R1100s

[flatbutt]

Originally Posted by ckcarr

I think this guy is long gone.

What guy?

[BadToTheBown]

Originally Posted by throttlemeister

Hence I said model year, not year. Not every country got the same model year in the same calendar year. Most notably the US, which was 1 year off most of the time. You guys didn't get the twin-spark until 2004 either, which is model year 2003. Makes it a bit tricky when discussing things on an international forum.

I can see this and since it is a non-ABS model, they may have been using up previous gen parts.

Hey, do you know a Jeroen van der Velde? I know it is a long shot but you're both in Nederland.

[throttlemeister]

Don't think I do. The country is small, but not that small.

[pranarun]

Hi guys,

Since your kind enough to offer your knowledge & experience, I'm also in the market for an 1100s.

Right now I'm looking at an 04 Cup Prep, (I've done a bit of research on the difference), w/ 31k, not many add-ons, great shape & cool colors, new tires, some luggage.

I also have located an 99 regular 1100s, tecnick exhaust, Corbin saddle, (which I can buy the back rest for a pillion), 32k. This one has been "tipped over once or twice), while maneuvering, (can this cause any cylinder issues? I believe once it didn't have guards, the 2nd it did, (very little visible scuffing from photos).
This ones about $1,500 less.

One wildcard, (don't see it listed anymore), is another 99s, lots of upgrades, (rear wilber, front re-worked, Corbin, torque arm, brake lines, cat delete, even some mild head work). Comes with bags, bar-backs & pegs lowered. This ones in the middle price-wise, but sounds like it's really ready, and I'd most likely have more fun on the twisties, which accounts for 50%+ of my riding.

I'm an experienced rider, grew up racing motocross competitively, have had a few street bikes, last was a Honda Magna with lots of farkles.
I'm middle-aged, but don't let that slow me much, 5'8",160, 31" inseam. Does the Cup Prep have a taller shock, (better quality, more adjustments?), shorter torque arm?
I know this bike isn't ideal for two-up, but if the pax isn't too big, hopfully it would work for short, (100-300 mile trips).

Is it possible, (fairly easy for an very amatuer mechanic like me to switch the bars to above the triple clamps? Does that change the front end at all?

I do appreciate when many of you mention to go with what turns you on the most, and I agree that the emotion of riding is important. I also want a bike the is low maint. (I realize these are 15+ yrs old), but realize regular maint. is rather important, (maybe more so on these older ones).

Any input appreciated.

jerry

[BadToTheBown]

I'll offer some comments to your questions.

Of the options (bikes) you are looking at, I'd go for the one with upgraded suspension. A pair of shocks is $1K fast and they make a pretty noticeable difference in handling and ride quality.

The one offering the back rest is the ticket for the old lady. Those seats are several hundred $s.

On the tip overs, I doubt it hurt the heads. Valve covers are another matter.

Several ways to go with the bars. Cheapest is to relocate them above the trees by sliding the inner stanchion tubes up in the upper triple tree and reinstall the bars on the tube ends that protrude. This is what I did on my Tourer.

There's at least 2 other things you can buy to accomplish bars above the trees and the RS bars offer the same with a lot of adjustability, but plan on some changes to cables/lines.

If you want to really sharpen the handling, there's more, some pretty simple, some require welding.

Good luck...

[pranarun]

Thanks BTTB,
The info on the bars is helpful, (& an easy "fix"). Also appreciate your thoughts on suspension, as that was a big issue on my Magna when I began pushing it in the turns. I'm hoping the one, (even if it's a 99 compared to the 04), has close to $1,500 in upgrades from my estimates, (& things that I'd notice).

With my 31" inseam, maybe I'd not need the peg lowers, (especially if they do interfere with clearance).

cheers

[BadToTheBown]

I would be most interested in the option with aftermarket shocks. They are also the way to go to set them up for you (height and weight). Plenty of vendors to rework the shocks if you need to tailor them. By and large the brand isn't a huge deal but if you are coming across Ohlins, Wilbers, etc., you can't go wrong.

If you're going to ride 2 up, get one with luggage.

On the exhaust, I have a real personal preference for exhaust (I like to hear it) BUT most exhaust for these bikes actually lose HP. I'm told that Laser and Remus are some of the few that make more HP. So, the stock exhaust is pretty good and don't assume you're picking up HP because it has an aftermarket exhaust.

If you want absolute comfort, lowering the pegs is better but stock is pretty low already and I drag my toes with stock pegs.

[ckcarr]

Over the years there have been so many configurations of this motorcycle.

However, the underlying "core" is generally the same, for most practical purposes. Single spark evolved into dual spark, brakes changed... colors changed (some beautiful, others not so much). Some have heated grips, ABS, low bars, high bars, etc.

The factory options and configurations can vary. Some options, or separate purchases of those optional parts are difficult to find now. Factory hard cases tough to find, buying a set of new Ohlins for the bike is impossible, there were once many options for an aftermarket exhaust.. not so much anymore. Some of the bikes have been worked over by so called "mechanics" and I wouldn't touch them now, others are pristine and garaged with 3,000 to 20,000 miles on them. I prefer clean and stock, others don't.

The best "value" can be a bike set up for touring, with factory hard bags, better shocks, lots of stuff the original owner added that can cost thousands. Because, add-ons don't increase the value when sold.

There's a couple threads here on the board to scan through, like shopping from a Sear's catalog, just to look at the bikes and color schemes... And how they are set up.

[BadToTheBown]

Originally Posted by ckcarr

The best "value" can be a bike set up for touring, with factory hard bags, better shocks, lots of stuff the original owner added that can cost thousands. Because, add-ons don't increase the value when sold.

+1 and ABS works well on these bikes.

[pranarun]

Much thanks to both of you, this is quite helpful in my search.

After reading yours Ckcarr, it made me think about attempting to step up the something newer, (as I'm not big on, nor have the time to do a lot of work myself).
I've read some threads here re. the 1200r, and the big difference with the newer motors, (hex-head?).
I've seen a few 1200r's a bit over my range of $5k, with 55,000k miles and not a lot of extras.
Would that be worth a grand or two for the newer technology. The really new stuff has almost toom uch for my taste, (but have not riden it, so maybe it's nice).

I like power, (who doesn't), and torque, especially usable power as these bikes seem to have, (I know it's not close to the other bike I was considering, but over my range, the VFR 1200).

Having the ability to tune suspension as you mentions BTTB, would be very helpful & I'm sure increase the happy-factor, especially the fun roads, (plus better when 2-up).

I do enjoy hearing the bike, but not too much, (my Magna had 4 Cobra pipes, and actually sounded the best of Deceleration)!

Of course, then there's the "mapping" options for a better tuned engine that I've read up on here.

Thanks again, I'm taking my time to gather more info from you generous folks. I know what I like, but you guys let me know what's going to fit best, be practical & hopefully not a maint. pig.

jerry

[BadToTheBown]

The R259s (i.e. R1100, R1150 and R1200C) are good cheap performance and parts are readily available and honestly cheap. However, the Hex heads do make better power, are lighter and in my opinion, easily to work on in many ways. Parts are more expensive and mods, in my opinion, are harder.

These bikes are VERY reliable and rack up miles well. Many do not consider these broken in until 50K, so don't let some mileage scare you. They're also simple with air and oil cooling. Not horse power kings but great torque and with a 360 degree firing order with cylinders 180 apart, very manageable and forgiving on the throttle.

A friend of mine would shock you at how fast you can go on an R1200R and I know plenty of guys who would equally shock you on GS bikes (without knobby tires). Same can be said for the ST and some would say it might be one of the best sport touring bikes BMW every made, even though it was unpopular (people didn't like the styling). The R, GS or ST will all be great 2 up bikes, the GS likes a lot of inseam but I know guys who are not tall who ride them. I would still go for upgraded shocks or get them after you buy a bike. Good luck...

[throttlemeister]

Keep in mind that if you are used to 4-cyl bikes, the R1100S is a big honk of vibrating, noisy agricultural machinery that you will either learn to love or forever hate. It is worse than any other 1100 or 1150 boxer made due to the higher power and lighter flywheel. If you have never ridden one, do try to take one out for a spin for at least and hour before buying.

The 1200's are much more civilized.

[pranarun]

Great info both of you, thanks.

I have seen many, many 1150R's for good price, but wondered if I'd feel like I was sitting too upright to slug the bike around in the twisties.
As Ckcarr mentioned, the history of the bike is important, so hopefully I can find one that has maint. records & history from 1 or 2 owners.

Throttlemiester, I didn't realize this about the 1100s, but it makes sense, (maybe another reason so many like the gs). Funny, one of the guys selling his was using as a back-up to a VFR 800, (he did mention the difference w/out throwing his 1100 under the bus too much). He also is short & has difficulty maneuvering, (hence a tip-over).
I'm expecting a certain amount of vibration, (compared to my V4), which the torque / fun factor hopefully will make up for.

Now the refinement, (& power) of the 1200r is sounding better. I think it will give up a bit of wind protection. Apparently they've done a good job keeping the weight down, (even with the added electo-stuff). It most likely will be a better 2-up machine, (even if I may need to gice up the sexiness of the 1100s).

I've heard similar examples on the handling of many of these bikes, which is a big attraction.

Many thanks, thought you might enjoy a shot of my old bike, (bought from a gal in Del Mar, who had Pamela stitched in the saddle, so my buddies would ask if Pamela could come out & play. Fun bike, but it got to some interesting wobbling when pushed, but I rode it like a dirt bike, which helped.
j

[JimMoore]

Get the one with the hard bags. the best part about the underseat exhaust on the R1100S is the fact that you can have the two full-sized bags. Most of the other models don't allow you to do that. The location of the exhaust means one of the bags has way less capacity.