2004 r1150rt

[oldjoebmwrider]

What are known problems if any? Roughly 50000 miles on odometer.

 

[RPGR90s]

1150rt

Hard to say. the '04 model is arguably the best of the 1150 Oilhead's. Dual spark cured the surging issue.

I've had mine since new and after 90k, it's dead reliable and runs like new.

A couple of things to watch out for though.

1. The wires under the ignition switch were tied tight at the factory and over time, with the turning of the bars can break. This happened to me around the 60k mark. The red power wire was barely attached. Easily fixed though.

2. The stick coils for the main central plugs can fail resulting in a very rough idle

3. If you service the transmission splines and route the right side lower plug wire too close to the oxygen sensor cable, the bike will stall frequently as the HT lead effects the O2 sensor voltage.

4. Loose saddlebags. I lost my left saddlebag a few years ago due to the latches getting worn. I since pinned them to the lower attachment point.

Hope that helps,

RPG

 

[tangoalpha]

OMG! Saddlebags that just fall off? I don't even want to imagine the potential hazard to motorists driving behind me when one of my saddlebags decides to jump ship. The accidents that could result the liability for being the cause is frightening. Has BMW offered any kind of solution? A retrofit kit of some kind to prevent this?

Hard to say. the '04 model is arguably the best of the 1150 Oilhead's. Dual spark cured the surging issue.

I've had mine since new and after 90k, it's dead reliable and runs like new.

A couple of things to watch out for though.

1. The wires under the ignition switch were tied tight at the factory and over time, with the turning of the bars can break. This happened to me around the 60k mark. The red power wire was barely attached. Easily fixed though.

2. The stick coils for the main central plugs can fail resulting in a very rough idle

3. If you service the transmission splines and route the right side lower plug wire too close to the oxygen sensor cable, the bike will stall frequently as the HT lead effects the O2 sensor voltage.

4. Loose saddlebags. I lost my left saddlebag a few years ago due to the latches getting worn. I since pinned them to the lower attachment point.

Hope that helps,

RPG

 

[happy wanderer]

Should I buy an 1150RT is a question that comes up time and time again so searching for "1150RT" or 04 R1150RT" will yield enough threads to keep you busy reading for hours.

I did that and found this in seconds: https://forums.bmwmoa.org/showthread.php?86269-What-should-I-ride-1150RT-or-What&highlight=1150RT

Is is one of many.

 

[roger 04 rt]

I own the same model with similar mileage. Here are the things I've replaced or upgraded over the past five years:

1. SS brake lines.
2. New stick coils
3. Second Load Relay (already on some bikes)
4. Replaced all in-tank fuel hoses (very important if it hasn't been done yet)
5. Inspect the clutch hub to transmission input shaft for excessive play.

Things I also changed:
5. Changed to stock spark plugs
6. Added an LC-1 (AF-XIED) mixture richening system.
7. Replaced the starter because the original dropped its internal cover onto the armature.
7.5 Left-side Cam Chain Tensioner

Things not to add/change.
8. No need to externalize the fuel filter
9. No need to change the coding plug
10. No need to remove the charcoal canister
11. No need for any other fueling mod
12. Leave the stock intake tubes
13. Leave the stock exhaust
14. If you have an AGM battery, don't use a Battery Tender Jr. charger.

Do give it a proper tune up and use stock fluids.

 

[roger 04 rt]

https://forums.bmwmoa.org/showthrea...30-200-miles&p=1063653&viewfull=1#post1063653

 

[tangoalpha]

Good list of things to change. As I recently bought an '02 with 21k miles I will be looking to address to items you mentioned below. Thanks!

I own the same model with similar mileage. Here are the things I've replaced or upgraded over the past five years:

1. SS brake lines.
2. New stick coils
3. Second Load Relay (already on some bikes)
4. Replaced all in-tank fuel hoses (very important if it hasn't been done yet)
5. Inspect the clutch hub to transmission input shaft for excessive play.

Things I also changed:
5. Changed to stock spark plugs
6. Added an LC-1 (AF-XIED) mixture richening system.
7. Replaced the starter because the original dropped its internal cover onto the armature.
7.5 Left-side Cam Chain Tensioner

Things not to add/change.
8. No need to externalize the fuel filter
9. No need to change the coding plug
10. No need to remove the charcoal canister
11. No need for any other fueling mod
12. Leave the stock intake tubes
13. Leave the stock exhaust
14. If you have an AGM battery, don't use a Battery Tender Jr. charger.

Do give it a proper tune up and use stock fluids.

 

[brownie]

Concur with Roger 04 RT post

My "Inga" : 96K miles......owned since new....no surprises ever...have replaced old/worn parts as needed, lotsa small mods & farkles.....purrs like a kitten!!

 

[GTRider]

OMG! Saddlebags that just fall off? I don't even want to imagine the potential hazard to motorists driving behind me when one of my saddlebags decides to jump ship. The accidents that could result the liability for being the cause is frightening. Has BMW offered any kind of solution? A retrofit kit of some kind to prevent this?

A grossly overstated problem, IMHO. Latching on the bags can be touchy at times so careful verification that the bags have dropped onto their locating mounts is called for. It is possible to have the bag "latch" with the bag not completely seated on its mounts, which is the source of most of the "missing bag" incidents. And if you are really worried about it, you can do what was suggested earlier and with the bag securely seated on its mounts and latched, drill a hole through the lower front mount point of the bag and the frame piece the bag mount slips over, then insert a through-pin that can be retained by a hairpin clip. Creates extra work when it is time to remove the bag, but provides some additional security and peace of mind to those fretting over runaway bags.

Best,
DG

 

[tangoalpha]

Good advice and tip on how to avoid rouge bags from jumping ship. I like your idea about using a pin and hairpin clip. Harley uses something similar on their hardbags. I've owned two HD Ultra's and never once had a saddlebag issue, so I may look in to the possibility of installing an HD kit on der Bimmer. HD hardware on a BMW?! Oh.....the horror! Ha! Ha! Thanks for the idea.

A grossly overstated problem, IMHO. Latching on the bags can be touchy at times so careful verification that the bags have dropped onto their locating mounts is called for. It is possible to have the bag "latch" with the bag not completely seated on its mounts, which is the source of most of the "missing bag" incidents. And if you are really worried about it, you can do what was suggested earlier and with the bag securely seated on its mounts and latched, drill a hole through the lower front mount point of the bag and the frame piece the bag mount slips over, then insert a through-pin that can be retained by a hairpin clip. Creates extra work when it is time to remove the bag, but provides some additional security and peace of mind to those fretting over runaway bags.

Best,
DG

 

[bc1100s]

Good advice and tip on how to avoid rouge bags from jumping ship. I like your idea about using a pin and hairpin clip. Harley uses something similar on their hardbags. I've owned two HD Ultra's and never once had a saddlebag issue, so I may look in to the possibility of installing an HD kit on der Bimmer. HD hardware on a BMW?! Oh.....the horror! Ha! Ha! Thanks for the idea.

Save your money and time. Just exhibit some typical care when installing your bags. Of course, that's just my opinion.

 

[oldjoebmwrider]

Thanks for the replies, much help!

 

[mnshanny]

Yes, the wonderful charcoal canister. For reasons not worthy of debate, ended up with a high vacuum on the tank during a trip around the big lake. No, the drain line was not crossed. Cost me a fuel level sender (thks Beemer boneyard) that got "crushed". Removed that puppy.

I own the same model with similar mileage. Here are the things I've replaced or upgraded over the past five years:

1. SS brake lines.
2. New stick coils
3. Second Load Relay (already on some bikes)
4. Replaced all in-tank fuel hoses (very important if it hasn't been done yet)
5. Inspect the clutch hub to transmission input shaft for excessive play.

Things I also changed:
5. Changed to stock spark plugs
6. Added an LC-1 (AF-XIED) mixture richening system.
7. Replaced the starter because the original dropped its internal cover onto the armature.
7.5 Left-side Cam Chain Tensioner

Things not to add/change.
8. No need to externalize the fuel filter
9. No need to change the coding plug
10. No need to remove the charcoal canister
11. No need for any other fueling mod
12. Leave the stock intake tubes
13. Leave the stock exhaust
14. If you have an AGM battery, don't use a Battery Tender Jr. charger.

Do give it a proper tune up and use stock fluids.

 

[jammess]

Well let's not forget the PITA POS power assisted joke of an ABS system and the cost to repair same not that anyone would want to do so. Sold my '04RT when I found my FJR which IMO does just about everything better and more reliably. One thing I did like about the oilhead RT is the telelever front suspension and that's about the only thing. If I had a buck for every time I removed the 26 fasteners to remove the tupperware..... Oh, the added spark plug per cylinder did not completely solve the surge problem for what I suspect afflicts most of these bikes. That secondary spark plug is constantly fowled so a lot of good it does anyway. My '93 R1100RSL doesn't have secondary plugs and doesn't have a trace of surge. Even got 48 mpg average on a recent two day trip of about 730 miles at speeds exceeding 75 mph minimum for 260 of those miles.

If you do buy an '04 RT do not attempt a sharp slow speed U-turn and come down too hard on the rear brake else you end up sitting on the ground wondering what happened like I did twice before I learned the cause that being the over sensitive linked brakes. You will also love the cost to replace a mirror when this happens and now the mirror doesn't even come painted.

I was interested in a new or nearly new R1200RT wethead but I can't bring myself to take a chance with another BMW although it seems that the company may have seen the light, maybe. I'll keep the RSL because I like how the bike handles and rides and I'll forgive it should the final drive implode. Also, it's like new with just over 9K miles all put on by me and it's my last BMW having bought my first new in '76.

Don't mean to rant just calling a spade a spade as I personally see it for what it's worth or not.

 

[PGlaves]

Well let's not forget the PITA POS power assisted joke of an ABS system and the cost to repair same not that anyone would want to do so. Sold my '04RT when I found my FJR which IMO does just about everything better and more reliably. One thing I did like about the oilhead RT is the telelever front suspension and that's about the only thing. If I had a buck for every time I removed the 26 fasteners to remove the tupperware..... Oh, the added spark plug per cylinder did not completely solve the surge problem for what I suspect afflicts most of these bikes. That secondary spark plug is constantly fowled so a lot of good it does anyway. My '93 R1100RSL doesn't have secondary plugs and doesn't have a trace of surge. Even got 48 mpg average on a recent two day trip of about 730 miles at speeds exceeding 75 mph minimum for 260 of those miles.

If you do buy an '04 RT do not attempt a sharp slow speed U-turn and come down too hard on the rear brake else you end up sitting on the ground wondering what happened like I did twice before I learned the cause that being the over sensitive linked brakes. You will also love the cost to replace a mirror when this happens and now the mirror doesn't even come painted.

I was interested in a new or nearly new R1200RT wethead but I can't bring myself to take a chance with another BMW although it seems that the company may have seen the light, maybe. I'll keep the RSL because I like how the bike handles and rides and I'll forgive it should the final drive implode. Also, it's like new with just over 9K miles all put on by me and it's my last BMW having bought my first new in '76.

Don't mean to rant just calling a spade a spade as I personally see it for what it's worth or not.

Which is why my R1150 was an R - not RT or GS. And why it did not have either whizzy or linked brakes. Some of this I learned before I bought the bike instead of after I bought the bike.

 

[jammess]

Which is why my R1150 was an R - not RT or GS. And why it did not have either whizzy or linked brakes. Some of this I learned before I bought the bike instead of after I bought the bike.

You are so right! I do think the 1150R would be a great choice only wish I had known.

 

[RPGR90s]

04 rt

Well let's not forget the PITA POS power assisted joke of an ABS system and the cost to repair same not that anyone would want to do so. Sold my '04RT when I found my FJR which IMO does just about everything better and more reliably. One thing I did like about the oilhead RT is the telelever front suspension and that's about the only thing. If I had a buck for every time I removed the 26 fasteners to remove the tupperware..... Oh, the added spark plug per cylinder did not completely solve the surge problem for what I suspect afflicts most of these bikes. That secondary spark plug is constantly fowled so a lot of good it does anyway. My '93 R1100RSL doesn't have secondary plugs and doesn't have a trace of surge. Even got 48 mpg average on a recent two day trip of about 730 miles at speeds exceeding 75 mph minimum for 260 of those miles.

If you do buy an '04 RT do not attempt a sharp slow speed U-turn and come down too hard on the rear brake else you end up sitting on the ground wondering what happened like I did twice before I learned the cause that being the over sensitive linked brakes. You will also love the cost to replace a mirror when this happens and now the mirror doesn't even come painted.

I was interested in a new or nearly new R1200RT wethead but I can't bring myself to take a chance with another BMW although it seems that the company may have seen the light, maybe. I'll keep the RSL because I like how the bike handles and rides and I'll forgive it should the final drive implode. Also, it's like new with just over 9K miles all put on by me and it's my last BMW having bought my first new in '76.

Don't mean to rant just calling a spade a spade as I personally see it for what it's worth or not.

And yet, you're still on a BMW....forum. Interesting.

 

[bc1100s]

Don't mean to rant......

Sure you do. It's the one thing we can always count on from you.

 

[jammess]

Sure you do. It's the one thing we can always count on from you.

Yeah, you got me, I kind of enjoyed it just a little bit.

 

[jammess]

And yet, you're still on a BMW....forum. Interesting.

Well, I still have a BMW.