BMW R1150R (2001-2006)

I bought a 2004 R1150R after my ancient but reliable VFR suffered terminal loom failure due to road salt. First impressions are that it is a damn good commuter. The power is good low down but not available higher up the rev range and I am still recalibrating my riding style to cope. First tank full only got me 45mpg, worse than my 18 year old old Honda! Build quality seems excellent with just a couple of issues to sort that reflect the previous owner rather than the bike. I have a 30 year old Moto Guzzi that is faster, lighter and returns better mpg but this is a better commuter when all said and done. Mine is the non ABS model so normal brakes which are great and low maintenance. If you are coming from a Jap background you need to give this bike a long time to grow on you, don't judge it on a weeks riding or you will likely hate it.

I moved up from the R1100R and the 1150 should have been an improvement - six gears instead of five, more power, servo brakes. However, the gears are badly spaced, the riding position isn't as comfy and the servo brakes are a nightmare. Try touching the front brake as you're turning at low speed and you find it grabs hard - not good! It always seemed to give me a headache, so after a few thousand miles I sold it and bought an R850R. If you just want a hooligan-ish bike though, it might be for you.

R1150r these are great bikes with good build quility very reliable nice and easy to ride in and out of town,very good on the twisties,ive had crusiers and sports bikes this is a bit in between,you can easely clock up a few hundred miles a day in comfort and do it the following day,there easy to do basic servicing on,the abs is outstanding,and they hold there value,so give one a go,comfort,fun,touring,what more do you want

No listing for an R850R Classic, the run-out model before all the Boxer bikes moved up to the 1200cc hexhead engine. I used mine for a daily commute, weekend runouts and week-long tours of Scotland, Ireland and France. 14,000 miles & didn't miss a beat other than a weeping gearbox oil seal which was replaced under warranty without quibble. The Boxer motor is an acquired taste, but these bikes deserve a better run in the press/reviews - nobody whines about the Bonneville being underpowered, yet the BM will run rings around it. If you're not after out & out pace, then you should try one - great bikes.

This is my first BMW, and I reckon it's one of the best bikes I've ever owned in 24 years. The Vmax was more manic, the Armstrong was cheaper, the SV was lighter, the 1200 Bandit was faster, lighter, more manic AND cheaper, but has a chain! Everything on the R1150R is good quality. It doesn't corrode, (unlike Ducatis), it doesn't give up the ghost at a whiff of moisture, (unlike Ducatis) it's good for touring, and I can scratch on it because it actually lasts longer than 50 miles before breaking down, (unlike Ducatis)! The engine has plenty of character and torque, sending it to speeds high enough for everyday use by mortals. I've never used it on a track, I doubt it would be well suited to that. I have used it for a 3000mile one-week-long trip in October to France, Andorra and Spain. The BMW luggage is excellent, the ABS brakes are outstanding, the reliability is fantastic, and the servicing is so easy I do it all. The only niggle, and it is only nitpicking, is the rear suspension. I have it set almost fully hard for normal riding otherwise it wallows. It can still cope with pillion and luggage though. It's comfy, handles very well, never gets left behind. And it still looks like a new bike, even after 30k miles. Mine had a Y-piece on the exhaust, but I've removed it and refitted the cat. It's smoother and runs better. The heated grips and charging/accessory point are bonuses. Ignore what the bike press say about the weight, if you know how to ride, this bike really excels at slow speed manouevres and town riding, while devouring distances like any BMW. It doesn't feel heavy at all. I'd rate it 9.99/10. The only criticism is the rear suspension. That's just a personal thing. Plus BMW back up is great, really professional. What more do you want from a bike?

Never really saw myself on one but due to the fact no other manufacturer then made a reasonably practical high distance machine, I've had the bike from new! Why an R? Less weight than the others. It handles excellently it really does, and it is at home on the twisty's. It tours brilliantly and with the addition of a slightly modified National Cycles F16 Tour Shield, and GS1150 handguards, it is comfortable and practical. It works best with Metzeler R6 tyres, maybe a pound up on suggested pressures if you are over about 13 to 14 stone. I have firmed the front up by 1.5 clicks and the rear by about 2 clicks and the pre-load is up two turns as standard and about 3.5 turns with luggage or pillion. The real revelation is the replacement of the cat with a y piece and a Remus silencer. You really can feel the difference. Fuelling is of course taken care of by the lambda sensor. It also loses 22lbs in weight! I really don't understand why the bike mags and papers are so anti-R1150r, and probably the new r1200 r as well. These are very good machines, and if you want to you can just about keep up with your mates, but when you are in the mood on the tight twistys - can they keep up with you? No really!! Great bike, very underated as it is neither glamorous nor Italain, well it can't be it's really well engineered...

Had my R1150R for 5 years now. 40,000 miles and its still as good as on day one. Not the fastest bike on the road, but one of the best. Great looks. Stand back and just take a look at its flowing lines and curves and you'll have to agree. Strengths:
The ease at which you can play ping pong with cars. Easy to ride, restfull even. Will give any other bike a good run for its money up to 120mph, due to its easy and predictable handling. Weaknesses: No BMW top Box. Just a floppy bag. So had to buy top box from other producer.