2002 BMW reviews

I'm convinced this bike twitches every time I walk by it in the garage. It just wants to be on the road. My story: First bike I spotted at the 2002 Calgary Motorcycle Show and I was hooked. Had never owned a bike but in 3 months had ordered, taken a course, obtained my license and in May 02 picked up my blue with tan seat R1150R. To date have put on 19,500 km and check the weather every day. I cannot compare the 1150 to other bikes but if the criteria is "Am I happy with my purchase?" the answer is an unqualified yes. I look for long ways to and from work; I check every sideroad and mentally note its location for the next weekend ride; I've met new friends and experienced a closeness on the BMW that is best left unsaid; honest to God the whole experience has taken 20 years off the 56 I've accummulated. Would any bike have provided the same feelings - maybe, maybe not but all I know is that this bike has come through in spades. If there is just the slighest whisper in your mind - should I or shouldn't I - GO FOR IT!! Show less

I grind my GS thru NYC rush-hour traffic every workday. This bike is basically designed for that. Generous suspension travel to soak up unexpected potholes. Dual-use tires for loose gravel, grooved and broken pavement, expansion joints and curb cuts. Plenty of power and wicked fast handling for a 'point and shoot' ride. High confidence in the handling for any crazy lane-splitting/shoulder-surfing you need to do. ABS for when some car service driver changes lanes on you while reading the newspaper. Super-tall ride height so you can see over everything up to suburbans or delivery vans, unless you stand on the pegs for a better view. Low speed handling is better than you'd think for such a tall, heavy bike, but it does require more muscle than most people would be comfortable needing. You can drop this stopped at a traffic light if you aren't fully braced. If you can't leg-press 4-500 lbs, you may want to steer clear. Maybe 10% of GS owners take their bikes offroad regularly (the argument made against SUVs), but don't forget that at least in NYC urban roads are comparable to at least dirt roads in many highly-trafficked places, and the GS makes riding these zones a dream. Also, like most (if not all) BMW bikes, it has a 6-digit odometer. How many other motorcycles have an odo that flips at 1 million miles? 1 star off because its height makes you susceptible to the wind, its weight, and somewhat mediocre fuel efficiency. Correcting these things may require the suspension of the laws of physics, but since I can't give the bike 4.9999997 stars it'll have to do :) Show less

Just bought a 2002 R1150R three weeks ago. So far about 700 miles have been driven, with a mix of short commutes in town and 150-mile trips through Michigan's northern Lower Peninsula. Absolutely love this ride. It does all things very well, if not superbly. No, it isn't as fast as many Japanese or Italian crotch rockets. No, it isn't a Gold Wing-type touring bike. And by all means Beemers are not Harley look-alikes. These are all GOOD things. Being young enough (32) to still want some performance and old enough to know better than riding at 100 mph (although this machine is certainly willing to comply if desired), she suits me just fine. It's a trade-up from my first bike, a 1997 Kawasaki Eliminator (see the review I wrote on this site--under the 1996 model year heading--if you're curious). Loved the bike; it was easy to learn on and a very capable performer. But I was ready to move up midway through my second season. There's a little regret over selling the Kawasaki, although it's more than made up for by all the great aspects of the R1150R. And I've received numerous compliments from riders and non-riders alike, even some Harley riders (though the majority don't wave to me when we pass each other--perhaps they need both hands to hold the big beast upright). Only warning is regarding the maintenance. For some reason the owner's manual doesn't have instructions on changing the oil and filter. And there's a lot of steps involved in accessing the battery; actually have to remove the fuel tank. That notwithstanding, she's a fine machine. Highly recommended. Show less

Used to own a 96 RT and had no want to get rid of it. I've owned crotch rockets. love the power, hate the power band. Fell in love with my RT from the first moment I rode it. That was until my local dealer sugested I ride the K1299RS. OH MY GOD!!! I've got to get me one of these. Smooth power, all day long comfort, and much better weather protection that the Jap bikes. Did I mention the side cases... I love this bike, and while it's not the best 2up sport touring ride out there, it's close enough for me. It's not about the destination. It's all about the ride. Show less

I am 50 years old and have owned numerous bikes,and this one is just incredible. When I got this bike I wasn't sure I would like it always had the bmw r series and now I am sold on the k1200 rs. No longer an airhead. Show less

I have owned two previous bikes - ironically 650s. The first a low-end model Parrallel twin (30 miles and you were down for the count) Second vstar - great bike for the money. Then this, Everybody says it's a great beginner's bike. that's too bad. I just rode this bike 450 miles in one day - 90+ percent on the Interstate. I purchased the bike on ebay and was concerned that it would take 2 days and force me to take all of the side rodes - WRONG. This thing cruised all day at 67 mph and shot to 80 in no time. I'll be honest -- I had to stop a number of times -- but I was stunned at this bike's ability to keep up in traffic. In fact, it's the safest I have ever felt - especially in traffic or dodging chuckholes. don't get me wrong, the semis buffeted me - what don't they. Also, this is not the purpose this bike was designed for. In fact, it's designed for commutes. The 10% of the ride I went on country roads. ABSOLUTELY AWESOME. By far the best handling bike I have ever ridden. I am absolutely I could keep up easily with all bikes no matter how large (excluding death bikes)cruisers out there. I know, I've ridden them - and remember backing off of them -- not this bike. I was stunned when I glanced down on an exit ramp and saw I was going 55 on a 30 mph exit easily. Okay, if the road gets straight - you won't be able to keep up. To think I was thinking about an 1800 cc touring bike. Hey, they are the right choice for people who plan on cruising. I compare this to an SUV vs. a van with one big exception. Everyone wants the suv, until you have a long trip and 5 or more people. The difference is that this bike is actual cool looking. At every rest stop, bikers and truckers looked this bike over. Let's face it, most riders buy a big cruiser and don't ride it very much or very far. One reason is that they are so big or unwieldy, they sit in the garage. If this describes you, buy this bike. One final point. It is not cheap. One more point. The features on this bike blow away any 650 street bike period. The workmanship is awesome. Every button is where it should be. The belt drive is great. Shifting is easy. The headlights on this thing are better than any car I have had. Storage - you wont believe it - storage where the gas tank goes - a removeable compartment that lets you take valuables with you in seconds. Plenty of places to attach backpack. That little cute windshield is more than cute. It blocks out virtually all air up to the chin. This bike is quality vs quantity of power. 10 percent of the population actually needs bigger bikes. I am not one. This bike feels so light (in a good way). You can move it quickly at speed and it corners better than anything I have ridden. On the way out to get this bike, I was upset because I knew I should have gotten a bigger bike. To be honest, for the nearly 500 mile ride home, I wish I had a bigger bike. But now it's home. I have the bike I want and will use. I am so glad I bought it. For those of you that care, this is the coolest looking 650. You sit upright (a little weird at first). It is truly a piece of art. Now I know what German workmanship is. BMW I apologize for any negative comments made -- a job done as well as can be done. I can't think of one complaint. It exceeded every expectation of doing what it does worst - cruise a long way. It exceeded my expectations on country roads. If your trips are 25-50 miles, I believe this is the best bike out there. Show less

Great looks. Mine is green with caramel seats, have people that stop me on traffic lights to compliment on the bike. Took some 1,000 miles to really break in, but you can actually cruise at 85-90 miles an hours in the heavy traffic of the turnpike (everyone is riding that fast, so if you are going slower, can be potentially dangerous). A big plus on handling, torque is OK but not great, suspension is outstanding, abs on both front and rear brakes, great rear suspension, love the shaking (the boxes engine gives a different shake than the regular v engine). Show less

I have a 2002 LTE with 20,000 miles on it and love it. It handles like a dream except at speeds under 5 MPH and has lots of power even with 2 up and bags loaded. It is also extremely quiet and smooth riding, even on rough roads. I also have come to love the braking system which has saved me a few times already. The downside is the weight and high center of gravity which comes with a rather high seat. I am 63 years old, 6 foot tall. Any shorter and it would be too tall for me. Show less

In five short weeks, through rain and cold most days, I have managed to log over 1800 miles on my new R1150R. Key lessons learned include: 1. Get a windshield - after a week of riding the naked bike through 60 miles of I95 from Philly to Wilmington and back each day, the pinched nerve in my neck clearly indicated the need for a windshield. Tried the sports windshield to avoid ruining the look of the bike, but a week of that convinced me to spring for the large BMW sport touring one. Now the ride is a pleasure. 2. Get the BMW system cases - they are incredibly easy to get on and off the bike, and provide substantial storage space if you are commuting or just carrying a spare helmet. However, skip the overpriced BMW tank bag. I found a cheap magnetic one worked just fine on the large tank. 3. Not a tall person's bike - At 6'1, I did not expect to have problems, but ended up getting the tall seat and having both the gear and rear brake levers lowered before I found it comfortable to ride. 4. Be prepared for the buzz - at around 4k rpm, the bike will develop a noticeable buzz. It doesn't bother me, but there may be some out there who hate it. FYI, in 6th gear, you hit 4k rpm at about 80-85 mph. 5. Use the fast idle switch - the bike stalled on me even on relatively warm days if I did not warm it up and use the fast idle for the first 1-2 mins. 6. Be prepared to double clutch - the dealer warned me that it would take a while (12k miles) for the clutch and transmission to get fully worked in. What he meant was that it is sometimes hard to get out of neutral unless you double clutch and then shift. Also, make sure your first upshift from 1st to 2nd is a solid kick, or you may find yourself redlining in neutral. 7. I love heated handgrips - 'nuff said. All in all, this is a great 'tweener bike for commuting but still having fun through the twisties at non-obscene speeds. Definitely not a long-distance touring bike, squidster crotch rocket or a stop-and-go urban traffic bike. Think of it as the really high quality cross-trainer shoe of motorcycles. Show less

The ultimate. Sell everything you own to obtain one. Mines a 03. Black of course. Complaints ? BMW: Get rid of that ugly rear fender ! Make one a little sportier will you ? And lighten it up a little while your at it. Show less