Not quite sure when I last owned an 1100GS but i think it was around 96,anyhow on a bit of a whim a couple of weeks ago I bought a 99 1100gs Granada Dakar with what appears to be a genuine 42,000mls and 2 previous owners.It was not taxed or mot'd so I was unable to ride it,but it all looked and sounded ok so I decided to take a bit of a chance and made a bid which was accepted.
The bike is in pretty good condition,all painted parts are good but most of the powder coat is well past it's best and the wheels could possibly do with a rebuild as could the rear shock.
So having tinkered for the last couple of weeks to get the bike roadworthy this morning I got my first oppertunity to take it for a much anticipated spin,I've come to quite like this bike over the last couple of weeks.
Bearing in mind I also own a 2013wc I was concious not to try to compare them but I guess it only human nature!
I jump on the bike start her up "snick" it into first gear and set off on what is going to be a fairly short 15mls for my first ride.
Two miles down the road I've confirmed everything works good the engine sounds sweet and the gearbox is up-to now as good as any boxer gearbox I've ridden.
Then it suddenly dawns on me this thing feels as though it's been carved from a solid piece of granite it just feels so solid and deliberate.
Twenty five miles later and working at full temp the engine and gearbox are an absolute peach and it just feels so very nice to ride and there appears to be nothing that can't be done to turn this into a truely lovely bike.
I can't resist when I get back home so I jump on the 1200 for a quick blast,it does without doubt imho do everything better,although I must admit the gear box feels nicer on the 1100,but I'm not here to compare,two very different bikes that promote two very different riding styles.
Am I smitten with the 1100? you bet I am so much so that I'm considering doing a full retoration to bring it back to as mint as my limited ability will allow,only downside is I would need to move on my XR250 tomake room and to fund the work.
If I decided it's the road to go down I will try to put it up in the restoration section,so if i ask some stupid or repeated questions over the coming months please accept my apologies,although I won't be able to start for a couple of months due to lots of work needing doing in the new house.
Steve
The bike is in pretty good condition,all painted parts are good but most of the powder coat is well past it's best and the wheels could possibly do with a rebuild as could the rear shock.
So having tinkered for the last couple of weeks to get the bike roadworthy this morning I got my first oppertunity to take it for a much anticipated spin,I've come to quite like this bike over the last couple of weeks.
Bearing in mind I also own a 2013wc I was concious not to try to compare them but I guess it only human nature!
I jump on the bike start her up "snick" it into first gear and set off on what is going to be a fairly short 15mls for my first ride.
Two miles down the road I've confirmed everything works good the engine sounds sweet and the gearbox is up-to now as good as any boxer gearbox I've ridden.
Then it suddenly dawns on me this thing feels as though it's been carved from a solid piece of granite it just feels so solid and deliberate.
Twenty five miles later and working at full temp the engine and gearbox are an absolute peach and it just feels so very nice to ride and there appears to be nothing that can't be done to turn this into a truely lovely bike.
I can't resist when I get back home so I jump on the 1200 for a quick blast,it does without doubt imho do everything better,although I must admit the gear box feels nicer on the 1100,but I'm not here to compare,two very different bikes that promote two very different riding styles.
Am I smitten with the 1100? you bet I am so much so that I'm considering doing a full retoration to bring it back to as mint as my limited ability will allow,only downside is I would need to move on my XR250 tomake room and to fund the work.
If I decided it's the road to go down I will try to put it up in the restoration section,so if i ask some stupid or repeated questions over the coming months please accept my apologies,although I won't be able to start for a couple of months due to lots of work needing doing in the new house.
Steve
.
was it off mad bid . com 
