Ride Review: 2003 BMW R1150R (owned)

2003 BMW R1150R Review

The bike was originally registered in Toronto & ridden to BC in 2007 by the 2nd owner (he bought from the orig owner who was an elderly man who added the touring screen, bags, rack & trunk bag all keyed to the ignition prior to the trip west) where it was stored, because the owner was an international pilot who was transferred to Honk Kong & did not return. I bought in June 2010 with 14k km in Vancouver & sold 2 years & 12k kms later.

Boxers, particularly <R1200 series, are an acquired taste that endear themselves with their relaxed rhythmic thrum, overall high quality, high resale & other pleasant subtleties that encourage long term relationships with those that are able to accept/appreciate their quirks & peculiarities.

The single spark plug head design was prone to a mild surge from 2,500 - 3,500 rpm, as were other early generation FI bikes (BMW later went to a 2 spark plug head design in an attempt to address the issue, but the real culprit is the lean, steady state, low load fuel mapping required for emissions) which is sensitive to correct TPS (throttle position sensor) adjustment & throttle body synch.  My bike did not respond consistently to TPS setting using voltage as per the service manual, but did when set via BMWs computer system which set values specific for each bike & often different from those in the manual.  Some owners opted for installing a Techlusion box to cure the lean fuel mapping.  Another well documented Boxer quirk is the mild knocking noise & left cylinder oil burning when parked on the side stand when cold until warmed up.

 

I enjoyed the light feel & precise handling of the bike, but it took a little acclimation to adjust to the reduced wind coverage of my previous 1996 Triumph Trophy 1200 w/aftermarket touring windscreen.  An RT or GS would have fit my 6' 1" frame better than the R1150R, but the addition of  Elf hwy pegs that fold into the cylinder head casings, a MRA Vario Spoiler to the BMW Touring Windscreen, GS bar risers &  handguards improved comfort.  Looking back over my service history records the bike required about 1/2 dozen repairs in my 2 year tenure.