Is this a good deal

[bamarider]

Hello all, this is my first post on this board. I currently ride a yamaha fz1 and would like to try a BMW. I've found a 1995 1100 rs with 25k mi.asking price is $4500. It has the saddle bags & a trunk, haven't looked @ the bike yet, but owner says its in good shape. Just thought I'd see what ya'll think, and if there's anything that I should be aware of on that model. I know that it is a totally different from the fz, but I've got a Friend that has 2 Harley's and an 84 r100rt and every time we go on a trip he rides the old beemer.

[jwhite518]

Hello all, this is my first post on this board. I currently ride a yamaha fz1 and would like to try a BMW. I've found a 1995 1100 rs with 25k mi.asking price is $4500. It has the saddle bags & a trunk, haven't looked @ the bike yet, but owner says its in good shape. Just thought I'd see what ya'll think, and if there's anything that I should be aware of on that model. I know that it is a totally different from the fz, but I've got a Friend that has 2 Harley's and an 84 r100rt and every time we go on a trip he rides the old beemer.

That model RS had transmission problems. It was fixed in 96. Ask the PO if the trans is original. I think there may have been a recall. If it's got the fix, then it's a great price. People are asking around 6K for those in the BMWMOA Owners News. I love that bike.

[cbsnbiker]

That price seems to be in alignment with the going rate, if it's in very good shape and if it doesn't have any of the oilhead issues.

Check out:

http://www.ibmwr.org/market/adlist.php?cat=obs&page=2

for similar ads.

I owned a '94 R1100RS. The early oilheads have certain issues. First and foremost, make sure that it doesn't surge. This is easy to determine with a test ride. Ride it until it's fully warm. Then try to ride at a steady speed of about 30 MPH in first gear (about 3000-3500 RPM). If the bike surges, reject it. If the bike can ride steadily, then it's a candidate.

Some people claim that surging can be adjusted out. In some cases, this is true. In others, it is false. You won't know either way until you try. Better not to make it your problem to begin with.

They had transmission issues. Find out if the transmission was replaced. It's good if it's been replaced.

Other issues include, but are not limited to:

• leaky brake master cylinders
• failing speedometer cables
• shocks that sag out
• rims that bend easily.

[cruisin]

A quick scan through IBMWR marketplace will show that price is pretty much in line with others of similar year.  I would call it a fair price but not a great one. The only draw-back I would see is that '95 was the first year of the oilheads and that typically is not a good thing.  Second and third year of a product line is usually much better.

If it weren't for needing better winter protection, my second bike would be an RS instead of the RT I currently have.  I think they are great bikes with some good versatility.  Pull the luggage off and it is pretty much a pure sport bike; leave the luggage on and you can still wick it up through the twisty roads with the best sport-tourers out there.

[cbsnbiker]

A quick scan through IBMWR marketplace will show that price is pretty much in line with others of similar year.  I would call it a fair price but not a great one. The only draw-back I would see is that '95 was the first year of the oilheads and that typically is not a good thing.  Second and third year of a product line is usually much better.

If it weren't for needing better winter protection, my second bike would be an RS instead of the RT I currently have.  I think they are great bikes with some good versatility.  Pull the luggage off and it is pretty much a pure sport bike; leave the luggage on and you can still wick it up through the twisty roads with the best sport-tourers out there.

A small nitpick: '94 was the first year for oilheads in the U.S. (I think that '93 was the first year in Europe, but I might be mistaken.)

My oilhead was a '94.

[bamarider]

Thanks for the info everyone, and thanks for the link to the IBMR web site. Looks like I may need to look for a later modle bike. I've got a 2001 Victory cruiser, although mine hasn't had any problems, there's been some issues with the early modle Victory transmissions, so I don't want another bike that could have the same issues.

[cbsnbiker]

Thanks for the info everyone, and thanks for the link to the IBMR web site. Looks like I may need to look for a later modle bike. I've got a 2001 Victory cruiser, although mine hasn't had any problems, there's been some issues with the early modle Victory transmissions, so I don't want another bike that could have the same issues.

If you like the R1100RS, you can look for a more recent vintage one. Or you can get an R1150RS, which is very similar, but has a different transmission altogether (six speed instead of five speed), plus other tweaks that make it more desirable ranging from a bit more HP to more comfortable thumb controls on the handlebars. Even more recent is the R1200ST, which is a complete redesign. IMHO, the R1200ST is exactly what the R1100RS should have been. I think it's an impressive bike. It didn't sell well in the U.S., so isn't as readily available.

Let us know if we can be of more help.

BTW, I keep hearing impressive reports of those Victory bikes. How do you like yours?

[bamarider]

The Victory is a great bike for a V-twin cruiser, it is American made and when I bought mine the prices were a lot lower than the Harleys. The transmission is clunky, but I've never had any shifting problems. It runs great and the ride is good, great two up bike. It was my first bike after a long absence, but after having it a while I decided I like the sport & sport touring bikes much better, so I'll probley sale it and buy something else.