BMW R 1150 GS reviews

BMW motorcycles are generally quality reliable machines but the BMW dealerships I have tried to deal with all suck badly. Less than 1 year ago I purchased a 2022 BMW K1600gtl. I have enjoyed it and have put 18,000 hwy. miles on it. Still in near perfect condition. I have learned that it is a bit heavy for me at nearly 800 lbs. so I have requested a trade in for a r1250rt model. 300lbs. lighter. My k1600 is less than 1 year old and for tradein BMW has offered me $12,000 trade value at BMW of SAn Juan texas. And Alamo BMW of San Antonio offered me $15,000. Original cost was $33,000. Basically what they are saying is that their motorcycles are not even worth 50% of the original price less than 1 year old. Less than 50% in less than 1 year. DO NOT BUY A BMW ACCORDING TO BMW THEY ARE WORTH LESS THAN 50% ORIGINAL VALUE LESS THAN 1 YEAR OLD. BAD BAD DEAL. PIECE OF JUNK. NOT EVEN WORTH HALF THEIR COST AFTER JUST 9 MONTHS OF OWNERSHIP. Show less

The best all-around bike I've owned. I've had a HD Road King, Indian Vintage and Scout to name a few, and this is the easiest to live daily. Parts are not cheap and patience is required to DYI repairs and maintenance. Show less

I purchased this motorcycle off ebay during the middle of the pandemic - kind of a "drunk purchase" that I then had to go pick-up in Florida. Well, it was a really good price! After having the bike for about 2 years now, along with 2 other bikes, I must say this is by far my favorite. This is a sleek, beautiful, take-your-breath-away, kind of bike that must be ridden to be fully understood. A Cafe-Racer remade in today's technology with yesterday's style. How did someone say it to me - "That has to be the sexiest motorcycle I have ever seen!" Its appearance belies the engine size since it is slender, but long. A refined, smooth, time-tested, 1160cc boxter engine that puts out 110 horses if needed. The long frame and moldings allow this bike to cut through the air without concern for cross-winds or truck drafts. Steady and sure, I can always count on this bike holding course regardless of wind, road or speed. Yes, it has a rather aggressive riding position that limits the weak and wimpy to only minutes before either hand or arm start to fail. However, I found that some push-ups and grip exercises can get you quickly adjusted for more ride time. Having said that, I would not recommend this bike for "getting around town", but rather for "getting out of town". This is the ride you take to Miami, Los Angeles, or Chicago for the weekend...to be seen and envied. I have to admit it...I think my "drunk purchase" has been the "best purchase of my life". Show less

Wonderful motorcycle! After riding my 01 K1200RS for 20 years my bones were becoming a little weary! Found an 02 with about same mileage, I bought it from the original owner with all maintenance records and he lived nearby. This bike is so much easier to ride and is deceivingly quick! Yeah, the gear box is a little clunky but that gives it some character! I did raise the front of the seat about 1/4”. This is a must, no more sliding into the tank! A piece is aluminum stock and some new bolts from hardware store, problem solved! Yes the interlocking brakes are a bit touchy, but it didn’t take long getting used to them. The wife says it’s more comfortable too! I can ride this motorcycle all day from twistes to the highway, as compared to the K bike. Lots of storage too. My only complaint is the gearing between 5th and 6th is pretty extreme. A taller 5th gear would of been nice. I’m just nit picking now! Look at it like this 5 years prior to purchasing the RT. I put maybe 1K on the RS it just wasn’t comfortable anymore. Had the RT less than a year and put 3K on it already ! Remember raising the seat is a must! Good wind protection too!👍 Show less

I bought the motorcycle from the original owner in Colorado with 40 K on the odometer. This so far has been the best BMW I have ever owned I have owned five of them, I love traveling on this bike, it is one with road at 75 mph, all weather. With new Michelins , the grip is amazing. Reliable and quick with a heavy load rides so stable. I have added a Sargent seat, ohlin shocks, exhaust, ilium foot rest, and bar backs. Such a wonderful motorcycle. I’m very attached to the bike. Show less

The 2001 BMW R1150 GS is a fabulous motorcycle. A beast of a motorcycle. Well engineered and tough it will take you where miles are afraid to tred! The R1150 GS has power to spare. Surprising lower and performance. My last motorcycle was a 2003 Harley Davidson 883 Sportster. I was impressed with the power of that Harley but this 1150 BMW puts it to shame. The BMW is smooth yet robust. The 6-speed gearing has a wide range. I especially like third gear! A handful of throttle feels like you are blasting off to the moon! At age 67 I only rode my BMW mildly off road on my own farm and then only over improved dry pastures! Mine has just over 31,450 miles at the time of this review! My bike was fully serviced and ready to ride anywhere when I purchased it second hand. The tires were just 1 year old with just 1,000 miles on them. I am 67 years old and recently purchased this BMW motorcycle in September 2021, however it is too tall for me to ride comfortably and safely. I have a 30" inseam but riders need longer legs to safely handle this motorcycle. I thought about lowering the suspension but these GS BMW's are too nice to alter. So I purchased a second BMW R1200C Pheonix last week which suits my stride much better. I do not need two BMW motorcycles so I am reluncticly parting with my GS. This is what Cycle World Magazine had to say about the BMW R1150 GS: BMW R1150GS - BEST USED BIKES Exemplifying the very essence of a two-wheel Swiss army knife. Cycle World July 22, 2015 YEARS SOLD: 2000–2004 MSRPNEW: $14,190 ('00) to $14,500 ('04) BLUE BOOK RETAIL VALUE: $4,885 ('00) to $6,500 ('04)BASIC SPECS: The R1150GS is powered by an 1,130cc air-/oil-cooled, four-stroke opposed twin featuring four valves per cylinder, electronic fuel injection, and shaft drive. The 1150 introduced a six-speed gearbox, while later models came equipped with dual spark plug heads and servo-assisted combined ABS brakes. The GS weighs 582 pounds WET with its 5.5-gallon fuel tank topped up and produced 74 hp and 68 pound-feet of torque at the rear wheel on the Cycle World dyno. The "Showa" suspension offers 7.9 inches of rough road-smoothing travel, while the adjustable saddle height (33.1 to 33.8 inches) accommodates a range of riders. WHY IT'S DESIRABLE: Few bikes have proven to be as versatile as the GS BMW Beemer family, with the 1150 exemplifying the very essence of a two-wheel Swiss army knife. It's a road-hardened touring mount and heavyweight dual-sport all wrapped in one. "I went places and saw things on the GS that I never would have on another bike," Mark Hoyer remarked back in the days before he was editor-in-chief. "It truly makes molehills out of mountains." All that, plus the reputation of durability and reliability rivaling that of an anvil easily warrant the price of purchase. THE COMPETITION: Long-travel twins gained prominence in the early 2000s with the introduction of the KTM 950 Adventure and 1,000cc Ducati Multistrada. Undoubtedly, this trend was helped along by the BMW R1150GS, which was honored as the Best Sport-Touring Bike of 2000 by Cycle World in our Ten Best issue. Show less

I rode it 300 miles the first day on I75 and the performance was outstanding! Torque at 70 mph was excellent and stability on the Highway was comparable to my 2019 Roadglide. Handling and maneuvering is 4 and at 610 pounds this 71 yo could do most things right away. My tight turning radius was reduced by 4 feet. I have now ridden the Suchs loop and Natchez Trace and it is very strong in curves. You must have the Nav 6. A local upholstery guy raised the drivers seat 1-2 inches. Negatives: wife hates the ride, Bluetooth barely works Show less

I have had BMW's in the past and this bike is a tad out of what I would call BMW normal. We refer to it as a Vintage Sport Bike. As I have a long distance bike this is just for Sunday mornings and is pretty much what I was looking for. Show less

1st, Ergonomically, not a bike for everyone. For me (my riding style, riding history, riding enjoyment) it's exactly what I wanted. The specs are deceiving, the internet reviews are also deceiving. With proper riding technique (and the ergos help you get closer to riding this type bike properly) it can be hustled thru any twisty road with confidence and right there with other high performing bikes. Straight line speed will not be it's forte. Show less

I just got one a week plus ago and did my first 150 miles with it. This bike is so smooth you feel like you can just keep going. On the expressway, even keeping a low rev (below 5,000) you still move at way around 70 miles and you still have plenty of power to come. The torque is very good as you can nearly slow down to nearly stop in 3rd and just go again. The ABS - that is great. The sitting position on the comfort seat that I have is superb. I have to say I am very happy to have traded in my G650 for this one - totally different league. I tried the F800 but it is a bit too big / height for what I like and the engine of the 700 is basically the same as the 800. Show less