BMW 1100S Impressions

[rotten]

I have been interested with this bike for a while and it seems to have a small but faithful following. I would like to know more, impressions, experiences good and bad. On paper it seems non remarkable but there is still something that calls about it. There is an excellent used market for this bike in my area, what to look for and what to run away. Now well understood that a low mileage garage queen is desirable but not always possible.
Not looking to compare directly to other bikes.

Opinions? Thanks!

[625SXC]

I traded my KTM 950ADV for a 2003 R1100S BCP. I was wanting to go more sport touring. I LOVED the looks, Seating position was good(seat wasn't great) and I liked the "EUROness" problem was... NO POWER! Roll on power was OK, But actual acceleration was pretty damn sad. I mean... We're talking an 1100cc "sport bike" that won't even wheelie in first gear without poppin' the clutch.... REALLY! How is that even possible? Also I never got use to the bike torquin' to the side when you gave it gas.

With that said I kept it for the Summer and liked it... But never loved it and sold it. Bought an Aprilia Futura and couldn't be happier

[rotten]

Interesting, my ST is on paper the same HP and it does OK, not seemly as poor as you describe. Guess its time I find one to test ride.

[Grainbelt]

You sit very much in them, rather than on them, and I couldn't find a way to change the position enough to get comfortable on a longer ride. It is also a very committed riding position for a bike that doesn't have a particularly 'playful' motor.

[625SXC]

Originally Posted by rotten

Interesting, my ST is on paper the same HP and it does OK, not seemly as poor as you describe. Guess its time I find one to test ride.

My EXACT THOUGHT! I traded cross country and wasn't able to test ride it. Best I could do was ride a buddies 1997 RS1100 with 70,000 miles. Well I assumed because his old clapped out BMW had a ba-zillion miles it had to be weak.... Nope... Ran just as good as mine with 10,000 miles... LOL

I also assumed that because the KTM950 power I LOVED was comparable to a BMW GSADV.... That they would be similar in power

Boy was I wrong. The BMW 1100 Boxer delivers it's power very.... Uh.. agriculturally. Tractor like power with tractor like acceleration. Don't get me wrong... It's very good USABLE POWER... Just not exciting power. I need a bike to put a smile on my face and the R1100S didn't do it.

[batoutoflahonda]

Copy and paste this in google. I've had one for 12 years so if there is any thing specific you want to know. Ask away.

r1100s site:advrider.com

I also have one for sale. $3000.00 with 91K and a ton of stuff on it plus tools, manuals, etc.

[rotten]

Originally Posted by batoutoflahonda

Copy and paste this in google. I've had one for 12 years so if there is any thing specific you want to know. Ask away.

r1100s site:advrider.com

I also have one for sale. $3000.00 with 91K and a ton of stuff on it plus tools, manuals, etc.

I am on exploratory mode it is sounding like this isn't quite what I am looking for. Maybe I need a closer look at the K1200rs even though maintenance scares me on these bikes. I don't know why I have one of the most electrically picky bikes in the states (Yamaha GTS1000)

[Josephvman]

I put around 8k miles on my '99 R1100S, and loved the styling and the riding position, but it was the only bike I've owned that was buzzy enough to make my hands numb. I'd owned a number of oilheads before the S, and I was used to the low-frequency boxer vibes, but that bike had high frequency buzz that was annoying. I'm sure I rode it much hard than my GS's, and regularly used much higher revs than my other oilheads saw, so maybe that was part of it. No matter how much well-synched the throttle bodies were I couldn't get rid of it. No such problem with my HP2 Sport, thankfully.

[625SXC]

You really should try to ride one and see if you like it or not. But although on paper the BMW 98hp/71ft lb compared to my Aprilia Futura 112hp/71ft lb. would seem comparable... The difference in power delivery in HUGE. I guess I just have too much imature hooligan in my 47 year body. I love being able to crack the throttle in even second gear and have it easily pick the front tire up as high as you want to. My Rotax V-2 has the low end torque of a twin like the BMW, But when the BMW is signing off... The Rotax is just getting ready to PARTY! I LOVE my Futura. I don't have the money for a new bike.... But if I did there isn't any new "ST" bike I would trade my Aprilia for with the exception of mabey the Triumph Sprint.

My Brother has a BMW K1200S and it's a mean bike! Still I wouldn't swap him and he paid almost twice the money for his.

[tanneman]

I own one of these, silver late 2005 model. The last of them when the production was stopped. I love the bike. It allows you to ride it in a sensible manner on the road yet has enough power to get you in serious trouble with the law. It is a quirky bike and you will need to ride it for some time before you get the hang of it. The body position is spot on for sport touring but the seat might be in need for custom work if you do any serious miles. It doesn't like being rushed and it takes a lot of physical effort to get the bike to turn. That said, the brakes are really good for such a heavy machine, non ABS is the way to go. I use mine mostly on track days where it is used to good effect baiting sports bikes in the intermediates, of course they leave you for dead in the straight but its all about the corners with this machine. The feedback from the front is often described as vague but when pushing it you can feel the tyre working. The front suspension doesn't help with the feel but stability in the corners is fantastic for such an old bike. Don't worry about ground clearance, cause by the time you touch down any part you are well leant over. If you are after one I would recommend to look out for a Boxer Cup replica (BCR) or a Randy Mamola signed BCR. The BMW motorsport colour BCR is a really tall machine like a GS Adventure so make sure you can actually sit comfortably on one. There is the early single spark motors and the later twin spark motors. BCR are twin spark but there is very few Randy Mamola BCR models with single spark engines. All engines have the same capacity and power but the twin spark feels a bit smoother and goes with BMW reliability so high mileages should not be a problem. Condition and service history is much more important. There is three different suspension lenghts as well. The standard suspension with a 170 rear section tyre or 5'' wheel, the yellow spring suspension with a shorter torque arm and 5.5'' wheel for a 180 section tyre labelled as R1100S Sport and then the BCR which looks just like the Sport but even taller. The reason for such tall suspension is because of the Boxer Cup race series that was run as a support race for the MotoGP. Yep, they raced them in standard trim with working heated grips, no tuning allowed with race bodywork and a taller suspension for more ground clearance.

For more info about the R1100S check out http://www.boxertrix.com/index.htm or on http://forums.pelicanparts.com/bmw-r...0s-tech-forum/

Recommended mods is up for discussion but as always the best improvement can be done with the suspension. Swapping it for very expensive Ohlins is the top choice or having the standard suspension reworked by someone who knows what they are doing is just as good as most people don't fully exploit the capability of the suspension. There is quite a few engine mods most notably is http://www.boxer-performance.com/ in Oz and San Jose BMW for big bore kits or a Lazer exhaust system. Gives the bike a nice sound and standard on the BCR.





To me it is a beautiful bike. There are better bikes out there but this mine is a keeper.

[JimVonBaden]

IF you learn how to ride one it can be one of the funnest bikes you will ever own. The handling and brakes are great, and the motor makes all the HP you will ever need on the street. Again, IF you learn the ways of the R1100/1200S!

They were ridden to the Thunderbike championships 2 years in a row.

For me, on the street, it was fun for shorter rides, but not for longer ones. Some love it that way.







Jim

[rotten]

Great feedback, funny sounds a lot like my current ST mount. Fun once you learn how to ride it sure its a lot more advanced in a lot of ways. Now I just need to ride one. I do want it for long rides even multi day rides.

Great following and like most bikes that are different it is a divided like vs dislike with few in the middle.

[rotten]

Originally Posted by tanneman

[/IMG]


To me it is a beautiful bike. There are better bikes out there but this mine is a keeper.

Great looking bike!!!!

[625SXC]

Originally Posted by rotten

Great feedback, funny sounds a lot like my current ST mount. Fun once you learn how to ride it sure its a lot more advanced in a lot of ways. Now I just need to ride one. I do want it for long rides even multi day rides.

Great following and like most bikes that are different it is a divided like vs dislike with few in the middle.

If you do get a 1100S.... And plan on using it for longer rides(more than a few hours) be sure to set aside enough money for a custom seat.

[CyHawk]

I have the very bike pictured. See my icon.

Here's the thing about the R1100s. It's not great at any one thing but it's good at everything. I picked up my '04 in 2007 and keep thinking that I'm going to sell it for something more sporty. However, every time I ride it I decide to keep it all over again. Sure, it's not a sport bike, but it actually has more power than you think if you rap it up in the RPM range. A friend of mine has an '05 BCR and agrees with me that if you "drive it like you stole it" it actually is surprisingly fast. I can tell you that I've surprised several kids on crotch rockets with how well I can stick a line in the twisties with this big mama.

I'm a big guy (6'3" 240lbs) and it fits me perfectly. The BMW bikes are good for big guys. I agree that the seating position is committed but I like the slightly forward angle.

In any case, I think if you ride one you'll appreciate the package of features and it's ability to handle almost any riding scenario (except off road ;) ).