[Joeaksa]

Been looking on Craigs list lately and the R1150RS's and RT's are looking better and better. Agree with much that Steve said below. Also strongly agree with the ABS on a bike. It saved my a$$ets a couple of times when I had a R1100RS.

The very first series of this gearbox had noise issues but they cleared that up years ago. The later models of these bikes had the gearbox that the K1100 bike had originally and its very nice.

Hard to beat one of the newer BMW's. Take it for a ride and give it a try.

Joe

Originally Posted by Steve Carlton

With a GS, you're looking at 1150s or 1200s, each in base model or Adventure. The Adventures are "cool," but they're Panzer tanks and overkill for 99% of the riders. The new Tiger is highly regarded, but the older 1050 Tiger is a major sleeper and probably a used bargain. They're cushy compared to the GS and KTMs. The Adventure comes in a base model and a taller S, and they come in silver and black as well as orange and are the most dirt-worthy. You should ride some of each. There's even Cagiva Gran Canyons, with an air-cooled Ducati motor. Really cool looking, but supposedly a major PITA to service.

I don't think you save enough money on the R1100S to justify 30-40K miles. '04s have the 2-spark motor and updated transmissions, and don't cost that much more than the earlier ones. You might even find one still under warranty, as a few were sold new about a year ago. The '05s only came as Boxer Cup Replikas with a unique red/white/blue paint scheme. They have Laser exhaust cans, a taller suspension, and a taller, softer seat than all prior. I don't think any came with ABS (which I would highly recommend), Ohlins and luggage might be hard to find on one, too.