ABS help on BMW R1200C

[hOGBACK]

Need your input on a 2000 BMW R1200C. ABS light is blinking...looks like the ABS hyro unit is gone. Got a figure of $2500 from the BMW Dealer to fix it. My question, should I pick this bike up for $4,000, and put another $2500 into a 14,000 mile bike. Trade-in would be $5,100, Retail $7,100. I have other bikes and do not need it, but is $6,500 a great deal to have in this bike.


Thanks

Hogback:confused:

[CBR1000F]

i dont think it would be a good deal youll spend more then your getting in return yoiur spending $6,500 and hows to say that will fix it and i doubt you will $7,100 for it but thats just my opinion

[Bullzaye]

I own a '98 R1200C. At one point I rode it off-road (not intentionally :o ) and after that the ABS system lights flashed, alternating left & right, not both at once. When I took it to the dealership and explained what'd happened, they said that was normal, if the wheels ever turn at different speeds from each other, it confuses the system and it goes into error mode. They simply hooked it up to their computer, it ran a quick diagnostic, then it reset the error code, and the problem was fixed. Is it possible that's all that the bike in question needs? Also, if the battery is at less-than-optimum power, the ABS will be unable to perform it's self-diagnostic during startup. Since the system can't do it's self-check, it won't initiate the ABS and the lights will flash (both at once, I believe.) Perhaps it needs a new battery? Is there another dealership you could have verify the problem, or perhaps another technician at that dealership?
Tim

[hOGBACK]

Tim: You are the guru I needed. Your input is very much appreciated. I do think you experience really helps one to ponder the bike. I am almost sure (I will call back to the seller to verify) that the seller knows the problem as he asked a dealer if they could shut the light off since he could not afford, or did not want, to fix the hydro unit....they said no that the ABS had to be fixed or the light could not be shut off.

I am still trying to figure out if I want the bike... I also ask your opinion on this: Do you feel your bike is a very good touring bike, or does the lack of fairing limit the use as a touring bike.... and other limitations as you see....

Last night I tried to see if I could find a unit and fix it my self...not sure if I am the ability to do the work, but looking at the options, also I want to look into a rebuild of the unit.

Your, and other comments appreciated.

Hogback

[Bullzaye]

I'm very far removed from being a "guru", but I'll be glad to give you what info I can, and my general impressions. As for the ABS, I guess if the dealership says it's busted and doesn't simply need reset...that sucks. I wonder how anyone managed to trash the ABS in only 14,000 miles of riding? Something sounds slightly amiss there to me.

When I bought my '98 BMW R1200C (from it's 2nd owner) it had 7,000 miles on it. It now has over 31,000 miles on it. Most of those miles have been added while commuting, or on one day weekend jaunts. So, I can't speak from real touring experience with it. I guess the first thing I'd address from a touring perspective is seating. While I have found it to be quite comfortable for my rides, I can see some limitations for longer rides. First, the saddle is, well...saddle shaped. So you can't really move around too much on it to change positions. The stock 1200C seat has the mini-pillion seat which folds up to make a backrest for the rider...this is comfortable for short-term, but I find that it limits my movement on the seat even further, creating "hot-spots" on my backside quicker than usual. I believe they make a "comfort seat" for the rider, and also for the passenger so that may help considerably, I don't know. Also, while the "jugs" of the boxer engine don't bother me, they do have the effect of limiting seating positions further. The only way (that I'm aware of) to change your foot position is to have the engine crash bars with footrests installed, and I'm not sure of how comfortable these are, though I imagine any opportunity to change your position around, even for a brief time, would be welcome on longer rides.

Now to the saddlebags. For the most part, BMWs are known for having excellent saddlebags. Sadly, this is not the case for the R1200C. Trying to maintain the cruiser "attitude" would have been difficult with the normal BMW bags. So, the R1200C has leather-covered plastic cruiser-esque bags. They do look pretty cool, and I guess they may be some of the best bags...on a cruiser. They keep their shape, they're lockable and mostly waterproof, or at least very water resistant. They're easily removed and installed with the flick of a lever on the inside of the bags. However, they're not very large (20/18.5 ltr capacity) and they won't accept a full-faced helmet at all, unless perhaps a tiny one, I've not tried that. In fact there's nowhere on the stock bike to lock a helmet. Now there are larger "touring" bags available. They are black plastic with no leather covering (37/34.5 ltr capacity) and will accept some full sized helmets. These run about $410 ea. with lock. As for other luggage...not much available. They do offer a tank bag, but it's all leather and very small, only useful for wallet/gloves/cellphone/etc. They also sell a "cruiser luggage roll" of 40 ltr capacity with a waterproof cover. I've wanted to get one, but the $200 price tag has kept me away.

Which brings up one small negative for BMWs in general. $$$$$$$. Every accessory they offer, and every part you might ever need, is uber expensive. Almost as bad as Harley David$on!

The R1200C has a 4.5 gallon tank (if I remember correctly.) Mine usually gets around 44-50 MPG, so you get roughly 200 miles between fill-ups.

My bike came with an Aeroflow windshield and removable hand protectors, so I can't entirely comment on the stock R1200C. But, I have other "naked" bikes, and I can't really see all that much difference, except in extreme cold weather conditions. I suppose if you're talking about riding at speeds of 100 MPH+ for extended periods, it might become more of an issue. Ahh, which reminds me...are you aware that the R1200C is governed to a top speed of about 107 MPH? Just checking...in case that sort of thing is important to you.

I am contemplating a cross-country ride this summer, and my first thought was to ride my '02 Triumph Sprint ST, since it is a Sport-tourer. But I've also been considering the BMW for a couple of reasons. First, I kinda hate the thought of chain maintenance and the possibility of chain problems on the Sprint. The BMW's shaft drive would be completely maintenance and worry-free. Second, I'm wondering if the BMW's more upright seating position would be more comfortable in the long run than the Sprint's more leaned-over position. Third...the idea of "cruising" cross-country just seems cooler than a sport-tourer. Yeah, stupid...I know. The lack of luggage capacity on the BMW might just be the clincher, since I'm anticipating being gone 8 weeks.

Finally, it seems as if your main interest in this bike is that it might just be too good of a deal to let go by. The price does sound good, if it weren't for the ABS cost, of course. By way of comparison, here's what my deal was. I bought my '98 R1200C in 2002. It had only 7,000 miles on it. It came with the smaller cruiser bags, the windshield and handguards, the passenger "comfort" seat (not installed, the stock seat w/backrest was on the bike), the power accessory jack, the tank bag and mounting hardware, & ABS (which was optional in '98). It had just had it's 6,000 mile service, and it needed nothing. I paid $6,300, and this was from an individual so no tax or other B.S. charges that dealerships are notorious for. So, I guess it depends on what accessories are included with this bike, and how badly you want it. Also, it can be ridden without the ABS...it'll be pretty much like a normal "ABS-less" bike...if you wanted to go that route. By the way, have you ridden it yet? The R1200C is, well...different, to ride. I nearly crashed mine the first time I test rode it. It has a very responsive throttle, and it just "feels" very unusual. Not bad, just different. Also, the mini "ape-hangers" took a bit of adjustment as well. The BMW controls can seem a bit weird too, until you get used to them. I would definitely advise you to test ride it...even if you don't think you'll end up buying it. At least you'll have the frame of reference later.

I guess the last thing I should say is this...after owning this R1200C for about 6 months, I began to search in earnest for another one (not to replace this one, but in addition to it.) I was especially looking for a Phoenix or Stiletto model. I basically gave up when I found the Triumph, and decided I'd run out of room in my garage for any more than the 4 bikes that are currently there. I thoroughly enjoy riding the R1200C, and I don't at all regret having bought it. In fact, I always enjoy looking at the new BMWs when I'm getting mine serviced, and I occasionally toy with the notion of buying a new BMW. Then I look at the price tag, and reality sets in. If in fact I ever do buy another BMW, it'll certainly be a used one. They just depreciate too fast to even consider a new one, IMO. Plus, they're built very well, and a low mileage used model should be a very good buy...except for maintenance and parts costs!

Good luck, and let us know what you decide. If you have any other more detailed questions, feel free to ask, or PM me.

Tim

[hOGBACK]

Tim: Thanks again... good insights. Guess your right...the bottomline is it seemed like a great deal on BMW. I had four bikes at one time in the past, and swore I would not let that happen.... guess I am heading that way again if I am not careful.

My son has ridden the bike, he and the bike are about 4 1/2 hours away. At first he called to ask if I wanted to partner on it, fix it, and either ride or sell it. He lost interest when I got figures for the repair. You are right also, I wounder how it could be messed up with only 14k, but I have read and it seemed there has been a problem with the hydro so I did not give it much thought. Now, my thought is, if it goes out so easy, will I have the same problem again...

Summary, I do not need the bike...and if I want it four touring, I ought to have one with working ABS and a fairing with a little better storage, otherwise there is no reason to have another bike sitting in the shop that does not have some improvements.

Thanks,

[lauram]

on my 1999 same thing with ABS lights flashing.
It was the battery -- I got a gel battery and a AccuMate charger (with plug that just plugs into acc plug) and haven't had an issue since.

[geoffrey06]

I bought my used '98 R1200C almost 2 years ago for $6,500 with 18,600 miles on the clock. It had the crash bars, which are awesome on longer rides for different foot options. I installed the Ilium sportboards for more comfort over the stock foot pegs.
It came with the Montana windshield which I like, and had the leather saddlebags which are definately better than nothing. You can strap a bunch of stuff to it with bungie cargo nets for extra cargo.
I replaced the stock seat with a comfort seat and that helped, but, I may go with an aftermarket seat for better comfort.
The top speed was about 106 mph, but, I fixed all that. I had a problem with bad rods because I think the previous owner neglected it, sooooo, while it was torn apart by the technicians I asked what I could do to make it go faster and save on some labor costs. The result was 1150RT throttlebodies and cams. In the upper rev ranges it almost feels like a turbo kicking in. I have no idea what my top speed is now. On the dyno it went to 120 mph in 4th gear. I've buried the needle past 125 mph in 5th gear a few times, but, it's a cruiser and makes me nervous to go that fast.
I replaced the stock exhaust with a Stainetune exhaust and I love the sound now. Not even close to being obnoxious.
Most of all, I just plain love the looks of the bike. I truly love it. No offense, but, most of the bikes out there look pretty much the same these days. I love motorcycles, but that's just plain boring. Not my cruiser. It really turns heads and gets lots of compliments. It just makes riding even more fun.