BMW R1150R ROCKSTER

By Sonny (aka Rockster)

A brown bike. Yes, it's certainly been called that before. Well I actually disagree, damn it. For those misguided souls amongst us, it has orange roadwork stripes on a professional matt black finish and it sure ain't beige either! It was built in Germany by big angry Krauts for big angry, hard riding Krauts with loads of attitude.

This is why I bought it. 'Cause I wanted a rider's motorcycle, 'cause that is what I do. I ride. I wanted a bike I could trust and ride anywhere, anytime.

A brown bike

Commute; go scratchin' on a weekend and tour when I wanted to go someplace. That's what I want out of my bikes these days, but then I always have.

I've owned an early R series before but after two years on three wheels followed by some months without wheels I searched until I found that soul mate within a motorcycle. A bike I just had to have.

I have always had bikes built for a purpose, but this time I wanted something I could just enjoy riding day in, day out for the sake of pure riding bliss. That same old voice in my head, you know, "Mister Sensible" was 'still" speaking to me, but this time he spoke a little out of school; "BMW, Boxer, no fairing, sexy and individual." "Huh? What? A BMW?"

Then I found her, my ROCKSTER!!! Now you're no doubt laughing at your monitor, probably even frothing your amber ale all over your keyboard, but first hear me out. If you are interested in the truth, I will now tell you the whole truth and nothing but, of living with the legend.

So hang about and keep quiet in class!

It is June 2006 and I have missed a few opportunities of scoring one of these beauties. They're out there but they are few and far between. It is easier finding a root in Mt Isa. Or a dog in China.

Being an unpopular bike on the showroom floor in 2003, BMW actually dropped the prices to the dealer just to get them out of the factory. So bearing this in mind I wanted one with the lot, panniers and a pipe already fitted for the right price. A few slipped by, either sold before I got there, not good enough in condition or just priced far too high and the shop wouldn't budge on their value.

But when I had almost lost all hope, there it was, top of the page in the Trading Post and I bagged it, in the condition I wanted with the factory bags and a Staintune pipe.

I was bloody stoked. What a feeling I had when I took this one home to the family garage. Complete with brand new Bridgestone 020's, 34,000KM and a full service history.

It is now nearing the end of 2008, it has just clicked passed 70,000KM onboard and just stopped using oil, so I guess that wonderful motor is finally run in. This bike has served me as a daily commute, a weekend missile, a tourer and as bloody great company in the garage over a few beers and some cheap and nasty cask merlots.

I still love this bike, like I bought it only yesterday.

Why would you? I do hear you laughing! Stop it! You will understand!

"...it responds effortlessly from the peg(s)..."

Because it has a booming boxer motor, a very sweet note, an abundance of torque, a smooth as silk engine and box, not to mention a tele-lever suspension system that is built just for the road rider, particularly the Australian, pot-holed roads rider. The seat may be sat on all day long, the mirrors don't vibrate, the bars just rock (pun intended), the brakes are as strong as, well they're real strong, it steers brilliantly, sounds horn and looks, well sexy as. Are you getting this?

Yep! I just want to ride it. I don't really want to get to where I'm going at all.

This machine is such a great ride. It is very comfortable, enjoyably fast and flickable in the twisties, it responds effortlessly from the pegs, it has a real quality feel to the controls and I just love that torque. Riding the Bavarian is a real soul healing experience. The way it just slides through the gears with a roar from the opposing cylinders out of that pipe is a pure and utterly pleasurable experience. Keep your arms loose, look at where you want to go and it just does it. Approaching a bend, set your entry speed, forget the brakes as you will only have to start all over again. Choose a driving gear and pour it all on for the exit.

No, it doesn't take much to pour it on at all. With a top speed of 197KMH and all of 62.5KW or 85BHP you can only try your hardest to tap into all of it. Yep, this is a real rider's machine.

Cons, of course there are cons. Nothing is perfect is it?

Brakes! EVO ABS. Apparently it was very bad luck for me that I had the control unit pack its bags twice. Both times replaced free of charge by BMW Australia. Yep, even though I had bought it second hand and out of new warranty from a Suzuki dealer. Bravo to BMW!

Nil brake problems now for near on 20k, but still it remains my only fear with this bike. This brake system is not a friend to the home mechanic either, as it requires the knowledge and tools of a dealer or similar to service such an intricate electronic braking system. This brake service should also be done every two years as moisture in the system is what will ultimately fail this unit.

But man! As far as brakes go, they sure do work! Very bloody strong stoppers! It's best not to use them really, unless you actually want to stop.

Most other service tasks can be done at home, although I am yet to complete all of them myself. The minor service is at 10k, pretty much an oil and filter change and the major is at 20k, although BMW apparently leave many things like plugs and fuel filters till 40k these days. But not me.

So what's worn out? Obviously service items eg plugs, filters etc, one battery, the rear para-lever bearing replaced 60k (normal), stick ignition coils 60k (???), shocks front and rear 65k (others have argued whether this was actually required), changed the timing belt early at 40k (just because, usually 60k expected), one headlight bulb, 2 sets rear pads (strange, but normal for this model) oh and tyres, also that dreaded brake control unit twice) umm, wait... nope, that's it.

How much does all that stuff cost? Glad you asked actually! You did ask, didn't you?

BMW dealer services are expensive and by my experience not necessarily better than a good, experienced and caring mechanic, but alas, he cannot do it all so a dealer is required at times eg; EVO braking system.

Ohlins shocks front and rear were fitted by Zenodampers for $2K. Timing belt $30, plugs and brakes are better to be purchased at half OEM cost from MAW Castle Hill.

I religiously always get a BMW oil filter.

Tyres are the usual $500-$550 pair. I did get 10k from the original Bridgestone 020's front and rear, but I now run Metzeler M3 front (5500-6000 km) and Z6 rear (9500-11500 km).

I don't fully insure! So I won't skimp on the black rubber things.

I have an M1 front waiting in the garage, but I do plan to try a set of Pilot Powers in the near future.

So far, I have spent including tyres, brakes, services, headlight guards and worn bits in just two and a half years and 36,000 km, $6,100. I dare one to say that's not value plus for a bike that rides better than new. This is the total cost of running not including registration, 3rd party insurance and fuel, it does also include all my oil as well, Motul 5100 naturally. It also doesn't include the time, water and soap costs to keep it looking pristine, but that's a more personal matter I guess.

Another downfall is the blue paint on the frame, forks and rocker covers. It is the only part that tries to show any age. But nothing breaks, cracks or falls off this bike apart from the number plate once. But it will never fall again. This is one quality unit!

Yep, I love my Rockster! It is sublime riding, and better again since the fitting the Ohlins. They supply so much more ground clearance and a much better balance in the bends. There is no bike I would rather greet every morning in the garage than this very capable, sweet riding and eye pleasing machine. I just can't stop smiling.

Hail Boxers!