Thanks guys! I appreciate the advice (both sarcastic and serious) from all.

In particular-

Roger - I appreciate your input as always. No one seems to genuinely miss the extra 2 spark plugs on the earlier models (or at least I don't hear about twin-spark being a "gottahaveit" mod) and of course there's the ABS controversy.

Emily's (more) worried about it all 'cause I'll be gone, she seems to value my help in motorcycle matters a lot. Thanks for looking after the Hawk, I know hearing from you puts her at ease. (If you needed help with your "oil changes" you shoulda called me! The unemployed and mechanically experienced make great shop slaves.)

Moybin & VetteRacer - I am 33, haven't been riding that long but I used to mess with old /5s in college. I weigh only slightly less than Shannon's K bike ;) at 260 and also have Burt Reynolds syndrome, being 5' 11.999" with a 30 inch inseam (yep, that sucks) but physical strength isn't an issue and my riding style is, how shall we say, ever evolving. (I have one of those R65LS bikes so a *bit* more power would be welcome.) My insurance on the R65LS is $101.00 a year, BTW, I got the minimum from Progressive. Being old has a few advantages... and I'm afraid at 7-8k I'm all up in your price range, friend. Don't hate yo!

ckcarr & RapidDog - I do, in fact, want to join the club. :)

Steve Carlton - I know I want some hard luggage for sure, and an uprated suspension wouldn't kill me (a K-bike friend of mine who weighs about as much as I do said he disliked the stock setup immensely). I don't know about the relative merits of the 5.5 wheel. I'd certainly welcome the Laser chip-n-pipe (since this group has contacts there already, and the RB setup is hideous and the chip on the owner's shoulder scares the heck out of me) and I *think* I'd rather have one with a centerstand, though a BCR would be cool enough that I'd live without. 30 inch inseam = lower bike is better though. I'm thinking more about buying one used, since the price-to-goodness ratio drops on these bikes the newer they are IMHO. And yes, I must also congratulate you on your keen insight in choosing an avatar. Does this mean I'm the smart, hard working one? ;)

AndrewA - really? I like the silver, and the Phoenix Grey, and the black... and the blue. Not as keen on the other choices, but I know a good paint man... does the titanium silver paint degrade more rapidly, or are you just defending your turf? :)

Chris - Well, as with any option, it may increase the resale value, however there appear to be relative merits to each model (ABS and non ABS) such that it might even out in the wash... plus, well, honestly... I am looking for a keeper. I have a design degree and to my trained eye, the R1100S is a gorgeous bike, and Chris Mangle is unlikely to let David Robb make any more like it. (Bangle's attitude as a designer is soooo bad... gives good designers a black eye. So arrogant!)

Shannon- get well soon, and save me an enchilada!

Thanks again to all, even if I didn't name you specifically! I'll be in the hunt and when I snag one, you'll certainly hear about it...

I think Chris meant its harder to sell a NON ABS then it is an ABS model, therefor you will, unvoluntarily, keep it...

Dock: If you want I will PM or email you some bikes you may be interested in. I have been looking around for a few weeks now and know of some you might want.

Matt

In studying which "S" (or possibly Rockster!) to buy, either way the one thing that seems to be a "really good to have" thing is the latest variant of the "sports' 6-speed tranny, which seems to be very late '03 and the '04s.

Everything else (including twinspark) seems to be "cool but not crucial". Not sure I'd call the revamped tranny "crucial" yet (as I haven't test-ridden any of these, just read reviews and the forums) but the tranny would be a major pain to retrofit and enough people talk about the difference that I'm paying attention.

Yes that is what I meant;a BMW without ABS is almost unresaleable because most BMW riders are such rational folks...;-)
That might be also the reason why the resale value is not the bestes of all beemers with the S;too impractical for some BMW folks (tankrange) not really understood how sporty it is and what it will do by the younger sports crowd that only looks at numbers;numbers that don't mean much in the real world of riding.
If you like the bike and plan to keep it for a while I would even go for a new one with 0.9 financing and first 5 payments made...
That smoking deal won't show up on the new 1200 boxer line for a long time...
Chris

Matt- for sure, email or PM away! nazgul_rag (at) yahoo.com, you know the drill... fill me in. Please!

Jim - what are the advantages of the late tranny? I'm VERY much hoping that any S I get will go into 1st easier than my fursheiB trans on the R65. My girlfriend refuses to ride the R65 because of that, and it frustrates me as well (but certainly not to the same extent.)

Chris - I get it. No worries. :) Just hard to justify financing a bike when I can have practically the same bike for about half that price, less than half if you factor in interest etc. Someone would have to make me a *smokin'* deal on a new bike to get my interest, and Lone Star (local dealer) while they are exceptionally nice people, are not known for their low low prices on new bikes, and I have never even seen an S in their showroom anyway. I'd have to go to Alamo BMW in San Antonio.

Yes the used bike prices are for sure low but since the S costs now S13600 I think that is 2 grand less when I bought mine in 99.You figure in the inflation of 3% per year that is almost another 20% off.And my bike did not even have the new Evo-ABS that is really much better/stronger and the helical cut gears and diiferent shift mechanism that shifts a little easier and is quieter.The two spark would be no ad or disdvantage since my bike doesn't surge but you get better mieage with 2-spark.
And with 0.9% you feed the sharks with $90 per 10000 borrowed which would not even get a jewish boy in trouble with his mom...;-)
3 years warranty and new bike smell are not bad either but a used one will do the trick too but if it was me I probably would go new with those rates...
Otherwise I would go from 03 on to get the latest upgrades brakes/tranny twinspark in 04 would not be a must for me...
The 5.5 rearwheel as you asked earlier is only for looks and makes the bike even steer a little slower.Centerstand is practical but if you like quicker steering or ride a lot two up a shorter paraarm is the way to go but you loose the centerstand...:-) But with your 30' inseam you might tippitoe...
I personally like the handlebar setup on the tripleclamp as it makes the bike much more comfortable.Have fun hunting and good luck with your decision.
Chris

Gromit- is your price range $7-8K? If so, new may not appeal. Unless...you were going to finance anyway, then compare payments with the different rates. Or if you were going to pay cash, what kind of interest rate loan could you pay off or what kind of return could you earn?

I would expect you could get a decent discount on the $12,710 list. Dunno if that includes ABS or heated grips. Boxercup Prep price?

On an '04 some of the extra cost will come back to you in higher resale on a later model with lower miles. You'll know it hasn't been stuffed; isn't being sold for a "reason", and you'll get a 3 year warranty.

I don't know details on that tranny issue, only that the latest-gen 6speed is supposed to be the best BMW tranny in some time if not ever :).

Chris - I've considered all that, but again... I'd have to get a screamin' deal on a new one for me to consider it at all. When I roll up on an S bike (the sexiest tractor ever!) Emily is gonna have kittens anyway, if I tell her I financed it she may disembowel me with my own Ka-Bar. The R65 will get sold either way, and so will my '95 Mustang GT if I bring the '65 back with me from NC here in about 2 weeks.

Wallace - yeah, my price is $7-8k unless there's a compelling reason for a newer bike, though I do admit a warranty and the opportunity to sit on my own money longer (though what would I invest it in right now, realistically... euros?) are bonuses. Dunno if BMW finance dudes would play with me though, I've had a real financial rollercoaster these past few years (ahem.) Also, having a brandy new guaranteed-straight bike wouldn't hurt my feelings, but then I'd have to pony up for hard cases and any extras I'd want. I *do* see 2003-2004 BCRs coming in around 9 or 10, that's... tempting. "Hey, are you Randy Mamola?" Not unless he's picked up 100 lbs... though I've been told I carry my weight well. Not unlike a K1200RS I guess. ;)

Jim - you're killin' me, a not-insignificant part of why I want the S is for a BMW with a decent trans!

j-dude, they shift fine...if your comparing it to an airhead, there's no comparison, unless you consider 20+ years newer (BMW-based :)) technolgy...

Everyone else got a whole paragraph...:(

Well, kids, when I do my spline lube I'm gonna have the slickest-shiftin' getrag tranny ever as mine will get yanked apart and massaged. I spoke to a coupl-a BOTT-types at the mo'cikkle show in Seattle over teh weekend and they both encouraged me to rape my getrag box; yank it apart, check for too much input shaft bearing preload, pull the 'o-rings' (I think they are there to slow down the gears from freewheeling too much but I was told they contribute to clunky shifting), etc. I'm going to coat my input shaft with a nickle-chrome plating with inbedded teflon, and probably undercut the shifting dogs. You'll all be the first to know how well it turns out (unless I ruin something in which case I'll keep quiet and still claim I made it all better *you don't think I'll admit to a MISTAKE, do ya?*)
I also have an idea to shorten up the shift throw by about 10-15% also...nothing radical, but just a bit shorter throw...
And Randy, I'm designing a new driving light mount setup using those aluminum cylinderhead cover guards....

Dock: One thing I didnt mention, BMW Financing right now has screamin deal! 0.9% financing on a 04's, first FIVE payments made. Doing the max term allowed it put me at about $240/month (decked out bike). I was denied or I would have gone for it...

I will be looking at the same monthly (shorter time) for a used one.
Matt

...thems *****en, real mad max dat cover guards!

Dog - OK, I just want something that actually *goes* into 1st without having to do the rev-clutch-and hope dance. "C'mon, the light's gonna change!" Brrrp brrp brrp KLUNK

Shannon - but but but... I gave you tidings of great hope for your recovery, whether or not in high quantity! Besides, I have been poking fun at the K12RS as much as possible! And some poor souls didn't even get a shout out, yo! Nonetheless... I hope that this paragraph makes amends, and that you find good work and heal up real nice like.

(edited 'cause I used Real HTML(TM) and it didn't work that way.)

VetteRacer Matt - I doubt BMW Finance will take me as a risk unless I pony up a large down payment. I'll reply to your PM later, I have to drive up to Dallas here soon, to take the plane to NC, to get the check from the City of Raleigh so I can get the bike in the first place. :)

Gromit- not to beat a dead donkey, but there might be a cash incentive instead of the low APR. When I got mine there was a $2,500 cash incentive to the price as an alternative to the 0.9% APR/5 free payments.

Hard to invest and get a good return, plus the return is usually taxable. But paying off high APR debts makes sense. Mebbe you could sell that to the little woman?

new is good, and it's gooder now like Steev-o sez.
I got mine at .9% with bags hangers and tankbag.
Those 5 free payments are a real tasty deal breaker.

> Chris, your logic defies understanding...

logic?

the S tranny is, from all i have heard, the same 6spd that was used in the K bikes for the last number of years. a rock solid trans.
the improvement mentioned by Jim is nice if ya get it, but i wouldn't turn down a deal cuz it wasn't present.
basically, as the general consensus goes, all years are good. buy on the basis of price, miles, add-ons, condition, color, etc.

oh, and lest we forget...

with 0.9% you feed the sharks with $90 per 10000 borrowed which would not even get a jewish boy in trouble with his mom

screw you chris. your anti-semitism is still unwanted here. tho it's noticed that you have been considerably less vile than in the past.