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.

[Mr. Whippy]

I really liked my R1100S.  Almost kept it, but decided to go with the newer (and slightly more responsive) Ducati.  I don't miss having to check oil levels regularly though.

[Castaway]

I really liked my R1100S.  Almost kept it, but decided to go with the newer (and slightly more responsive) Ducati.  I don't miss having to check oil levels regularly though.

What's up with the oil level? Hard to read? Use a lot of oil? Both?

[Mr. Whippy]

What's up with the oil level? Hard to read? Use a lot of oil? Both?

The filler plug tends to leak a bit.  Various fixes, but my bike always seemed to lose some oil, requiring a top up every 1000 miles or so.  To check, the bike has to set for a bit to let oil drain back out of the oil cooler.  Easy to read and super easy to add oil.  BTW, TB syncs and valves are DEAD EASY on this bike.  Changing the battery is a bigger PITA.

[Castaway]

Just heard from my friend who once owned an R11RS. He said that the cam chain began to rattle so he moved on. Anyone heard of loose chains or bad chain adjusters (assuming they have 'em)?

[Mr. Whippy]

Just heard from my friend who once owned an R11RS. He said that the cam chain began to rattle so he moved on. Anyone heard of loose chains or bad chain adjusters (assuming they have 'em)?

BMW redesigned and simplified the chain tensioner.  Easy DIY repair.  I swapped mine on my 99.  Took about 30 minutes.  Not a deal breaker.

[bikerfish1100]

older cam chain tensioners (2002 were still the old ones) were pressurized with oil. At start-up there's no oil in it, so it chatters for about 35 secs or so. Just annoying (to some), but nothing that will cause any damage. Easy swap out, about $85 in parts, DIY job. Rare for the chain rail to break apart, i've only heard of a few (and in the world of the internet, where ANY problem becomes translated as "they all do that"- it is indeed a rare cccurence.

[Castaway]

BTW bikerfish, that's a beautiful upper triple setup.    

[Emerson00]

Well, well, how timely.

I love my '06 Multi 1000S; but like anyone else I get the bike whore notions occasionally. My wife, God love her, just told me she saw a BMW for sale and liked it. First thought: awesome get the girl her first bike (as my second); second thought: hey I could use a second bike... Wife says no, I'd rather ride the BMW than your Ducati (we have hopes to do some 2-up touring). She never liked riding the Multi. I see aftermarket seats are available (though the R/RT I rode needed no such thing for a 500 mile day), as well as good luggage options.

So I get it in my head to look at BMWs, and lo and behold Bob's has a 2005 R11S Boxer Cup available with similar miles to the Ducati. I always liked the 1100S, and now I'm thinking of a test ride.

Whippy: compare contrast for those of us w/ plenty of 1000SDS Multi experience but little BMW, and no R11S experience? I like the Multi, but after riding them for 5 years, I'm willing to look around, and that Replica is neat looking if a little overdone in the team livery.

Why does she do this to me?

[Mr. Whippy]

Well, well, how timely.

I love my '06 Multi 1000S; but like anyone else I get the bike whore notions occasionally. My wife, God love her, just told me she saw a BMW for sale and liked it. First thought: awesome get the girl her first bike (as my second); second thought: hey I could use a second bike... Wife says no, I'd rather ride the BMW than your Ducati (we have hopes to do some 2-up touring). She never liked riding the Multi. I see aftermarket seats are available (though the R/RT I rode needed no such thing for a 500 mile day), as well as good luggage options.

So I get it in my head to look at BMWs, and lo and behold Bob's has a 2005 R11S Boxer Cup available with similar miles to the Ducati. I always liked the 1100S, and now I'm thinking of a test ride.

Whippy: compare contrast for those of us w/ plenty of 1000SDS Multi experience but little BMW, and no R11S experience? I like the Multi, but after riding them for 5 years, I'm willing to look around, and that Replica is neat looking if a little overdone in the team livery.

Why does she do this to me?

The biggest difference is the front end.  The Duc has a very immediate, quick turn in with tons of feedback (which I prefer), the BMW has the telelever front end.  Besides being anti-dive, it turns in a little slower and dampens road input.  It makes for a very smooth ride but (for me) lessens the fun of twisties and tight corners.

You'll want to get the grips set high (above the triple clamp), low is kinda low.  The foot pegs are sorta funny in stock form.  I lowered the pegs for my comfort.  Tank range is about the same (both are fine IMO). When taking off, there is a bit of driveline lag, but that is expected in a shafty.  

Performance-wise, I think they're fairly similar.  I'm a little faster on the Duc, but that's more likely due to my greater comfort with the standard front suspension.

The boxer engine starts and runs flawlessly and is dead easy to work on.  The duc's tranny is a smoother/quicker but the BMW gearbox is totally fine and definitely feels solid.

You'll know within a dozen miles if you like the BMW suspension or not.  I liked it fine.  Until I started riding the Duc more.

[Emerson00]

Thanks. I've slowly gotten 20k miles of experience on the Ducati 1000 Multi, and just recently had the S's Ohlins retuned to my weight... it's about perfect. I'm still with the Ducati, but there's always that bit of me interested in something different.

I might take a test ride - you're right about test rides helping quickly. I didn't like the R/GS, K/S, or K/R, but liked the R/RT pretty well.

[Mr. Whippy]

For me, it basically came down to this:

Multistrada seems more hooligan oriented

R1100S seems more touring oriented.

[bikerfish1100]

You'll want to get the grips set high (above the triple clamp), low is kinda low.  

oh man, don't be such a freaking wuss!

[bikerfish1100]

You'll know within a dozen miles if you like the BMW suspension or not.  I liked it fine.  

quite the opposite for me. i took my g/f's 11S to work one day, about 50 miles r/t. Thought "okay ride, but not enough to want to buy one." Went out on it for a longer ride- maybe 150 miles of back roads- and understood the bike. Bought mine a few months later. I was riding a conventional suspension shafty at the time, as well as a Duc 900SS. both of those are gone, the 11S is here.

[MilleArp]

I've had two R1100S's.

The first was a 1999 yeller one.  Put over 60, 000 on her before I sold her.

I now have a 2004 R1100S in Piedmont Red, rare color.  I got it in fall of 2006 new-in-crate, so warranty just ran out last year.  Have 25k on that.

Per the "oil thing", the bigets problem is some folks over-fill it; that is, to the top of the oil sight glass.  That's a no-no.  Keep the oil between the bottom and midle-dot, and all will be well.

Per oil leak at the filler, usually a new set of O-rings (cheap or free, depending on how kewel your dealership is) will solve that problem.  Or, get an aftermarket cap kit.  Sooper simple fix.

Otherwise, the R1100S's I've had, over nearly 90,000 miles of it, has been fairly trouble free.  

I get compliments on the looks all the time!  She is an eye-catcher.  



,

[MilleArp]

The filler plug tends to leak a bit.  Various fixes, but my bike always seemed to lose some oil, requiring a top up every 1000 miles or so.  To check, the bike has to set for a bit to let oil drain back out of the oil cooler.  Easy to read and super easy to add oil.  ...

If you're topping off every 1000 miles (like I used to, before I figured out the secret), you may be adding too much at each top-off.  Like with many things, most people figure "more is better" and add too much oil, which then burns or leaks out due to overpressure.
I used to do the same thing...

.

[Mr. Whippy]

If you're topping off every 1000 miles (like I used to, before I figured out the secret), you may be adding too much at each top-off.  Like with many things, most people figure "more is better" and add too much oil, which then burns or leaks out due to overpressure.
I used to do the same thing...

.

I definitely filled it to the upper half of the sight glass.  I did the O rings and plastic sleeve a coupla times.  Still leaked up there.  I was worried about the "sealed" screw on cap, because (at the time) it wasn't clear to me whether that would increase the risk of a leak at the clutch.

And btw, changing the clutch on a BMW is WAY more work than a Multistrada.  

I enjoyed my R1100S, especially touring.  No complaints about my bike.  But again, I didn't want to get to a point where I had to do something about the FD or clutch.  (I was the third owner of mine--9800 miles when I got it with some mods).

Mandarin 99 with ABS.  

[Emerson00]

idunno, but after sitting in a bit of traffic today trying to keep the Multi running by holding the throttle and/or clutch because the bastard wouldn't idle... I'm thinking that 1100S is looking mighty fine. I'm probably cranky from too damn much heat getting off campus, but I'm really starting to think I've been lying to myself about Ducati reliability: I've had my 2 Multistradas for a combined 5 years, and in that time, I'm only certain of trouble-free operation for about 2 years. Every time I turn around it's this or that minor little quibble (and fears of major problems), and I can't honestly say I have the time to devote to working on it (that I really want to) as it seems it needs.



Maybe it's time to trade on the R1100S and see how good I had it with Ducati.

-Frustrated Ducatisti

[bikerfish1100]

i've put 75K on mine, and just continue to love it. There's the usual maintenance on the bike- valve adjusts, oil/filter & trans/FD fluids changes, brake bleed- but that's about it. A few more things to stay up on every 25-50K miles, but most can be done in the comfort of your garage, very easily.

[Mr. Whippy]

Any updates?