opinions on R11S as a 2-Up sport tourer

[Moybin]

Opinions requested concerning how well the R1100S performs as a 2-up hauler. What comments/complaints do your significant others have about being on the back for more than 2 minutes.

What other BMW machine would you recommend, based on experience, for the casual afternoon jaunt? Most interested in comparisons to R11xxRS and R11xxGS, please. Just can't bring myself to love the R11RT. Maybe my glasses prescription needs to go a little longer.

[Rapid Dog]

It took my wife about 2 minutes toget pissed when she realzed the new BMW R1100S was not designed for he comfort...
that said...
The R1150RS is an excellent choice/compromise between the RT and the S.

[JonyRR]

My 2 cent's worth; I'm 5'6", 190, and my wife is 5'0", 115. My wife hs a really hard time getting on my S; my S has standard suspension length with works performance shocks front and back and the WUDO short paralever brake arm, which puts the butt of the S even higher. My wife finds it hard to get on board; she has to put one foot on the passenger peg and really work to swing a leg over; almost like mounting a really tall horse (I have the same problem climbing on an Arabian; too tall a horse for too short a person). I don't run any kind of backrest and this really freaks her out during spirited riding. I bought a used 91 K100LT with the factory trunk so she would ride double and while this solves her security/tippy-feeling issues, it makes my issues much worse (piloting a boat as opposed to riding a motorcycle) If I were going to do the vast majority of my riding 2-up, I'd buy an FJR1300 instead; that way, even 2-up you can blow off any R1100S in the universe....

[Dan Greene]

Everyone has an opinion. Here is mine. As a one up it is ideal for me. As a two up it would not be my cup of tea.

[718Rider]

My wife HATED the S for 2 UP riding. The GS would be my choice. The S is particulary hard for a pillion with the bags on the back. Having said that, I dated a girl who was 5'2, 100lbs who LOVED riding on the back of the bike (I'm 5'11'' & my wife is 5'8'') It was a problem with the helmet bang - My experience was the seat leans forward so much my nuts got crushed against the tank any time I hit the brakes and the pillion slid forward. I was constantly pushing back on the bars to prevent the pillon from sliding too much. Not ideal.

[GotRoad?]

Me & the spouse unit have covered a couple hundred of miles together on several occassions without her complaining about comfort.............she told me she was too terrified!! Seriously though, it's a one-up bike with gear.

[Nitro]

It sucks. My wife is getting her own bike.

[gdobler]

Wife hasn't complained, but then she only gets on once or twice a year for a short (under 40 miles) ride. More scared when I lean it over, which would take her mind off any discomfort.

[SCOTTinNJ]

Why don't you like the RT? Sounds like it's just what you need. I loved mine while I had it. The S will not be good for 2 if you plan to carry much gear.

[Moybin]

First off: THANKS for the insights! Just what I was looking for. The RS might get a better nod from my wife.

I don't like the RT because everything is covered in plastic. Might as well be a Goldwing. I like to do my own wrenching, it's one of the things that makes the bike more personal. All that fairing in the way just slows progress. Part of the true beauty of the S is the blend of fairing and bare machine: sort of a fan-dancer of a bike, always flirting and showing a little, but not everything. The RS is my second (current) choice for most beautify BMW. The GS is pretty in the same way a John Deere tractor can be thought of as pretty. It gets the job done, and it even dances well to hear others tell. It just doesn't look like it should.

[Rapid Dog]

Fan Dancer
oooh...me like!

[motoyoyo]

Moybin, the RS is a great choice. It's still a very capable one person bike and very comfy two up.

[SparkyBlue]

Somebody already said it sucks...unless your passenger is 3' tall.

[Daniel Restrepo]

my g friend is 5'4" and had not problems on the back during our tour from chicago to state college pa down to greensboro nc up to cincy and louisville on the way back to chicago. i'm 5'11" and the only problem either of us had was not enough boot space. other then that it worked out well. probably not the best but better then my other bikes riding cross country 2 up.

[markjenn]

For any significant two-up touring, I consider an ST, FJR, or RT the minimum. These bikes are significantly more comfortable for passengers than bikes like the S, enough so that I think this difference completely overwhelms the slightly better performance of S in non-passenger service.

Personally, I'd get an FJR - no contest.

- Mark

[JonyRR]

I second the FJR motion.......like I said before, I love my S, but if I had to do it over tomorrow, an FJR1300 would be in my garage. A friend of a friend has one, and when we swapped, the FJR felt like a CR500...in SECOND gear it would jerk the front wheel in the air with just the faintest of clutch-fanning...gawd, I could lose my license soooooo fast with one of those...that's one reason I own an S; it's just anemic enough to keep the juvinine hijinks under (mostly) control...

[718Rider]

I rode/ride with a guy who's girl loves long distance riding on the back of his ST4s. She's 5'8'' and it doesn't seem to be a prob. Forget the FJR - the ST4S is what I would do next - the sweet sound of that Duc is intoxicating and it handles great!

[Rapid Dog]

ST4S is very attractive indeed, especially to a drooler like myself...but what about them valves...every 6K you pay $400 for an adjustment?
NOT!

[VetteRacer]

FWIW. My friend that I got my K100RS from got an 04 Prep. His wife used to enjoy riding with him, she is pissed now that he has the 04 because she cant stand the ride anymore. She misses my bike. She says that the K1200RS his dad has is almost as good as the K100RS, and alot better then the R1100S.

ST4 is a sweet bike. I am told, by a capable mechanic, that the valve job isnt too hard of a thing to do yourself, but no experience yet myself..

Matt

[Rapid Dog]

My wife decided she still likes going two-up on the R100S, it's a nostalgia thing I guess.
I haven't quite got her convinced that we need an R1150RT in the garage also...