Motorcycle For Sale Good Deal on Somebody Else's 2003 R11150RT

I'm leaving Weds a.m. to fly down to Tucson to pick up my 4th FJR--a super clean '09 with just 7,500 miles on the clock, and the deal's all made, so when I got a call from a friend and neighbor today offering up his bike for sale, it was too late. Darn, it would have been awful tempting. Yes, it has some age, but it looks very sweet. He's selling because he's older (than me, even) and his wife and family are worried about him. I suppose it can happen to anybody. Anyway, the Beemer is set up really nice, 58,000 miles, a LOT of extras, and he's asking only $3,000. I could get a fifth grader over here to download the picture he texted me and attach it, but it's beyond my capability. I could also send the whole list of added goodies if there's any interest. I'm sorry my timing was off on this, because I'll bet I'd have been a customer a week ago. Too bad for me. Let me know.

The FJR is going to cost you less with a lot fewer frustrations and way less shop time in the next five years. I think you did well, especially if you are happy with the AE version.

Still, the R1150RT is well priced and a good value @ $3000 - especially if well appointed. If you don't like the FJR on the ride home (auto clutch isn't for everyone), sell it and buy the Beemer.

I rented a similar BMW for my Route 66 trip. It was a nice ride but when I got home to Australia, I realised how much better my FJR is.

The BMW boxer hasn't the same grunt, I don't like brakes as much as the FJR but BMW riders are just massive snobs over here in Australia and I wouldn't waste my money on the premium price they demand.

waynevb said:

"... but BMW riders are just massive snobs over here in Australia ."

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Just in Australia...?

SacramentoMike said:

I'm leaving Weds a.m. to fly down to Tucson to pick up my 4th FJR--a super clean '09 with just 7,500 miles on the clock, and the deal's all made, so when I got a call from a friend and neighbor today offering up his bike for sale, it was too late. Darn, it would have been awful tempting. Yes, it has some age, but it looks very sweet. He's selling because he's older (than me, even) and his wife and family are worried about him. I suppose it can happen to anybody. Anyway, the Beemer is set up really nice, 58,000 miles, a LOT of extras, and he's asking only $3,000. I could get a fifth grader over here to download the picture he texted me and attach it, but it's beyond my capability. I could also send the whole list of added goodies if there's any interest. I'm sorry my timing was off on this, because I'll bet I'd have been a customer a week ago. Too bad for me. Let me know.

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hey I live in Tucson.

Hey Tucson John, I'll be leaving somewhat earlyish (my usual departure time) on Friday. If I had a local Tucsonian to show me the best way out of town and up a fun road or two that might eventually connect with a route toward Cali, it would be cool. Unless you're one of those guys who has to go "work" in some "job" on weekdays. If you happen to reply or PM by sometime on Thursday, maybe we could meet up for a start of a long ride (mine, I mean). Or at least tell me about a couple local highlights. First time in Tucson.

And Ross: If he'd mentioned the BMW even two days earlier, I'd at least have taken a test ride. It might not be exactly right, but it's close. And cheap!

SacramentoMike said:

And Ross: If he'd mentioned the BMW even two days earlier, I'd at least have taken a test ride. It might not be exactly right, but it's close. And cheap!

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No question that you would have a few more bucks left in your wallet - for now. I absolutely guarantee that the cost of ownership would counter that initial price difference within a couple of years at the most. (Not to mention the inevitable down time.) Still, you are going to have lots of time to bond (or not) with the new bike on the way home and you can always put it up for sale and get the Beemer if you want. You would be out the cost of your fly and ride but I'm guessing you could sell it for what you paid for it.

Have you ridden an AE model before? They were never the most popular in North America but almost everyone I have heard that owned one loved it once they had adapted to it. (I have never tried one out.)

SacramentoMike said:

Hey Tucson John, I'll be leaving somewhat earlyish (my usual departure time) on Friday. If I had a local Tucsonian to show me the best way out of town and up a fun road or two that might eventually connect with a route toward Cali, it would be cool. Unless you're one of those guys who has to go "work" in some "job" on weekdays. If you happen to reply or PM by sometime on Thursday, maybe we could meet up for a start of a long ride (mine, I mean). Or at least tell me about a couple local highlights. First time in Tucson.

And Ross: If he'd mentioned the BMW even two days earlier, I'd at least have taken a test ride. It might not be exactly right, but it's close. And cheap!

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So, how is the new-to-you bike?

The bike was just as advertised. Clean as a whistle, everything working perfectly on the three day ride back to Sac. It's a change, going to an AE, but I'll definitely like many things about it. Couple things maybe not so much. I'm sorry not to have cruise control. It's right hand on the throttle every second. I'll be looking for at least a throttle lock right away, but first a couple little things like getting it registered here in Cali. My Seth Lamm seat and Clearwater lights switch right over. I put the Givi top case on today too. Luckily I like the VStream that came with it even more than the Cal Sci tall screen on my Gen 3, since I couldn't move it over to the '09 anyway. As for the AE, I hope to stop inadvertently shifting down instead of up and vice-versa pretty soon.

So, are you going to take the R1150RT out for a ride?

SacramentoMike said:

I'll be looking for at least a throttle lock right away

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I’ve tried them all. Buy a Brake Away Throttle lock. Works great.

SacramentoMike said:

The bike was just as advertised. Clean as a whistle, everything working perfectly on the three day ride back to Sac. It's a change, going to an AE, but I'll definitely like many things about it. Couple things maybe not so much. I'm sorry not to have cruise control. It's right hand on the throttle every second. I'll be looking for at least a throttle lock right away, but first a couple little things like getting it registered here in Cali. My Seth Lamm seat and Clearwater lights switch right over. I put the Givi top case on today too. Luckily I like the VStream that came with it even more than the Cal Sci tall screen on my Gen 3, since I couldn't move it over to the '09 anyway. As for the AE, I hope to stop inadvertently shifting down instead of up and vice-versa pretty soon.

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You'll still be grabbing for the clutch when you come to red lights for awhile. DAMHIK.

You'll also be beeping your horn occasionally until your hand gets muscle memory of where the downshift paddle is.

fastpappy said:

You'll still be grabbing for the clutch when you come to red lights for awhile. DAMHIK.

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Even worse, once you get the hang of no clutch lever, you'll forget to grab the clutch at red lights on your other scooters!! DAMHIK.

SacramentoMike said:

The bike was just as advertised. Clean as a whistle, everything working perfectly on the three day ride back to Sac. It's a change, going to an AE, but I'll definitely like many things about it. Couple things maybe not so much. I'm sorry not to have cruise control. It's right hand on the throttle every second. I'll be looking for at least a throttle lock right away, but first a couple little things like getting it registered here in Cali. My Seth Lamm seat and Clearwater lights switch right over. I put the Givi top case on today too. Luckily I like the VStream that came with it even more than the Cal Sci tall screen on my Gen 3, since I couldn't move it over to the '09 anyway. As for the AE, I hope to stop inadvertently shifting down instead of up and vice-versa pretty soon.

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Congrats on the AE! I have a low mi (>4k) 08 AE myself. It took me a couple rides for me get the shifting to be perfectly smooth and very, very quick. Love that aspect of the AE. I use a very slight and quick throttle let off to time the shifts and when you time it right you can get perfect, seamless gear changes. RE the downshifts; That horn beep downshift move is quite the attention getter, lol. There is a lot going on the left side handlebar. To ease you into finding the down hand button you can use your foot for the down-s and hand for up-s. Running it up through gears and pitching it over into a fast sweeper reveals the bullet-train magic of the AE model. There is a racerbike soul lurking within the heavy FJR. It's not an engine that needs a lot of clutching assistance but I wonder what Ivan's tune would do to the ride-ability. Mine runs fine as it is with the stock mapping - no complaints- some backfire decel sounds w/ 9" cans. Good luck with your new ride!

RossKean said:

So, how is the new-to-you bike?

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RossKean said:

So, how is the new-to-you bike?

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Good day to ya. Not sure what Thursday you meant, But ya I am one of those guys. not 1 but 2 jobs I have to report to. there is only one good road out of Tucson. that's not the interstate. if I don't catch, Safe travels.

Dan Cooper said:

Even worse, once you get the hang of no clutch lever, you'll forget to grab the clutch at red lights on your other scooters!! DAMHIK.

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Yeah, I'm developing a similar problem when on the fly switching between a bike with quick shift and the fjr.

TUCSONJON said:

Good day to ya. Not sure what Thursday you meant, But ya I am one of those guys. not 1 but 2 jobs I have to report to. there is only one good road out of Tucson. that's not the interstate. if I don't catch, Safe travels.

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You replied to the wrong person but he already picked up the bike...

No prob, Ross. I thought TucsonJon and I might connect on my way out of town but it didn't work out cuz he's one of those poor souls in "pre-retirement" status. See you my next trip to Tucson, Jon.