My new 1100S - impression

spoilsport · 03:09 PM

Bought my 2002 1100S two weeks ago. It came with two custom seats - Rick Mayer and Wunderlich - as well as some other nice accessories, like the BMW battery charger. It has 20k and is mint.

I fretted long and hard about buying this bike. I have been exclusively an ADV rider till now with nothing but dual sports: Transalp, Dakar 650gs, XT225, KLR, etc. Took a long trip in May (2500 mi) and it was great, but I stayed mostly on 2 land roads and didn't enjoy the slab riding. I have a long slab ride (2k miles) coming up in October and decided I need a touring bike - either adventure (1150gs) or pure touring (r1150rt). A friend at work suggested I look at the r1100s, which somehow has slipped through the cracks for me - I knew nothing about it.

After checking it out, I was very skeptical about the effect this bike would have on my wrists, back and butt on a long trip. But, I went to check one out that I saw on CrList anyhow - big mistake. Fell in love with the looks. Just had to give it a try.

Worked out a great deal. Got two very nice seats, plus a charger, system cases, and some other stuff. Only issue was that the bike hadn't had the 18k service. Only thing that really concerned me was the final drive. The owner let me check the drive oil and it was nominal. So, I bit.

First thing I learned is to always check the tire pressure when buying a used bike. This one had 8 pounds in the front tire when I rode it home. I was thinking, either there's something wrong or these sport bikes steer completely differently from the Dakar! After airing it up, I took it out for a 100 mike "let's get to know each other" ride - 1/2 slab and half twisties. Geez, this posture is very different, I thought. Don't know if I can get used to this. Wonder if I'm going to hurt?

The bike rode well, but needed new tires, so I took it to Bavarian and had Dunlop RoadSmart tires installed and the 18k service performed.

Today, I took it out for the same 100 mile ride and here are my impressions so far.
1. Getting used to the new posture. There is no pressure on my wrists. Also, my back feels fine. I like the Wunderlich best - Very confortable. Seems like I was overly concerned. (I do have bar backs on order, though, just in case.) Bar are now "on top".
2. Clutch is pretty stiff, so I put it in neutral a few times at lights. Had a hard time getting it back into first when the light changed.
3. New tires felt great.
4. Plenty of power for me. Of course, I'm used to 650cc.
5. Can get used to the turn signal deal, but why are the signal lights not next to each other?
6. Nice brakes.
7. Looks like getting 200mi from a tank won't be a problem, with 65 miles left after the light comes on.
8. Love that it doesn't weigh a ton.
9. Got blown around a bit. That where the RT shines.
10. Very involving ride. I was into it....and, I still think it's gorgeous.

About the only thing I want to add is gps. Any ideas on how to attached a bracket, which bracket, etc? I've got a Magellan Crossover.

Guest24 · 09-13-2009, 05:02 PM

Nice 11S! Welcome to the forum. I'd carry some emergency gas if you think that you can get 200 miles out of a tank If the neck isn't drilled your light for reserve should illuminate around 135 miles. At about 40 mpg 175 miles is about the limit.

Corky · 09-13-2009, 05:19 PM

Hey Cowboy, your riding a DONKEY now!!

Have fun,,,,

D Man · 09-13-2009, 05:20 PM

Spoilsport, it looks like you have a stock taller windscreen. What are those slits in the screen?
D Man

spoilsport · 09-13-2009, 05:24 PM

The slits are for back pressure relief. It supposedly keeps it from vibrating. Prior owner was an engineer and he did it. Can't say how well it works cause haven't ridden one without, but it has no vibration. Had a bit of rain come thru it today, though.

PFFOG · 09-13-2009, 05:33 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by spoilsport

The slits are for back pressure relief. It supposedly keeps it from vibrating. Prior owner was an engineer and he did it. Can't say how well it works cause haven't ridden one without, but it has no vibration. Had a bit of rain come thru it today, though.

Who else but a BMW riding Engineer would cut NACA ducts in a windshield.

Guest24 · 09-13-2009, 05:34 PM

They are shaped like the anti-ports on aircraft I've flown

spoilsport · 05:45 PM

Manual says 4.8 gallons, including 1.3 reserve. That would require about 41.5 mpg to get 200 miles. Cutting it close, I admit, but I'm around 50mpg without the cases installed on one ride. Wishful thinking on my part?

signit98 · 09-13-2009, 05:52 PM

Underneath the top triple camp there are pre-drilled and pre-threaded holes to mount your GPS attachment to...

Congrats, nice bike... why is your driveway so wet?

PFFOG · 09-13-2009, 05:53 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Nail24

They are shaped like the anti-ports on aircraft I've flown

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/NACA_duct

cageyar · cageyar's Garage

Quote:

Originally Posted by PFFOG

Who else but a BMW riding Engineer would cut NACA ducts in a windshield.

That does fit doesn't it. They don't look horrible, just kind of..silly.
NACA ducts, developed by the National Advisory Commitee for Aeronautics, hence the name, allow air to drawn inward through ducts for cooling/ventilation. They don't really flow volume that well and the have been the subject of mimicry before on motorcycles as in the 1994 Honda Interceptor which continued for 4 or 5 model years:

wood-d · 09-13-2009, 05:55 PM

200 miles on a tank? I wish. I hit reserve ~120. But it a FUN 120 miles ;-)

Guest24 · 09-13-2009, 06:07 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by PFFOG

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/NACA_duct

Thanks Richard. Ice doesn't form on them either.

bacn5 · 09-13-2009, 06:07 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by spoilsport

2. Clutch is pretty stiff, so I put it in neutral a few times at lights. Had a hard time getting it back into first when the light changed.

Try rolling the bike backward a little bit... Or letting the clutch out halfway and then pulling it back in. The bike will go into gear easier after you do either of these. I changed the gearbox fluid to Royal Purple and after a few weeks the problem went away. Welcome!

TandemGeek · TandemGeek's Garage

Quote:

Originally Posted by Nail24

Nice 11S! Welcome to the forum. I'd carry some emergency gas if you think that you can get 200 miles out of a tank If the neck isn't drilled your light for reserve should illuminate around 135 miles. At about 40 mpg 175 miles is about the limit.

+1 for non-highway w/city cases; ~133mi before the low-fuel light comes on.

Quote:

Originally Posted by spoilsport

2. Clutch is pretty stiff, so I put it in neutral a few times at lights. Had a hard time getting it back into first when the light changed.

Normal. Remember, the R11S uses a dry clutch the same as most manual shift cars vs. the wet clutch on most other motorcycles. So, you get a lot of really loud clunky sounds and balky shifts now and again. First gear on my bike seems to go in 1/2 the time on its own and the other 1/2 of the time I need to let the clutch out a scootch to get it to drop in.

Quote:

Originally Posted by spoilsport

5. Can get used to the turn signal deal, but why are the signal lights not next to each other?

A Kisan Signal Minder SM5 will plug and play with your stock signal switch relay and will vastly improve your turn signal functionality; auto cancel, double-tap to turn on and cancel (no need to use the cancel switch), converts turn signal lights to running lights, etc...

https://www.kisantech.com/view_product.php?product=SM-5

spoilsport · 09-13-2009, 07:16 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by signit98

Underneath the top triple camp there are pre-drilled and pre-threaded holes to mount your GPS attachment to...

Congrats, nice bike... why is your driveway so wet?

Took the pictures when I got back from the ride. It was raining and I rinsed the highway grime off with the hose. I've always liked the "wet look" in car ads. They use it a lot. So, I got out the camera and took some shots. I bet you can get more money for your bike when you sell it if you wet down your driveway before you take the shots for CraigsList. Let me know if it works...

spoilsport · 09-13-2009, 07:22 PM

A Kisan Signal Minder SM5 will plug and play with your stock signal switch relay and will vastly improve your turn signal functionality; auto cancel, double-tap to turn on and cancel (no need to use the cancel switch), converts turn signal lights to running lights, etc...

https://www.kisantech.com/view_product.php?product=SM-5[/QUOTE]

Thanks for the tip. Sounds great. Will check it out...

Psychopath · Psychopath's Garage

Lol I want to know what your riding habits are like guys! My light comes on at about 165 miles and I can comfortably get to 190 miles before I fill up.

Btw OP you're going to love the bike.

PFFOG · 09-13-2009, 07:27 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Psychopath

Lol I want to know what your riding habits are like guys! My light comes on at about 165 miles and I can comfortably get to 190 miles before I fill up.

Btw OP you're going to love the bike.

I wring the Pi$$ out of mine and easily go 175, before getting nervous, have gone 190-210 several times, but usually biting my nails.

spoilsport · 09-13-2009, 07:43 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by TandemGeek

Normal. Remember, the R11S uses a dry clutch the same as most manual shift cars vs. the wet clutch on most other motorcycles. So, you get a lot of really loud clunky sounds and balky shifts now and again. First gear on my bike seems to go in 1/2 the time on its own and the other 1/2 of the time I need to let the clutch out a scootch to get it to drop in.

So, does this mean I have to limit my time in the "friction zone"?