Possible new owner

[Motocod]

Hi Folks,

I live in the South East of the UK, and I'm considering a new purchase of an R1100S. I'll be looking for something around the £2500-3000 bracket. Condition and mileage are obviously very important to me, and I've just come out of a very painful relationship with a Ducati that's resulted in me parting it for spares (on-going, if anyone needs any Multistrada bits?!). So I'm after something VERY RELIABLE!

What I need to know now though, is are these things reliable, and as a prospective buyer, what do I need to be looking for?

I should add, I rode one when they first came out and really enjoyed it.

Thanks,

Nik

[slparry]

being fair the R1100S is more reliable than later BMW's .... the Ewan and Charlie effect meant they took their eye off the QC ball for a while.

Touch wood my BoxerCup has been wonderfully reliable, certainly put it's younger sibling from my fleet to shame.

Sorry to hear you've had your fingers burnt with the Ducati, I like the look of some of them, but when they start with their rattly dry clutch and the much vaunted fragility I tend to consign them to the not for me bin

[Herb]

Welcome.

I would say they are as reliable, or unreliable as most other bikes. I don't think there is anything special to look out for, generally the 1100 is pretty robust. Check the same things you would on any other bikes, ie make sure its straight, oil tight etc.

Finish in some areas can a bit dodgy, think fork lowers, engine front covers, but all pretty easy to rectify. The only area I can see where the odd horror story comes up is in the area of the clutch or gearbox splines. Problems in this area are not unknown. Fixable by a competent home mechanic, but time consuming and expensive if you have to get someone else to fix it.

Your budget should buy you a nice bike. There have been a couple on this forum recently in that price range, so you might get lucky and get a known bike. A lot of owners do their own maintenance, so don't let lack of FSH put you off, but you do want to see a nice lot of receipts and proof of some kind of history.

[dave the german]

welcome - if you manage to find one from one of the Trixters here, chances are you will get a well sorted bike - some damn clever people here (not me!!)

[conkerman]

Hi and welcome.

I just bought my 2nd R1100s (A real tatty one to kill commuting).

In addition to all the good advice above, check paralever bearings where bevel box meets swingarm. Look for creaks from rear suspension and give the rear wheel a tug to look for play in the bearing.

Other than that they are a sweet steering bike that doesn't need to be caned mercilessly to make good progress.

[Motocod]

Thanks for all the replies folks, really appreciated.

I've been riding Ducatis for many years, and this last one has really been a pig - never really had any problems with them up until now. I'm not one for Japanese bikes particularly, and like the slightly quirky nature of the BMW, and the Boxer engine in particular. For me though, it's a case of getting to know and understand the ins and outs of a new configuration. I've never owned a shaft-drive bike, for example.

Would I be right in thinking they suit home maintenance? I'm happy to twirk the spanners, so don't mind doing my own servicing, and will undertake more serious tasks, should they arise.

Thanks,

Nik

[slparry]

Thanks for all the replies folks, really appreciated.

I've been riding Ducatis for many years, and this last one has really been a pig - never really had any problems with them up until now. I'm not one for Japanese bikes particularly, and like the slightly quirky nature of the BMW, and the Boxer engine in particular. For me though, it's a case of getting to know and understand the ins and outs of a new configuration. I've never owned a shaft-drive bike, for example.

Would I be right in thinking they suit home maintenance? I'm happy to twirk the spanners, so don't mind doing my own servicing, and will undertake more serious tasks, should they arise.

Thanks,

Nik

They're remarkably easy to service, some of the component placements (fuel filter, battery, FUSE BOX what IDIOT designed that !!! ) are in questionable places, the only job that scares the Bejeesus out of me on them is the clutch as it means dismantling the entire rear half of the bike.

But general servicing etc is easy enough, three sets of lubicants, engine, gearbox and rear bevel drive. Paralever bearing check for play, can be adjusted a bit.

If you're setting the injectors make sure you get a couple of fans to waft air over the cylinders as they do get hot very quickly when stationary and unlike the GS/RT or R models don't have the temp gauge to let you know they're getting too hot.

If you have the tank off and it runs like a dog after it's easy to dislodge the injector cables during the tank removal:)

[Motocod]

Thanks Steve.

Is it possible to download workshop manuals online? They're always handy for exploded diagrams and suchlike.

Nik

[slparry]

Thanks Steve.

Is it possible to download workshop manuals online? They're always handy for exploded diagrams and suchlike.

Nik

PM me with your email address

[tanneman]

Welcome to the forum. You might want to keep an eye on the classifieds and ebay. Be prepared to travel for the right machine after carefully studying the photos. It might be while before the right machine comes along. Have a look at the for sale section, I think there is a neat one in there. You won't look back after familiarising your self with the character of the bike and I use the term loosely. Have fun and enjoy.

[Boxered]

Welcome

Steve (F90X) of this parish has probably THE most sorted 11s for sale right now here
viewtopic.php?t=17430

Many on this forum have seen this bike on meet ups many times and its history is well known and faultless if you can stretch your budget a little.

Steve

[tanneman]

Motocod, buy that bike. Sorted machine, all the bits and bobs done so a good base if you decide to play with the power output and fettle with the suspension or quicken the steering. You won't look back and it is a stealthy grey colour.

[Motocod]

Well it's looking like I'll be buying a very sorted 1100S from another forum member. Nice grey/mandarin, with some great extras. Very excited, and really looking forward to getting riding again!

Nik