Looking at a '04 R1150RT

Discussion about modern BMW twins
Post Reply
dwerbil
Moderator
Posts: 2856
Joined: Tue Aug 03, 2010 10:58 am
Location: Round Rock, Texas
Contact:

Looking at a '04 R1150RT

Post by dwerbil »

Here's the ad...(deleted now)
http://austin.craigslist.org/mcy/5642660930.html

Going Saturday 6/25 to check it out; it's just a few miles from here. "No known issues". From what I've read the '04 are a really good one to have.
Thoughts?
Image

Click for pics
04 R1150RT ~ 78 R100/7 ~ 84 RS ~ 93 K1100RS ~ 65 R60/2
Randy in Round Rock
User avatar
SteveD
Posts: 4839
Joined: Tue Aug 03, 2010 3:29 am
Location: Melbourne, Oz.

Re: Looking at a '04 R1150RT

Post by SteveD »

Twin plugged? Not sure about that year.
It hasn't done many miles...
Ensure the abs has been regularly bled. Should be annual...might get away with every second year.
Check if the quick disconnect fuel lines have been replaced.
Check if the cam chain tensioner has been upgraded.
Check for surging at slower commute speeds...no test rides though!
Cheers, Steve
Victoria, S.E.Oz.


1982 R100RSR100RS supergallery. https://boxerboy81.smugmug.com/R100RS
2006 K1200R.
1994 R1100GS.
dwerbil
Moderator
Posts: 2856
Joined: Tue Aug 03, 2010 10:58 am
Location: Round Rock, Texas
Contact:

Re: Looking at a '04 R1150RT

Post by dwerbil »

Well, it's mine now. $4,900. Seems to be a solid low mileage bike. Took it out for a few miles on the road on a test ride...did well. We'll see. There may be two little scratches on the thing.
Going to sell the K bike and '84 RS soon to make room.
Changes.
Image

Image

Image
Image

Click for pics
04 R1150RT ~ 78 R100/7 ~ 84 RS ~ 93 K1100RS ~ 65 R60/2
Randy in Round Rock
CVA-42
Posts: 389
Joined: Sat Aug 07, 2010 8:28 am

Re: Looking at a '04 R1150RT

Post by CVA-42 »

Looks like a good bike at a good price. Handsome color. Fantastic all-weather bike, IMO. Always thought the 1150RT was a better looking bike than the 1200RT. I had an '03 for a few years. Rode it from Portland to San Francisco to Denver to Atlanta in '07. Stopped by Galt to see Duane after I left San Francisco. He may not remember.
The Veg
Moderator
Posts: 2843
Joined: Tue Aug 03, 2010 8:34 am
Location: Larryville Jawja
Contact:

Re: Looking at a '04 R1150RT

Post by The Veg »

WOW, looks new!

The K I can understand but the RS??? :o :o :o
Cogito Ergo Moto
----------------
"A bunch of weirdos with old motorcycles can never be boring." -Doug West
"It just wouldn't be a complete day if I didn't forget something!" -Me
dwerbil
Moderator
Posts: 2856
Joined: Tue Aug 03, 2010 10:58 am
Location: Round Rock, Texas
Contact:

Re: Looking at a '04 R1150RT

Post by dwerbil »

The Veg wrote:WOW, looks new!

The K I can understand but the RS??? :o :o :o
I'm not quite liking the lean-forward as I used to. Hate to see it go, but of the old flock, I'm going to keep the /7. Probably put the Hein Gericke tank back on it.
Image

Click for pics
04 R1150RT ~ 78 R100/7 ~ 84 RS ~ 93 K1100RS ~ 65 R60/2
Randy in Round Rock
User avatar
bbelk
Posts: 1722
Joined: Wed Aug 04, 2010 2:13 pm

Re: Looking at a '04 R1150RT

Post by bbelk »

Wow - that is a pretty bike. We definitely need to see if it can keep up with the R90.
1975 R90/6
1979 R65
dwerbil
Moderator
Posts: 2856
Joined: Tue Aug 03, 2010 10:58 am
Location: Round Rock, Texas
Contact:

Re: Looking at a '04 R1150RT

Post by dwerbil »

Couple thousand miles now, 500 on a weekend ride...kind of amazing BMW's clunky transmissions. When did they finally smooth them out? Later, of course, than this '04 model. My '93 KRS shifts smoother. Wonder what's up with that? It's really cool though, that 6th gear...when riding in 5th doing 60, the rpm is 4k. When shifted into 6th, it drops a k to 3. Has plenty of passing power when up to 70-80 in 6th.

I have no problem with the linked brakes. Since I ride mostly like a granddad, they work well for me. It's actually quite a comforting feeling to know the bike has quite amazing stopping power when needed.

Engine power is great; although the KRS feels like a rocket when one sort of hits the throttle.

The suspension is now much better since I adjusted the rear for a stiffer ride. Fairing is great and I really like the adjustable windshield. The adjustable height seat is a nice touch too.

Many, many more miles to go.
Image

Click for pics
04 R1150RT ~ 78 R100/7 ~ 84 RS ~ 93 K1100RS ~ 65 R60/2
Randy in Round Rock
The Veg
Moderator
Posts: 2843
Joined: Tue Aug 03, 2010 8:34 am
Location: Larryville Jawja
Contact:

Re: Looking at a '04 R1150RT

Post by The Veg »

My '07 and '12 R1200GSes both impressed me with fairly smooth shifting, although they still clunk going into first. Not that I've ever had a BMW that didn't shift nicely, what with The Brick and then The BatBike.
Cogito Ergo Moto
----------------
"A bunch of weirdos with old motorcycles can never be boring." -Doug West
"It just wouldn't be a complete day if I didn't forget something!" -Me
User avatar
SteveD
Posts: 4839
Joined: Tue Aug 03, 2010 3:29 am
Location: Melbourne, Oz.

Re: Looking at a '04 R1150RT

Post by SteveD »

My 11/2005 K12r has a clunky gear box.
The K13r has a quick shift setup which is reportedly as smooth as butter.
Cheers, Steve
Victoria, S.E.Oz.


1982 R100RSR100RS supergallery. https://boxerboy81.smugmug.com/R100RS
2006 K1200R.
1994 R1100GS.
Post Reply