Reliability problems on commuting?

[fabiettoboxe]

Hi I'm close to buy a Beemer and I'll commute on it .is it there any thing to be worrie of in terms of reliability?

[Vidaeis]

The only reliability issues I can think of are not buying a bimmer! It runs hot in traffic but nothing that the electric fan doesn't take care of. Sport bikes were designed to have wind beneath their wings so sitting at a light it'll cycle from 225 down to 210 or so.
We just had a couple guys hit 18000 miles trouble free. BMW has been making commuting motorcycles for decades around the world and their reputation for reliability remains strong with the s1000rr.
Especially for commuting, the variable DTC and ABS setting keep the rubber side down rain, sand, or shine. I took mine for a spin down a dirt road when i got it and I was quite impressed!

[markjenn]

You can certainly use the S1000RR as a commuter and I suspect it would be reasonably reliable, although perhaps not as trouble free as a simpler Japanese bike. But it is a long ways from an ideal commuter from the standpoint of costs (expensive sticky tires that go away every 2K miles, expensive chain replacement, etc.), maintenance, weather protection, and ability to carry luggage. You can commute on a Ferrari, but it is not a great commuter.

IOW, I would never buy a S1000RR as a commuter, but if I had an S1000RR bought for other reasons, I'd certainly use it as a commuter, especially if I had a car to use occasionally when I needed to carry something or the weather was bad. Put another way, the S1000RR is not a very good practical utility bike, but you can get utility out of it if you're willing to work around its shortcomings.

- Mark

[3blueS1000rr]

Electrical gremlins abound, switches fail, key fob too on mine, and the big scary one the cam shaft failures..mine has done 12000miles but not without issues..pays your money and takes your choice.........I would have to think very hard about buying another one.....they`re to soft in many areas...

[ThePainClinic]

What type of commute? How many miles? I'd check out the GS series BMW has to offer. No matter if it's cold or it rains, your on the go. And they look better the dirtier they get!

[Rainman]

Jeez Lueez. Man, I wouldn't let any of those discouraging problems reported above so far stop you from picking this bike. We don't even know what you are specifically looking at.

A vast majority have no electrical problems at all. The very small number that had camshaft problems were very early on, with a single batch or run having a problem. Tires, chains, oil, filters are no different than any other bike when ridden as a commuter, and heat is an issue on all sport bikes under stop and go conditions.

It's a wonderful bike that comes with a 3-year warranty in the US, (or 2-year in Europe?) where any problems can be corrected. It's competitively priced and has a lot of performance and safety features included - or available.

If you are looking at a brand new model, there are even more features a lot of guys are drooling over. BMW has made adjustments, and yes, improvements on an already great product.

I have 14k miles on mine, it has been trouble free, and I ride it as a commuter, a trip, and track bike.

Go for it if you like it.

[1000RR]

I'm w/Rainman on this one... He's spot on.

As far as this particular bike for a commuter. It all depends on what's in your blood Mark is right in that it is not the perfect commuter... but if you're only gonna have one bike, damn this one is hard to pass up. It's not as uncomfortable as some of the jap bikes (my experience) but certainly isn't a big comfy couch either. Plenty of folks do overnighters, tour, commute on this bike and wouldn't trade it for the world.

It's really a personal thing. If I could have a bike for each and everything I like to do, I would have a VERY full garage of bikes. But for now, my bikes have very specific jobs:
Ride on Street and have fun = S1
Race Bikes = R6's
Dirt = RMZ250

For any one application (Track vs. Street vs. Dirt) I only have one bike, but damn they're all a blast!!

Go with your gut, go test ride one. You'll know if you can handle the commute.

[sbs]

I have a 2011 BMW S1000RR that I have put 19,721 miles on as of this morning's commute. Flawless; great commute Bike, comfortable for a SportBike.. Can't ask for more, especially with the full Akrapovic To EVO system and custom PCV map...

[laughingallalone]

I use mine to commute and its done A fantastic job. zero problems. its the reason my commute is the best part of my day.

[BallisticMT]

All I have to say is when I test rode one last October is that your thighs will heat up just a little bit. Otherwise just run her in rain mode and shes very easy to ride around town.