bmw 1100s

[Magwa]

Hello all,
I have but one remaining bike for road use, honda vfr 800 which is beautiful
but
I quite fancy a bmw 1100s
Anything I should consider or avoid?
This came about after I saw the Tunneruk Special
Any advice

Cheers

Magwa.

Ps whatever I buy will be summer use only, no luggage needed, I only did 300 miles this year
it's barely worth me keeping a bike I know but I use my classic car more these days
So a cheap excellent /mint old bike is fine for me.

 

[Flipfly]

Brilliant bike.

Usual stuff to look out for corrosion etc. You know what you are doing as your bikes are always nice. Just buy a nice one and enjoy.

Boxer cups will be an investment buy so more expensive initially but you will make money rather than lose it.

 

[wreck diver]

Hi Steve
There is a nice one on eBay at the moment in silver,low miles.

 

[tanneman]

I think the laser exhaust makes the bike vibrate less and sound much nicer. Check the brake calipers retract and if it doesn't have braided or new brake lines then budget for it. If the suspension has not been reworked then budget for that too. MCT does a good job of reworking the Showas. If any of the steering head ball or telelever ball has play it is to be replaced. Check for play in the drive shaft pivots and final drive bearing on high mileage machines. Also worth checking the play on the gearbox input shaft on leggy models. For that you have to remove the starter motor. Quick to do. There is a video on boxertrix or pelicanparts. Throttle bodies, if it rattles a bit then a tickerkiller should fix that. Condition and service history. If it is lacking then dig deeper. A good service and tuneup is all what is needed if the bike has stood for a while. Also beware that if it has stood for a long time then it will rattle a bit, warm the bike up by taking it for a spirited ride and it will all be back to normal.

They are really good bikes but will feel their age. Steering is a bit slow but can be made quicker by shortening the telelever or raising the suspension to match the BCR. Beware that the Red/White/Blue/BCR is as tall as a GS Adventure. Sport models came with 5.5'' rear wheel for a 180 section rear tyre and yellow spring Showa suspension. Normal models have a grey spring and 5'' wheel for a 170 section tyre. RWB BCR models have different suspension to the Sport. Aftermarket suspension units from Wilbers, Hagon and Ohlins are popular mods. Remus, Staintune, Vande Linde and Laser aftermarket exhausts are the ones you'll find fitted. Rare as hens teeth are the Remus and Laser race systems but that would also fail a noise test at many tracks.

Panniers is the same as those on the other oilheads and come with 3 lid sizes I think. BMW tankbags are the best fit. Headlights are not the best and it can do with a gear indicator. Easy mod if you can build your own or search for buzzz on boxertrix or pelicanparts.

Mine has only been ridden once last year. It is time I ride it a bit more. It is silver and hence faster.

 

[Magwa]

Cheers so far
I've joined boxertrix and am looking

 

[rhobgoblins]

I used to have one alongside my 1100GS - 6 speed gearbox very smooth compared to the 5 speed GS and for my limited ability, it handled very well. The only downside I found was the lack of fuel capacity - was looking for a petrol station after 100 miles. Quick enough for me.

 

[(RIP) Tunneruk]

I'll just leave these here .... :ague


Remember, this bike has 51,000 miles. Don't feel you have to wait for a super low miles example, there are some decent bikes out there with higher mileage to be had


_MG_8692 by tunneruk, on Flickr

_MG_8691 by tunneruk, on Flickr

_MG_8701 by tunneruk, on Flickr

_MG_8713 by tunneruk, on Flickr

 

[Wreford Miles]

I used to have one alongside my 1100GS - 6 speed gearbox very smooth compared to the 5 speed GS and for my limited ability, it handled very well. The only downside I found was the lack of fuel capacity - was looking for a petrol station after 100 miles. Quick enough for me.

It's not that bad - 18lt tank and as with other oilheads 10 miles per lt is still a fair guide

My Prediction:

Look at the amount of old airheads turned into café racer type bikes and the price wanted for any old airhead

Now look at the lovely one above... IMO it's cooler than a penguins ball bag and to get the same all you need a decent base bike which can still be had for fair money and money spent with the likes of Chris.

All of that can be achieved for a lot less than some chopped about old Airhead - And the end result as a riding experience is in a different league

So my prediction is watch for more uniquely restored 1100S and the demand for these bikes increasing

...get in quick is my advice

 

[Magwa]

It's not that bad - 18lt tank and as with other oilheads 10 miles per lt is still a fair guide

My Prediction:

Look at the amount of old airheads turned into café racer type bikes and the price wanted for any old airhead

Now look at the lovely one above... IMO it's cooler than a penguins ball bag and to get the same all you need a decent base bike which can still be had for fair money and money spent with the likes of Chris.

All of that can be achieved for a lot less than some chopped about old Airhead - And the end result as a riding experience is in a different league

So my prediction is watch for more uniquely restored 1100S and the demand for these bikes increasing

...get in quick is my advice

Well I know how cool your bike (ex Chris ) is , I may just look for a decent bike , strip it and get a similar paint job done by Tunneruk. ...
I'll keep looking

 

[tanneman]

I'm still waiting for tunneruk to reply to my PM about painting the bike.

 

[(RIP) Tunneruk]

I'm still waiting for tunneruk to reply to my PM about painting the bike.

Eh?

 

[Wreford Miles]

Why do Boxer Cup replicas command good prices?

IMO one of the reasons and one that carries a fair weight is 'they look good'

And as we can see above Chris can make an 1100S look good and the reason I now have it is although I've for a while lusted after a Boxer Cup replica what I was really wanting was a good looking 1100S

You now have two others in this thread interested in a painted up 1100S - The style of the bike makes them a perfect choice for this, the relatively good price and the fact that they actually go pretty well just makes them an even better proposition.

Get in quick is my recommendation - Chris has started something here

 

[(RIP) Tunneruk]

Chris has started something here

Well you know ...... I've always been a trail blazing trend setter ....

Of course you're right, they really are a perfect bike to make your own. Sadly from a cost perspective there is so much bodywork to paint the it's a fairly expensive job

 

[tanneman]

What attracted me to the R11S was the wheels and the BCR cup. At the time there was few bikes with such sexy wheels fitted. First time I saw one at the local BMW dealer in SA I could only dream of being ale to afford one.

 

[tanneman]

Eh?

Was sent on 27/07. Just inquiring about the cost of having the panels painted in the original silver colour.