S1000RR - Regrets Already?

dangermouse425 · 24 Aug 2016 at 13:42

I know, it seems like yesterday I was enthusiastically sharing pictures of my shiny new BMW, but 6 months on, and I've decided I haven't fallen in love with my S1000RR and I think I might sell it.

It's a fantastic bike, blisteringly fast, but I'm not sure it's for me. Don't get me wrong, it's amazing, it's just I'm not sure it suits my riding style or what I want from a second vehicle. My car is my commuting tool, my bike is something that gets used at weekends. I had thought I wanted to take the BMW out on the track, but to be honest, I'm not too fussed.

I know I've hardly used it, but part of the reason I haven't is because I'm not compelled to just jump on and go for a ride. Nothing against the bike, it's just I don't think I enjoy riding litre sportsbikes as much as I enjoyed naked or classic styled bikes.

Not only that, but when I had my Street Triple and my Bonnie, I had a fast-ish bike for me, and a chilled out weekend bike for my wife and I to enjoy country rides. The S1000RR is well and truly a "me" bike only, the other half wouldn't go anywhere near it! It seems a shame I can't share this hobby and passion.

I think I've ticked the "own a mental sportsbike" box now and am ready to have an early mid-life crisis and go back to owning bikes like a Thruxton or similar...

I feel really silly, because I know I doubt I'll get anything near what I paid for it (from a BMW main dealer) less than six months ago. But I think now that I've decided it's not for me, it's better to sell it on sooner rather than later. Or would you wait until the start of next biking season?

What are your thoughts? Have you ever regretted buying a bike and shifted it on so soon?

Fireskull · 24 Aug 2016 at 14:47

What year/spec is it? Ive got a friend looking to buy a S1K.

Freeman · 24 Aug 2016 at 14:47

There's a reason so many people say Bonnevilles are awesome bikes!

I think try and sell it now. The weather is still good enough for there to be enough spontaneous buyers out there still.

stuman · 24 Aug 2016 at 14:49

It's why I have never really lusted of a 1l super sport, far too much for uk roads. It's also the reason I've gone off of the idea of a midlife crisis Porsche or some such. I had a day at the Porsche test track and they are truly amazingly engineered tools. But too much for road driving and 70k for a car to only exploit at a track is just too much. Too much temptation to be naughty and far too few roads good enough to get your monies worth.

I'm now thinking of something more explorer style, take it exploring / touring green landing etc. Or even a mx bike and go see some real off road stuff.

TallPaul_S · 24 Aug 2016 at 14:58

You could probably get a decent trade in on an R-Nine-T, as an alternative to the Bonne.

Kreeeee · 24 Aug 2016 at 16:05

I'm not surprised at all. From my test ride on the S1000R it is an incredible machine, but so uninspiring.

They are incredibly well engineered and unbelievably fast bikes, but lack any character and basically ride themselves and flatter the rider.

I've never ridden a bike that I need to do so little on and can be so ham-fisted with even at silly speeds.

dangermouse425 · 24 Aug 2016 at 16:15

Fireskull said:
What year/spec is it? Ive got a friend looking to buy a S1K.

2010 S1000RR Sport with 12.5k on the clocks, Akra exhaust and 7 months of BMW warranty left on it. Want to discuss details via email?

TallPaul_S said:
You could probably get a decent trade in on an R-Nine-T, as an alternative to the Bonne.

That's also an option! Though I suspect I'll get smashed with a cheap PX price, private may be a better option at this rate. Definitely an idea though. I've considered the R-Nine-T, or potentially the new Thruxton.

Freeman said:
There's a reason so many people say Bonnevilles are awesome bikes!

I think try and sell it now. The weather is still good enough for there to be enough spontaneous buyers out there still.

It's true! Bonnies are fantastic, I do miss mine. My wife does too, I hadn't realised she enjoyed riding pillion so much, but my S1000RR purchase has put an end to that!

dangermouse425 · 24 Aug 2016 at 16:18

Sorry, double post

unKle · 24 Aug 2016 at 16:33

dangermouse425 said:
I feel really silly, because I know I doubt I'll get anything near what I paid for it (from a BMW main dealer) less than six months ago. But I think now that I've decided it's not for me, it's better to sell it on sooner rather than later. Or would you wait until the start of next biking season?

What are your thoughts? Have you ever regretted buying a bike and shifted it on so soon?

Don't feel silly at all, the last few years I've chopped and changed bikes like no ones business. I love bikes and I spend most of my money on them, I don't regret buying, my regret is not having more space to keep them all! Selling up this time of year = lose. Trading in for another bike during this month = possible break even/win. But it's your money.

Luckily BMWs, especially the RRs hold their money well and with the price hike coming on all new bikes it'll cement the 2nd hand market even further. Unless you get a really good offer and not desperate to sell I'd hold off selling it until spring next year.

I quite fancy a R nine T, don't see many about either.

chrissy · 24 Aug 2016 at 19:42

Had a 2013 speed triple for 8 months and part of that was the winter, just didn't get on with it.

Chopped it in for a S1000R, 2 1/2 years later still can`t believe how great this bike is, but I wouldn't go on the back of one or an RR.

I`d get rid try something else.

edd1e · 24 Aug 2016 at 21:11

the S1000RR is a fantastic bike, I loved mine, it was a 2012 one. I did 10,000 miles on it.

The only thing that made me feel a little like how you feel, is how clinical it felt, it's mentally fast and does everything well, almost too well. Which is stupid I know, but give me some character any day nowadays. I think my roads bikes will always be V4/Twin now.

As a track bike though... yes please

dangermouse425 · 25 Aug 2016 at 09:22

edd1e said:
the S1000RR is a fantastic bike, I loved mine, it was a 2012 one. I did 10,000 miles on it.

The only thing that made me feel a little like how you feel, is how clinical it felt, it's mentally fast and does everything well, almost too well. Which is stupid I know, but give me some character any day nowadays. I think my roads bikes will always be V4/Twin now.

As a track bike though... yes please

Yeah, I think that sums it up for me. It's crazy fast, I just want something with a bit more character that's more in keeping with my style of riding.

I stuck the bike up on the S1000RR forum and the famous auction site last night. What are your thoughts on using AutoTrader? Worth it? Or just too many tyre-kickers? I've heard different things of different people, never sold a bike privately before.

tom_e · 25 Aug 2016 at 09:24

Gumtree, eBay, owners forums/FB groups should see it gone pretty quickly without having to splash out to put it on AT.

Fireskull · 25 Aug 2016 at 09:27

dangermouse425 said:
2010 S1000RR Sport with 12.5k on the clocks, Akra exhaust and 7 months of BMW warranty left on it. Want to discuss details via email?

Got your trust message, I sent over the initial details to him but he's looking for a newer model sadly, thanks though!
I don't think you'll have a problem selling it where you've listed it already

Griffo · 25 Aug 2016 at 20:01

Sad to hear DM, but also it kind of mirrors my thoughts after I had a few hours on the naked one. I was/am hoping the rr is more my cup of tea, but then the k1300s is amaze enough at more things for me.

Sagalout · 26 Aug 2016 at 09:25

Don't have regrets - at least you've experienced one now.

To be honest I was the same with the GSXR1000 I had - I rode that bike less than any other bike I've owned as whilst it was awesomely fast it just wasn't 'fun' on normal roads and I live too far away from tracks to be able to go often enough. I sometimes fancy one as a second bike (or maybe a 750) but as a main bike....nope. That's why I've owned the GS for a while now - I can't find anything to replace it!

mingeroonie · 27 Aug 2016 at 17:12

I've just booked in for a test ride on one at my local dealer.
Got it for an hour next Saturday, so will be interesting to see how it compares to my R1

dangermouse425 · 29 Aug 2016 at 12:42

mingeroonie said:
I've just booked in for a test ride on one at my local dealer.
Got it for an hour next Saturday, so will be interesting to see how it compares to my R1

You'll no doubt enjoy it, and since you own an R1, it's probably more your kind of bike! I'm just not sure sportsbikes are where it's at for me.

kidloco · 29 Aug 2016 at 14:52

mingeroonie said:
I've just booked in for a test ride on one at my local dealer.
Got it for an hour next Saturday, so will be interesting to see how it compares to my R1

Be interested to hear what you think. I keep looking at the BMW s as a replacement for mine. But so far every time I change bikes I end up selling them again quickly after and going back to the R1.

Wucked · 30 Aug 2016 at 12:23

I wouldn't go for an S1000RR either, it's too focused. Likewise, I doubt that my girlfriend would want to ride it with me. Sports tourers are where it's at now for me, probably just starting to show my age, though.