Hi to all you guys on the site. Recently bought myself a 2003 r1150gs. A bike id always wanted. I searched hi and low for what I thought was the best I could afford. Only 37k on the clock and a fsh ( although not all main dealer). I am soooooo disappointed its unreal. When I first got it , it started fine and although down on power from the bikes im used to I assumed that was normal. Now im not so sure it is... Starting is poor and it runs out of go at 4000 rpm. It pulls well at low revs is returning excellent mpg and I love the handling etc I just need someone to point me in the right direction as far as this obvious lack of power goes. Any advice will be greatly appreciated. Best regards to all the scoot
new to the site, new to bmw, desperatly need some advise.
- Thread starter thescoot
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Hello and welcome along!
There are so many things to look out for but if you aren't too sure then it's maybe worth a visit to an independent garage first?
Not much help to you but they start easily (although turn over slowly on the starter) and although they pull well at low revs they only really get going above 4k rpm
It will be something simple but is it worth going back to the seller first for some more info
When you get it sorted out you will be glad you bought it...
There are so many things to look out for but if you aren't too sure then it's maybe worth a visit to an independent garage first?
Not much help to you but they start easily (although turn over slowly on the starter) and although they pull well at low revs they only really get going above 4k rpm
It will be something simple but is it worth going back to the seller first for some more info
When you get it sorted out you will be glad you bought it...
Have you checked the basics? Plug colour, air filter, valve clearances, throttle body balance, TPS settings etc
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Or take it to a BMW specialist mechanic for a thorough service, that is all it probably needs.
03 is it a twin spark?
Could be the coil packs if they have never been changed. New ones are far more reliable. Pull the coil packs and see if they are black painted. If so that's where my money is.
Could be the coil packs if they have never been changed. New ones are far more reliable. Pull the coil packs and see if they are black painted. If so that's where my money is.
I would suggest you find someone local to you who also has one and compare to see if it's the bike or just because you're not used to it. If you weren't so far away I'd offer to meet up and check it for you.
i have had a few 1150,s if you need a second opinion give me a shout , i am very close to you .
cheers ian
cheers ian
Yep, it's more than likely to be the main coil sticks. Very very common problem on twin spark engines.
Pull off the lower secondary spark plug caps on both sides and see if it runs on just the main spark plugs - if it doesn't start or runs on one cylinder it'll be the main coil sticks.
Simply replace. Job done..
The Grey One
Registered user
Riding my 1150GS in company with more powerful bikes does show up its relative lack of power but my bike does not feel as the OP describes. Actually it is quite fun in those situations as I have to work at keeping up. There is obviously a fault in the OPs bike that needs investigating, I hope he gets it sorted
Riding on my on the 1150 still provides some fun and rarely seems to lack power. Of course I would not say no to more power but as they say absolute power corrupts absolutely. To me the the rewards come from extracting the best from what you have, too much extra power would probably make me quicker in a straight line but not necessarily a better or happier rider.
John
Riding on my on the 1150 still provides some fun and rarely seems to lack power. Of course I would not say no to more power but as they say absolute power corrupts absolutely. To me the the rewards come from extracting the best from what you have, too much extra power would probably make me quicker in a straight line but not necessarily a better or happier rider.
John
Yep, it's more than likely to be the main coil sticks. Very very common problem on twin spark engines.
Pull off the lower secondary spark plug caps on both sides and see if it runs on just the main spark plugs - if it doesn't start or runs on one cylinder it'll be the main coil sticks.
Simply replace. Job done..
The Scoot - some advice if you are new to the site, listen to what Steptoe advises ... He is da man !
Robh1664
Registered user
And he doesn't 'over think things' !
I have the 1100GS and it's plenty swift enough for me and I've had loads of faster bikes. You'll love it when it's sorted.
I have the 1100GS and it's plenty swift enough for me and I've had loads of faster bikes. You'll love it when it's sorted.
that would be my first check too.
Cheers guys
Im so pleased I found this forum as I was contemplating getting rid, not because I thought there was something wrong( not my way of doing business) just because I was so disappointed. Must also add, the handling is perfection.
Now im going to keep it.... I will be completely changing the look of it. Ie street scrambler. Yes I am a heathen. I also like individuality.
A big thanks to all replies. Having read several posts on similar concerns I have just pulled the coil sticks and it would appear that the left side is down. No difference at all when I disconnected it. Right hand side seems ok as the revs dropped dramatically when that was disconnected.
Im so pleased I found this forum as I was contemplating getting rid, not because I thought there was something wrong( not my way of doing business) just because I was so disappointed. Must also add, the handling is perfection.
Now im going to keep it.... I will be completely changing the look of it. Ie street scrambler. Yes I am a heathen. I also like individuality.
Glad you found the issue, it's not uncommon; when you change the coil sticks, do them both and keep your 'good' one as a spare. I know they're expensive but it's worth starting from a known platform. As to a street scrambler, you should be baked in salt 
I should have suggested coils sticks in my first post but glad you got sorted out. I bought my bike 3 years ago and it also had a full service history & was in excellent maintained condition but it was constantly backfiring and just not pulling as it should...turned out that one of those pesky coil sticks was breaking down under load (above 4k rpm) so it was only really running on 1.5 cylinders
As suggested, buy a new pair (ouch) & keep the good one as a spare..Motorworks also sell used coils at around £30 if you are desperate.
Mike.
As suggested, buy a new pair (ouch) & keep the good one as a spare..Motorworks also sell used coils at around £30 if you are desperate.
Mike.
TA DAH!
It's an 1150, they are usually simple.
Buy genuine BM ones. They are dear but have a warranty and the new ones seem to be far more reliable.
I changed both at the same time just to be certain of equal performance.
Glad you've found the prob... They are mostly simple on oilheads... Brilliant bikes if you like riding and not endlessly talking about all the shite you want/have for it... I have an old, fairly scruffy 11GS... My 4th... And after plenty of other bikes, new faster blingy stuff... The 11 is my main bike...
Just remember another small thing... Street scramblers aren't that individual...�� Bless the good old GS...��
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