2002 BMW reviews

The BMW R1150 GS is without a doubt, the most versatile motorcycle on the planet -- period. You just can't go wrong with it. No, it's not a babe magnet per se, but that's about its only draw back. It's a bike for every season and every reason and I have found mine to be completely reliable, agile and capable. Great balance, great brakes, significant load carrying ability, at home on the super-slab or quirky mountain dirt roads, it's a serious world-class machine built to provide miles of fun and adventure. Show less

I purchased this bike on ebay (a dealer in Daytona) and had it shipped to Pa. It is a R1200C Montana, and the bags are great to have. I was concerned about the size of the bike after being off bikes for 20 years, but this bike fits like a glove. My inseam is 30 1/2, and the seat height is just right. I've taken it to work for 3 weeks, enduring 25-degree mornings, and the heated grips make the ride comfortable. This is a keeper! Show less

Yeah, it surges a bit.... so what, I don't ride in that range anyway. I have beat the pulp out of this bike for over 46,000 miles now, and it just seems to get better; somebody explain that to me! I love my integral brakes, I love the suspension, I love the combination of torque & power.... I LOVE THE QUALITY and CRAFTSMANSHIP they put into this bike! But it's a rich man's bike, and I am not a rich man. There are MAJOR things that will go wrong with engine, transmission, or rear end; nothing has happened to mine, but I know of plenty instances where it has. In short, buy an extended warranty unless you're quite wealthy and hope to have the same luck I've had with mine. This is a strange crossover bike, as it has brought to BMW's demographics a new breed of BMW purchaser. We want to mess with our bikes: Put cases on, take 'em off, add a loud exhaust, find a fairing that works, we even put off-road hand guards on in the winter so we can ride year 'round. Buy the bike, experience it, and finance the System Cases right away. If you just HAVE to mess with it, put your money into an after-marked suspension, and pay for a track-day or two. This is one VERY CAPABLE bike that'll do ANYTHING! Show less

Here are the results after 17,000 miles. The R1150RS has done very well after many hard miles of riding year around, touring, two-up, commuting, and scratching with sport-bikes. I've added a Corbin seat, Baily's windscreen and R259 chip. It takes a while to break in the rock hard BMW components, so don't pass judgment on transmission and 'surging' until at least 6K miles! In short, I've had no problems. This machine is as reliable as and Japanese machines I've had and I've had 4. This is an exceptional bike for all around use - including long distance touring. If pressed, it will carve a seriously fast pace in the twisty Carolina mountain roads - and leave you comfortable enough for more at days end. The R-RS is legendary amongst serious riders for a reason, as its STILL the most balanced sport-tourer of the line-up, and one of the best in the market. Several new bikes are more powerful- but the low weight (560 lbs wet) and fantastic torque curve allows it to easily keep up with all other bikes in its class in real road conditions. If you want a do-it-all sports-tourer its hard to do better then the R1150RS! Add the stone-solid reliability and great dealership support - and this bike is worth every cent. I've had many Japanese and American bikes - I'll stick with German for the next many years - thank you. Show less

I was at the shop servicing my R1150GS and test drive a K 1200 RS. I sold my GS the next week and immediately purchased one. It is so much faster and smoother than anything I have ridden. No more watching my friends pull away in the straight away. Show less

I purchased my 2002 1150GS Adventurer in August of 2002. Prior to buying the bike, I extensively test drove a 1150GS. When I carried the bike back to the dealership, I noticed the Adventurer and commented how tall the bike was. The owner of the dealership told me to test ride the Adventurer and make a back to back comparison of the two bikes. I'm only 5'9" tall, but once mounted and rolling, I fell in love with the bike. I liked the gear ratios of the transmission better than the regular GS and the overall handling suited me better. It had better wind protection, better suspension, and even though it is a mountain of a bike, I liked the seat better. I bought the bike and 11,000 miles later, I have installed a Corbin Seat, bar backs, motolights, throttlemiester, magnetic tank bag, SP III, Givi top case, Aeroflow windscreen, and a radar detector. I have owned several bikes in the past 8 years, sometimes as many as 5 at one time. Harleys, Hondas, Aprilias, Yamahas, Suzukis, and other BMW's, but I have never owned one bike that I liked or enjoyed more than this wierd looking bike. If I had 4 bikes in the garage, I would ride the Adventurer 90% of the time. The power and torque is fine. It's suprising how well it cruises on the interstate, how long it will go without refueling it's 7.9 gallon tank, how well it handles in the twisties, how much time you don't spend washing the bike, and how easily you can wander down a dirt road you are curious about. It's not a dirt bike, but the bike will not have any problems with most fire roads. I have gone with my ridding buddies on long distance rides and it seems they are forever stopping for fuel. When we finally arrive at our destination, I have no particular aches and pains above what you would normally have after 12 hours in the saddle on a Goldwing or Road King. I know, I've owned them both. While traveling down the interstate you can stretch your legs over the top of the engine guards and have the same feeling of highway pegs on a cruiser. The BMW luggage in conjunction with the Givi trunk provides more space than I will ever use. The heated seat and heated grips are so nice to knock off the early morning or late evening chill. The 3 year warranty is also nice. BMW's are expensive to service, but the GS is one of the least expensive to maintain. I don't notice any engine surging, the transmission is BMW clunky, the bike is stable at speed, and it uses about 1/2 quart of oil between 6000 mile services. I have not had the first problem with this bike. In my opinion, this is an excellent motorcycle that can truly do it all, if you can handle the seat height. Show less

I love my GS Adventure(R 1150 GS), I have long legs (36 inseam) and it fits better than my tailored suit. It is so balanced, I have had it in mud up to the drive assembly and it has been a faithful stead. I own a Honda RC51 and I swear it handles as well, some disagree because of the tires. I don't know because I never had a problem at speed. It gives me confidence. Also I ride in bad weather because I love pissing off so called bikers, and this is the machine that will win the world. I commute everyday and if I crash I know that the Beemers safety features will protect me. I have riden great distances and it has been worthy. Show less

Purchased the ice blue/red oct of 02, I was in for the 1150rt service - so to kill time I test drove the mighty k. The rest is all history, no more searching for the perfect bike-this is it, then naturally my wife had to have the k12gt we are totally pleased nothing is finer on 2 wheels. Show less

I have gone through them all, well a few anyway. From Aprilia Leo 125, to Aprilia Leo 250, a brief spell on the gorgeous Yamaha TMAX (whole other story there!), onwards to a Hornet, via Suzuki SV650s and finally to the superb, wonderful, go-out-and-get-one BMW F650 CS Scarver. Woof! What a bike. I needed something geared, fun, quick (but not a crotch rocket), a bit of storage, everyday use comfort and nothing that was going to do my back in (goodbye Mr. Sv650s!). From the moment I sat on this bike I knew it was going to be special. It felt light, assured, gritty and comfortable. I travel about 10 miles to and from work per day in hellish London traffic and the Scarver is just the tool for the job. It's punchy, agile and a has a great sound to boot. It's also very economical taking about $8 ($13 US?) per week to fill up. I love this bike. It's not the fastest thing on the planet and it's looks may not be everyone's cup of tea, but it handles great, sounds great, runs great, cuts through the traffic great and guarentees head turning-a-plenty. Get one. Show less

I bought mine used with 16,000 miles on it. Have 30K on it now. In my 35 years of road riding I have NEVER owned a road bike that is as competent as this bike is. It does it all and I've been through a lot of bikes since I've been riding. If you're a REAL road rider, then this is the bike for you. Goes around corners like it's sitting on rails! The excellent ABS brakes may save your life someday. This is an outstanding motorcycle. It's hard to ride with the Cruiser bike guys because they go so slow on the highway and REALLY SLOW in the corners and spend most of their time polishing chrome. I'm not ready for that nonsense yet. I'll probably buy one of those when I get too old to ride a real motorcycle. Show less