Why should I buy an R1100S?

ibppjr · 08-06-2008, 06:11 PM

Hi! I'm new to this forum but recognize a few of you from my other sites. Hoping to pick up a few opinions from the faithful.

Currently I'm riding a Ducati ST4S (for sale) which overall has been a really fun bike to ride. A little high in maintenance that I couldn't handle myself though. Having had a couple R100's in the past, I really felt the draw to head back over to the Beemer side of the tracks.

My initial choices were either a K1200S or an R1200S with the draw of the boxer pulling me that way. The only drawback is that my wife would be miserable on the pillion. So I started checking out the R1100S. From what I've gleaned, a 2004 or 2005 would be what I'm interested in, and in fact I've found a few for sale fairly close by.

I'd like to hear what you all have to say about it, anything to look or look out for.

Thanks!

R111S · R111S's Garage

Well there's surely lots of info here about what to look for...you've come to the right place. I got my '99 in '04 with 17K Miles on the clock. Now it has 52K Miles. I've done lots of maintenance on it so far and I've gotten lots of good tips here. I've done a few upgrades too. IMO it's the best Motorcycle I've ever had...YMMV. Boxers Uber Alles!

Well if you've got Boxer lust nothing else will do...it's a special kind of sickness and the R1100S delivers in SPADES!

bill pierce · 08-06-2008, 07:17 PM

Welcome!

I think you hit on one of the main reasons to buy an r1100s and that would be ease of maintenance. There is nothing that you would need to farm out if you have any skills at all.

I rebuilt an ST4 insurance wreck and can sympathize with the maintenance on that. The 4 valve ducks are cool but the valves on that top head are a bugger to get to.

I really can't speak to the 11s over the 12s for 2 up as I haven't ridden the 12s 2 up.

PFFOG · 08-06-2008, 07:20 PM

Track days to two up touring, the R11S does it all.

wswartzwel · 08-06-2008, 07:24 PM

I used to keep bikes about 2 years then lose interest, and get a different one... I am still head over heels in love with my R1100S after 5 years. Great bike for everyday riding... Great bike for playing in the corners on the weekend. Great bike for traveling cross country.
My wife has done a few 500-600 mile days as a passenger... I never heard a single complaint.

of course I wasn't listening...

shreddr · shreddr's Garage

Quote:

Originally Posted by wswartzwel

I used to keep bikes about 2 years then lose interest, and get a different one... I am still head over heels in love with my R1100S after 5 years.

Dont test ride an R12, or that romance will be over, of course your wife could always ride the R11....

wswartzwel · 07:45 PM

R1200S doesn't interest me much Shredd'r.... Happiness in life isn't about getting what you want... as much as wanting what you got.

LOL

Seriously.... in CO. my brother offered to let me ride his 1200S... I turned him down to help keep my contentment secure... my next purchase will be a big dual sport...(KTM950.. or a Triumph Tiger) right after I get my wifes wood floors installed next month.

edit... I doubt she could ride it on her own... 5'2" 105 lbs...

R111S · R111S's Garage

Quote:

Originally Posted by wswartzwel

my next purchase will be a big dual sport...(KTM950.. or a Triumph Tiger)

I rode a friends R1200GS a few weeks ago...it was very easy to ride on the street, very easy to go fast too...on the street. Reminded me of my old '94 R100GS/PD is some ways.

Still I prefer my R1100S...it's more difficult to describe why...it's just keeps drawing me in with it's subtle moves and sure, quiet demeanor.

wswartzwel · 08-06-2008, 08:12 PM

Oh I am keeping the S Dan.. But after riding around on CO. gravel roads and seeing that there is so much more to see and fewer people.. I want something the wife and I can get off the beaten path with. The GS doesn't attract me... Can-bus, and the weight of a bus are not things I want to deal with out in the sticks.

R111S · R111S's Garage

I agree the R1200GS is a heavy street biased bike...oh this is getting off the primary subject...as you were Gentlemen.

SergioK · 08-06-2008, 09:18 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by wswartzwel

I am still head over heels in love with my R1100S after 5 years. Great bike for everyday riding... Great bike for playing in the corners on the weekend. Great bike for traveling cross country.

That pretty much sums it up. I don't think there is one bike out there that does what the R1100S does for me. Hell, even the HP2S doesn't do everything like the 11S does (then again, mine's a bit on the modded side). Even still, I hope BMW resurrects the R1200S in a couple years (with the HP2S engine) and makes it do what the 11S still does so very well.

ergomoto · ergomoto's Garage

Quote:

Originally Posted by SergioK

That pretty much sums it up. I don't think there is one bike out there that does what the R1100S does for me.

Three lid bags, on and off road. (Even after my R11550GS) And a DAG Day this same weekend! As much as the R12 is what I'm wishin' the R11 tah-be, she's still got more talent than the nut holdin' the handle bars.

Kieran R1100S · 08-07-2008, 01:12 AM

The R1100S was and is a fantastic bike, and has the sales to prove it.
But like Shreddr says don't ride a R1200S if you just want a R1100S.
It's like being in the garden and racking leaves, and picking them up and putting them in the bin, mundane and you carry on.
Then all of a sudden the guy next door comes over and sucks up all the leaves with his garden vacc, mulches it and bags it at the same time.
Then you say to your self, why was I doing it like that for all these years when I can have one of those!!!

chewie · chewie's Garage

Angels whisper to a man when he rakes, or is it "when he walks" ?

gdobler · 08-07-2008, 05:11 AM

Because is a damn good looking bike.

wswartzwel · 08-07-2008, 06:46 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Kieran R1100S

The R1100S was and is a fantastic bike, and has the sales to prove it.
But like Shreddr says don't ride a R1200S if you just want a R1100S.
It's like being in the garden and racking leaves, and picking them up and putting them in the bin, mundane and you carry on.
Then all of a sudden the guy next door comes over and sucks up all the leaves with his garden vacc, mulches it and bags it at the same time.
Then you say to your self, why was I doing it like that for all these years when I can have one of those!!!

Some things are done for pleasure... rather than how quickly they can be finished.

SergioK · 08-07-2008, 07:00 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by wswartzwel

Some things are done for pleasure... rather than how quickly they can be finished.

While that may be true, there are those who like things faster... faster oh yes... faster!

wswartzwel · 08-07-2008, 07:12 AM

Lol!

Chris Canning · 08-07-2008, 07:13 AM

Well here's my two peneeth.

Late ninties my ageing but much modfied FJ1200 was at it's sell by date,Yamaha replaced it with a barn door so that was that,i(we) ride most of the time two up,the choice was grim,as like now,so bought my S as much as from lack of choice,i didn't like it after years of Jap fours,but it has alway been practical and easy to ride two up,after years(8) of various modfications it's part of the family furniture,and combined with how little it is worth will be our vintage ride out on new years day in years to come!!.

Practical bikes with decent seats for two up riding are becoming fewer,without haveing a buy a barn door,as luck would have it i also stumbled across a Triumph Tiger(many years ago) which has taken equally as many mods to get it how we want it.

Our problem is were next,the only thing we have ridden thats both aerodynamically good with a decent seat is a K1200s,the down side the fuelling is average,gear change(first to second) less than that,and it's got your typical fast but bland wishy washy 4 cylinder motor.

wswartzwel · 08-07-2008, 07:19 AM

Chris, Sent you a pm regarding the triumph