[apehair]

Hi Folks,

I bought an 02 R1150RT with 22,000 miles. Will be picking it up in about 10 days. From the high-res pictures, it looks to be in excellent condition. Service records are up to date. Last service was done in the Fall, and it's been ridden very little since.

I plan to ride it home from CA to Colorado via the warm states, a total of about 1500 miles.

Is there anything I should check before my ride, besides the basics? How about when I get home? It will be a 10-year old bike. What tends to fail with time on these - hoses? Fuel lines? Anything you can think of?

Thanks,

ape

 

[JPSpen]

If it's running good when you pick it up.. Just check the oil and off you go...

22k is really just broken in....

There's not much going wrong with this series of RT....

Good Luck

John

 

[alanrd]

How old are the tires? Tires age.

 

[deanwoolsey]

If you notice surging on your new bike do not despair, many of the 1150s have that issue. There are some steps you can take to lessen or even eliminate the problem. Mine surged badly when I got it and now it's quite stable. Welcome to the site.

 

[STARFIGHTER]

Left side cam chain tensioner..................
If not already done , get an updated one from....
Rubber Chicken Racing garage................................

 

[steveaikens]

When I flew to SLC, UT to pick up my 2000 R1100RT-P with a whole lot of miles on it, I simply did a routine pre-ride check, G.T.O., rode the bike a few miles to see how much surge there was to deal with, went back to the guys house and pulled the cat code mapping plug to run open loop home, paid the man and rode to Colorado Springs through Cheyenne for a visit with some friends, then on home to Clovis. Something like 1100 miles. No worries.

Having close to 400,000 mile on two R1100RSLs, I know the engines/bikes pretty well. At 22,000 miles - on a bike that was recently serviced and looks the part of a well maintained bike, I'd check gas tire and oil, start the bike and ride home. If it has service records adn looks good, it's highly unlikely you'll see anything wrong with it.

Hop on, enjoy your ride home and Congratulate yourself on a good purchase that will last you years/miles down the road.

 

[apehair]

Thanks, guys. I really appreciate the advice.

ape

 

[hopz]

The bike ought to be basically just barely broken-in... the BUT in this case is just a safety-butt.

You do not really know what the previous owner was like with regard to his riding habits... so look at the brake pads and disks. Maybe he drug his foot on the pedal or something.

Like he said, check the oil.

Maybe bring a small bottle of fuel system cleaner/Techron with you and run it through your first tank. If it has been sitting you never know if it picked up some condensations or something.

Look in the exhaust. If it was where some critter could nest it might be funny when you ride off.

Have the owner school you on getting the seat on/off unless you are certain you know how. If you do know how- open it up while the seller is there.

Battery? Is it the type that is closed cell? Or open? If open is there water in each and every cell? Is the under seat wiring, especially around the battery a nest of owner-added wires? Be sure you know what is there while you can ask him. If there is after market stuff- are there fuses installed? If there are fuses- do you have spares?

Look at the tires... all around, take your time. Look for nicks, cuts, uneven wear, flat spots, tread, etc. Those tires are going to have to get you home. You said in the warm states.. these warm states are likely to be deserts... there can be a long way from not much spots...

Flashlight.

Tire Pressure/ALL lights/Turn Signals/Windshield goes up and down/manuals and spares on-board/tool kit with tire plug... not so much because it is new-to-you but because you will be riding in places that are a long way to service.

Good, current insurance and roadside assistance plan. Call and check before you leave home. Bring you water bottle and use it.

Find a pal who is a member of the BMW MOA, and borrow his Anonymous Book. Take it with you. If you cannot get the anonymous book get on the web and make a list of BMW dealers or service shops along your route. Things can get lonely when the motor gets quiet and you do not have someone to call.

Consider taking a few Soft Ties... these are short nylon loops that go around the bike parts to keep the tow truck gorilla from messing up your bike if you have to put it on a flatbed. They are not usually equipped with things to haul bikes and some serious damage can result. They are cheap and easily packed.

Get a Bill of Sale, Have your insurance card, Does the bike have a current inspection sticker?

The ride-off will be exciting but this is where things can get dicey. If it is a congested area, turn your defensive driving skills up to the Max spot on the dial. No radio, no ear plugs, no distractions... head up- looking for the crazies... after a while you can relax and enjoy but job-one is getting away safely.

Enjoy. and tell us how is after you get back.

 

[JayJay]

Hopz - as usual, a thorough, well thought out response with tons of suggestions that any of us can use regardless of what bike it is.

JayJay

 

[apehair]

Thanks, Hopz.

I can never get enough common sense. God knows I don't produce much on my own.

Last July I bought an 05 Fat Boy from a dealer in Philadelphia and rode it back to Colorado. I unwittingly booked my first night at a motel that was in the WRONG part of town. My flight was delayed, so I arrived late at night. What may have saved my bacon is that everyone was under the impression that I was a gang member. I've never had such friendly service in my life! Even the Taxi driver the front desk called to take me to the dealer said "I'm here for the Hells Angel." I'm not a gang member, of course, and I've never had much respect for them. But I was wearing the BMW kevlar jeans that I've put about 150,000 miles on, now (best clothing investment in my LIFE, LOL), plus my well-worn leather jacket and my combat touring boots from Aerostich. I guess that looked like gang garb to the folks in Philly.

Anyway, I rode that Fat Boy home and proceeded to put 9,000 miles on it in 60 days. Not sure what got into me, but I couldn't stay off the bike. Even though they are the bike of choice for Luddites, I really like Harley's Softails. Have owned several over the years. But my body can't take the pounding any more on those long rides. I finally admitted that to myself and sold the bike.

Not quite able to completely part with Folly, I bought a Ducati. Fourth Duc I've owned, and I love it as much as the others. But it's not a touring bike. doh! And what I enjoy the most on a motorcycle is touring. doh!

So I'm going to try doing something that has a little more common sense this time, and see if I can't learn to love this RT. Every time I saw one over the years, my eye was drawn to its lines. And every time I sat on one, I had the urge to go for a long ride. But it wasn't a "cool" bike. It didn't have either the speedy image of a Ducati, which I'm a sucker for, or the live-by-the-seat-of-your-pants image of the Harley, which I'm also a sucker for. There's nothing as satisfying as jumping on a Softail and heading out for parts unknown without any preparation or forethought. For the first few hours, anyway. LOL.

Again, thanks for the tips. I'll let you all know how it goes.

ape

 

[WCP58]

What a coincidence. I just purchased an 02 R1150RT with 40K last Friday. After reading all the posts, I think I did well on my purchase. I'd like to learn more about the surging though. I may have a bit of that, but I'm just getting used to the bike.

 

[apehair]

What a coincidence. I just purchased an 02 R1150RT with 40K last Friday. After reading all the posts, I think I did well on my purchase. I'd like to learn more about the surging though. I may have a bit of that, but I'm just getting used to the bike.

What do you think of it so far?

ape

 

[WCP58]

:bmw: so far I am very pleased with the ease in which it handles. Must get used to the big twin quirks though. I need to fix the heated grips and replace one of the factory driving lights. Only drawback is the Clymer manual. Not very good IMO. Nothing regarding fuse box fuse layout or how to remove grips. But that has nothing to do with the bike.

 

[steveaikens]

I'd like to learn more about the surging though. I may have a bit of that, but I'm just getting used to the bike.

Let me share all you need to know about surging. If you don't know about it, it's not a problem.

On these bikes, the surge is either immediately a problem or so mild that you'd have to be a princess looking for a pea.

If it's not bothering you now, it shouldn't later and isn't the same surge you hear and read about.

 

[hopz]

Wanted to add a few things to my list...

I mentioned getting a Bill of Sale... get the original Title too... signed over to you.

Tire pressure is an important part of correct trip preparation. I keep a small but accurate gauge in my kit. Tires get under inflated while waiting for a buyer sometimes.

As for surge. An '02 may have some but the main thing is to not let it concern you on the trip home. If you have the surge we can deal with it after you get home.

 

[Solo6]

Pour half a can of Seafoam (get it at Walmart) into the gas tank now, the other half the first time you stop for fuel on the highway.

BUY PREMIUM GAS. You'll spend an extra dollar or so per tankful, and it's worth it. And plan on fuel stops every 100 miles, until you know what your mileage is and how accurate your fuel gauge.

If you have time, do a Cannisterectomy before you start. You're going to do it eventually, the only question is whether you will wait until it's causing you problems.

Unless the plugs were replaced in the last year or 5,000 miles, you might want to do that. You can get Autolite 3923s at Walmart. Fresh plugs will pay for themselves on the trip home.

Check your tire condition and pressures before you start out every morning. You don't want to lose a tire halfway through Nowhere. Replace tires NOW if they are marginal. I like the Michelin PR3s. I have had them on my RTP since they came out (I was the first one in Nevada to have them, straight from the distributor), have put thousands of miles on them all over Nevada, Utah, Arizona and the People's Republic of California, and have thousands of miles still to go.

Run as light as you can (don't load on a lot of cargo), so that you get used to the feel and can detect anything that "Just Ain't Right."

What will your route be? Don't push yourself, if you're not used to long rides. Plan on that 1500 miles over 4 DAYS and stop for the night when you get tired. Don't make motel reservations!!! Don't set any goal that you MUST meet. Take your time, enjoy the ride (whichever way you go, it's some of the most beautiful scenery in the world!), stop often to take breaks or admire the view. Don't leave one town unless you know you're comfortable and alert enough to get to the town AFTER the next one (just in case).

Oh, yeah, CARRY WATER AND OIL, a quart each. I carry oil in a Ziploc-inside-a-Ziploc, to keep it from getting all over the stuff in the saddlebox. I also carry some paper towels in a Ziploc.

 

[dmottv]

I bought a similar bike with 102k a year ago ('02 R1150 RTP). The only problem I've had so far is a fuel line leak on right side. The quick disconnects had been removed by a previous owner, so we cut the line back abit and refastened the hose clamp. The bike was pulling slightly to the left, so I replaced the worn tires with new ME880's and that issue resolved. I've put about 8k on it since and no problems so far. I'm hoping this bike will go for a bunch more miles, similar to my old airhead.

 

[apehair]

As for surge. An '02 may have some but the main thing is to not let it concern you on the trip home. If you have the surge we can deal with it after you get home.

Cool. I'll do that.

ape

 

[apehair]

Pour half a can of Seafoam (get it at Walmart) into the gas tank now, the other half the first time you stop for fuel on the highway.

Solo, why the Seafoam?

If you have time, do a Cannisterectomy before you start.

Please explain.

What will your route be?

I was planning to head down 101 to San Louis Obispo, then cut across to Bakersfield to see an old friend. Then across the Tehachapies on 58 to Barstow, then to Flagstaff. Normally I'd take 160, etc. to Durango, and head home that way, but the southern Rockies get a lot of snow in the Spring. I once made it over the pass from Cortez to Durango in a snowstorm just as the snow was starting to stick to the asphalt. That was my decision point, so I slowed down and stopped, intending to head back to Cortez, but my riding buddy didn't see me, and flew right past me. By the time I caught up to him, we were at the crest.

So we rode down into Durango and checked into a motel. The storm closed all the passes, so we spent the entire day in Durango, riding the trolley in our Harley Davidson rain gear, bid bad bikers that we were. That was on Memorial Weekend. We were on cruisers without windshields, so the cold really bit into us.

Anyway, because of the unpredictable weather, I'll probably head straight across to Albuquerque, and then up I-25.

Then again, the weather looks really bad for next week, so I'll either postpone another week or two, or just have the bike shipped.

Oh, yeah, CARRY WATER AND OIL, a quart each. I carry oil in a Ziploc-inside-a-Ziploc, to keep it from getting all over the stuff in the saddlebox. I also carry some paper towels in a Ziploc.

Another good tip. Thanks. I usually carry extra oil, but I never thought of carrying extra water.

ape

 

[05hexhead]

I did not see it mentioned. You should try and get the info from the previous owner when the brake fluid was last changed. Add it to your to do list when you get home if it had not been done for a while.