SOLD: BMW R1150R Rockster Edition - $4900

[burning1]

SOLD: 2004 BMW R1150R Rockster Edition

Since I recently picked up a new BMW, it's time to pass my Rockster along to a new home. I purchased this bike in 2008, and rode it daily for the past two years. It's been reliable, fun, and has provided me with some very good memories. I have no doubt that it will continue to take excellent care of it's new owner, whomever that may be.

I'm posting this here, because I believe that this is a bike which might appeal to the GSTwins community.



Details about this bike:
The Rockster is a special variant of BMW's R1150R Roadster. Although similar, the Rockster features upgraded suspension components at the front and rear, as well as a GS style headlamp, special instrument cluster, shorter gearing, and a unique paint job. This bike really stands out, often earning a double-take from other BMW owners.

Things I really like about the bike:

Nimble Handling, Wide Bars: The low center of gravity of this bike, combined with wide flat handlebars produce a surprisingly nimble motorcycle. This bike is more than capable of keeping up with the other sport bikes on our typical mountain roads, while proving a very comfortable and controllable ride for freeway and city commuting.

Telelever suspension: Besides giving the Rockster a natural anti-dive tendency, the telelever front suspension is one of the most ridged front ends on the market. The design locates the lower triple clamp just above the wheel, and makes it an integral component of the front fork tubes. This produces an incredibly ridged front end, offering a lot of feel and feedback to the rider, while minimizing fork stiction.

Another advantage of this design is that that the Rockster can use a shock at the front end, rather than providing the damping as part of a telescopic fork. This makes servicing and adjustment of the front end easy, and reduces the cost of suspension upgrades. A Ohlins replacement front shock is available for $500.

Engine as an Integral Support Structure: The engine of this bike is an integral component of the frame. This design helps to keep the center of gravity of the bike low, and helps to keep the overall weight of the bike down.

Shaft Drive: The shaft drive requires minimal maintenance. Standard service is to drain and fill the final drive and transmission oil once every 12000 miles.

Separate Transmission Lubrication: The transmission is lubricated by gear oil, rather than a shared sump system. This helps to protect the engine oil from shredding in the gears and on the clutch.

Single sided Swingarm: The single sided swingarm makes it east to swap out the rear tire; remove 6 bolts and the rear wheel comes off. No spacers, no chain, and no brake carrier to worry about.

Multiple Pre-Installed Fuel/Ignition Maps: The BMW Motech 2.4 ECU includes a set of preinstalled fuel/ignition maps that can be selected using a jumper wire. These jumpers permit the fuel map to be enriched to match an intake/exhaust upgrade, or to reduce the required fuel octane without having to purchase an aftermarket ECU.

Easy Servicing: The bike is perfectly balanced on the center stand, which permits the front and rear wheels to be removed without the use of wheel stand. If you would like additional security, strap the bike to the ceiling, or support both ends on a pair of $15 automotive jack-stands.

A major service (12,000 miles) on this bike can be performed in an afternoon. A valve inspection takes less than an hour.

Flat Torque Curve: The R1150R power curve is incredibly flat, making good power from as low as 2500RPM, all the way to redline. No matter the RPM or gear, a twist of the wrist is all that is required to pass. Takeoffs feel incredibly aggressive on this bike, and it's possible to short shift to 6th very quickly without lugging the engine, or falling out of the powerband.

Comfortable seats: Both the driver and passenger seats are wide and flat, providing a great deal of comfort. Because of the torquy engine, hydraulic pre-load adjuster, and neutral handling, this is a very good bike for 2-up riding.

Low seats: The standard seat is relatively low for a German bike, and should permit riders as short as 5'8" to flat-foot the motorcycle (shorter riders will still be able to touch both feet to the ground.) A factory low seat option is available either OEM, or aftermarket.

Condition:
- 26,062 miles.
- Recent Valve Adjustment (next due at 36,000 miles)
- Fresh Oil Change (Engine, Transmission and Final Drive)
- Fresh Brakes (EBC HH Stintered up front, BMW Organics in the rear)
- PIAA Intense White Bulbs (Improves visibility. Bike is more noticeable to traffic when lane sharing.)
- New Spark Plugs
- Less than 50% tire life left, but not due for immediate replacement (I may be able to throw in a pair of fresh tires.)

Flaws:
- Minor scratches on the tank from bag.
- Some minor weathering.
- Rash on passenger right side passenger foot-peg (not noticeable with peg down.)
- Above average condition for a bike of this age and mileage.

OEM And Aftermarket parts and accessories:
- Bike is 100% street legal, and almost completely stock.
- Includes OEM engine Guards
- Includes Factory Stainless Steal brake lines (comes stock on this bike.)
- Includes OEM Heated Hand Grips
- Includes PIAA bulbs, plus spare OEM bulb.
- Includes OEM solo tail cover.
- Includes Battery Tender Jr, with BMW accessory plug adapter.
- Includes OEM BMW accessory socket.
- Includes Haynes Repair Manual.
- Includes all my BMW R1150R specific tools.
- Includes OEM owners manual, maintenance guide and tool-set.
- Includes Tail Bag

Kelly Blue Book Value for this bike is $6970
Nada Guides Retail Value: $5544

Asking: $4900

Bike is located in the California Bay Area. I should be able to arrange delivery elsewhere in the country.

Please contact me with any additional questions.

[Anderw]

That engine pic is fantastic, it really is a wide boy 

[burning1]

Thanks.

It's wider than the GS, for sure, but narrower than my current K1300GT. I never had a problem lane sharing on it.

Here's the trick: The engine sticks out just about as far as your knees and handlebars.

[drduimstra]

I would so buy your bike but Im just a poor college student 

[SlimKlim]

Sweet! GLWS, that thing looks cool.

I've heard on BMWs if you dog into the throttle it will torque to one side, is that true? I can imagine it being a little disconcerting. Doesn't happen on mine, but mine has 4 wheels, so that would be a serious problem!

[simon79]

Couple years ago a former teammate made me seat on his dad's R1200R, turned the engine on and said "feel this", gently revved the engine, and I could feel the bike leaning a bit on its side. Nothing dramatic of course, I bet you could barely feel it while riding.

[burning1]

Thanks for the comments, guys.

You only feel the torque when the engine is out of gear, or the clutch lever is disengaged. BMW spins most of the transmission and the final drive in the opposite direction of the engine. Once you put it in gear, that torque goes away completely.

The only time it's ever surprised me is when I pull in the clutch coasting up to a stop light, and then rev the engine when the light changes colour with the clutch still in (in order to get the bike back into gear smoothly.)

For what it's worth, I used to own a Porsche 944. Just like the Boxers, you could feel the entire car torque to one side slightly when you rev the engine up in the driveway. Awesome little car, and really the only car I've owned that I miss.

[tt_four]

One of my old friends used to have a giant redneck truck, and when he'd rev the engine the entire body of the truck would start rocking back and forth. It was ridiculous.

[SlimKlim]

Thanks for the comments, guys.

You only feel the torque when the engine is out of gear, or the clutch lever is disengaged. BMW spins most of the transmission and the final drive in the opposite direction of the engine. Once you put it in gear, that torque goes away completely.

The only time it's ever surprised me is when I pull in the clutch coasting up to a stop light, and then rev the engine when the light changes colour with the clutch still in (in order to get the bike back into gear smoothly.)

For what it's worth, I used to own a Porsche 944. Just like the Boxers, you could feel the entire car torque to one side slightly when you rev the engine up in the driveway. Awesome little car, and really the only car I've owned that I miss.

Interesting.

The 944 is a water cooled I-4 and they have a tendency to move around a little when you put torque on them they dont balance like the flat sixes in the boxsters and 911s.

[Firewalker]

That bike is cool man........you miss it yet?  I rode a Ducati Monster yesterday......Spankin new......Had a good feel to it.  First Duck ride for me.  Me likey!

Wouldn't mind taking a rockster for a spin though!

[burning1]

I think I will miss it. The bike had great character, and was exceptionally fun to slide around when the weather got wet. But for the kind of riding I do these days, the GT is more or less ideal, so it doesn't feel like a huge loss.

I wouldn't be surprised if the Rockster feels a little bit like a big monster. I remember riding around on one of the 1100cc Monster SR4s. The SR4 is definitely smaller and a little more powerful, but the naked ergos, vibration, and power delivery are somewhat similar.