Here's my 2002LTE saga...Bought mine spur-of-the-moment in August at the Lima BMW rally. $14,000 with 4,400 on the clock. My LTE has GPS, CB, and everything else. Rode it a little in the Fall, got the 6,000 mile warranty work done ($250) and have wintered it until spring. Dropped it once when the sidestand did it's quirky "i don't work in neutral" thing.

Paid about $750 to wire up a couple of helmets.
Paid $1,000 in sales tax
Paid $150 for new gel battery and tender

Based on all the info on this site I know I probably paid a little too much and if I had to sell it could maybe get $12K. Maybe. Then... Cincinnati Dealer went kaput last month.

I'm not real keen on doing the work and now the nearest dealer is 100 miles ... either Louisville or Indianapolis.

Just looking for some words of encouragement or maybe some other 2002 LTE riders for their perspective on my bike, the mileage, my rear-drive failure potential and any other discussion to help me get thru the next few months of buyers regret.

Too bad you live where there is a "riding season"! I cannot comprehend that, never having lived where you cannot ride year round.

I would think that come spring and you get a couple rides in that the regret will melt away rapidly, along with the snow.

Don't know where you are located or how harsh winter is, because you haven't filled out your profile. But winter can do that to you, just try buying a boat!

Best advice.... you'll feel better with the first ride.

As far as 100 miles to a dealer now, Just ride it. I live in Southern Oregon, ride year round, and its 50 miles to my dealer. If he's busy, which he usually is, its 120 miles to the nearest. It wouldn't matter if it were 400.

I have a 2000 with around 70,000 miles and a rear drive failure doesn't keep me from going anywhere. If it happens, I'll get it fixed. I don't do my own wrenching. There are too many LT's on the road without failure to be worried about it, be aware of it just not worried.

Be assured, winter will end, but the road never does.

Wow,
I wish my 2001 only had 6k miles on it. But then that would mean I never get to ride! I would not worry at all about the rear end failure. I never think about it but thats me. Do you know anything about maintenance on machines etc? The best thing you could do is attend a tech session in your area to get familar with your bike. It's easy to work on once you have witnessed how to do the basics. Even if you think you paid too much that's a point you should not dwell on. This bike is just plain fun to ride and the payoffs are worth the price in my opinion. I paid full price for my bike in Feb 2001 but never regretted it since. I have spent a shit load of money on farkles and gadgets etc but I still think its a great bike and I love my fellow LT brothers and sisters out there. You just need a dose of miles to get over your misgivings that's all! Ride safe and hope you get to ride soon.

Yep I know just how you feel. I am sitting here in South Dakota and freezing my A** off. The bikes are in the Toy Shed and won't be taken out until May. But! when they are taken out we manage to ride 15,000 to 20,000 miles during the riding season for us. We plan trips during the winter and do the maintenance on them.

Don't worry about it. In Spring you'll be wishing you had purchased this bike earlier...

Purchase an extended warranty and perform the recommend services, then you relax worrying about the "potential" problems.

Don't be surprised that you'll feel like moving to warmer area so you can ride more!!! Trust me you'll LOVE the bike. Use this time to upgrade it with those little farkles you always wanted.

My dealer is 53 miles away, and I always enjoy the ride to/back from the dealer. Of-course my wallet is a lot lighter for the ride home.

Congratulations and enjoy your new ride (as weather allows)!

I agree with everything said. My dealer is 75 miles away, but I just make an adventure out of it when I have to go and I'm there in no time. Besides, once I'm there I ALWAYS find something I can't live without, which is part of the fun.

Thanx for the encourgement guys. I live in N. Kentucky just by Cincy. I'm really looking forward to the BMW rally in July in Burlington, Vermont. I've already got the hall pass from my wife. Probably see Niagra Falls on the way.

As far as my regrets... you all are right. This is my one toy and worring about it fretting over the $$$ is futile. Maybe I just shouldn't be reading so much m-cycle stuff. I'm really itching for the saddle.

see U

KYchris02,
You will fell better on the first sunny day. I don't know where you are (you didn't complete your profile), but I'm sure not late then May you will be back on the road.
I do have a 2002 with almost 50K on it (bought new) and I do have a dealer only 18 miles from my house, but when I need it, I prefer to ride 110 miles (220 round trip) just because that second dealer is much better then the close one.
Also, try to learn how to work with your bike. When I first start it (1999 was my first LT), I didn't know anything about bikes and maintenance. But now, thanks to many members of this forum, I do 80% of my maintenance, from oils, tires, water change to valve checks. You will see that worth to know.
Then, when the ridding season cames, just ride it. Plan long trips and you will see how that clock will jump from 6K to 20K in few weeks

I would not worry about regret at all. I bought my 05 Sept 17th and put about 3k on it so far. My dealer is over 230 miles from my house and find it a great excuse to take a few days off and go ride. Currently i am installing BMR shelf for GPS. I started that project yesterday by taking the windscreen off and the left panel. I was a little aprehensive at first but decided 4 hours at $70/hour was a little steep and decided to try it myslef. I have an old /7 I have been tinkering with so the mechanical things do not bother me and in my past life i was a car stereo installer. I was alot younger and more flexible then but I am not affraid to tackle projects.

BTW, I rode last Friday did about 80 miles. Temp never got above 28.

Have fun and think spring.

Jim

I believe you have mis-diagnosed the problem. It is not buyer's remorse, but rather "can'tgetout&ride" disease. All kidding aside, a good long ride will put the smile back on your face. My 2002 started life as an LTC, but with all the goodies I have added, GPS, Intercom, CB, XM Radio, custom seat, rhinewest chip, remus exhaust... well, I guess you see where this is going. Anyway, by now I believe mine qualifies as an LT"X" for Extreme. 56K+ miles on the odometer, no dealer I would trust within 200 miles, been doing all my own services for the last 30K miles. On December 29-20 I rode 1,511 miles in 22hours 48 minutes for the IBA Bun Burner Gold, then on back home for a total of 2,187 miles in 36 hours, 11 minutes elapsed time start to finish. The bike is fantastic. Just give it some time and miles. The smiles will come.

Chris,

I know just how you feel...winter and all. I'm watching the snow fall outside my window as I type this. I live near Cleveland, Ohio.

Anywho...about your other concerns. I wouldn't worry about dealer locations too too much. 100 miles is NOTHING on an LT. My wife and I had lunch with some forum friends last summer. 330 miles EACH way! And my wife absolutely loved it. So to ride 100 miles, get your LT serviced, then ride 100 miles back home? No big deal. I'd bet you find a way to make the return trip even longer.

And if you don't want to wait until the MOA National Rally to meet some folks and learn a TON about your new bike...Why don't you join some of us down at the LT Spring Training Camp II? Read all about it in the South East Forum. Great riding area! Great food! Tech sessions! And LT camaraderie to boot!

I have a dealer 5 mi from my house but I drive 159 mi to atlanta dealer.Have to get lottery ticket you see

I noticed you're pretty new to the forum and that you've only posted 16 times,


Start by reading the archives,
join in on a couple of discussions,even if you don't know anything about them,
most of us including myself do it all the time.
Look at the gallery, get to know some of the members on the board,
tell a few jokes, ask a question about oil or tires or better yet start a religious discussion.
Next thing you know you've gained twenty pounds by sitting on your @ss in front of the computer all winter and the sun is shining outside because while you were so absorbed into all of the conversation, the seasons changed and it's time to get out there and ride.

Resistance is futile, Ride it like you stole it every chance you get.

I live in Utah...You know, "Greatest Snow on Earth" and all..Funny part is, I'm originally from Cincinnati and with the exception of icier roads more days, it isn't too much worse. It dries out.
I ride all winter long. Assuming no snow and/or ice on the ground. It might get cold but they make gear for that!

The only buyer's regret that I have is that I did not buy one sooner!!!

Sent you a PM, Chris!

Chris,

I have a dealer 45 miles away, but I go to one that is 125 miles away.

I make sure I schedule well in advance and make sure they know what I need to have done. I call a couple days before hand just to confirm and then I show up on time. I mainly use them for brake related work because they do good work, treat me and the bike with respect, and I trust them - the rest I do myself. Regardless, it makes for a chance to get out and see some folks I like and trust.

I am mechanically challenged, but through some service related how-to dvd's and the folks here who will bend over backwards to help you, I have gotten comfortable doing my own work (a couple sub-optimal experiences at a dealer gave me the nudge I needed).

Yeah, there are some big ticket catastrophic things that could happen, but I believe having a dealer closer would only minimize my towing charge at best. I guess what I am saying that dealer proximity won't help my rear drive.

To be honest, I think you are doing the right thing - asking questions and trying to educate yourself. Like other's have said, you don't have buyer's regret - you just hear the road calling...

Hang in there Chris - spring is coming! In the mean time, hang out here and welcome to the family!

I think that he has cabin fever and is delirious! Ride every chance you get. We all fuss about things, but when you hit the road on your new 02 LT, you will forget all about and after a good day of 500+ miles you will know why you bought the LT.

Joe, I thought you rode your LT in the snow! Come on!

When I lived in the Appalachian Mountains, in Mass., we called that feeling “cabin fever”.
Last snow, frost was during May.
Bob

If it weren't for winter, I'd never get any of my "bike project" to-do list done! Too busy riding, about 15,000 miles last year. I finally had to put it away in the garage last month with the first substantial snowfall. Too much salt and sand on the roads up here now until the spring.

Now it's time to install the intercom and auxiliary lighting, plus do the routine (i.e.: 'not as much fun') work (tune, valve adjustment, fluids, etc).

Buyer's remorse? Nah, you just miss riding! (Don't we all - I envy those out there that can ride year round. January and February are killers.)

I just got my new carbon fiber front fender in the mail today for the Ninja. You know what I'll be doing tomorrow morning!

A fresh pot of coffee, some tunes, my bikes, a heated garage . . . LIFE IS GOOD!!!

Chris: Just performing my own 12K service on the '02. Changed oil/filter; tranny lube; rear drive lube; removed side panels and tupperware; remove the seat, gas tank and replaced the air filter; removed the sparkplugs (replaced) & valve cover to check valves; removed cam sprocket and cam to replace bucket (cam follower) swapped 2 around; pulled the throttle cables for lubrication (even against BMW recommendation); grinding down rear trunk latch fingers for smooth operation; adding LEDs to light-er-up. For the tech-no-champs on this board its cake! Winter projects (snowed in here).

Only way I was able to do this (even after much apprehension) was to visit the forum; gain insight; purchase a tech manual and print the info from the archives. These guys are great!!! Moral support and tech info all in one.

Dealer... 56 miles south. Buy my parts from them exclusively.

I know how they feel having to put the bike up for winter, I put mine in the garage the day before yesterday after a 200 mile ride, probably won't get it back out till sunday it's supposed to be cold saturday, below 70 is cold right <grin>

Tom (runnin n duckin)

My sister-in-law lives there. I'm about 2 1/2 hours up the road from you, SE of Columbus. I'm fixin' to go to the BMWMOA rally in July; if things work out, maybe you could meet me on the way. (on the other hand, if my wife goes along she'll want to trailer the bike, drop me off at the rally, and tour Vermont while I attend the rally.)

I'm with all the others here who tell you to hang in there until Spring! This is my first year riding, and my first winter without!

Hey, at least you bought your LT used. I bought my 04 new. Sometimes I think of all the farkles I could of bought if I had just found this board earlier and considered buying a used bike. But really, I never think of the purchase price, just of how lucky I am to ride such a great bike.

I'm also bummed that the Cinci dealer closed. I had developed a relationship with the guys in the service dept., and they seemed friendly and competent.
Guess I'll have to try the Columbus dealer.

Get some winter riding gear. Some of the reasons I bought the LT are the great wind protection, heated seat and heated grips. Take advantage of the days in the mid 30's and up to ride. I live just east of Dayton OH. Rode to work last friday. It is great to show up at work on a day everybody thinks your nuts for riding because its too cold.

Decent weather starts again about the first of March. Hang in there for another seven weeks and you will have it made.


Steve
2004 LT
Xenia OH

Hey Bill, I live 100 miles from you, thus I drive 100 miles past that same dealer in BHam to take mine to Atlanta or Knoxville or Nashville...but not BHAM.. shame isn't it?

Come join us, you'll learn the basics in the tech sessions for sure..

Well Son,

As you know I ride an '02. We named our bike "Radar Love" in the beginning. It was not too many miles down the road the we re-named her "Traveller."

That should say it all.

Here are some pics from Deals Gap. You need to ride down there this coming spring! Hope to see ya there!

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