Buying R1150 Rockster

Am looking into getting a BMW R1150 Rockster in the near future. I'm in my
early thirties, and am wanting something that is fun, can do some touring on
and looks/sounds good.

Firstly, is it worth getting one new in Germany and bringing it back to get
it cheaper? Also, as i've been out of biking a while, do dealers often
discount when buying all the extra equipment from them (locks, helmet,
clothing etc). If the bike is being left viewable to a lot of passers-by,
what should I consider in the way of locks. Someones new KTM got nicked from
down the road last year.

Also, not having much experience on bikes in the past, is this bike too much
of a handful to be getting back into it? I'm a regular cyclist (100 miles a
week), so feel that I know the obvious risks on the road and am looking at
this style of bike so as not to bring out the Fogarty out of me.

Finally, should I buy new, as i really don't know the ins and outs of buying
second hand, but am on a limited budget (pretty near zero at the moment).

Thanks

 

Am looking into getting a BMW R1150 Rockster in the near future. I'm in my

elyob

I looked at several Rocksters last year and wondered if I would get bored by
the styling after a while, so I bought a used plain R1150R from a chap in
the bmw owners group. I'm very happy with it, it's plenty fast enough
without being too silly plus I got luggage, abs, power socket, and a few
other bits thrown in for a good price. The bike is equally happy in town on
motorways and round the twisties, though I doubt it'd out run a power ranger
!

Check out the message boards at http://www.bmw-club.org.uk/home.html

Allan

R1150R

 

My brother bought a R1150R a couple of years ago, after twenty years off.
It didn't take him long to get back into the swing of it, but he'd been an
experienced motorcyclist in his previous life.

<sucks teeth> A new Rockster is about £7500 in the UK. That's a lot of
money if you don't have any. Running costs - if you want to protect the
value of your investment, you'll be looking at BMW dealer servicing costs.
Plus, it'll be pretty heavy on fuel, and you'll rip through a fair number of
back tyres.

If it doesn't have to be a Rockster, you can go well cheap in the 2nd-hand
market. F'rinstance:

http://cgi.ebay.co.uk/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&category=9915&item=2491739291&rd=1&ssPageName=WDVW

The 850 will be lighter on consumables:

http://cgi.ebay.co.uk/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&category=9915&item=2491365374&rd=1&ssPageName=WDVW

Depends what you're looking for from your bike.

 

That rules out the Rockster on all counts. BMW's dropping it for 2005
because nobody wants it, it's such shite. Seriously, it's as ugly as
Hilda Ogden with plague and it is amazingly underpowered.

No, not really.

Yeah, you can usually negotiate a deal.

The best, stoutest and most expensive. Preferably one of the FOAD chain
types so you can chain the bike to a lamp-post or similar. That said,
few people will want to nick a Rockster.

It's a big lazy low-powered lump. If you're a relative novice, something
smaller might be an idea.

With zero budget you won't be buying anything, will you?

 

I get the feeling you don't rate them! I saw one today and it looked pretty
okay. Just wondering what else would give me good round town and comfortable
touring performance. Be useful if it kept it's value compared to other
bikes.

850 would be a good size still. I don't want to go for anything smaller as
am 6ft and 14 and a half stone.

Will be able to borrow against it. Yeah, I know, debt. But will need a mode
of transport soon, and i'm in a reasonably comfortable position r.e.
previous debts (i.e. none).

 

I actually like the looks of it. But, there again, I'm quite taken by my
Essex white 'filing cabinet on wheels', so what do I know?

I suppose the R850 would make a great commuter bike, mind.

 

Why? I'm considerably bigger than that all round.
One of these would suit you:
http://cgi.ebay.co.uk/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&category=9806&item=2491853303&rd=1&ssPageName=WDVW

Contrary to popular belief, they do go rather well. Servicing costs
are negligable, insurance is dirt cheap, weather protection is second
to none, comfort is amazing, and they are fun, especially when you go
under the power rangers on a roundabout with a fag on.

--
ColonelTupperware
spouting bollocks on Usenet since 1997
Usenet FAQ at
http://www.its.caltech.edu/its/services/internetapps/news/news2.shtml
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And strap together nicely with gaffer tape, after a bin. Don't they?
--

Cheers!
Fr Jack
96 Tiger.
FRJACK AT GMAIL DOT COM

 

I'll second that. I had no problems on the SV (faired), being 6ft3,
16 stone and a toned muscular physique[1].




[1] Ok, that's a lie.

 

And the 1150, which is the same bike with loads more power and a couple
of kilos heavier, even more so.

There again, the 850 will be sweeter and smoother.

 

You slagging my mum?

 

ogden says...

Are you calling your mum a slag?

 

Colonel Tupperware yik-yakked:

Do I need beaten to death? I think that looks all right for a
day-to-day plugger, loads of room for kit, fine in the rain.

**** me. As if I don't get slagged enough for the VS!

 

Just prior to my DA pass at 51, I was looking at either a Rockster - I kind
of liked the ugly look - sort of suited me really..... anyway, took the SO
to drool over it and she persuaded me to buy the R850R standing next to it -
indeed, we signed that day, a couple of days before my test. I have been
very happy with it in 8 months now, same size (apart from the pots) as an
R1150R but easier on juices etc, plenty fast enough for me, 6 ft and 105 kg.
Good pillion too.
Whichever you choose, go for it.
Where are you living? You might find someone local to give you a ride on
the back....

Nick
R850R

 

But of course they do. Thats what the trunk is for, to keep the gaffer
tape supplies in.

--
ColonelTupperware
spouting bollocks on Usenet since 1997
Usenet FAQ at
http://www.its.caltech.edu/its/services/internetapps/news/news2.shtml
UPCE FAQ at http://upce.org.uk/
UKRM FAQ at http://www.ukrm.net/faq/

 

Colonel Tupperware says...

It has to be said, there are a fair few poncy sportsbike riders around
here, so don't go overhyping the PC too much. My 350LC made it look like
the foul-handling barge that it is