Would you buy it?

[bluecoat]

I am a long time K75 owner and don't know jack about what I call the R-bikes.
Counting on your advice on this one. I found for sale a 2500 mile 2004 Rockster on consignment at a non BMW dealer. It has a brand new back tire and when I asked why it was replaced was told the owner took it to Sturgis and put the Rockster on a Dyno machine. I plan on keeping the Rockster for a long time if I buy it, everything else looks good including the price...would you but it? What negative effects if any would this trip on the Dyno do to the motor with such low mileage? Thanks in advance!!!

 

[PacWestGS]

I think that bike was used in burnout displays and probably some show boating to boot. I don't know how a 'dynometer' wears out a tire, but if did that bikes engine has more than 2500 miles on it and most likey hard miles that ended up going no where.

You should have it checked out very well by a BMW shop before putting any money into this one.

JMHO
Doc

 

[ssls6]

I am a long time K75 owner and don't know jack about what I call the R-bikes.
Counting on your advice on this one. I found for sale a 2500 mile 2004 Rockster on consignment at a non BMW dealer. It has a brand new back tire and when I asked why it was replaced was told the owner took it to Sturgis and put the Rockster on a Dyno machine. I plan on keeping the Rockster for a long time if I buy it, everything else looks good including the price...would you but it? What negative effects if any would this trip on the Dyno do to the motor with such low mileage? Thanks in advance!!!

I would think putting the bike on a Dyno early in life is a good thing.

My experience with most Dealers is they make stuff up on the fly. I would bet the new rear is a result of a nail.

 

[PacWestGS]

RLK is correct about a Dyno break-in, that's a good thing.

It was 'Bike taken to Sturgis' and returned with worn out rear tire that had me thinking something else. I could be wrong?

Christian Phiffier could could have been involved with this bike you just never know?


Have it checked out by a BMW shop on a conditional purchase from where it's at now.

 

[BUBBAZANETTI]

bike with 2500 miles and a worn out tire. either that was a very sticky, not very long life tire OR the bike was on a dyno for 5000 miles OR (and the most likely scenario) something is fishy. if he's willing to tell you that the bike was brought to Sturgis and put on a dyno there, then the the truth could be much worse

unless it's an awsome deal, i'd let it slide..........

 

[easy]

Early in life bike

I'm no mechanic, but I saw one "early in life bike" put on a dyno and witnessed it blow an engine. It was not a BMW, but then I've read on this forum that BMW's take longer to break-in. Sounds like you have some hesitation. I would think it through very carefully.

Easy

 

[soffiler]

bike with 2500 miles and a worn out tire. either that was a very sticky, not very long life tire OR the bike was on a dyno for 5000 miles OR (and the most likely scenario) something is fishy. if he's willing to tell you that the bike was brought to Sturgis and put on a dyno there, then the the truth could be much worse

unless it's an awsome deal, i'd let it slide..........

As ssls6 pointed out, the whole Sturgis thing is heresay from the dealer, and a nail in the rear is about as likely as any other explanation. My advice would be to have the Rockster carefully checked by a competent, trusted BMW expert (dealer or otherwise) and if it's mechanically sound, and it's a good deal, no reason not to go for it.

 

[screwtop]

If this dealer's worth his salt, he'll slap a dealer tag on that thing and let you ride it. If so, take it out for at least an hour, and put it through it's paces. Check throttle response, make sure the bike tracks true (may want to have a buddy go with you to observe the bike as you ride it for any subtle abnormalities), and put it through some moderate-hard acceleration cycles.

Ya just never know with some things, but I've bought used bikes in the past and had good luck following a thorough check.

 

[cy7878]

Pardon my ignorance, but I thought as long as the bike as properly broken-in for first 600mi and the initial re-torq of the head was done properly, the boxer engines need to be run hard. In fact, most buyers guide for boxer engine vehicles specify that pampering these engines are actually bad for longivity because of the position of the cylinder and pistons relative to gravity.

I think as long as you have someone ride the bike and it throttles smoothly, and there is no weird smoke out of the engine, it should be fine.

 

[FredRydr]

sztxk75sz:

The rear tire was likely part of a matched set from new, and if a soft compound sport tire, it could've worn in that many miles to a point a dealer would replace it. So, what brand and model is the front tire?

Fred

 

[JCBR1150R]

I put my bike on the dyno after about 4 month's and 3800 miles. All that happens is that they strap it on a machine and run it through all of the gears until the limiter cuts out the ignition. If the dealer told you that was why it has a new tire, it sounds to me like he doesn't know what he's talking about.

If it was a smokey burn out machine it might have signs of burned/melted rubber all inside the rear fender well.

 

[lazywizard02]

If the price is right and you really like the bike and you get a reasonable warranty then OK. But if it is just something you came across that caught your eye I'd say do more research. Will it really suit your driving style?

 

[soffiler]

I put my bike on the dyno after about 4 month's and 3800 miles. All that happens is that they strap it on a machine and run it through all of the gears until the limiter cuts out the ignition. If the dealer told you that was why it has a new tire, it sounds to me like he doesn't know what he's talking about.

If it was a smokey burn out machine it might have signs of burned/melted rubber all inside the rear fender well.

The H-D types have this weird form of drag-racing that is basically two dynos side-by-side; complete with a "christmas tree" and a computer to display results. The bikes are strapped down and the riders just sit there and twist the throttle and shift. (Sounds like it might be compatible with alcohol consumption, doesn't it?) It's my guess that this is the type of "dyno" it was on at Sturgis, if it was on anything at all, that is.

 

[dlearl476]

A few random thoughts:

A dyno works by strapping a bike to a device that the rear wheel turns a huge metal drum. The HP and torque are measured by putting a brake on that drum and measuring the engines ability to overcome the brake. Consequently, a lot of sport bike shops recommend dyno-ing a bike with a near toast rear tire, because the process can be harmful to the belts. If this bike had been run repeatedly on a dyno, replacing the tire might have been a smart thing.

My Triumph was put on a dyno at 12K miles and run at redline for 5 minutes to find an oil leak that only happened 100mph<. It runs perfectly at 36K and doesn't use a single drop of oil between changes.

I would have ANY bike I was considering buying put through a PPI by either a dealer or a competant indy shop I trusted. Including a leak down test and oil assay.

I would suspect any bike that was run on a dyno at Sturgis has been more than a little abused. Not something the average BMW owner would be interested in.

IMHO, if it's a great deal, buy it. You can always sell it down the road if it turns out to be a lemon. If it's just an OK deal, keep looking.

 

[bluecoat]

The rockster checked out okay, drove it a good bit...one more concern, is there luggage available for this bike? I don't need the bags anytime soon but I do need something in the way of a trunk kit or rack..any rockster owners care to comment? The BMW website doesn't show anything...nothing on ebay...I am willing to rig something up so long as it does not look too homemade... pics would be great. This could be a deal breaker or maker as I will use this bike strictly as my commuter (Guess I can always go with a standard R1150R, seems like you can get everything for them...but the rockster looks too cool!!!) A quick response would be appreciated...thanks again in advance

 

[dlearl476]

The rockster checked out okay, drove it a good bit...one more concern, is there luggage available for this bike? I don't need the bags anytime soon but I do need something in the way of a trunk kit or rack..any rockster owners care to comment? The BMW website doesn't show anything...nothing on ebay...I am willing to rig something up so long as it does not look too homemade... pics would be great. This could be a deal breaker or maker as I will use this bike strictly as my commuter (Guess I can always go with a standard R1150R, seems like you can get everything for them...but the rockster looks too cool!!!) A quick response would be appreciated...thanks again in advance

I can't speak definitively, but I don't know why R1150R stuff wouldn't fit. AFAIK, that's all a Rockster is, a paintjob and a R1150S motor.

 

[bluecoat]

My local BMW guy says the tail assembly is different, it is not set up to attach factory luggage frames or a rear rack support...I am hoping someone out there stumbled onto something aftermarket or parts from another BMW model that willl work...didn't realize buying this bike was going to be such a challenge...

 

[mika]

If I am not mistaken that warm feeling you have is your BMW dealer blowing smoke up your...well you get the idea. You should be able to use the same luggage as the Roadster. Check with Bob's BMW or someone like that.

 

[FredRydr]

Use the online parts fiche at MAX BMW to look up the Rockster parts.

Fred

 

[userw5]

My local BMW guy says the tail assembly is different, it is not set up to attach factory luggage frames or a rear rack support...I am hoping someone out there stumbled onto something aftermarket or parts from another BMW model that willl work...didn't realize buying this bike was going to be such a challenge...

I was up at my local dealer a few weeks back and they had a Rockster on the floor with what looked to me like factory luggage.