R1100s

[Cbr900rick]

I'm looking at buying a 2002 r1100s with 38000 miles this will be my first BMW it will be my 83rd bike in my life of riding was just hoping some of you r1100s guys could tell me what to look for on the bike that would be a red flag for a BMW thanks for any input.

[ckcarr]

Here's the thing. Nobody on this board will try and undercut you on the bike, at least regular members. So, you need to post some decent high quality pictures of the bike from a couple different sides.

Does it come with anything? Luggage, Ohlins, aftermarket exhaust? What color? Does it have the cowl? Is the front fender clean (not cracked?)

And what price are they asking... and what do you think is fair?

Right now we only have sketchy information. Actually no info...

[brentw1]

I would avoid the servo abs models, and get a 5.5" rear rim. and if you can find one with ohlins
that would be good
then just look through the board for the common problems with these

Twin spark or single?

[JimMoore]

I don't want to rain on your parade, but you need to google "clutch spline." that bike is right in the heart of it.

[ckcarr]

The spline "issue" is no reason to run away if you want to buy one. Just be aware that it has come up with some bikes. And it's random and rare, but does happen.

Originally Posted by JimMoore

I don't want to rain on your parade, but you need to google "clutch spline." that bike is right in the heart of it.

[Tirefriar]

Don't sweat the ABS. I had an '02 R1150R non-ABS and an '04 Rockster ABS. Both are essentially the same bike mechanically but ABS proved to be the world of difference. It will save your bacon in time of need. Just make sure the ABS has been properly serviced, usually every 12k miles. If ABS has not been serviced, things can turn ugly fast - the servo is very expensive.

[tomvv11]

A 2002 would be non-servo ABS. I have that on my '99 S. Works fine. I have a 2004 S with the servo ABS that I just got and am just getting used to the wee stutter in the front brake lever. It's like you press a little for "brake lite" and then a teeny bit farther and you get BRAKES.
Link to the ad you're looking at and I'm sure you'll get more opinions than a proctologist sees in a month.
Rode airheads for 44 years before getting the '99 two years ago. Once you ride a non-diving front end it's hard going back, and this bike has all the power and handling I can handle. It's up for sale soon as the '04, despite the b-brake thing, is smoother with better mileage.
38,000 miles with at least 6 or 7 oil changes under its belt is certainly a bike to consider, with due diligence of course, meaning that mileage is just broken in
.

[brentw1]

tomvv11
you need to adjust the switch on the master, the switch needs to turn on the servo
before it builds any pressure, then you wont get the servo turning on after you have
started breaking, both the foot and hand should be checked.
adjust them to turn on when the lever first moves.

[BadToTheBown]

Just my 2 cents...and worth about that...

I have a '99 with ABS (non-servo) and a '01 lite (non-abs). I recommend you look for the following features and that they are in working order:
-warped brake rotors or so severely worn you will need to replace
-ABS lights should both blink simultaneously when starting, if they are alternating, you may very well be looking at a rebuild (~$350) plus R&R labor
-5" rear wheel (170 rear tire) has a handling advantage over the 5.5" (180 rear tire)
-want aftermarket shocks, vast majority of the brands are better than stock
-don't ignore warnings about the trans input splines, some go longer than others, my 2001 was done at 66K
-check the heated grips, you want these to work
-saddle bags, if you've never been a bagger, consider trying it on this bike

[R111S]

Check the Rear Frame Member down low for cracks and on the Subframe attachment "ears" as well.

[throttlemeister]

Originally Posted by AndrewM

Twin spark or single?

A 2002 by definition is a single spark as the twin spark wasn't introduced until model year 2003. (think 2004 in the US)

[Rapid Dog]

...gimme more info...i promise i won't buy it out from under you, no...really...

[Crocodile Tears]

Originally Posted by tomvv11

A 2002 would be non-servo ABS.
.

Not certain this is accurate - my 2002 does have the servo brakes with ABS ring present.

Pro Tip - turn the key on when you unload it out of a truck

[throttlemeister]

Originally Posted by tomvv11

A 2002 would be non-servo ABS. I have that on my '99 S. Works fine. I have a 2004 S with the servo ABS that I just got and am just getting used to the wee stutter in the front brake lever. It's like you press a little for "brake lite" and then a teeny bit farther and you get BRAKES.
.

Definitely a false statement. The EVO brakes and accompanying servo assisted iABS were introduced for model year 2001. They are easily recognized as having the 320mm size front discs versus the older non-servo assisted ABS (and non-ABS) bikes that had 305mm discs.

Basically, every BMW from model year 2001 on has 320mm discs in the front and every BMW with those 320mm discs that has ABS has servos, until model year 2006-2007 (depending on the model) where they abandoned the servos for the upgraded non-servo assisted iABS2 that is still the norm for most BMW models. But that's not applicable for the R1100S since that bike was last produced in 2005.

[BadToTheBown]

Small dissension on all 2001 bikes having 320mm front brakes. I have a 2001 Lite non-ABS from the original owner and it had 305mm. That means earlier forks, calipers, rotors and front wheel (rotor mounts have an extra cutout to clear the brake calipers, 320mm don't). Perhaps BMW was using up inventory...

[throttlemeister]

Originally Posted by BadToTheBown

Small dissension on all 2001 bikes having 320mm front brakes. I have a 2001 Lite non-ABS from the original owner and it had 305mm. That means earlier forks, calipers, rotors and front wheel (rotor mounts have an extra cutout to clear the brake calipers, 320mm don't). Perhaps BMW was using up inventory...

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.

And if that's not confusing enough, there is of course the models from year A that weren't sold and titled until year B which are then registered as year B when they are actually year A.

[Bob Hancock]

I had a '99 and then a 2004 and honestly it was difficult to tell if it had single spark or dual and ABS or not. The only time I feel the ABS trickle is off-road on pretty much anything so it depends on how you ride it.
As others have said, give us more data on the bike you are considering.

PS. Some burn oil and some don't depending on how it was broken in so that's something to check. I've seen some burn enough to be annoying on a trip, like a quart/3,000 miles. Otherwise the engine is one of the great ones.

[ckcarr]

Originally Posted by Bob Hancock

As others have said, give us more data on the bike you are considering

I think this guy is long gone.

[bradzdotcom]

Originally Posted by ckcarr

I think this guy is long gone.

hell CK, that's never stopped us from making life altering decisions for others.