortest legs.

[bmwcliff]

Hey, this is the other Cliffy, the one from western Pa., looked at both the reg. R1150 and then my wife saw the "citrus green" Rock and absoulutely fell in love all over again. She pretty much made me buy it, my daughter was along also, so you can see I was outvoted. I love the way the Rock handles, and by the way, I am a 53 year old die-hard Airhead. One ride was all it took. :clap

[Visian]

...by the way, I am a 53 year old die-hard Airhead. One ride was all it took. :clap

Which just shows to go you that you don't have to be 20-something to be 20-something! :p

Ian

[lkchris]

A LARGE number of folks that buy unfaired bikes later replace them with faired bikes.

Why not skip the first step?

"Can't afford it" shouldn't be an issue, as you can always buy used.

BMWs are for long distances, although like many brands, many sit in garages unridden because the rider finds them uncomfortable.

[kromedome]

At just under 5'10" I find both bikes to be comfortable, at least for now. Whichever bike I end up with will be my only form of motorized transport, in a city where I can ride pretty much year-round. I anticipate that one of the aftermarket windscreens will be sufficient to my needs; if not, I'll just have to buy a second bike.

My next big purchase though, will likely be an Armec sidecar, for my dog.

Cheers

A LARGE number of folks that buy unfaired bikes later replace them with faired bikes.

Why not skip the first step?

"Can't afford it" shouldn't be an issue, as you can always buy used.

BMWs are for long distances, although like many brands, many sit in garages unridden because the rider finds them uncomfortable.

[kromedome]

I'm going with the Rockster Edition 80.

[bmwcliff]

Way to go, let us know how you like it, and you will. :clap

[RT DOG]

kromedome;.... congratulations on your choice, My you have many years of reliablity and fun. You should also try to get a hold of this month's BMWON Magazine there is a interesting artcle one side cars, you should find interesting :thumb

[kromedome]

Yay me!!!

[Cliffy777]

congratulations to the dome of chrome. most cool choice. check out what # your bike is - did you notice the 80th edition little plaque just below the handle bars. mine is 0060.

[kromedome]

893/2003, it's mine, all mine, baby!!!!

Will post pix when I can borrow a digital camera.

[mistercindy]

I was going to say you'll like either, but now I see you've bought the Rockster. Enjoy it! I really like that white and black combo. Very sharp! :thumb I ride an '03 R1150R and have found it to be the best bike I've ever owned.

BTW, you may find that the stock saddle sucks. Many R riders feel that way. I couldn't go 100 miles without serious butt burn on the stock saddle. My solution was a Sargent. Its a great saddle and now a 500 mile ride is just fine. Its the best $300 (front seat only) I've spent on my bike.

Others have their favorite after market saddle, do your own research 'cause I'm afraid you may need it.