2002 BMW R1150RT Ride Review

[@lex1945]

Great bike! I have a silver R1150RT with 130000km's on it and it still rides like new. No radio, don't need it either. Now i have a great glovebox where i can put my gloves, papers, documents etc. I am 1,82 mtr tall, so i ride with the seat in it's highest position, and with the windscreen all the way up. Never have troubles looking over it. If you wanna check the oil, remember, warm engine, put it on the side stand for 10 minutes, after that put it on the mid stand and let it rest for 10 -20 minutes, to have an accurate reading. Oil half glass is more than enough, never overfill! there's only half a litre of oil between empty oilglass and totally full. Half is perfect before riding. changing gear less clunky? Put some pressure on the gear lever before shifting, after that it goes as smooth as butter. Brakes are very hard, with those boosters and ABS, but that is something you get used too. one finger is enough, and engine braking is great with this boxer engine.Just give the bike it's regular service intervalls, and it will last you almost forever. one last thing, when you put the ignition on, never push the braking levers while the bike is doing it's diagnostics, it will mess up the abs. Just wait until the warning sign goes off. The other blinking light will go off after a few meters riding, and you're all set to go. Also, don't warm it up while idling, very bad for oil/airheads. Just ride away after starting up.

[@TRCAdventures]

Thanks for the tips, I will re check the oil using your recommendation! I think you're right about using one finger on the break much better that way! Thanks for checking out the video!

[@toneh9479]

Could thes tips carry over to the R1100RS?

[@lex1945]

@@toneh9479 yes.

[@PeterSmith-or3pq]

Yes. Ride it

[@glenvartha5253]

Solid advice 👍

[@scottross501]

A couple years ago. I bought a 2002 1150RT from a long time friend. High mileage with just over 140,000 miles, It came with a new clutch installed and a nice Sergent seat and for 1k. I couldn't pass it up. I love it. Not the sporty bike like the zx9r i had, but i was able to set in the saddle for 8hrs easy with zero problems. No way i could do that on the sport bike. Considering doing an Iron butt ride this summer. Great video, thanks for sharing.

[@TRCAdventures]

Well that's a great deal! Sounds like it worked out perfect!

[@TheRozzers]

Just agreed a purchase of a 2002 RT with colour-coded full luggage and 44,000 miles. Just stopped-by to varify my purchase in my head.. perfect thank you!

[@TRCAdventures]

Congratulations on your new bike!

[@fernandoc6788]

Excellent review and points. I own 2. Couldn’t be happier. The 3position seat and on the move analog motorized windshield with heated grips? No one can beat that!!! No one!!!

[@TRCAdventures]

Thanks !! great bikes! thanks for checking out the video!

[@bradhogreve6355]

I have a 2002 RT. Love the bike. Just turned over 25k miles. There is a common ABS pump issue and there is a high failure rate. I replaced the original unit which failed at 24,500 miles. I replaced that unit myself with a used working unit. The second unit failed after 500 miles. Now I am going to bypass the ABS unit so I can keep the bike on the road. The bike looks new and runs and rides great. If I didn’t like it so much I would have sold it after the first ABS pump failed.

[@TRCAdventures]

Yes that ABS issue can be a pain in the but, I like the idea of removing it all together, good move! Thanks for checking out the video

[@Tax2Me]

Eveey point you make about this bike and bargain used reliable bikes in general are so valuable life lessons. Every 2 or 3 months I revisit this video and leave it with a very satisfactory grin in my face; knowing I am not the only one that knows where the money goes. Applause por favor!!!

[@TRCAdventures]

Thank you for the feedback!!

[@IRidez]

Buying a 2003 with 24k miles on this Friday.

[@TRCAdventures]

Make sure to test the brakes, these bikes have a brake assist system, if they go bad they will cost more than the bike to fix. When the bike is started and in neutral press and hold the rear break then do the same with the front, then both. Listen for excessive noise (you should hear the break assist working but it should not be too loud or screeching. During a test ride, on open road, with no one behind you! At about 50mph apply the rear brake "first" (quite hard) then, with the rear break still applied pull in on the front break soft at first then ad more pressure, they bike should come to a smooth stop. To be sure do this in reverse order ( first front hard then rear soft to hard) If the breaks Surge during this procedure the break assist system has excessive wear. If the bike passes both these test! Its likely going to be a great bike for a very long time! If not it's hard to say how long the system will last. Regular service will keep the system working for hundreds of thousands of miles, and lots of smiles!

[@IRidez]

@@TRCAdventuresgreat comments and I appreciate the wisdom. I will be checking this out when I grab the bike . Thank you 🙏

[@RobertSuttonOfAnacortes]

Great Bike. I have a 2002 since new with 75k miles. Two issues with the bike: 1) stock rubber brake lines are crap. Mine ruptured (front) at 60k miles. Pre-emptive replacement with Spiegler SS brake line kit is highly recommended. 2) Integral ABS module failure. Mine just went last month. High failure rate even with regular brake service. Early Integral ABS modules are considered poorly designed. Very expensive to replace (about $3K USD).

[@TRCAdventures]

Yeah I think long term I would bypass the ABS module, I think the breaks would be better without it! Great bikes though!!

[@edwinmcintoshokxswxx8635]

My 2002 Silver R1150RT has 140000 miles on it, going strong!

[@TRCAdventures]

That's great!! I'm betting there are some great memories in those miles too!!! Thanks for checking out the video

[@sailorcto]

The rear tray fits the BMW trunk without an additional tray like you mentioned. Also looks better than aftermarket ones in my opinion. Great review.

[@TRCAdventures]

Thanks for the clarification!!

[@waggas0349]

It's true it's a great bike and very comfortable. Mine is waiting for me in the garage to roll this spring. And also the passenger is very well seated and never complains.

[@TRCAdventures]

Thanks for checking out the video, I hope your weather gets warmer soon, so you can get some good riding in this year!

[@cozysouth]

I have a had an RT for many years and have over 94,000 miles on it. Best bike ever!

[@TRCAdventures]

94K is a fair amount of miles!!! got to love the RT~!

[@ChadHargis]

I owned one of these. The stereo was an option. It came as you showed, with a hole to slide in the radio. But you also had a small display that was on the lower left part of the dash that displayed the radio display. I ended up removing the antenna and the radio wiring. You end up with a nice glove compartment. Those "wizzy brakes", as many call them, are very important to have checked out. You have to bleed them with a specific technique that includes bleeding the unit itself. If that wasn't done regularly, you can get rust and damage in the unit requiring it to be rebuilt or replaced. The one place I know of that rebuilds them has a LONG wait. You can also remove the system and just run the hoses direct to the calipers, but you will lose your ABS. If you buy a high mileage one (over 50,000 miles) make sure the clutch isn't slipping. That's a major job to replace the clutch and it's an automotive style dry clutch. Same goes for the rear main seal. If you see any weeping of oil around that area, factor that into the price. Otherwise...these are bullet proof bikes that will run for a long time. Not unusual to see BMW boxers with well over 100,000 miles and still running strong.

[@TRCAdventures]

Great information

[@PeterSmith-or3pq]

I got one . 2002 r1150rt. Titan silver ..32,000 klm 🇨🇦. Got it with 10,000. Sat for a few years . Whipped into shape and love it 😀

[@TRCAdventures]

These things love miles!!! Sounds like you're giving it what it loves!!!

[@hourintheswamp4073]

i just bought this exact bike but blue. 24k miles and its in perfect condition. been over 3 years since ive ridden im 28 and have had before a yamaha vstar 1100 and honda rebel 250. both cruisers style so this is my first exposure to anything different and so far i loge this bike man any pointers will be greatly appreciated

[@TRCAdventures]

Nice! Enjoy the ride Thanks for checking out the video

[@Mike_The_Hog_A_Nator]

Found one with all service records 60 miles for $2200. Gonna grab it

[@TRCAdventures]

That's great!!

[@johnallen4710]

Man do these videos n the sunlight Not the shade too dark. I lov the RT I had the 2008 now got the 2015. Eastern Tn/Nc mRNA what a blast

[@TRCAdventures]

Thanks for the tip! I had the 09 then the 2014, I'm still a big fan of the 09 for the price it's quite the deal! I do enjoy the power of the newer bikes though!!!

[@orzjr]

Very nice review. Greetings from Brasil.... ;)

[@TRCAdventures]

Thank you! Greetings back from the USA, California. Thank you for checking out the video

[@daledahlman9629]

Mine has 95 thousand miles. That bike is mint, and can be bought at a discount

[@TRCAdventures]

@@daledahlman9629 always great to see good examples of these bikes, low mileage is great but hi miles means someone had a lot more fun!!!

[@rufkarma]

Great video, thanks! I have a 2002 R1150RT. Bought it last year as the second owner with 54,000 miles. I've put 8,000 miles on it. LOVE IT!! This is my 9th motorcycle in 40 years of riding. Will keep it till one of us can't go anymore :). No radio, but put a RAM Mount on the brake fluid reservoir; that and the Sena helmet bluetooth makes a perfect combo! My only issue is that there is no one in town that will work on it . . . not even oil. The nearest dealership with Moto service is 3 hours.

[@TRCAdventures]

The service issue is one hitting a lot of people right now, there seems to be difficulty getting any one to work on any bikes at all, at least you have a bike that is for the most part easy to service. And there are moto guilds piping up around the country, they offer a place to work on your bike with the aid of an expert on hand if needed, they provide the tools too! See if you can find one. Great bike! Thanks for checking out the video

[@bradysolaem2467]

NEATO LOVE IT. I GOT ME AN 05 R1200RT AS MY FIRST BIKE COULDNT HAVE ASKED FOR A BETTER ONE

[@TRCAdventures]

Great bike! Thanks for checking out the video

[@InterimExec]

Really like the rationale for an older bike. (never bought one,,,always new). "You can spend what you would on Tax and go riding" spend on the road nice (historic hotels,good restaurants, landmarks).I got convinced to buy used may even with that rationale buy older.

[@TRCAdventures]

After having the 2002, a 2009 and a 2014 I think the sweet spot is the 09-13 model. I like your point, spend the money on the trips!!

[@barrykrakovsky756]

I have a 2003 R 1150 RT that I purchased used with 34,000 miles, about 12 years ago. It currently has about 84,000 miles on the odometer. There's a lot to like about this bike, but I did have to replace the ABS module. My BMW mechanic installed a new one. Part and install was approximately $5,000. Prospective buyers should be aware that having to replace an ABS module on a bike of this age is a very real possibility. The small lever on the left grip is not a choke, since this bike is fuel injected. It's a "fast idle" in English. It was used on a couple different models around this time period and represents BMW's idiosyncratic way of doing things. The stock seat might give you as much as two hours of riding before your bum starts to hurt. I replaced mine with a Russell "Day-Long" years ago. It's the way to go for long days on the bike. The "servo brakes" are ok but I would prefer to have more feel than they deliver. With these issues in mind what you get with this bike is good handling, for its weight, excellent wind protection, decent storage (especially if you add a top case), and a robust boxer motor.

[@TRCAdventures]

excellent points! thanks for the comments!

[@romanandsilas]

I just got mine, 2003, only 31k miles 🎉

[@RonOrud]

If it works without the ABS module, I would t replace. Made it 51 years of riding without ABS. with that cost, I consider it more than the bike.

[@barrykrakovsky756]

@@RonOrud Had it worked without the new ABS module I never would have paid to fix it, since most of my 44 years of riding is on bikes without ABS. Unfortunately, this model with servo brakes needs the ABS module for the brakes to work.

[@RonOrud]

@@barrykrakovsky756 thanks for the update. I dont think I could ha e done it. Maybe put it in something goofy like a golf cart.

[@richardrichard5409]

So many of these with disabled ABS due to pump failures. I was going to buy one such bike, but my insurance company refused to cover the bike. Any modifications must be disclosed to the insurer or they can void the insurance in the event of a claim😎

[@TRCAdventures]

I understand why people remove the break pump, the cost of rebuild is more than the value of the bike, also without the pump the brakes do work better. Bummer about the insurance, the 2009 and newer this issue is fixed by BMW and they have much better breaks!

[@tenpole41]

Ive just bought an 1100 wating delivery 75k on the clock im taking a risk i know but a big bike with history should do it no probs.

[@TRCAdventures]

congratulations on the new bike! I'm sure you will enjoy it! great bike. thanks for checking out the video!

[@michaelkeith3308]

Buying one in 2 weeks

[@TRCAdventures]

Excellent! Enjoy the ride! Thanks for checking out the video

[@brianking3565]

I’m riding a2003 rt for 15 years it’s f,”&*ing awesome bike does windeys like aa r1 comfort like a cruiser smooth as silk main problems I sorted were fuel connections.expensive hall sensor replaced but it’s the longest I’ve ever owned a bike because when you ride it you will love it

[@TRCAdventures]

They are great bikes! Thanks for checking out the video

[@cyprn6600]

you put the savings on amazing gear

[@TRCAdventures]

Definitely!!

[@glenntempleton5832]

I'm a brand new rider i just bought a really nice one from my neighbor for $1100 it has 20000 miles. one owner i didn't know the value do i offered just over a grand and she took it

[@TRCAdventures]

Sounds good! Great price as long as you are both happy your not taking advantage.

[@motomontanha3517]

Parabéns... Tenho uma ano 2001 e está muito bem conservada também. Essas motos são mais prazerosas pra andar do que as novas. E concordo com você, quanto menos tecnologia, menos chance de apresentar problemas. Abraço do Brasil.

[@TRCAdventures]

Obrigada! Sinto-me sortudo por poder andar em todas essas bicicletas fantásticas, Hug dos Estados Unidos, Califórnia !.

[@donaldleavy4379]

Hay These Are Such Awesome Machines,, I Just Picked Up A 1998 RT . Well I’m a sports rider. I’ve got 09 GSXR. 1000 , it was stolen & recovered. So She Sits in storage, needs a ignition switch. & wjtmring .. it’s killin me.. ANY WAY.. My New Beermmer is an Awesome.. 35K Mi .. it’s almost broken in..

[@TRCAdventures]

Sorry to hear about your Suzuki, that's a bummer. Yep 35k on the RT just getting broken in!! Enjoy!

[@pauloakes5718]

Rioca is the colour you’re looking for. Wish I could buy it.

[@TRCAdventures]

@pauloakes5718 Nice color

[@fkat28]

Nice! I have the same body style and vintage but is the K1200gt, just for better acceleration. Your RT has better mpg by far

[@TRCAdventures]

Thanks, I only had this one for a short time to do the review along with the 09 and the 14, fun bikes. K bikes are great too, better transmission and a much faster motor!!!

[@bgilgall]

Great bikes, I looked at one a few months ago. The seller was open about the ABS pump having failed. I priced a replacement at the local dealer, $2800! Yes I know I could have bypassed the system but I would have wanted functioning ABS. The pump was $1000 more expensive than the bike.

[@TRCAdventures]

Yes that is a big downfall of the older bikes, the newer, 09 and newer don't have that issue. Super nice the guy was open about that! Thanks for checking out the video

[@michaelbmw1931]

Haha wtf! Omg

[@aliasus896]

How are you? I'm from Iraq. I want to buy pmw. Is it practical?

[@TRCAdventures]

Yes I think practical, reliable and sturdy bikes

[@milesonwheels8127]

I own a 2008 r1200rtp with 52k miles. for some reason the engine sounds louder ke chains are grinding upon start ups and around 4K rpm she still runs all maintenance was done and chain tensioner were changed

[@TRCAdventures]

Well that doesn't seem right, first 52k sounds too low for an ex police bike, may be more like 152k. A note on the chain tensioner, quite unusual for them to be changed at 52k, but if they were changed but the chain is still original it's likely the chain needs to be replaced, if the chain is worn it will still make noise even if it is tight. Other things could be clutch throw out bearing, drive shaft u joint valves. It's really hard to say without hearing it in person. You may have luck driving by a friendly BMW shop and letting a tech listen in and give some friendly free advice!

[@milesonwheels8127]

@@TRCAdventures I am glad you answered. You just opened up my mind. I have checked every thing. I will swing by bmw dealer

[@jamesbegone2689]

Looks like great bike and am really interested in buying one! Only thing i am concerned about is the size. I am 1,90 meter tall, does anyone know if the bike is tall enough for my knees and how much will the windscreen help?

[@TRCAdventures]

at 1.9 meters tall, two things depending on your inseam, longer legs and you may feel a bit cramped on the bike, and you can put the seat in the high position to help depending on where your head is you could get a bit of buffeting , if you have a long torso and shorter legs you may be OK with the seat in the mid position, I'm 1.83 Meters and its just fine

[@davidreynolds-jb7cu]

I have a 11 50 rt BMW I still ride it my age I am 73 great bike ror Turing from dave Reynolds from cork

[@TRCAdventures]

@@davidreynolds-jb7cu that's fantastic! Great bike!

[@gerardkinsella6034]

Are they worth buying need a bike for work 2001 model for sale near me good condition fully serviced driving well

[@TRCAdventures]

Yes they are, only if breaks are in perfect working order. These bikes have an electronic assist pump for the brakes if it fails it will cost more than the valve of the bike to fix. Some people have performed the pump delete and the brakes work much better without it. If the pump is working properly and has been serviced (brake fluid changed regularly) they last a long time 100k. Maybe more. BMW did away with this in 2009 and break problems have been a thing of the past. You can test the brakes a couple of ways, dealer can test them or if your test riding the bike at freeway speeds come to a quick stop using the "front brake first" the apply and release the rear break with some Force ( not enough to skid just quit fim). If there is an issue the bike will start releasing the front brake as you apply the rear brake. The breaks really only start acting up in hard breaking situations. These are great bikes just good to check out it's only flaw and make sure it's good to go before buying one!

[@gerardkinsella6034]

@@TRCAdventures it's abs breaks the seller said but it's a fine bike for the year

[@Chris-yy5pj]

So I'm a relatively new rider (put about 1k miles on a CRF250L dual sport in a year) but I have been looking at a reliable commuter. That being said I'm 6'3 and weight 290 so my 250L is not very capable past 55-65 mph so I need more horsepower and there are a lot of cheap sub 60k mile 1150's in my area. Do you think this is a good bike to learn high horsepower on? How easy is it to get into trouble with the power? Is it a rocketship ?

[@TRCAdventures]

I would NOT recommend the R1150RT. These bikes have a hydraulic brake assist pump that has a 100% failure rate. The cost of repairs will far exceed the cost of the bike. For some they are willing to replace it bypassing the pump, but that takes knowledge and time. Best to avoid these early models. For commuting I would highly recommend a Honda NC700X power delivery is in the lower part of the RPM range it has an upright seating position as reliable as the sun and moon, and has built in storage. kzbin.info/www/bejne/pampYnWLrN1_mJIsi=HPzU45tW4IISM-Hs If you end up wanting an RT just make sure it is a 2009 or newer they replaced the brake assist issues in 2009 the bike is night and day better. As far as power on the bikes they are quite predictable and not likely to get you into trouble.

[@Chris-yy5pj]

Okay thanks so much. That info helps ​@@TRCAdventures

[@JohannesC-c9k]

Should I buy one?

[@TRCAdventures]

My initial response would be no, and try and find a 2009 or newer RT. The problem with the older bikes is, they have a brake assist system that will fail at some point the fix is likely more expensive than the bike, though more and more people have bypassed the system making them reliable and easy to maintain, in that case yes!

[@JohannesC-c9k]

@@TRCAdventures Thank you.

[@michaele5173]

Good review. But your heavy breathing the whole time was killing me lol

[@TRCAdventures]

LoL, I was having a bit of an off day, just couldn't seem to breathe normally. Thanks for checking out the video!

[@Roger_Ramjet]

It's considered a bonus on most videos

[@Omar-up3qr]

Do you feel vibration on your feet & arms between 60 to 70 miles per hour?

[@TRCAdventures]

On the 1150 I do recall a vibration at a certain RPM, as I remember wanting to ride faster or slower than a certain speed. So yes that sounds right, not too bad but annoying enough to me after a while to ride faster or slower!

[@aliasus896]

How is the price of a bike in your country?

[@TRCAdventures]

This year of the BMW RT cost between $2,000 and $3,000 USD

[@tomservo5347]

I have the opportunity to buy one of these-I'm just a little leery seeing BMW motorcycles at the top of the list maintenance wise. The consensus I've gathered is that they're great when things aren't worn out, but when they do need parts/maintenance it tends to be costly. The other problem I've read about is this year and model had problems with the ABS brake system and that it's very costly to fix if it happens to be one that develops a problem. I can do my own repairs and maintenance-I just haven't worked on a BMW motorcycle yet. I'm SO tempted to just take the chance and get the one for sale-it's a 2002 RT model. Seems like it would make a great commuter and touring bike whenever either duty called. Think I should take the BMW plunge?

[@TRCAdventures]

Tom, I totally understand your point, and older bikes can always have little issues that need attention, the two main things to consider on this generation of bike is 1) the ABS system if it has issues it can cost more than the bike is worth to fix, 2) is the clutch if it needs a new one it is a big job to replace. Other than that they are easy bikes to work on and super reliable. My preference is the 2007 and newer RT, better breaking system just a bit more power and a smooth overall ride. Most parts on these 2007 -2013 bikes are relatively cheap and easy to come by! Easy to work on and an absolute blast to ride!

[@enverhaase8562]

@@TRCAdventures ...when they have a fresh battery or are fitted with a jump start socket.

[@666kty3]

Starting up like that...because you have the choke partially on....probably riding with it on. Its a lever on left bar....all the way forward is choke off.

[@TRCAdventures]

Thanks, I do understand the use of the choke, bike runs great! Thank you

[@lex1945]

it's not a choke, it's called schnellauf. This bike has fuel injection.

[@666kty3]

@@lex1945 Same effect....a laymans term if you will. I own a 2003 1150RT....you will not teach me anything about bikes....except how to be petty....

[@lex1945]

@@666kty3 i'd suggest to look up how a choke works then. there's a difference between making a bike idling faster and a choke that is making things richer on cold start. don't know how good your German is, but Schnelllauf doesn't mean choking the bike, it means higher rpm on cold start. Schnell means fast, lauf means running. a cold twin boxer with big pods and pistons can run somewhat difficult when cold, just put the revs up a bit with that button in cold conditions. . Choking means your giving more fuel and less air, that is what makes your mixture richer, This is not the case with schnelllauf on a BMW.it's fast idle. Check it out..Have a nice day.

[@666kty3]

@@lex1945 Ok. So are they both used to warm up a cold bike? Yes. The same effect is achieved. The bike starts easier...and gets oil temp up faster. Its for assisting cold starts....just like a choke. We dont need to get into the stoichiometric ratio analogies. We all know sensors on the bike take readings and the opamp in the ecu dictates fuel and timing curves based of what's burned into this programmable ic. Lots of guys swap the chips out with a flashed one with better curves. But I'm just an electronics engineer...what do I know.

[@mrbambix]

the thing that makes me wonder though with bikes like these and its weight is, how the heck does it maneuver in and my small garage ?

[@TRCAdventures]

The BWW RT manuvers quite well in a garage, I assume you are talking about pushing it around in a garage, in this case the center of mass is low and we'll balanced sis to side so the do have the same feeling that it's going to fall over while pushing it back an forth. In vary tight spaces I will pull it straight in, put it on the center stand, tip it slightly tward me and pull on the handlebar, the bike will pivot in a cercle in its own space. It's a clever manuvers and with a little practice is super easy to perform quickly. I find the RT to be one of the easiest bike to manuvers in my shop. Thanks for checking out the video

[@maxw576]

It helps that the older BMWs have dry clutches which makes them easy to push. They is no clutch oil drag. I own a R1150RT and I'm really happy with it. It loves the interstates and back roads equally. I liked the power brakes until they failed at a red light with my wife on the back I bypassed them and it's fine, just not as grabby.

[@Roger_Ramjet]

Carefully

[@mariog4707]

You’re better off with a good R1100RT - it’s basically the same bike with a slightly smaller (50cc) engine with about 5bhp less. But, and it’s a big but, it doesn’t have a pump to control the ABS so it’s much more reliable in that respect. All the 1150’s (RT, GS, R/S, R models) were plagued by ABS failures to such an extent that BMW quickly stopped fitting it and reverted back to a standard ABS version. They all fail at some point and it’s a scandal BMW never owned up to the fact they got it totally wrong and made replacement parts or conversion kits available at nominal cost.

[@TRCAdventures]

Totally agree this would also include the 1200 up to the year ( I think 2008)

[@666kty3]

Also...your bike does not have a stereo...thats why there is no antenna on the mount...no radio in radiowell....and no controls on left bar for the radio. Your bike didnt have the radio option....look into the speaker grills....you will see they are empty.

[@TRCAdventures]

It has an aftermarket stereo in the left side compartment the antenna was sitting the bench, speakers look to be in good shape. Thanks!

Great video!

[@TRCAdventures]

Thank you. And thanks for checking out the video

[@Jodyrides]

BMW motorcycles of this vintage have that weird front end that nobody else has copied yet. There’s a reason. When using the brakes on a conventional front fork, The energy of the motorcycle moving Hass to go somewhere when you use the brakes. It goes into the brake rotors as heat which is dissipated and it goes into the front fork springs, that is on a normal front fork motorcycle. On these BMWs, the energy does not go into the front fork springs from braking..It goes into making the bike a handful at slow speeds, especially if you are in a parking lot and you have the handlebars turned slightly. These motorcycles are dropped very often by the owners because of that weight that suddenly becomes unstable because the front forks do not absorb braking energy.. If you don’t change the brake fluid on BMWs from this generation, the brake fluid absorbs moisture right out of the air through the breathers. The brakes are electric/mechanical. That moisture/and corrosion that results from not changing the fluid, becomes a big problem and expensive big problem.. The brakes cannot be switched off when you are on unstable gravel or slippery grass slopes in a camping area or on a back road. When the ABS detects the wheel is starting to lock, the brakes just quit working.mot guzzi on the other hand, has a switch right on the dashboard for turning the ABS braking off so you will have brakes if you get caught in the snow, are you were on gravel downhill ECT. The brakes if they have a problem with the ABS, revert to conventional braking on s guzzi.. why didn’t BMW do this? changing the brake fluid on a BMW is the most complicated procedure of any motorcycle I have ever owned. If you suck air into the system because it’s electric/mechanical. The computer detects that and shuts the braking system down completely. You will have to trailer the motorcycle to your nearest BMW dealer to get the brakes to at least work. My local dealer in 2010 wanted $750 just to change the brake fluid plus parts , Plus shop materials, Plus disposal fee, plus tax. you can change the brake fluid with a helper if you buy the attachments for the Reservoir to increase the capacity of the Reservoir so it won’t suck air into the system easily because that electric pump will suck all that fluid out of that tiny reservoir in a heartbeat. BMW motorcycles required special tools for even simple jobs. Those tools aren’t cheap. It’s the same with their cars. One bmw mechanic I know said BMW is actually a tool company that makes cars and motorcycles also…He was kidding, but with a straight face. The final drive gears Have a bad habit of having bearing failures. I actually saw pictures on the Internet of a GS that the final gear drive housing actually broke open and the gear oil was on fire.. I have owned many many many motorcycles over the past 50+ years.. I will never go out on that limb buying a BMW again. They are just not up to the quality and reliability of a Japanese motorcycle, and they seem to be getting more complicated. You have to marry the dealer unless you are a well equipped trained mechanic with a lot of those special BMW tools..

[@TRCAdventures]

first I totally agree with the idea of keeping things simpler and more reliable! so many manufactures are now making bikes overly complex to appeal to the marketing ploy that the more "features" the put on a bike, the more bikes they will sell. BMW seemed to feel that if it were complicated (the ABS system) it must be good, it was NOT. as for there suspension design "telelever suspension" it is a more stable design than standard suspension (in theory, it provides a single point of weight distribution, using a single shock, it transfers up to 40% of Kinetic energy to the rear wheel and creates a more stable maneuverable platform for slow and mid speed maneuvers by keeping the chaises stable, level and less weight transfer under breaking). these benefits come at a cost, with complexity, $$ and weight paying the toll. a good example of this is a motorcycle with a side car, the extra weight and energy of the side car will disrupt the stability of the motorcycle, making it un-controllable when breaking with a standard suspension system, adding a telelever suspension to the front, the bike because much more stable and its ability to stop is improved significantly. does this mean BMW, and all others should adopted this system.....NO, the added weight and complexity far out weighs the benefits it provides on a standard bike, its really just a case of solving a problem that did not exist, same with that terrible ABS system. sorty story of a 2019 triumph Scrambler XE, tail light wire was crimped by the seat, (it was shorting out) the ECU noticed the voltage discrepancy and shut the bike down, to the point the display would not turn on and it would not start (it would not even boot the Program to let the diagnostics tool read the ECU, after two weeks from triumph cooperate working on it they could not figure it out, after replacing every electrical component on the bike I noticed the Tail light wires did not part of the replacement parts list, I disconnected it and the bike started right up. the tail light was working the whole time so who would have thought it was bad......ugh! just because they can have the ECU check every wire for resistance they did..... love the comments! sounds like some real world experience there!!! Thanks for checking out the video

[@stefankaemmer2714]

Don't buy one then. BTW, I suggest reading up on how a telelever works before ripping it. Hint, there is also a spring involved. You are additionally confusing the ABS with the additional (on some models) servo assist brakes.

[@startmeup775]

I have this model and when I test rode one I almost dropped it. After owning one for many years I know why that happened. The servo assist has an initial bite to it and if as you said your wheel is turned slightly, it will catch you out. Once you tune into that initial bite then you'll know to anticipate it and adjust accordingly. It doesn't help that they are a dang heavy bike either. That said mine is the best bike I have ever owned. (I've had a few other bikes). I've never felt as confident going around a corner as I have on this bike!

[@enverhaase8562]

@@startmeup775 I felt like that when I had finally dialled into my R1150R. But when they stole it recently, I now have an RT. Hope one day I get dialled into that one, too. I cannot see as much (we in Berlin park on the sidewalk and need to see the curb when dropping onto the pavement) and it sure isn't perfectly suited as a city bike. But heck: it looks stunning, and maybe one day I get used to the extra 50kg. Do try an R1150R though, it may be easier with that one to get around a corner.

[@RRRRefuelRideRace]

Very detailed work. Enjoyed it. These are really good-looking machines. I rode many BMW, but this one never. I rode the R1150gs from 2001. This one has 10 hp more I think. I like some very cool solutions on this one like adjusting the suspension and having the stereo. Enjoyed your review and subscribed. Drop by mate, you may like my content. Can check the V7 that you mentioned in this one. :)

[@TRCAdventures]

Thanks! I will check out your channel!

[@RRRRefuelRideRace]

@@TRCAdventures Thanks mate. Really appreciate it.

[@scrumpymanjack]

amazing bike, great review. Thanks. I have a question: would this bike be too much for a relatively new rider? I'm looking to upgrade from my 125 as soon as I've passed my test. I want a big bike but I don't want a sports bike - and I want a bike that's easy to ride, forgiving and comfortable. ln short, something that will give me the fun I need without intimidating me. Is this that bike?

[@TRCAdventures]

These bikes are easy to ride, forgiving and comfortable, but... A large heavy bike can be intimidating for many people. Some bikes to consider that are not so large or heavy but still comfortable easy, fun and forgiving. Kawasaki versus 650, Suzuki V-strom 650. If a large heavy bike will not be intimidating then the RT is a wonderful bike.

[@scrumpymanjack]

@@TRCAdventures Thank you. That makes a lot of sense. I think the weight might be an issue for the first 10 rides but I've generally always adapted to new things pretty quickly. The other bike I was looking at for a first bike was the Honda Deauville (super boring, I know!), and that is pretty heavy, too. I imagine most people considering those two would go for the RT but the Honda is super reliable, fast enough for my needs and, supposedly, very easy to ride.

[@TRCAdventures]

@@scrumpymanjack I think your right about adapting to the bike, the Honda is a great bike too, not a bad option at all!

[@IRONTOSS]

still available?

[@TRCAdventures]

Thanks for checking out the video, this bike left the shop about 6 months ago.

[@deez3814]

For sale ?

[@TRCAdventures]

Yes this one will be listed on Monday (I’m currently out on a two day ride on another bike though the northern Sierra’s) I will be getting the information and pricing together tomorrow

[@choppergirl]

I'd probably give 1,500 for it The problem is going to be getting replacement parts, and working on it under all that fairing. To do almost anything it looks like you've got to take the bike almost completely apart, which is a huge downside.

[@TRCAdventures]

Well yes and no... It's a boxer engine so valve adjustments are on each side probably the easiest motor to do that, but a clutch replacement is at the back of the motor so you need to take the back half of the bike apart!! It's a big job, other than that really one of the easiest bikes to work on. I do prefer a bit newer of a bike, but parts are still readily available for these most are next day shipping in the US, much better than some manufacturers.

[@aliasus896]

كيف حالك انا من العراق اريد ان اشتري pmw هل هيه عمليه

[@TRCAdventures]

مرحبًا ، أنا بخير ، BMW هي دراجة رائعة ، سيعتمد ذلك على توفر جزء منها وإذا كان لديك متاجر ستعمل عليها. إذا كان الأمر كذلك ، فهي موثوقة تمامًا.

[@dwlawson78]

I had this model in titanium grey ... it was the worst bike I ever owned. It looked pretty, but that was it. The ABS was flakey but too expensive to get repaired. The transmission spline on the clutch side stripped (known design problem) and required major surgery to get repaired. The cost of parts and service were unreal. I got rid of it after the transmission was repaired. It cost me a bundle overall and am happy to have nothing more to do with BMW.

[@TRCAdventures]

Yikes, understandably a bad experience, I think I would have the same brand impression it happened to me. Even on some current bikes the temptations to make things overly complex gets in the way of building a great bike. Hoo you have found a more enjoyable bike to own and ride! Thanks for checking out the video

[@dwlawson78]

I did. I bought an old ST1100 with about 60K on the clock. Like the RT, it is a sport touring model and it has been amazing. Super comfortable, ton's of power, lots of luggage space, great fuel mileage. A little on the heavy side when static, but as soon as it is moving it is light as a feather. Based on comments from many owners, it is highly reliable into the hundreds of thousand mile range. I'm 72 years old so I guess, being that the bike will outlast me, this will be the last touring bike I own.

[@TRCAdventures]

The ST is a fantastic motorcycle! And yes that motor will last a vary long time! Excellent choice!

[@InterimExec]

returning to ride at 70 after a 6 year hiatus. Nice to hear from older (same age) rider. Give us Hope...Thank you for disclsing@@dwlawson78

[@robertparisi8016]

To much engine whine for me sold mine, very top-heavy at low speed, electronic windshield is great,

[@tommercer3226]

That one may be prestine, but watch out! When things go wronge the cost to repair far offsets any value you'll get out of owning one. Oftentimes far exceeding the cost of the bike.

[@TRCAdventures]

Definitely, when it comes to the breaking system and BMW's ABS system on these bikes, when they go bad, replacement or repair would cost much more than the bikes value. The less expensive option would be to remove it and replace it with standard brake lines and new master cylinders. But again, that is a lot of work and the 09 and newer models have better more reliable breaks and really don't cost that much more!

[@666kty3]

Rack on back is for your missing hardcase......you are missing your rear bag.

[@TRCAdventures]

Ah yes! It had a soft luggage option on the rear rack, I had not seen the bike with the rear hard case, good looking unit!

[@lex1945]

@@TRCAdventures the top box was an option. But it's great to have one. most of the time i ride without it, but on longer trips i have the top box on. (or with a passenger)

[@raynic1173]

Deuce Bigelow gives a MC review. 😂 😂

[@TRCAdventures]

@@raynic1173 that's great!

[@raynic1173]

@TRCAdventures Deuce, I've heard the early model 1150 RTs had drive train issues. Do you have any info on that?

[@TRCAdventures]

@raynic1173 the only issues I've heard about are for not lubing the drive shaft coupler or parts just getting old and needing replacement after 2 or 300,000 miles. But still far fewer than other bikes from the same time frame.

[@raynic1173]

@@TRCAdventures I think the R1150RT is best looking bike of all the BMWs

[@erfft3903]

Only worth buying if its had the clutch conversion done. Its just a time delayed bomb waiting to explode without it.

[@TRCAdventures]

Not sure about the clutch, but the break assist model is definitely a thing that replacement would cost more than the bike,

[@666kty3]

Your front shock is worn out as well....bike should not dive at all.

[@TRCAdventures]

Thanks for all the comments, in the next video I finally adjusted the rear shock that was set far too soft, burg front and rear now work quite well!

[@666kty3]

@@TRCAdventures Seriously...any r1150rt out there with the original shock...its gonna be shot. They last about 25k miles. Just one of the know issues.

[@billfuel6916]

my name is andre aragon , i have this bick i payed $ 2 , 300 and it have 70 , 000 mails on it , i have not ride it very much yet but im going to be diving it all speng and summer ... i m in Denver co

[@TRCAdventures]

Colorado has some great places to ride, should be great fun!

[@VerleYates-dp9ps]

Nope, not a mistake on any of these bikes this old, 30K is NOTHING. Mine I acquired a '98 at 50K, it's now 147k miles later and runs like a clock. I take annual trips of 2-3K miles with a group of boys. If I was in the market, I'd buy that bike in a heart beat.... :)

[@TRCAdventures]

Yep! Great bikes, the RT is one of the few bikes celebrated for miles! It's great!

[@InterimExec]

Key seems to be alert for known issues and have a remedy and willingness to pay for it.They will last and do require maintenance and occasional repairs, but then so does the new one.Doing a 12000K service on a new RT wil set you back a few G after spending a whack to buy it new.

[@robertdillard4844]

You clearly dont know much about this particulat bike. These are one of the most quirkey hard to work on bikes that ever existed. At around 40k miles the suspension is completely shot. The shocks are not rebuildable and will cost at least $1500 to replace. The abs motors are problematic and super expensive to repair so the answer to this is just to remove it. It is very complicated. Around 50k miles the alternator belt will need to be replace and the starter will be junk. Around $50 miles the dry car like clutch will need to be replaced and it is quite complicated. The motorized wind screen will stop working. Good luck finding parts for it. The list is infinite. You clearly have no idea what you are talking about.

[@TRCAdventures]

You bring up some great points I did not cover. The suspension (shocks are easy and inexpensive to upgrade for those looking to do so, two standard shocks rather than a fork disassembly is much easier. The alternator and belt are easily accessible at the front of the motor for maintenance and a clutch maintenance schedule at 50k miles ( though we do see many go twice that distance, is still good for two trips around the earth! Regular maintenance is definitely made easy and valve checks are simple with the heads sticking out the sides of the bike. The one problematic area I pointed out and should be included in your dislike for this bike is the braking system, if the hydraulic system fails (it wil,l if not properly maintained) will cost more than the value of the bike to replace. Thanks for your comments!

[@Roger_Ramjet]

Great video!

[@TRCAdventures]

Thanks!

[@Roger_Ramjet]

@@TRCAdventures I had a used one for many years. Currently enjoying a Honda St1100.

[@TRCAdventures]

@@Roger_Ramjet the ST is a wonderful bike, for some reason I keep forgetting about the st, they seem to do everything quite well! If not perfect!