K100 owner considering R1150GS needs some help

[k100]

Hi,

I am a k100 (1987) owner who still loves the brick but wishes to add a more able bike for touring with wife on roads and dirt roads.

I am being offered a R1150GS, 2002 with reasnable milage (35K) . However I have no idea what to look for and would be very gratefull for all and any tips on what to look for? What can hurt? what are the sensitive parts of these bikes?


Also - I am used to doing my own maintanance on the K100 - yet am NO profesional - just work SLOWELY with the manuals. Is this still possible with this bike or is the complexity such that this is a problem?

This particular one BTW has never gone of the road - or so I am told.

Many thanks,
Roy

 

[DevonianScotsman]

Welcome to the forum.

How much wonga is the 1150GS going for? That's a big factor in choosing a bike
Certainly not a bad bike for the job - But as Proff will tell you, you can't beat a good old Airhead 80 or 100GS - The way to go!

R80GS:
<img src="http://www.moto-station.com/ttesimages/motos_anciennes/histo_GS/BMW%20GS%20Kalahari/BMW_GS_Kalahari_stpz.jpg" alt="R80GS"/>

R100GSPD:
<img src="http://www.motorcyclespecs.co.za/Gallery/BMW%20R100GS%20PD%2093%20%201.jpg" alt="R100GS"/>

 

[ianboydsnr]

Hi,

I am a k100 (1987) owner who still loves the brick but wishes to add a more able bike for touring with wife on roads and dirt roads.

I am being offered a R1150GS, 2002 with reasnable milage (35K) . However I have no idea what to look for and would be very gratefull for all and any tips on what to look for? What can hurt? what are the sensitive parts of these bikes?


Also - I am used to doing my own maintanance on the K100 - yet am NO profesional - just work SLOWELY with the manuals. Is this still possible with this bike or is the complexity such that this is a problem?

This particular one BTW has never gone of the road - or so I am told.

Many thanks,
Roy

just as easy to service, if not easier, as any bike look for crash damage, oil leaks and that the gearbox works.

I have a K100rs, bought of this very site

 

[Brian ROSEN]

K100 : 1150GS

Well, I have had both and thought that they were both excellent bikes. i had a 1982K100RS, about 45.000 miles with full service record and at least six previous owners. The engine felt like new and the only reason I sold it was the weight, when parking or wheeling around the garage. (and tucked in behind the fairing I was going a bit too fast for an old gent.) I had a new 1150GS about 7 years ago and found it very comfortable and really there was very little I could fault. However I succumbed to temptation and have been riding 1200GS's lighter and more nimble, for the last five years & I am now on the 2008 model; Is there ANYTHING better? I don't think so, particularly as here in France it develops the maximum 106 HP allowed by law - so even a Hyabusa could not out perform me! (but I do get overtaken in the town by the children on their 50cc scooters - you would not want to insure them!.)

 

[k100]

more

Thank you gentelmen for your answers, they are very helpfull.
As no bike is perfect may i ask what faults should I look for when testing and what parts /faults are common over time?
Also do more people agree with ianboydsnr that self servicing is very doable?

unlike the K100, this one is realy computerized - do u connect with a laptop to do troubleshooting?

thank you kindly for sharing the info.
Roy

 

[ianboydsnr]

Thank you gentelmen for your answers, they are very helpfull.
As no bike is perfect may i ask what faults should I look for when testing and what parts /faults are common over time?
Also do more people agree with ianboydsnr that self servicing is very doable?

unlike the K100, this one is realy computerized - do u connect with a laptop to do troubleshooting?

thank you kindly for sharing the info.
Roy

The 1100/1150 s no more computerised than a K100

 

[k100]

The 1100/1150 s no more computerised than a K100

hey,

That is actualy good to hear - tnx
Hopefully I will see the bike tommorrow.
Is it as sensitive as the K100 to spline lubrication (or lack of)?
Roy

 

[ianboydsnr]

hey,

That is actualy good to hear - tnx
Hopefully I will see the bike tommorrow.
Is it as sensitive as the K100 to spline lubrication (or lack of)?
Roy

yes and no

there has been very rare gearbox spline problems, but most are ok, consensus is that its an alignment problem rather than a lube problem, as even those lubed regulary can and do fail and those that dont get lubed can last without wear.

 

[k100]

Ok,
I have seen bike and it seems very clean but ABS is dead.
supposadly as per seller this means brakes behave like regular breaks.
He is offering a seriouse discount.

How much of an issue am i getting myself into if I get this bike? What is worst case scenario?


Thank you,
Roy

 

[Brian ROSEN]

ABS ?

Ok,
I have seen bike and it seems very clean but ABS is dead.
supposadly as per seller this means brakes behave like regular breaks.
He is offering a seriouse discount.

How much of an issue am i getting myself into if I get this bike? What is worst case scenario?


Thank you,
Roy

I would hesitate to comment; He must have asked a dealer for an estimate to put it right - can he produce this, no doubt your serious discount is related to this! My 1982 model had no ABS and the brakes were fine - but that is NOT the same as having ABS that doesn't work for some reason!; It may be simple or it may be quite serious. Ask a good dealer.

 

[DrFarkoff]

Roy No Issue IF it's whats known as ABSII same as the K1100 series with the ABS unit being a big square alloy block near the battery

But it would be wise to Flush fresh fluid through the system and make sure there is no moisture contamination

If it is Servo ABS which I seriously Doubt given the age but can verify with a frame number You will have more trouble but the removal takes an afternoon and a brake link and a couple of switches and a dod of rewiring

Make I make the suggestion that you subscribe to this site and you can then peruse the bikes for sale on here and compare prices

Good Luck

 

[Steptoe]

I have seen bike and it seems very clean but ABS is dead.

Try the simplest thing first - an ABS "reset" , requires no more than a piece of electrical wire.
Earth the brown/blue wire in the diagnostic socket ( located on top of airbox lid) to the battery earth.
turn on ignition and hold down the abs button on the R/H switchgear for about 8 seconds then turn igintion off.

Then turn back on and see if both ABS lights flash together. Take it for a ride and se if the the ABS lights turn off as you pull away ( accompanied with a clunk, similer to the sound a centre stand makes as it retracts) .