R1150R - What to look for?

[Skybone]

Was in my local bike shop last weekend, and there was an R1150R sat in the back. Asked about it, and was told it was waiting on some MOT work (swing arm bearings?), but then it was going on sale as the owner had brought it in for the MOT, and then part-exed it against an R1200R that they had in.

So, I'm going to take it out next weekend (when the work's done) for a test ride.

What do I need to look out for?

When I saw it last Saturday, it was rather scruffy (came with BMW panniers, heated grips & hand guards). When I say scruffy, the fork legs were tatty, the front engine casing was caked in road crud, with quite a few rusty spots dotted around and about all over. The paintwork seemed OK, but it was dirty and it had just been raining, so you couldn't really tell. Had a chat with the sales guy, and he said he was asking a not too unreasonable amount for it (in keeping with what similar bikes on Autotrader & MCN are asking).

Anyway, thanks for any advice/tips/etc.

[Mitch1100]

I'd be looking for a well serviced cared for example

[Steptoe]

Nice bikes. I use one as a loan bike for my GS shop.
Never gets cleaned and been faultless for the last 4 years, and it's in use every day by customers who just get on it and ride, if you know what i mean.

[RiceBurner]

Modular construction means that engine/gearbox wise there's very little different to the S.

Not sure if the S has this problem - but on some BMs of that period the wiring up the side of the headstock was cable-tied too tightly and it can cause broken wires later in life. Check that the wiring has a free and easy movement when the steering moves.

Otherwise not a lot different.

[metropolis2k]

Modular construction means that engine/gearbox wise there's very little different to the S.

Not sure if the S has this problem - but on some BMs of that period the wiring up the side of the headstock was cable-tied too tightly and it can cause broken wires later in life. Check that the wiring has a free and easy movement when the steering moves.

Otherwise not a lot different.

Yeah that's also an issue on the GS too.

To be honest you'd be wise having a look at a common list of things to check for the GS because they're very similar bikes. If you can get it on the center stand you can check the paralever bearings. I'd check the feel of the gearbox, whether it can pull strongly in top gear (or whether the clutch is on the way out) and just the general feel of the engine. In those aspects someone who knows how it should feel and sound will be the biggest help you can get. When I went to look at my first GS I didn't even bother test riding it myself - I got a friend who'd put 100,000km on an 1150R to test it for me and tell me if it was OK.

Full service history or documentation that maintenance was done correctly and at the right time is also just as important.