I bought a new 2003 R1150R and still have it. Runs great with 60K on the odometer. It's been all over. I consider it my last bike at the age of 71. Sold the rest of the fleet as I don't travel as far and I did at one time. I like the bars where they are and I suppose lowering the pegs would help. The best modification was a Two Brothers pipe. I've used Two Brothers on other bikes. Yes, louder, but that's what ear plugs are for, and it's not Harley loud. There's a substantial gain in power along with losing 17 pounds. I did put it on a dyno, and it backed up the claims published by Two Bros. A bump in over 5 HP. The bump in torque was even more at around an additional 8 at the rear wheel. The pipe also got rid of the surging problem. If my memory serves me correct, I could do a top gear roll-on from 60 to 80 in 3.3 seconds, a gain of over half a second. Very impressive. Enjoy your new toy.

@PastorMattMoto

Жыл бұрын

Hi Pete, wow owning a bike for that long and putting on 60k is an impressive feat for sure! I need to do some longer trips soon as well :). Also that is some great hp and torque gains, I'll have to look into two brothers exhausts!

@EricCevennes

6 ай бұрын

J’ai la même (2003), j’ai 65 ans :). Lourde à l’arrêt et dans les très petites routes sinueuses des Cévennes (Sud du massif central France).

@RRRRefuelRideRace

5 ай бұрын

Thanks for sharing it. This is for sure a great looking BMW. I rode a lot of them and now I am thinking of getting one. :) Drop by bro, you may like my content. :) Thanks a lot.

I have had my roadster since July 2001. You are spot on with your evaluation and commentary! I put on a Day Long seat, Verholen bar backs, and peg lowers. Also Ohlins shocks. That greatly improved the comfort. I have managed three 800 mile days on this bike. The nickname for this bike is “the Curve Wizard“. This is a great all-around bike. It is also not difficult to work on.

@PastorMattMoto

Жыл бұрын

Wow 800 miles is massively impressive! :0. The longest I did was about a 3.5 hour ride, if I remember correctly, but there were some awesome roads in southern Wisconsin to hit! The R1150R really is much more nimble than it's weight would suggest isn't it!!

My experience is, that if you give it gas and more revs, it becomes a totally different machine. The engine comes to life, nice power after the torque, the sound changes...handles beautifully through corners, braking is effortless with the abs pump etc...also super smooth like you said, but still the mechanical bmw boxer feel that enthusiasts are looking for...not sure if im ever going to sell it

@PastorMattMoto

Ай бұрын

@maurizioarrivabene8182 I do wish I would have kept the R1150R longer, I'm looking for another BMW though, possibly an R Nine T or an R1200 :). The R1150R is surprisingly good in the corners isn't it? Sometimes the spec sheet doesn't tell you everything, some bikes just have to be ridden :)

Thanks for the video! I came across your review after seeing an '04 R1150R for sale locally about a month ago. After watching I went out and bought it the next morning. It has ABS and the smaller windscreen. Love the bike!

@PastorMattMoto

8 ай бұрын

Glad the review could help you out with your decision! I think the R1150R is a bit of a sleeper. It does alot of things really well, and seems to be pretty easy to maintain too. Also the reliability is pretty legendary. I rode this one home from the barn it had been stored in for years, started right up! It needed some work to get it in tip top shape, but it still ran good when I rode it away from that barn!

@RRRRefuelRideRace

5 ай бұрын

Great to hear that. How is it running now?

@garretv7247

3 ай бұрын

John I also just found a 2004 and decided to buy it as well after reading, watching and test driving. Let me know how you have enjoyed yours in the last few months. I am getting a very gently used bike with only 12k miles. Its brand new. Such a pretty bike. Would love to hear your input!

@johncmoney8394

3 ай бұрын

@@garretv7247 Loving the bike! Not much to compare with though. I had an old Triumph Thruxton years ago which I found pretty uncomfortable for any lengthy ride. That said, this BMW I feel I could ride all day! Very comfortable and smooth. I'm still getting up to speed on the maintenance but so far has been pretty easy. Lots of info out there. Parts at beemerboneyard and I've watched countless Chris Harris videos here on youtube. Congrats. Enjoy it!!

@RRRRefuelRideRace

3 ай бұрын

@@garretv7247 That should be a great deal if it really has that low mileage. :)

Very good vid for a great bike. I have mine for 12 years now and the riding pleasure is still the same. And an incredible construction quality. Best regards

@PastorMattMoto

Жыл бұрын

Thanks Francis! I've heard of some of BMW's boxer twins hitting over 200,000 miles with just regular maintenance, that's pretty incredible!!

I had one of thses when they were new for my daily ride to work, which involved some very heavy filtering. It was great for that because it would tick along with great slow balance. The brakes were a bounus for that because with the servo ABS set up I could cover the rear brake and stop real quick if needed. I only swapped when the dealer shut. Now all these years later I have another which needs a bit of work and the ABS brakes are the main problem and I'm planning to delete them. Good to hear you are happy with the basic set up. I've done the rear drive which can become a problem if not shimmed correctly at some point. The final drive pivot bearings are also a weak point, plain bush replacments with grease points are better.

@PastorMattMoto

2 ай бұрын

I think the standard brakes are quite good on the R1150R, especially for the era! I had a deer appear on the side of the road, did some quick progressive braking, ended up doing a bit of stoppie on the big machine :p.....then the deer just decided to stare at me like I was an idiot from the side of the road, and didn't cross anyway! Haha

More about it. I got the same as a wedding gift. Waits in Germany for our honeymoon and so far never had a chance to ride it yet. Same color, same year with abs. 😊

@PastorMattMoto

Жыл бұрын

What an awesome wedding gift! :) :). I do love ABS on bikes when I can get it, I've seen studies where it significantly decreases total stopping distance in emergency braking situations!

@jan-hendrikmaibaum8814

Жыл бұрын

@@PastorMattMoto haha 😂 and I would love to have one without. Yes awesome brakes but if the modules fails you miss 90 percent of the braking power. New part at bmw super expensive! Like 1500 buck plus work. I have already the alternative parts at home if it fails that I can bypass the system. Problem in Germany it’s after removal not roadworthy anymore 🤮

Thank you for your knowledge and video ; drive safe!! From Chile South America

@PastorMattMoto

Жыл бұрын

Thanks Enrique, glad you enjoyed the video! The R1150R was and excellent machine! I'm currently looking for another BMW as well :)

sold mine a couple of years ago been regreting ever since might just get another eventually roads are pretty crappy in quebec the suspension is right at home here, great around town and in twisties

@PastorMattMoto

Ай бұрын

The unique suspension on these make for a super smooth ride don't they! They are pretty inexpensive now days too, a pretty awesome hidden value I'd say.

@dannybeausejour5008

Ай бұрын

@@PastorMattMoto the telelever is indeed quite special its plush yet never bottoms out the bike keeps level on rails in corners when I used to ride with buddies I had to be selfaware they couldn't or wouldn't follow me through rough backwood roads

There is one for sale and used a 2004 1150R yet it has 120,000 miles on the odometer. My question is, how long will these engines last. Does anyone ever overhaul the BMW engines and who? Thanks

@PastorMattMoto

Ай бұрын

That is quite a few miles! I've heard of these motors going around 200,000 though. If the bike is clean otherwise and priced really reasonable, I would say you could get some more riding out of it. If you have a good local independent mechanic, I would give them a call and see if they can do a compression test for you, and give the bike a good once over. :)

Someone else mentioned the beautiful roads - really nice! Where? What town/area? Thanks!

@PastorMattMoto

10 ай бұрын

Hi Bruce, this video was shot out in the country between Tomah and Sparta WI. It's in the driftless area a bit north of wildcat mountain. There are alot of great roads in the driftless area! Some of the pavement is a little rough depending on how far out in the country you get, but the views are pretty amazing!

Great review have owned 2xr1150Gs both built to last unlike modern bikes🏍️👍

@PastorMattMoto

Жыл бұрын

They are built out of some solid metal aren't they!

@kevinhawtin4677

Жыл бұрын

@@PastorMattMoto absolutely proved when you have to pick one up .🏍️👍👍

I also slide forward on the seat of my 1999 BMW R850R but can still do 300 miles in a day.

@PastorMattMoto

10 ай бұрын

Yeah it's still comfortable even with sliding on the seat a bit. Maybe some tank pads would help the situation as well?

That's a nice area for riding that you have on your doorstep.

@PastorMattMoto

Жыл бұрын

Thanks Simon, I'm definitely blessed to have some if these roads right nearby :).

Nice review! I don't know where you're shooting this but it looks exactly like Sweden. Almost uncanny.

@PastorMattMoto

4 ай бұрын

This is in the driftless area of central Wisconsin, in the US. I'm actually part Swedish, my grandmother was from Sweden. Would love to visit one day :).

thank you

Amazing outstanding video I found a 2004 bmw R1150 military green really cool he is asking $3500 obo I’m diving between the bmw for $3500 or a triumph America for $1809

@PastorMattMoto

Жыл бұрын

O man thats a tough choice, especially with the Triumph only being $1,800! What did you end up going with?

@billzinke9056

10 ай бұрын

Was this bike for sale in SLC ?

@MOUSEBOWEN

10 ай бұрын

@@billzinke9056 yes

@billzinke9056

10 ай бұрын

Did you buy it ? If so how is it working for you ?@@MOUSEBOWEN

Mine vibrates a fair amount over 4k. Didn't notice that with yours. Can you put var risers on without replacing the cables?

@PastorMattMoto

Жыл бұрын

My R1150R did vibrate at higher RPMs as well, but it wasn't too bad, and it started later than yours, probably above 6k+ I would say. I'm not sure if cable replacement would be needed for bar risers. You might be able to get away with a shorter 1 inch rise with stock cables.

@paulsteele8083

8 ай бұрын

I have successfully placed a 1" riser on a 2002 R1150R and while the cables are "snug" the stock cables have been fine after 10 years. @@PastorMattMoto

One side-case? What happened to the other?

@PastorMattMoto

8 ай бұрын

Both hard cases came with the bike, but the one side had a problem with the mounting clip unfortunately, so I just ran with one case. It looks a little goofy, but hey some storage is better than no storage :p

Solid review

@PastorMattMoto

Жыл бұрын

Thanks! :)

Can barely hear the narration. I mostly listen to videos, so this is a non-starter for me. Good looking motorcycle.

@PastorMattMoto

Жыл бұрын

Hi, this year I'm using a different helmet for recording, the audio has improved quite a bit. I'm also treating the audio with a multi band compressor to cut some of the low-end noise, and boost the vocal range. If you have a chance to check out some of my newer videos, let me know what you think :)

i dont like the way it rattles at idle

@PastorMattMoto

Жыл бұрын

True it does sound a little rattley, it could be the windshield though, since one of the bolts likes to work its way loose!

@RRRRefuelRideRace

5 ай бұрын

You can get used to it. :)