Considering an oilhead, advice needed

[Motor31]

Hi,

I have a K75RT now. I am looking at a 99 R1100RT. It has 37k miles, runs well, feels very solid at higher speed and rather light at low speed. In short I was impressed with it.

Is there anything I should be looking out for with an earlier oilhead? I am concerned with the rear end but from what I've sen it was primarily the later (02 & 03) models that had that problem.

On the other hand I have a line on a 2002 model for not much more $ than the 99. Anyone have any advice for me?

I'm looking at the oilhead as I need a better 2 up bike than the K75, otherwise I really like the K. It's been a faithfull ride and is smooth as silk. sigh......


Edited to the correct model terminology.

[Burnszilla]

That's not an airhead, it's an oilhead.

[Motor31]

Thank you very much for your advice.

[kbasa]

You'll love the RT. You'll appreciate more power, better handling and better brakes. You'll be able to do virtually all the maintenance yourself, provided you're willing to learn.

I think you'll like it.

[rinty]

Mike:

I've had my '02 RS for about a year and a half and have spend a lot of time going through the oiler technical sites. While there are reported final drive failures, it doesn't seem that this is a major problem with the model. My tech has never even seen one. The major problem with the bikes was the pre-1998 transmissions, which isn't an issue for the 2 units you're looking at. The other is the ABS brakes. My bike is non ABS, but I wouldn't hesitate to buy one that has it. You just have to use a good quality battery and keep it charged up.
Of the two bikes you are looking at, I would pick the '02 if all other things are equal; you'll get a few more horsepower, an extra gear, and some other technical stuff.
My recollection is that you like to tour two up. I have ridden the K 75 S (a hot rodded one) and the K 100 RS, and what I find with them is that they don't really start to make power until about 4,000 or 4,500 r.p.m. Don't get me wrong; they are a blast to ride, extremely fast, reliable, and handle well, but I think the way oilers make power is more useful for two up touring. They have a lot more torque down low.
So, assuming the RT fits you, I think you'd really like it.

Rinty

[Motor31]

Kbasa,

Doing my own maintenance is something I lke to do anyhow as long as I am physically able to (2 blown disks in the back) or have the proper tools. One of the first things I do with a bike is buy the clymer and or haynes manual for it.

I am very concerned about weakness's in a particular model as I am very frequently away from any dealer support for parts and or expertise if not maintenance that I can't do on my own. That's one of the reasons I keep looking fondly at airheads (perhaps that's why I have the goof on the title and firstpost of the thread, a freudian airhead slip) as I knew I could fix just about anything that went wrong with them. The computer interface and software that is required for the most modern machines put's me out of that possibility for some problems like ABS and injection systems. sigh.....

I tend to keep a bike for a while. I have over 13 years on the K75 right now. I just didn't ride it very much before we sold the house. Now that we are traveling in more bike friendly weather we ride it frequently.

[Troutluck]

I made the switch from a k75T to an R1100R a year ago, so this applies only to my experience with a nekkid R in particular. Here are some random thoughts:

For me, the R is a much more comfortable, competent bike with a lot more grunt on the low end. I don't ride two-up much, but my wife definitely thinks the R is more comfy from the perch. I agree the K75 motor is great, probably the best motor ever made by BMW, IMO. Once you get used to letting the big twin spin, you'll not miss the whine too much.

Things to watch for: Throttle body synching is very important. Most shops don't spend a lot of time on this, so you may find the TBs out of balance even after a recent service. The vibes at 4-5k are normal. The bikes are also very sensitive to a precise valve adjustment (every 6k). I'm sure my K75 had valves somewhere, but I never saw them. :)

Google surging and BMW. I run Autolite plugs, which definitely smoothed out the throttle response for me.

Splines recently lubed? There's no official spline-lube interval for oilheads, but many people think this is still necessary. Does the tranny balk at a downshift after engine braking at lower speeds?

Tranny oil is a religious topic, but I trust Getrag when they spec'ed 80-90. Don't shift before 4k, and you'll get much more consistent results.

I'm sure real RT riders will have more relevant input.

[deilenberger]

I can't speak as to an RT to RT swap, but I bought an R1150RS to suppliment my K75S.. and at this point - it looks probable THE K75S may be moving on to another owner before too long.

The 1150 will give you more torque, more vibration (not so good), a better ride, and for me lots more comfortable for all-day rides. If I had a longer inseam, the K75S would fit me better - but it's really a bit too tall for me (despite shortening it) - and on the RS, with new Wilbers shocks that lowered the bike 1/2" (the shocks were only about 1/4-3/8" shorter) - I can just about flat-foot it, and the ride is WONDERFUL.

I'd say go for it.. and I know someone who might be interested in a good K75RT.. If you put it up on the Marketplace - ping me and let me know, I'll pass it along.

[BubbaZanetti]

i changed "airhead" to "oilhead" in the title

[rinty]

Mike:

I have one final comment, and it's not on the reliability issues, which I think have now been covered. If you're thinking about getting the '02 and you do in fact do a lot of 2 up riding, make sure that the sixth gear is not too tall for the speeds you like to ride at and the loads you are going to carry. There is a 1,000 r.p.m. split between 5th and 6th and I find that about the lowest I can ride solo in sixth (I'm 180 pounds) is about 3,800 rpm, or just under 80 mph. The '99, with the 5 speed, will give you an extra 400 rpm or so, I think, for the same speed, so it may be better for bigger loads.

Rinty

[Motor31]

Bubba, Thanks very much. I tried to do it myself but it wouldn't switch over.

Rinty, When did the tranny switch to a 6 speed? I've not been following the oilheads since I went to the K back in 93. I really didn't plan on switching bikes but then again riding 2 up consistently wasn't the plan back then either.

Thanks for the info. I don't have many plans at all for 80 MPH, I've had my high speed days and don't need to risk the wife being dumb. I never considered that the 6th might be too tall for normal highway speeds.

[rinty]

Mike:
The 6 speeds were introduced with the 1150's in about 2002. The RS and RT have the "overdrive" 6th gear, and I have been told that with the Roadster you could order that gear, or a slightly lower top gear (I think it's the same one that's in the R 1100 S). I've considered installing a Roadster/S transmission in my RS, but it would be very expensive, and I'm getting used to using 5th on 60 mph 2 lane roads. I can use it up to about 120 km (75 mph) and then it just gets too buzzy. But 6th is a great Interstate gear, where I run at 81 mph, and the constabulary here and in the U.S. West will leave me alone.

I put that post up because I wasn't sure whether you'd want to be in 5th a lot of the time on 60 mph roads. You will want to take a test drive 2 up with the 6 speed and see how it works for you; it could be that with the extra load, the engine is smoother in 5th. I've noticed that under a heavier load, such as running into a headwind, I can cruise in 5th right up to 130 km (5,000 r.p.m.) without excessive vibration.

But I think you'd like an oiler (maybe even as much as your old Comanche), and the RT is a great 2 up machine.

Rinty

[33603]

I also rode a K75RT with great respect. Not much bad to say about the K75, it is a little top heavy and summer rides get hot. I now ride a 2000 R1100RT with ABS and find this bike a dream to ride. You won't be sorry if you get the oilhead. ct

[will3hawks]

98 R 1100RT: 63K, Total repairs/maintenence:
1 Headlight bulb, 1 set of brakes, Several sets of tires, 1 15 amp fuse.

Regards, Will

[alien_hitchhiker]

Motor 31,
here's a link to the bmwsportouring site with some used R 1100RT commentary:

http://bmwsporttouring.com/faq/new_or_used.htm

By 1999 the 1100's were pretty well sorted.

IMHO a couple minor advantages of the 1100 compared to the 2002 1150: engine slightly smoother,
brakes are not linked,
no servo brakes (I think the '02 introduced the first generation servos),
bulbous front fender keeps the front end cleaner (but does look a bit dowdy).

If you go with the 1100 you can take some of the money you save and spend it on a Techlusion R259 - if the bike surges, that is.

I moved from a K100RT to a 2000 1100RT. I loved the handling, comfort, heat management and weather protection of the R bike from the get-go (it's what sold me). But for a long time I missed the smooth K100 power.

Now, 40,000 miles later, I love the boxer.

[Motor31]

Steve,
Thanks for the link. Looks like some good info there.

[bmwmick]

Mike,
Buy the R1100RT, you'll be happier and it will be easier for you to service without getting a dealer involved.