Thinking about a R1100S

[Tomcat503]

I owned both of those bikes at the same time for awhile. those two bikes are more similar than the R1100S guys like to admit. You essentially end up with two of the same bike. I would try something completely different. Pick up an 05 or later CBR600RR. Cheap, reliable, and the power is absolutely appalling (in a good way).

Jim,

Thanks for the insight. Not sure if my body would contort to the CBR for long at this point. I'm also thinking about a Triumph Street Triple with it's more upright seating position.

Didn't fly the F-14, but was part of the OEM Engineering Team. It's a great aircraft and was retired too early IMHO for reasons other than it's combat effectiveness. Hat's off to the aircrews that flew it and maintained it.

Remember, there's a reason they don't make movies about Hornets!

Dave

[Tomcat503]

Have a GSA, a 1100 & 1200S's. They are not alike in spite of having a boxer engine.

They all are fantastic handling twisty road bikes, but the 12S has way more throttle response, HP and flickability...a great response that will attract visits with the road monitors as quick as the K12S.

The 11S has a more agressive seating position than the 12S from my experience but is a great bike I love to romp around on. I love it's difference compared to the R1100R Helen also has. Would love that engine in the Roadster!

The 12S had the same fate as the ST as far as major appeal. My gut on the 12S was folks were used to touring on the 11S and they were different . If you haven't ridden one, hard to judge them

My '07 12S came with luggage mounts the '06 did not have and I wouldn't think twice about crossing the country on it...will just have to clean my visor more

Not sure what the snipe about Pelican is Many 11/12S guys from here are also there...or were.

And a CBR is a very sweet bike in spite of the Honda haters... The chain drive is not a deal breaker.

Steve,

Thanks for the insight. I wasn't thinking about the 12S, but that's another one to consider if I can find one. You're right about really needing to ride them before making a judgement. What I really need is a Carmax for motorcycles so I can ride 4 or 5 different bikes in one afternoon to see which one suits me best.

Dave

[AZ-J]

Then get an R1100S Tomcat. You will enjoy it, I promise.

[JimMoore]

Jim,

Thanks for the insight. Not sure if my body would contort to the CBR for long at this point. I'm also thinking about a Triumph Street Triple with it's more upright seating position.

Dave

I thought the same thing, but it wasn't nearly as bad as I thought it was going to be. It ain't a long-distance tourer by any stretch, but it's not as bad as you think. Heck, I ended up getting aftermarket rearsets to raise the pegs even higher.

The R1100S is a great bike, but it is not near the sportbike the CBR is. I used to describe it like this. Riding the R1100S is like walking a labrador retriever on a leash. It's big and strong, but it's generally controllable and is probably not going to turn around and bite you. Riding the CBR is like walking a hyena on a leash. You just never really know what's going to happen. Get the hyena!

[Tomcat503]

...I used to describe it like this. Riding the R1100S is like walking a labrador retriever on a leash. It's big and strong, but it's generally controllable and is probably not going to turn around and bite you. Riding the CBR is like walking a hyena on a leash. You just never really know what's going to happen. Get the hyena!

[AntonLargiader]

From just the aesthetics, I think the 1100S is one of the nicest BMW designs.

Yes, it really is, especially in the '05 Replika scheme but the classic Mandarin is wonderful. The HP2 Sport (again, in Motorsport colors) is right there with it.

About Pelican... it used to be the go-to place for these bikes, but it has really deteriorated. Most threads seem to get hijacked by the same handful of guys bickering and bantering.

[henzilla]

About Pelican... it used to be the go-to place for these bikes, but it has really deteriorated. Most threads seem to get hijacked by the same handful of guys bickering and bantering.

I guess I don't hang out there enough to have noticed that...A few forums have gone that way sadly. I would rather be out riding than arguing on a faceless forum from my mothers basement.

[BC1100S]

From just the aesthetics, I think the 1100S is one of the nicest BMW designs.

I'm not sure why but I tend to agree with you.

My opinion:

R11S - Great sport touring bike with about a 50/50 split between "sporting" and touring

R12S - Great SPORT-touring bike with about a 65/35 split between sporting and touring. In my experience, a 12S will run circles around an 11S on a high speed twisty road. Not the most attractive bike ever built, though (for what that's worth). A set of bar risers does wonders for the bike's touring pretensions, btw.

Honda Sport Bikes - Capable, fast, reliable.

If you buy an R11S, you'll have to post a picture in the pics section here - we "S" riders are staging a takeover bid and we need all "S" owners to participate. Yes, I'm kidding. Sort of.....

Have fun. Ride safely.

[Tomcat503]

So OK, who's got a lead on a low mileage, pristine condition, reasonably priced R1100S in the MD, VA, PA area ....and preferably maintained by Anton?

[AntonLargiader]

I have one but it's not pristine and I' like to hang onto it. Don't know of one for sale locally; there aren't that many around. Maybe five of them?

EDIT: Wait, I might know of one! Not maintained by me, though. I'll find out.

[RINTY]

The R1100S is a great bike, but for "local twisty winding roads", I think less is more.

And, as this is a second bike, you can get a specialty machine that does not have to be all day comfortable.

I would be looking for a 650 - 800 c.c. chain drive bike that weighs around 400 lbs. Specifically, I'd be looking at an F800S or a 650 Versys.

[BC1100S]

So OK, who's got a lead on a low mileage, pristine condition, reasonably priced R1100S in the MD, VA, PA area ....and preferably maintained by Anton?

There's an '02 with 12,500 miles on it in the Flea Market under "Motorcycles". Maryland. $5,600. Buy it.

http://www.bmwmoa.org/flea/detail.ph...=36672&catid=1

[Tomcat503]

There's an '02 with 12,500 miles on it in the Flea Market under "Motorcycles". Maryland. $5,600. Buy it.

http://www.bmwmoa.org/flea/detail.ph...=36672&catid=1

Thanks for the heads up.

[bikerfish1100]

that bike is a BCR Prep- 5.5" rear wheel, low bars (he raised them, but they'll go back down easy enough), sport supension.
other than the present owner thinking that the bike has "factory Ohlins", it sounds pretty right. Factory Ohlins only were available on the R12S or HP2 models, that one has the factory "sport" suspension- which really just means that it has stiffer yellower springs than a std version. $5K, if he includes the saddlebags (the case mounts are there, so the bags should be too) would be the right price.

[Tomcat503]

Thanks for the insight on the bike's details.