Newbie, general advice please

Black Knight · Post by **Black Knight** » Tue Nov 28, 2006 5:10 pm

Hello all,

New to the Forum and new to BMW too!

Previously had an FZR a VFR and a stage 1 1100XX

Had a little accident recently but luckily came out of it ok and looking for something new.

I saw a pic of the R1100SS and fell in love with it. I definetly want one but it seems they are quite hard to come by, not ten a penny like the Jap stuff!

Im considering 3 bikes;

SH03 ELU

RV52 BXA

MJ52 GHB

I don't suppose they are former bikes of any members are they??

One is a private sale and two are in dealers. What sort of money should I pay for them, considering time of year an all that? Can I get one for under 5K?

Two also have the Laser cans on, are these ok for MOT? I don't want to be messing around come test time.

Anything I should be looking for, any good bargaining points?

Would appriciate a quick respose on this, test riding two of them tommorow and looking to buy very soon.

Many thanks

and great site btw

Rick.

p.s Boxes, how much can I get a pair for? how much can I knock off/add for a bike with/without BMW panniers.

p.p.s! Lazer cans and chip. How much are they to fit and are the gains worth it. Whats the deal with the chip? Does it fit to the ECU somehow.

ta.

POB · Post by **POB** » Tue Nov 28, 2006 5:42 pm

Boxes are ~300gbp on eBay with racks.
Touring cases are huge, city cases are more slimline.
Chip from Laser is £180
Some Laser pipes are road legal, others are not.
They even do a full 2-2-2 big-bore race system, very illegal.
Look for crap finish on front of engine and fork braces / triple clamps
Generally furry bolts are a bit of a problem.
Brakes - you have a choice of vanilla, ABS, sport ABS or servo-sport-ABS
Make sure you get the pillion seat cover AND special bolts.
Check rocker covers carefully for drop-damage.
Also take the seat off and check the subframe mountings on wet-ridden bikes.

I'm sure others will be along in a moment.
There is a used bike price guide somewhere on the W3 - can't remember the link now.

I have owned mine for about a month and a half - had a few VFRs before, and this bike is truly remarkable. Trust me!

Black Knight · Post by **Black Knight** » Tue Nov 28, 2006 5:48 pm

Thanks for that.

Ive been using the Parkers price guide.

Shows a 52 plate at 5K and the 03 plate at about 5.5. (Dealer prices)

Which brakes are on the BCR then? thats the one im looking at.
Can you confirm its without a centre stand too.

Thanks

Dog Tyred · Post by **Dog Tyred** » Tue Nov 28, 2006 5:54 pm

What POB said.

Can't comment on the bikes listed but mine comes close being a RV52 BX* reg. What type of 1100S is the one you are refering too?

If you can buy a mint, low milage bike then you should'nt have any worries. There seem to be a lot with less than 10k on the clock. Had mine almost year now and love it to bits.

BTW Welcome to madhouse

Black Knight · Post by **Black Knight** » Tue Nov 28, 2006 5:58 pm

Its the Blue and white BCR im looking at.

First is a 03 with 7K

Other two are 52 with 11.5K and 12.5K

POB · Post by **POB** » Tue Nov 28, 2006 6:01 pm

AFAIR none of the BCRs have ABS. Which is no bad thing - many people hate it. I have it, and I am disappoited to say it stops you doing endos and skids

I may be wrong about this - as with all things R1100S, the specs seem to be the source of much confusion / controversy.

POB · Post by **POB** » Tue Nov 28, 2006 6:03 pm

PS > Don't forget that it's mid-winter, so Parker's may be a little on the high side. Many riders still seem to think there is a "biking season"

Blackal · Post by **Blackal** » Tue Nov 28, 2006 6:07 pm

If you are smitten with the Mk1 BCR - then buy nothing less!

There are a few for sale in Bike Trader, but I don't know what they are going for (or not)

Al

Black Knight · Post by **Black Knight** » Tue Nov 28, 2006 6:11 pm

I was almost on th verge of giving up riding completely. I rate the Blackbird, but wanted something different. I wasn't happy with the other Jap, sports tourer offerings, then I came aross a pic of the R1100S.

You know that feeling you get when you see a bike and think, that is beautiful, I love it, I have to have it...thats what I got!

My original budget was 2.5-3K but my heart is firmly taking place over rational thought!

Black Knight · Post by **Black Knight** » Tue Nov 28, 2006 6:24 pm

POB wrote:AFAIR none of the BCRs have ABS. Which is no bad thing - many people hate it. I have it, and I am disappoited to say it stops you doing endos and skids

I may be wrong about this - as with all things R1100S, the specs seem to be the source of much confusion / controversy.

The 52 plate i'm looking at advertises ABS in the specs....

Will have to find out for sure.

Neil178 · Post by **Neil178** » Tue Nov 28, 2006 10:30 pm

Hi Black Knight (Deep Purple fan?), you should deffo be able to get some sort of deal this time of year at a dealers, even if it's just the next service free.
As long as you don't pay top $ then you should be able to get the same money back next spring should you decide to sell it on.

Advice seems to be that with your experience of jap bikes you will need a few miles on the teutonic machine. I'm told the first hundred thousand are the worst!

Buy one and enjoy it. They don't make them any more don't cha know!

andrew s · Post by **andrew s** » Wed Nov 29, 2006 8:24 am

Black Knight,

Go with an open mind when you test ride the bike, it will certainly be different to the Blackbird, and if you have never ridden a Boxer before then different to anything you have ridden.

Take it out for as long as you can and use it on all roads. After doing that if you still want one then there will be loads of advise on here to help you.

Andrew

Ade B · Post by **Ade B** » Wed Nov 29, 2006 8:39 am

With your budget you could pick up plenty of decent bikes.

If you are a polisher you'll pay a lot more for a clean low miler

If you are happy with a bit of wear & tear on the finishes to the engine, fasteners and fork brace (plastics paintwork is strong in my experience) don't be put off with higher mileages, the bike takes it well - provided its serviced regularly.

If you have to have a BCR rep you'll also pay a premium.

All the trick bits can be bought S/H for not a lot - they come up on this forum frequently (got tank bag and panniers here, exhausts, chips and suspension come up frequently).

Its a great bike, but a bit different - make sure you ride before you buy and don't believe most of what you read in the press

Ade

Nero · Post by **Nero** » Wed Nov 29, 2006 1:35 pm

Welcome Black knight,

Chances are that if your hearts set on a BCR, you won't be picking up one of the early limited edition BCR's with the Union Jack flag on the bellypan. You'll be looking at a blue & white Randy Mamola BCR (produced circa 02/03) or a red/white/blue version with Boxercup sign written along the main fairing (produced circa 04).

POB wrote:AFAIR none of the BCRs have ABS. Which is no bad thing - many people hate it. I have it, and I am disappoited to say it stops you doing endos and skids

I may be wrong about this - as with all things R1100S, the specs seem to be the source of much confusion / controversy.

ABS on any R1100S was an optional, that also goes for BCR's. Before it was nicked, I had a Randy Mamola BCR, ABS & heated grips as extras.

I replaced that with a relatively standard SS, in reality with a BCR you're paying for the paint scheme, the bellypan & the carbon covers. Personally I can't see why anyone could be arsed to build a copycat BCR, especially given that, list, a genuine BCR bellypan is in excess of a grand, but each to their own.

If you do buy a 'plain' R1100S you have the 'spare' cash to mod and paint as you please. As has been mentioned, this is a great site for picking stuff up from, sometimes you just need to be a bit quick off the mark!!

Nero

Black Knight · Post by **Black Knight** » Wed Nov 29, 2006 5:47 pm

Thanks for all the info.

Well I looked at and rode two bikes today.
First was a 52. Wasn't keen on it, grips had a split in them, quite a few marks on the paintwork, no abs and they were unabe to fine the SH.

Second one was in better nick but had a load of scuffs down the side.
Basically

Heated grips
No ABS
7200 on the clock
BMW touring panniers
BMW SH book missing but history confirmed, dealer will get new book
Slight chip in front hugger
Scuff and crack to bellypan, been plastic welded.
Scuff on front fairing, dealer will polish out
Deep scratch on tank, dealer will pay Bike medic.
Scrache to rear panel, dealer will polish out.
Shitty small indys, dealer will switch with OE clear from another bike
Dealer will service
Dealer will valet
Dealer will warranty as long as I service with them

I offered 5K cash but was turned down.
They wanted 5.3.

Really pushed to pay more than 5. Will I find another for less or do you think I should go back and haggle with them??