New and Used Motorbikes & Motorcycles for Sale

Motorcycle Reviews

Find By Make/Model

Sell your bike for £13.99

An MCN ad reaches more motorcyclists than any other biking website or publication

Sell your motorcycle

Advice from owners & experts

Visit our forums to ask current owners about their bikes - or to put a question to our expert panel

Get advice

1 of 15

BMW R1150RS motorcycle review - Side view

translate:/Shared/Controls/Multimedia/Flickrator/PreviousImageAltText

translate:/Shared/Controls/Multimedia/Flickrator/NextImageAltText

BMW R1150RS (2001-2005)

Detail	Value
Used price range	View BMW R1150RS bikes for sale to see current asking prices
Engine size	1130cc
Power	95bhp
Top speed	135mph
Insurance group	13

	MCN ratings	Owners' ratings
Overall
Engine
Ride & Handling
Equipment
Quality & Reliability
Value

MCN overall verdict

The BMW R1150RS is a motorcycle designed for the road not race tracks. It's a low glamour, high practicality sports tourer. The GS model BMWs grab headlines and sales figures but the The R1150RS shares its virtues plus has grippy road tyres too. A superb, versatile workhorse or plaything – the BMW R1150RS is not the fastest motorcycle out there but it's one owners grow to respect and even love.

MCN rating
Owners' rating

The R1150RS's flat twin has its roots in the 1920s but BMW has managed to update it reasonably successfully. There’s torque a-plenty which keeps things nippy – fast even if revved hard. Six-speed gearbox is slightly better than the 1100s five speeder with superior economy from the overdrive but it’s still no smoothy.

MCN rating
Owners' rating

The R1150RS's Telelever front suspension is novel but works well with minimal dive when braking into corners. Wide, upright bars give good control. Stability is unswerving at any speed although the R1150RS is not as nimble as lighter motorcycles. Brakes are partially linked, servo assisted with ABS – it sounds complex but it’s an effective set up.

MCN rating
Owners' rating

The BMW R1150RS's comfort is superb. Seat, bars and screen are adjustable and most riders can get them just right. The R1150RS's pillion accommodation is excellent, too, which matters more than an extra 20bhp at 9000rpm after a 500 mile day. Comprehensive instruments, shaft drive, centre stand loads of options including hard luggage. Compare and buy parts for the BMW R1150RS in the MCN Shop.

MCN rating
Owners' rating

The BMW R1150RS is well thought out, well built and better able to resist the UK climate than most other motorcycles – brakes don’t seize at a hint of salt, unlike so many bikes. A few niggles are reported at high miles – they’re mainly electrical and the R1150RS is still better than pretty much everything from rival brands.

MCN rating
Owners' rating

The BMW R1150RS's new price was around £9K which was always more than rivals. Now more reasonable on the used market. The R1150RS holds its value well but doesn’t have stablemate GS’s cast iron residuals. Triumph’s Trophy and Honda’s VFR are cheaper but not quite so practical. Find a BMW R1150RS for sale.

Insurance group: 13

Compare motorcycle insurance quotes now

2001: BMW R1150RS launched.

BMW R1100RS: predecessor to the R1150RS sold from 1993-2003. Smaller engine with one spark plug per cylinder, only five gears, inferior wheels and less sophisticated brakes.

Specifications

Top speed	135mph
1/4-mile acceleration	12.2 secs
Power	95bhp
Torque	73ftlb
Weight	224kg
Seat height	790mm
Fuel capacity	22 litres
Average fuel consumption	46mpg
Tank range	220 miles
Insurance group	13

Engine size	1130cc
Engine specification	8v flat twin, 6 gears
Frame	Three section steel composite
Front suspension adjustment	None
Rear suspension adjustment	Preload, rebound, compression
Front brakes	Twin 320mm discs
Rear brake	276mm disc
Front tyre size	120/70 x 17
Rear tyre size	170/60 x 17

See all BMW R1150RS motorcycles for sale

BMW
R1150RS

27627 miles

£2,495

BMW
R1150RS

1400 miles

£4,500

BMW
R1150RS

26000 miles

£3,750

BMW
R1150RS

14277 miles

£4,299

Owners' Overall Rating (1 review)

Submit your Review

Everyday riding

roosterman

Average rating

Show Details

Overall
Ride and Handling
Equipment
Quality and Reliabilty
Value
Engine

Quality, reliability and equipment levels are very good. A bit pricey but I don't mind paying for reliability. The engine is torquey but very rough, with vibration usually restricting revs to below 5000. As a tourer this bike could go all day every day if it wasn't for the engine vibration. I get sore hands after about an hour, which severly limits its practicality. Range is about 250 - 300 km. The bike is extremely stable in all situations, is very well balanced, and is very easy to ride slowly. It is big but manages twisty roads quite well. Brakes are good but don't have much feel. Panniers are large, easy to use and mostly waterproof. Overall a very good bike for what it's intended to do, but is let down by the engine vibration.

12 July 2009