Thinking about getting R11S Questions

[Erik M]

Hello all : After having been out of the BMW world for a while ( current ride is a Triumph Sprint ST) I'm thinking of getting a new Twin Spark S. I have a couple of questions for you seasoned owners!

Is the new S motor smoother than the older R1100? I had a R1100RT and always felt it was a bit lacking.

Does the new Twin Spark S still surge???? The RT did and that was one of the main resaons I sold it.

I also had a K12RS for about 20K miles and had though about another but I sold that one cause I could never really get comfortable .. too much reach to the bars, and the new ones are still too big for me to get comfortable on.. I find even a Honda 600F4 or my Sprint are more comfortable.

I'm trying to decide between a Prep and a none Prep pro's or Cons?? Is the sport suspension better or just harsh?

Thanks for any input!

Erik

[Jeff Williams]

Erik,
If you are more comfortable on the small size bikes the S not be the bike for you. It's bigger but not as a reach as the K12RS. It will get you from point A to point B faster than the rice burners if you have the skill and the need. It is faster than the RT, more acceleration, and handling is far superior to the RT,(read Biker June 03). The sports suspension is the way to go with out a doubt. It is adjustable to your riding needs. But is it harsh? Only you can judge that. Take a test ride or two.
Jeff
ps to stop the surge keep it over 4000.

[markjenn]

The S is definitely quicker than an RT and there have been incremental improvements in the surging problem, but few are completely surge free and if you really get unlucky, you can get one that is pretty bad.

Since you owned two BMWs and found fault with both, I wondering why you're thinking about another. They're neat bikes, but they are an acquired taste and have their quirks. You've got to look past the rough edges to see the goodness underneath.

If I sound anti-BMW, keep in mind that I just got done spending four hours taking half the motorcycle apart to replace two silly rubber bushings on the exhaust system. So I'm not a good person to ask at the moment.

- Mark

[rob_wijhenke]

Erik, the S I now have has zero surge, my former one had a bit of it but not annoying. BTW, bot are single plug types. When I switched to Brisk plugs on my previous S the surging pretty much disappeard, also syncing frequently (I do it ever 1500 km) helps. All in all no issues, just a smooth running engine. Go for it!

[island_dude]

I may be too insensitive to notice, but I have not encountered a surge problem on my bike. I have 99, so its a single plug rig. The S is not a small bike which suits me fine. I find that I am very comfortable on either the S and the K12RS. I think you really need to take an extended test ride on one to see what you think. I love mine and don't see any reason to switch (add a bike maybe!). I find the regular suspension to be fine for less agressive rides, but I notice the limits when I am pushing it.

I would heed Marjenn's advice if you found the other BMWs wanting though.

[Erik M]

Thanks for the thoughts. I will be test riding an S today.. As for the K12RS I spent about 30 mintues just sitting on one last week. All of the areas that I found uncomfortable before are still the same. Main problem is the reach to the bars and the width across the seat which makes my hips get sore. The S has a lot less reach to the bars than a KRS, or at least enough to make it much more comfortable bike for me. As for surging I'm hearing that the twin spark may have cured the surge once and for all! I happen to like the quirks of the BMW bikes and I really like the longitivity.. I know that a BMW will still be a fine running bike many years after others have gotten loose and sloppy.

Erik

[Doogie Howser]

I have an '04 R1100SA, with the new dual-spark engine, and have NO surging at all.

[Firebolter]

Same thing here. 2002 SBX and never surged before or after the pipe and chip.....

[JustAnotherSquid]

While my 2000 R1100R surged badly, my 2001 R1100S single-spark has never surged at all.

[Daniel Restrepo]

some surging. my problem is that the craziest things happen to mine. the first was the bolt to the torque arm falling off while i was jumping on the express way. night from hell. the latest problem hasnt been solved yet. the darn thing just wont start. it's in the hospital right now so we'll see what's wrong with her. other then that, it vibrates more then any of my other bikes but i like the stability she brings to the table. heavy and tall.

i just got back from trip to nyc and back but i took my duc instead of the R11S. the duc is an excellent sport tourer with minor mods (cruise, slightly raised clip ons). the S handles high winds better and is probably better two up(i have the corbin saddle for both bikes) but vibrates much more. in the twisties there is no comparison although the S handles things nice enough.

ive taken the triumph on several long hauls but it just doesnt compete with either the duc or bmw. suspension and brakes are the two biggest complaints.

i agree with the previous postings. the S is a great bike when it's running nice. great breaks, suspension and comfort (besides the vibes). it has the weight that gives nice confidence (stability) on the super slab and it can easily handle the twisties when you take back roads. the heated grips and abs are nice options too and you get plenty of looks at gas stops and whatnot.

[demanl]

Hello....

I've just entered the BMW world of motorcycles with a 2004 R1100S...Phoenix Gray.....very nice....very smooth...and very fast when I want it to be...

I ride with a buddy of mine who has a 2001 Honda RC51...I can keep up with him...and quite a few times I just blew right bye him.

The bike is a little big...but I'm coming from a 1995 Honda PC800...so big is not a problem. The bike is a little tall...but you can fix that easy enough with a good bare of riding boots that can provide that extra 1/4 of an inch so that your feet have more solid footing w/ground..

Grab an S and ride it like you stole it.!!!!!!

[Erik M]

OK so what's the common opinion should I go for the standard S or the Prep?? Opinions

Thanks

[demanl]

Originally posted by Erik M
OK so what's the common opinion should I go for the standard S or the Prep?? Opinions

Thanks

Hello...

The S or the prep...the Prep has a more aggressive riding position..lower handle bars and hi peg positions...which will affect how long you can ride it before your thigh or calfs will begin to cramp up..

Now the S has a little less....not a lot less...but less aggressive riding position...the grips are higher than the preps..and the pegs might be a bit lower...not much.....all translates into still a sporty ride...but one that you can ride a little longer and little comfier...

me....I got the S after they couldn't tell me when the replica was coming in....they had an S right in the show room...I told them to hold it sight unseen...came in sat on it and I had to have it...so I'm now a proud owner of a 2004 Phoenix Gray R1100S....and I'll never look back...unless I when the lottery...and in that case I will have to have a blue S....a prep and a replica.....then I'll start thinking about the GS's for the dirt.

Anyway....check out the S....you'll have more fun with it on the street....but if you are looking for a track bike...get the prep..or better the replica.......

Take care.

[shovelstrokeed]

Erik,
With my $0.02 this should make 26 cents. Go for it. Forget about surge unless you think you will be riding in many parades. I am 60+ years old and out of shape (232 lbs at 5'10"). I can ride my 'prep' all day long and look to ride some more at night. Seriously, the bike is way comfy. Pipe and chip and maybe Ohlins if your flush are about all you need. Major problem may be keeping tires on the thing as it is so much fun to ride it tends to build miles quickly.
Ed

[Erik M]

Well I went to the dealer today to buy my 04 Prep. I found out that one can't get the center stand fitted on a Prep, or so they told me.. suspension makes it sit up higher. The dealer didn't have a prep to ride so I test rode a standard S. I also tested a 03 K1200RS.. I bought the K12RS.. I liked everything about the S except the motor, I really liked everthing about the KRS.. I guess I'm just not a Boxer guy. So I want to thank all of you who spent the time to answer my question and for your opinions. The S is a nice bike, but it just isn't for me.. BTW the new twin spark does not surge at all , couldn't make it surge as hard as I tried! Guess BMW finally after 7 years licked the surging for good.. Wonder why they waited so long?

[motoyoyo]

Oh well, guess he was on the PC800 Ice Cream Wagon a bit too long...Have fun on the new K12RS.

[Jeff Williams]

Scott,
What to ride 33 on Friday. Ill be in santa Barbara to get new tires. I can meet you in ventura or oaji, your call. 33 to 58 fun ride. Anybody else in socal that wants to join in let me know.
Jeff

[motoyoyo]

Jeff, sounds good! I'm not sure if I know of anyone else that's available on Friday, but I'm up for it. There is a Unocal 76 station in Ojai right where hwy33 splits off hwy150/33 and heads towards the mountains. That's the usual bike meeting spot for the locals. The address is 1124 Maricopa Hwy if you want to find it on a Yahoo map. You just name the time and I'll be there.

If you haven't been over the hill much, there is this great spot on the other side called Camp Scheideck that should be open for lunch. Depending on the time, I'll probably just shoot back over 33 from there. I'd love to continue on hwy 58 with you but it's a long way back to Camarillo in the dark from San Luis Obispo area, but I certainly won't rule it out.

There are a few other board members here that might be close enough to join us, like.....badbilly in Acton, and maybe John Lyon who lives near Ojai. Any others...???

[Dave Hopkins]

Erik
One thing I am fanatic about is a short reach to the bars, that said a bar that comes way back to fix a too long bike is not the answer so at the Cycle World show last year I took a tape and measured seat to steering head of every bike I would consider.
The "S" was tied for the shortest with a could others, I can't recall where your Sprint stacked up but I rate it as a contender. Based on that priority I have never so much as swung a leg over a "K" bike, not a contender.
What hooked me on the BMW's is the front suspention! All conventional bikes have the "Trail" declining as the suspention compresses, the telelever remians approximatly constant. What this means to us users is you can charge into a bump, dip, hole or other ugly irregularity with much more confidence, the common bikes are good on smooth roads, the telelever is king on rough roads, not just in speed but confidence/safey.
As for surging, as near as I can figure it must be something you just ride around as I have never senced it?
As for ride, the shocks are on par with other production shocks, good until you ride one with Ohlins, then your standards are all messed up.
Hope you join us!