jase
Guest
i'm thinking of buying my first r1100 gs its a 95 model, what problems or faults should i look for ? thanks for any advise you can give.
Bødkerman
Registered user
BMW made a number of changes to the bike in 97 and I would reccomend that you hang out for a a later model if possible.
This will no doubt ensure a series of pre 97 owners shooting me down in flames!
Mike.
This will no doubt ensure a series of pre 97 owners shooting me down in flames!
Mike.
Jase,
I bought my 99 gs1100 last May after reading and hearing about how good they are and havent been disappointed. I`ve done 11000 trouble free miles, with the only costs being a set of tyres at £140 and 2 services (£130 & £170 as I couldnt be arsed doing them myself). I`ve added lots of accessories including a laser pipe and chip, crash bars etc- which were bought from Mike the last reply.
I dont know of any problems other than giving fasteners etc a good coat of wd40 over the winter to avoid rusty nuts! I probably dont clean it as often as I should but after 2 months winter riding it still cleaned up like new.
Go for it.
I bought my 99 gs1100 last May after reading and hearing about how good they are and havent been disappointed. I`ve done 11000 trouble free miles, with the only costs being a set of tyres at £140 and 2 services (£130 & £170 as I couldnt be arsed doing them myself). I`ve added lots of accessories including a laser pipe and chip, crash bars etc- which were bought from Mike the last reply.
I dont know of any problems other than giving fasteners etc a good coat of wd40 over the winter to avoid rusty nuts! I probably dont clean it as often as I should but after 2 months winter riding it still cleaned up like new.
Go for it.
Just spotted this thread. so it may be out of date.
I've got a 95 1100GS that has been great! I've done 18000 miles in two years and it just gets better. The only problem I've had was the head gaskets blowing in the first week, this was fixed FOC by BMW, apparently the early gaskets blew and the material has been updated, since that, despite my heavy handedness, the gaskets have remained tight.
The early gearboxes rattle at tickover, but according to Getrag the manufacturer, (quote)are the better shifting gearboxes with no pattern of mechanical defects (see http://www.micapeak.com/bmw-gs/trans.html).
The frames were modified in an attempt to rectify the breaking frame problem when the bikes were being used heavily "Off Road". I was on the BMW off road course on the 12th & 13th of July, one of the instructers broke the gearbox on his 1150 going down a relatively gentle dip, so this problem has never really been cured. Touratech make "Hardparts" to take the strain off the gearbox on the 850/1100's.
The biggest pain with the early 1100's is the bare alloy wheel rims, as opposed to the anodised later ones, A serious investment in autosol is required to keep them clean.
I'm sure theres many more differences between the model years but there all damm good bikes.
Rob Farmer
95 R1100GS
Loughborough
Leicestershire
I've got a 95 1100GS that has been great! I've done 18000 miles in two years and it just gets better. The only problem I've had was the head gaskets blowing in the first week, this was fixed FOC by BMW, apparently the early gaskets blew and the material has been updated, since that, despite my heavy handedness, the gaskets have remained tight.
The early gearboxes rattle at tickover, but according to Getrag the manufacturer, (quote)are the better shifting gearboxes with no pattern of mechanical defects (see http://www.micapeak.com/bmw-gs/trans.html).
The frames were modified in an attempt to rectify the breaking frame problem when the bikes were being used heavily "Off Road". I was on the BMW off road course on the 12th & 13th of July, one of the instructers broke the gearbox on his 1150 going down a relatively gentle dip, so this problem has never really been cured. Touratech make "Hardparts" to take the strain off the gearbox on the 850/1100's.
The biggest pain with the early 1100's is the bare alloy wheel rims, as opposed to the anodised later ones, A serious investment in autosol is required to keep them clean.
I'm sure theres many more differences between the model years but there all damm good bikes.
Rob Farmer
95 R1100GS
Loughborough
Leicestershire
Malky
Guest
Got a early '98 R1100GS, so I guess it came out the factory late '97. with 19000 on the clock, had 9000 1 year ago when I bought it. Great bike and lets face it it is just about run in now in the last few thousand it has stopped drinking so much oil. A number of people who have or had earlier GSes have commented I am luck to have the anodised wheels. Can't fault the bike other than 2 rusty bolts on one front caliper. But hell only 2 bolts and they can be replaced with stainless if I want.
The worst 1100GS I ever saw was a 95 and all the bolts were rusting and I mean all.
I have heard of niggles and concerns about the early 1150s but I have had no complaints and remarkably no speed tickets. But the I am very restrained, well who isn't on a GS ? ;-)
Did I mention the 1100GS can shift.
If you are into fiddling with the bike then it is worth you looking at http://www.ibmwr.org. It made me buy a twinmax, and oh does it shift. There's that word again.
The worst 1100GS I ever saw was a 95 and all the bolts were rusting and I mean all.
I have heard of niggles and concerns about the early 1150s but I have had no complaints and remarkably no speed tickets. But the I am very restrained, well who isn't on a GS ? ;-)
Did I mention the 1100GS can shift.
If you are into fiddling with the bike then it is worth you looking at http://www.ibmwr.org. It made me buy a twinmax, and oh does it shift. There's that word again.
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