I want to buy a motorcycle.

[legi_istra]

Hello all 

I want to buy a BMW s1000xr motorcycle, model year 2018/2019 with HP equipment .

What should I look out for when buying, the motorcycle is second hand with 26000km ?

Thank you

 

[Icequeen]

I think there are a couple motorcycle gurus here haha. However, @ScRiPt3r is the one that is the most die-hard that I know of. Only I think hes more into Harleys but maybe he has some insight for you. 

[RobMc]

Having owned many bikes, quite a few of them BMW's the last one being one I almost lost my life on, and having stripped most of them down here's my two penneth (UK expression).

1/. Make sure you are rich, if you don't service your own servicing and spares are for millionaires.

2/. Insurance costs will be high

3/. Assuming you pass the first tests, see if you can get history and service intervals, oil changes are critical on these machines. Use and pay for an online history check, check service intervals have been done, stamped by genuine dealers (yes you can buy stamps off Ebay) if possible check with those dealers.

4/. Normal checks you do for any bike, beware of owner running bike before you get there to disguise cold starting noises. If you don't know what to look for take someone who does.

5/. Meet at their house, and go in, not a garage or park, and yes they do use other peoples houses to sell from.

6/. Loads more if you want more details PM me

Looks a nice machine

7/. Oh yes, make sure it hasn't been raced look for drillings etc

Edited October 19, 2025 by RobMc

[KaptCrunch]

used motorcycles  got to do the water test for checking frame is not bent by slowing ryding straight thought a water puddle  and when passes over it and look after  the  marks on the ground  of front and rear wheels are on top of each other gets a ago a head an buy, other check if bike was warmed up before test ride is hiding issues    

[RobMc]

30 minutes ago, KaptCrunch said:

got to do the water test for checking frame is not bent by slowing ryding straight thought a water puddle  and when passes over it and look after  the  marks on the ground  of front and rear wheels are on top of each other

If the frame was that bent it wouldn't be rideable, this is a test for wheel alignment, especially chain drive. Frames normally bend at the headstock so examine that area for damage, you can actually see this if you're sitting on the bike in most cases, and bearings may be rough when bars turned. These bikes have a very strong cast alloy twin spar construction, personally I would prefer this model than the RR.

[KaptCrunch]

Rob also the same arc degree left or right will show the rear axle alignment issue  (offset from crown to rear swing arm) a twist in neck would be not safe at high speeds for dosen't track free, straight line for handle bar correction is needed for straight line, @ high speed you have a wobble  problem.

 meaning that same handle bar angle right or left turn, turn arc of bike isn't same reaction of turning radius.   

Edited October 19, 2025 by KaptCrunch

[legi_istra]

Thanks for the advice guys 

I plan to do the services myself ( minor services ) for that I bought a special cable and OBDLink to check errors and original kilometers 

[legi_istra]

I know that on BMW you can hear the chain in the engine .

There is , for example , a chain tensioner on the right side under the radiator that can loosen and work on oil pressure , and it is changed when you hear the chain !

Is that same chain changed and at What mileage ?

 

[RobMc]

Well in theory chains should last the life of the engine, that's why they are used instead of belts, but in real life they do stretch, and tensioners do fail. I have not owned any of these engines, so have no practical experience of them. By nature motorcycle engines are highly stressed, they require oil changes at more frequent intervals than car engines. It may sound excessive but I used to change the oil every 1000-1500 miles, this helps prevent things such as cam chain tensioners working off oil pressure failing early.

I do know from friends that these are good engines and give very little trouble, so I'd base my maintenance on how you use them. So assuming you're not racing or crossing the world your cam chains should be lasting at least 50,000 miles without stretching under normal use and same for the tensioners. By now they've been out long enough for there to be plenty of data and feedback from owners for reliability. Caution, remember most people only report when things are wrong, rarely when they're right, don't be scared by some reports.

With chains there is always a slight rattle when cold, but this rattle should go at operating temps, people often confuse clutch rattle with timing chain rattle. 

So to answer your question about the chain tensioner and chain, remembering in theory the chain should last a long time:-

1/. Excessive noise change the tensioner

2/. If that doesn't work change the chain

BUT don't forget noise can come from failing bearings, clutch and other engine parts, there should be a way of measuring chain stretch and when to change it.

As it's the XR not the RR the engine produces less bhp and is not as stressed, which would be my personal choice of engine.

[MikeB]

I grew up on Japanese bikes.   Starting on a honda qa-50 in kindergarten.  To my last which was a suzuki gsxr-750 in my late 40's.  Never had or rode a bmw.   But if they are like Japanese models, then check all gaskets for signs of leaks or gasket replacement.  Especially in hard to see places.   Hondas in the 80's and 90's head and valve cover gaskets were notoriously leaky.   Well if you rode hard, they were.  And i would run the piss out of them.  Just look for signs of baked oil stains on the motor.  The bike pictured looks like it needs rode hard. .  So i would ask to see behind the plastic !!!

I quit ridding due to fuckin crazy ass drivers in cars.  My daughter's boyfriend has a Hayabusa he said I can ride.  Maybe at a race track.  But not on the street.  

 

[KaptCrunch]

strange  that  post removed  or not make it dam AI protecting the sleezy 

 about that frame was arc-welded  when rest of bike was mig welded after was in a T-bone collusion for the rear right foot peg support tube was replaced for noticed arc-stick weld after purchase and Rob ment bent frame is not to factory jig spec's  for the bike had a issue of turn radius wasn't the same when turning as left was longer than right was shorter when making turns for frame was .375 inch offset by the water test, great for right turn oval track. 

Legi yes change oil offen  and can do a oil analysis to see how much metal in the oil and chain guide material, if a lot need to flush the oil cooler out.  

drive chain had  worn the spockets thickness from side tracking due to miss alignment 

Edited October 20, 2025 by KaptCrunch
another sign of alignment issues

[KaptCrunch]

19 hours ago, RobMc said:

Well in theory chains should last the life of the engine, that's why they are used instead of belts, but in real life they do stretch, and tensioners do fail. I have not owned any of these engines, so have no practical experience of them. By nature motorcycle engines are highly stressed, they require oil changes at more frequent intervals than car engines. It may sound excessive but I used to change the oil every 1000-1500 miles, this helps prevent things such as cam chain tensioners working off oil pressure failing early.

I do know from friends that these are good engines and give very little trouble, so I'd base my maintenance on how you use them. So assuming you're not racing or crossing the world your cam chains should be lasting at least 50,000 miles without stretching under normal use and same for the tensioners. By now they've been out long enough for there to be plenty of data and feedback from owners for reliability. Caution, remember most people only report when things are wrong, rarely when they're right, don't be scared by some reports.

With chains there is always a slight rattle when cold, but this rattle should go at operating temps, people often confuse clutch rattle with timing chain rattle. 

So to answer your question about the chain tensioner and chain, remembering in theory the chain should last a long time:-

1/. Excessive noise change the tensioner

2/. If that doesn't work change the chain

BUT don't forget noise can come from failing bearings, clutch and other engine parts, there should be a way of measuring chain stretch and when to change it.

As it's the XR not the RR the engine produces less bhp and is not as stressed, which would be my personal choice of engine.

to check chain stretch need to degree valves  open / close events to crankshaft degree mark, or remove chain to check slack on flat suface by push / pull chain or see how much banana curve when turn chain on its side in mid air. 

get a shop manual for engine    

Edited October 20, 2025 by KaptCrunch

[Bloodrunner]

familiarise yourself with the electronics, as most adjustments are electronic nowadays. common faults come in  Suspension lights and heated seats. Can't add much to what the guys above have said. It looks a good clean bike and if it has a good service record it should be ok.  Pitting on the chrome on the forks can be covered up easily so have a good look there.

Owners manual here

[RobMc]

On 10/20/2025 at 1:29 PM, Bloodrunner said:

heated seats.

Heated seats??? oh my God how bikers have changed?? they'll be getting nail extensions next ??

[KaptCrunch]

even heated hand grips for us Canadians

[Bloodrunner]

9 hours ago, RobMc said:

Heated seats??? oh my God how bikers have changed?? they'll be getting nail extensions next ??

With all the heated accessories available I think you can be warmer on your bike than in your home!!   I tried my heated seat once. It felt as though I was going to have an accident in my pants!!

[KaptCrunch]

Bloodeunner  reason you had set to bake (to high),  yes is a odd feeling when Aunis sweats.  

[RobMc]

2 hours ago, Bloodrunner said:

I tried my heated seat once

How autumnal?? roasting your nuts on a fire

[legi_istra]

Thanks for the advice guys

On Friday I went to look at one XR from 2020` with 12000 km and it looks great , it`s really like new 

Edited October 25, 2025 by legi_istra
adding a picture

[legi_istra]

But those bags are really ugly on him 

[legi_istra]

He bought a newer model ( seen behind ) so he`s selling this one !

[RobMc]

1 hour ago, legi_istra said:

He bought a newer model ( seen behind ) so he`s selling this one !

If it passes all the tests buy it my friend, it looks great, you can always store the panniers in case you need them, I don't like the high screen for looks, but it will be great for touring. I mean I look awful (Essssieeee doesn't think so) but I work (Essssieeee doesn't think so) at least now and again.

[legi_istra]

I`m going to see two more bikes next weekend !

 

[Dutchy-1974]

I like the black one legi

[KaptCrunch]

32 minutes ago, Dutchy-1974 said:

I like the black one legi

i like the one that works no issue just the tank empty LoL anything with out a seatbelt  on me  

Edited October 27, 2025 by KaptCrunch