buying a 2002 BMW R1100S

[2006 800SS]

Hi there everyone!
                       I have found a 2002 BMW R1100S with 13,000 miles on it. I have not looked at the bike but I hope to soon and if it checks out OK I hope to buy it. Is there anything I should pay particular attention to when looking at it, mechanical or otherwise? Is there another forum anyone may be able to direct me to that may be more suitable pertaining specifically to this bike?

I am considering selling my 9 month old (not ridin 2 month of that time because of winter) 06 Ducati Super Sport 800SSie to be able to fund this bike. The Ducati has 2500 miles on it in imaculate condition. I have a Pit bull rear stand, Cycle Cat front stand (red), hard back service manual, LT Snyder repair manual, as well as a new front 15T, & rear 42T sprockets, gold 108L DiD 520 chain, & RK HD chain breaker, gold alum billet chain adj plates, all still brand new in never opened packages, free 6000 mile service coupon. It all goes with the bike @ $7900.00 or BO. It would be a great introducion package for getting into Ducati or for making into a track bike! Contact me at sjcik1@yahoo.com for any more info.

Sorry if I put this question in the wrong place.

[renegade13]

Here's a forum dedicated solely to the R1100S:

http://forums.pelicanparts.com/forumdisplay.php?s=&forumid=24

They're a great bunch of people there. I just purchased my second R1100S. I'm located in Canada. The bike was located in Colorado and a forum member took time to check out the bike for me before I purchased it.

Hope this helps.

[county]

That is, IMO, one of the most attractive motorcycles ever built.  Especially the yellow ones (Mandarin I think they call it) they made in 1999 and for a few years after.  

Besides the Pelican site there's this one:  http://www.bmwforums.net/forums/viewforum.php?f=1&start=0&sid=0436307e95b3e2bbd01b9e444c79d56d

Although I haven't been able to get this site to come up lately, I dunno if they are still in business.

Prices on second hand models vary greatly.

[ol Rocket]

PM Mr Smooth.

He's got a wealth of knowledge about the R11S.  I'm ashamed I didn't buy one after talking to him.

[Lawn Dart]

Unbelievably beautiful bike no matter how you slice it.  I have an R1100RSL (think:  more comfort and 95% of the sport) and it's become, without a doubt, the absolute favorite gun I've ever ridden.

Very tough to go wrong with it.

[2006 800SS]

Thanks everyone for the info and good words about it. This one is silver. I took a demo ride on the R1200S in Vermont last year at the National BMW Rally and liked it but just out of my price range.

The little I have heard people seem to like the comfort of the R1100S better than the 1200. I have an 88 R100RS now (and vintage 65 BMW) also and really like it for an all around bike and the wife is comfortable on it. Though, the Ducati is nice and it got me in the "sport riding mode" I just think I am more into the BMW's. The Ducati has a certain feel or soul and handles extremely well.

I'll check out the sites

[Castaway]

Picking up on this thread to see if I can get more info here regarding how the R1100S compares to bikes like my Superhawk, the VFR, the FZ1, and Bandit. These are all bikes I toss around when considering my next bike, and I came across a low-priced, low-mileage R1100S. Has anyone here had experience owning the R1100R and one of the others listed? It would be great to hear your comparison of them.

[reppans]

This one is silver.
I have an 88 R100RS now (and vintage 65 BMW)

Here was my '02


The '02 silver S was the first of the "Boxer Cup" S's called the "Prep"  Small differences from the regular S of the time.... wider 180 wheel, 1" taller springs, shorter torque arm, steering damper, sport windshield, and a few other things I can't remember.  Only specific issues I recall was that the fuel injected, single spark oilheads tended to have a slight surging issue at the on/off throttle line.  Fuel range sucked (130?) and it was uncomfortably low & stretched out for me.  I moved to dual spark 1150GS which suited by technical twisty riding better and of course was more versatile.  Gorgeous bike though.  

R100RS  only classic I really, really want.

Also had a R65... fun bike.
 
Absolutely check with the Pelican guys.

[Castaway]

Here was my '02


The '02 silver S was the first of the "Boxer Cup" S's called the "Prep"  Small differences from the regular S of the time.... wider 180 wheel, 1" taller springs, shorter torque arm, steering damper, sport windshield, and a few other things I can't remember.  Only specific issues I recall was that the fuel injected, single spark oilheads tended to have a slight surging issue at the on/off throttle line.  Fuel range sucked (130?) and it was uncomfortably low & stretched out for me.  I moved to dual spark 1150GS which suited by technical twisty riding better and of course was more versatile.  Gorgeous bike though.  

R100RS  only classic I really, really want.

Also had a R65... fun bike.
 
Absolutely check with the Pelican guys.

Thanks for the response, reppans. While out for a run I thought about how vague my info request was. You supplied some good info, though. So the '99 has a 170 rear as opposed to a 180? Did the ergonomics change between the '99 and later models like your '02, or did that remain the same? I'm on a Superhawk now, and it's not such a great thing for two-up distance riding. I wonder if the R11R is about the same or any better. I seem to recall that the 'clip-ons' are actually cast as part of the upper triple clamp, limiting alternatives to the stock bar position, am I right? The low tank range I'm used to, but it would be nice to get more out of it, I was thinking the R11R got something closer to 160. Maybe I'm just being seduced by the good looks, and the low price, $4700, of the one I found.

[scottfarm]

I am a certified bmw mechanic and I won't own another Bmw. Things tear up on a bmw that would never tear up on a jap bike. Over engineered. They make simple stupid.  If  that clutch is bad it will cost you $1700 to replace it. The 1100s if a very uncomfortable bike to me compared to an FZ1, Banditt, or speed triple. The tires wear on one side, not in the middle. The R1100RS is the most comfortable BMW I have ever owned for long trips.

[Castaway]

I am a certified bmw mechanic and I won't own another Bmw. Things tear up on a bmw that would never tear up on a jap bike. Over engineered. They make simple stupid.  If  that clutch is bad it will cost you $1700 to replace it. The 1100s if a very uncomfortable bike to me compared to an FZ1, Banditt, or speed triple. The tires wear on one side, not in the middle. The R1100RS is the most comfortable BMW I have ever owned for long trips.

Thanks for the info, scottfarm. I wonder why the tire wears on one side? Can anyone else confirm this?

[scottfarm]

Several of the models from 1996 to 2004 did that. BMW Thing.

[atadaskew]

I test rode one a while back, liked it, but thought it vibrated an awful lot.  The r12 was much smoother.

Test ride it.

[Mr. Whippy]

I am a certified bmw mechanic and I won't own another Bmw. Things tear up on a bmw that would never tear up on a jap bike. Over engineered. They make simple stupid.  If  that clutch is bad it will cost you $1700 to replace it. The 1100s if a very uncomfortable bike to me compared to an FZ1, Banditt, or speed triple. The tires wear on one side, not in the middle. The R1100RS is the most comfortable BMW I have ever owned for long trips.

This is what prompted me to sell my 99 R1100S.  At 30K miles, I didn't want to have it start slipping and then sell it, thinking I'd hose someone over.  The bike was totally reliable when I sold it.  

BTW, if the R1100S is vibey, it needs the TB's sync'ed.  Easy peasy.

[reppans]

One side tire wear?  
Total BS.  I always wear the left sides of my tires out first, and by a significant margin - doesn't matter which bike or driveline.  Most people in Rt. hand side drive countries do as well without ever knowing why.  I know 6 reasons why I do.

BMW Clutch issues? Strange, I haven't hear of them, except maybe as a complete one-off, in about the 6 yrs that I owned the S and GS and have surfed the respective bike's forums.  I ran my R65, GS, and S about 60, 40 and 20k respectively... never touched a clutch and I constantly ride technical twisties, maybe 5% slab.  I really like dry clutches, they feel ultra precise compared to a wet clutch.

Final drive stories are another issue though...

[reppans]

Thanks for the response, reppans. While out for a run I thought about how vague my info request was. You supplied some good info, though. So the '99 has a 170 rear as opposed to a 180? Did the ergonomics change between the '99 and later models like your '02, or did that remain the same? I'm on a Superhawk now, and it's not such a great thing for two-up distance riding. I wonder if the R11R is about the same or any better. I seem to recall that the 'clip-ons' are actually cast as part of the upper triple clamp, limiting alternatives to the stock bar position, am I right? The low tank range I'm used to, but it would be nice to get more out of it, I was thinking the R11R got something closer to 160. Maybe I'm just being seduced by the good looks, and the low price, $4700, of the one I found.

The 180 rear first came out with my '02 Boxer Cup Prep, so earlier would be a 170 (or 160?).

The Boxer Cup versions may have come with lower sport bars/clip-ons, can't remember, but they definitely were removable.  I put Suburban risers on mine to bring them up some but still too much of sport-bike crouch for my back.  Only other ergonomic difference was the 1" increased ride height (taller springs) of the Boxer Cup versions.  (Keep in mind that they sold regular and Boxer Cup versions for a while).

Given the same engine year, I think all the BMW boxers were more similar than they were different.  Looks, tank, luggage, seating position, wind management, and passenger accommodations probably defined the greatest differences.  I suppose there were some handling difference due to geometry, suspension tuning and handlebar leverage, but the telelever front end put the all these boxers in a different bucket from any other bike anyway.  I would view the R as naked S.

Here's a post from someone that liked it for twisties vs other 4 cylinders.  I don't have much experience with 4 cylinders.  But you're coming from a Japanese twin.... my guess is that the BMW will feel milder to you.  However, the telelever absolutely rocked on bumpy crappy roads... I miss that a lot.

Well I'd agree, torque is more important than absolute horsepower on the street when you are in the twisty bits. I own a VFR right now and have ridden the following bikes in the mountains: FJR 1300, R1100S, Bandit 1100 and 600, YZF 750R, Z1000, and a ZX7R.

Out of all those bikes the most fun, easiest to ride quickly, and confidence inspiring in the mountains...for me, was the BMW R1100S.

The reason for that IMHO, is that shifting and RPM were largely an after thought...just roll on the gass, roll off the gas, turn, stand bike up, gas it out...repeat again and again.

More focus on the actual riding is, for me anyway, more fun.

The VFR I have now is better than the R1100S in every respect and will rip it's lungs out easily...but it takes more effort and concentration to realize it.

[Lawn Dart]

I am a certified bmw mechanic and I won't own another Bmw. Things tear up on a bmw that would never tear up on a jap bike. Over engineered. They make simple stupid.  If  that clutch is bad it will cost you $1700 to replace it. The 1100s if a very uncomfortable bike to me compared to an FZ1, Banditt, or speed triple. The tires wear on one side, not in the middle. The R1100RS is the most comfortable BMW I have ever owned for long trips.

Or about $280 if you do the work yourself...  

[bikerfish1100]

mine now has 80K miles on it, 76K that i put over in the last 7 years. only repairs have been for a leaky FD, pivot bearings (common wear item) and the dreaded trans input shaft (including complete new clutch, with an indy shop doing the labor- $900).
low bars can move to the above 3clamp position with no cost, but i prefer them low. but i'm young at 55, so you old farts might need to sit more upright.
hated the stock saddle- had Rick Mayer build a custom for me for under $400. if you're going to ride 2up i would think it to be a necessary mod. my '78RS was more comfy for 2; but my g/f has a '9911S also with about 80K on it, so neither of us has to ride bitch. her only repairs have been the pivot bearings as well, and a buggered up brake pad pin. she completed 2 Iron Butts (11K miles in 11 days versions, none of that wimpy 1K in 24 hrs for her!) on that bike- so yeah, they will tour just fine.
overall, this has been my fave bike, evah. never done more than 1K in a day on it- but common is 500 miles of backroads, no complaints at all.
oh yeah- first "real" Boxer Cup was my bike- a 2001 "Light"; long sport shocks, 180/55 rear, steering damper, low bars, etc. Std issue rear is a 170/60. tires wear like any bike does- maintain proper inflation, and change out the shocks when worn, instead of trying to squeeze 50K miles out of them, and its another non-issue.
as far as an "all roads, real world riding" bike, the 11S is tough to beat. it clocked the fastest time in a British road test (about 250 miles all back roads, iirc), beating the previous winner VFR, and all Ducs, Jap inline4s, etc.
be sure to lube input shaft about every 40K miles, and that repair becomes unnecessary. stock clutch should last well over 150K, so otherwise the "clutch issue" that others have mentioned is really a non-issue.

[Castaway]

Thanks for the thorough, historical, and fun response, bikerfish. By any chance do you have a pic of the upper triple? I can't visualize the clamp/bar relationship.

As for test riding, the bike I found is day-trip away. I'll check around local BMW shops to see if any of 'em have a used one sitting around. Did someone mention looking at the RS? I do look around for 'em every once in a while, but I'd forgotten about them. A friend had a R1100RS back in the late '90s and I recall them as having a high center of gravity and making slow, parking lot maneuvers felt unusual - maybe it was just unfamiliarity, maybe it was the telelever.

[bikerfish1100]

pic of the upper clamps, but this one (along with the lower) is NOT a stock unit. Motoyoyo, a Pelican member, had these made up. he did a few different runs, but all are beefier & much stiffer than stock. about $400, if available.

still gives you an idea of the general layout.