BMW R1150R Long term test 1

The bike has come with 500 running in K's showing, and it's first service completed. Finished in black, it looks great, lets hope it looks as good in twenty thousand K's time. That's the plan, twenty thousand in the five months that BMW have allowed us. Most motorcycles average under eight thousand a year. Commuting, touring, scratching, highways, back lanes, dirt roads and anything else we can think of in between, it's going to get it.

The first rides
Following the ride home the first run the R had was through the hills for the weekly early Sunday morning strop. Naturally it was wet, and following heavy overnight rain there was plenty of mud, gravel and tree debris through the really twisty bits. However, by keeping the revs spinning without over revving, it was possible to get a feel for the bikes capabilities in the sort of conditions that most people wouldn't ride in through choice.

The launch impressions were of a bike that had better handling than is normally associated with a bike built by BMW. Sure enough those first impressions were supported with the R tipping into corners and dodging logs and leaves with a high degree of confidence and feedback, allowing a decent pace and very satisfying lean angles.

Everything including the suspension is still very tight and as a result the ride isn't quite as plush in soaking up the bumps, but comfort is still excellent, in the short term anyway.

While the bike was showing it's cornering credentials, the servo assisted, anti lock brakes were given the opportunity to prove their worth when a Kangaroo decided it was time to quit the bush and use the bitumen instead. As has been said before, the brakes on the R offer the high techary on the front while the rear is conventional, the reality is they work very well. Sure they take a bit of getting used to,especially as there's a moments delay at the lever before the first bite, but so did the foot operated gear shift. History judges success by results.

One of the best features of any BMW motorcycle is the heated grips, and with the temperature struggling to support life, it was a welcome change to have hands that functioned well enough to operate the controls in the manner they were intended. Those that have had to perform an emergency stop with the dreaded ‘dead mans hand' will know what I mean.

By the time the R was sitting on the sidestand in the carport a couple of hundred K's later, we'd bonded. Early days for sure, and just like any relationship only living together will see if we can really stand each other. Stay tuned.

For more information and for specifications, go to Bikepoints homepage, select 'Find a New Bike' and type in the make and model.

Click here to go to the launch test.