My first BMW - 2003 Boxer Cup

[tonymontana]

Well, I just bought my first BMW--it's a 2003 Boxer Cup with just under 4,000 miles on it.

I've been riding bikes for over 35 years (I'm almost 44 now) and just got out of MX racing (just sold my KTM 450 SX-F). Wanted to spend more time around the house, wife, step-daughter.

I've already had Ninjas, GSX-Rs, Katanas, Hurricanes (way back), etc., etc. I'm not so much into that anymore, but wanted something different, yet still sporty, so the Boxer Cup is perfect. I love that kooky, big twin motor!

Here is my question to all you R1100S/Boxer Cup owners:

What should I look out for or pay special attention to on that bike?

Also, all you Boxer Cup gear heads, what performance/dress up parts do you like? Would maybe like to get an exhaust system someday (do away with converter?), and maybe some carbon stuff too--whatever.

Anyway, let me know what you think. I would appreciate any advice.

Thanks!

Tim

[larrydk]

I'm kind of in the same boat you are. Road many bikes, raced (road not mx), bought my first BMW this year and just love it. Best bike I've ever owned period. Probably will get my wife one next year.

[tonymontana]

Hi larrydk.

Nobody replying to this, so I thought I would reply to you.

I used to road race too. In the late eighties 'til like 1990 or '91. Raced WERA--Grattan, IRP, Gateway, Blackhawk Farms and even Pocono once too. Made it to the Expert class my final year, but wasn't competitive--raced in the same class (?) as Jamie James, Doug Polan, Scott Russell. Wasn't even in their league though.

What and where did you race?

Tim

[dlearl476]

Well, I just bought my first BMW--it's a 2003 Boxer Cup with just under 4,000 miles on it.


What should I look out for or pay special attention to on that bike?


Thanks!

Tim

Police Radar! :D

[BubbaZanetti]

welcome

getting performance out of a R1100S is not like getting it out of a japanese 4.

it will cost a LOT of money to get even minimal performance gains

stock hp is 98 at the crank, you might be lucky to add 10 hp to that, if you go all out

remus, two brothers, leo vince and a few others for exhaust

san jose bmw air inlet and filter (not in production anymore, i think, but available on ebay)

power commander.

this being said, i rode my friends S with a two brothers exhaust w/cat eliminator and a power commander and didn't notice a substantial difference betweeen it and my nearly bone stock S. it did sound a lot nicer though.

i would suggest the money be spent on a set of good shocks in the next few thousand miles, after you get used to the bike. aftermarket stuff is getting slightly harder to find as a lot of places are having closeouts on their R1100S stuff since it is no longer in production.


i met a guy once who managed to get nearly 40 extra ponies out of his S, but that was with a turbo charger, methanol, a completely re-designed fuel injection system and personally customized intake and exhaust tracks as well as a boat load of head work and i think 1150 pistons. he was a porsche race modification engineer if i remember correctly.

[Airborne620]

Tony, congrats on your Boxer Cup!!! Great bike, I have the same one and have had it since 2003. I have not done any performance upgrades to mine, due to the fact that I did not buy it for outright speed. If you want an exhaust for it, most recommend the Laser pipe. Also, if your not aware, check out the Pelican parts forum for the S. Most of the guys are transitioning to the newer R1200S, but thier still remains some institutional knowledge for the R11S. Have fun on your S.

Brandon
http://forums.pelicanparts.com/forumdisplay.php?f=24

[tonymontana]

Thanks guys so far for the tips so far on my Boxer Cup.

Maybe I mislead everyone. I'm not really looking for more speed/performance (though an upgrade shock is probably the best idea--thanks!).

I was mainly looking for input on any problems or points of maintenance I should be on the lookout for or aware of.

No, performance wise, I like the bike pretty much the way it is. I love how it shakes when I'm in neutral at stop lights. It's whisper quiet too and that's nice. But when you takeoff she's smooth as glass.

I noticed how the bike likes to be ridden toward the aggressive side--like in slow corners it does better if you lean it over more and add throttle. She goes where you want better that way. And countersteering really helps too.

But it does seem to idle REALLY low--like I keep thinking it's going to stall (but it hasn't yet). Is this normal? If not, how do I kick up the idle a bit?

Thanks for your suggestions and keep them coming.

Tim

[Airborne620]

As far as Maintenance goes, you can get a lot of free info off of IMBMWR.COM. This site has lot's of info for oilheads. You can also ask the Pelican bunch. I've had my bike since 03 and with the exception of the 600 mile service, I've done all the maintenance myself. You may want to invest in a Throttle Sync tool(Twin Max). I bought one and it helps sync the carbs and you can adjust your idle as well.

I agree with getting a set of aftermarket shocks, that will probably be one of the few items I change on my bike. I've been tempted to change out the exhaust to a Laser, but I kind of like the unmolested nature of the bike. I have added front and rear Spiegler Brake Lines; a set of Bar Risers and a K&N Air Filter.

Good luck with your bike and check out the sites.


Brandon

[hydranyc]

tim,

congrats on the BCR! i just picked up an '04 BCR last month :laugh
this is my 2nd beemer...i bought a new R1100GS in '95. same engine essentially, but completely different animal all together. i've left my GS completely stock, though i have been tempted a few times to modify it a bit.

1st bike was a '80 KZ1000 i got in '90. i bought a ratty '73 sportster 1000 for $2500 in '92. i put about $13k into her and most of that went into rebuilding including boring and stroking to 1200cc, upgrading the electrical system and transmission with racing components and trying different carb/exhaust combos. this thing is like a wild animal. the torque through the whole range is amazing. but...it's a harley...she's still not finished...it has drums in the rear...blah, blah

i've never had to worry about my GS. i just keep up with the maintenance, try to keep her clean and she just purrrrr's. (although recently i noticed the tank is expanding) i've always wanted more sound but so far i haven't done it. and i think i want to keep her stealthy.

but this BCR is a different story altogether. i saw a BCR a few years ago and i hadn't seen a beemer like that before. maybe i just never noticed the S before (ther's lot's of GS's in manhatten) but i didn't know bmw made one that looked so sporty. the S wasn't in production yet when i bought the GS. i test rode the whole line and the GS was the most fun and the torque was heaven. but had the S been available, i might've bought that instead.

my friend is thinking of getting a new bike and i recommended a bmw and we stumbled on an ebay listing for an '05 BCR and i fell in love. i wasn't planning to buy another bike but i had run into cash i wasn't expecting and so the timing was right. i eventually found one on craigslist in the end. with the more aggresive vibe to this bike i can't resist getting more sound out of it. i like the power it has now, i just want to hear this thing! but i also don't want to sacrfice reliability or smoothness, so after much research and talking to people on the Pelican's board and ADVriiders, i've ordered a Laser Boxer Cup system and matching chip...

best of luck with your bike!
i'm finally an official BMW MOA member...it only took me 12 years.:clap
http://www.bmwmoa.org/forum/showthread.php?t=19742