knowledge needed.......

[Mac]

eh up,

this is my first post here, though i've had a mooch around and it seems an active and well informed place to be.

I'm very close to buying an R1100GS ( ABS ) on an L plate ( year not provisional ) and will be test riding it tomorrow.

Whats the s.p. on this bike? I have heard lots about the 1200 but very little about this model.

If the ride goes well and will probably buy it but will always listen to those who know...................

Thanks in advance amigos

 

[Uinneag]

If Carlseberg made GS's it would be that one

 

[samual1962]

tuff! well made! durable! most things within reach of the home mechanic!

 

[D6]

buy it, ride it, ignore the rattles and clunks

 

[roddy]

you can pretty much ignore the mileage on these bikes as long as it's been maintained,
check the obvious consumables discs/ pads/tyres & suspension.
check rear wheel for any play depending what direction, the play is can help indicate whats wrong (do a search I don't remember off the top of my head whats what)

there was something about early gearbox's once they got to a certain age, they could have issues, but this was sorted out after <insert year> do a search it's been mentioned on this site before

I had a '99 1100GS (ABS) 53K miles before my 1150GSA and it's a brilliant bike reliable, very well made, and if your good with spanners most jobs are easily capable of the home mechanic.

when you test ride it, makes sure you have ear plugs in as the noise from them will scare the wits out of you thinking it's about to explode, but they all do that sir!

 

[garfield]

...wot they all said.....

we all got treated to one at the weekend in Lumb Farm.....here's a pic of it so you can drool over it.....

<img src="http://i230.photobucket.com/albums/ee148/biker_garfield/DSCF3581.jpg">

 

[Mac]

Excellent stuff, many thanks cabrone's

My gut feeling was to buy it because it felt good when i sat on it and i trust my feelings ( Alot! ) and riding the TL home from work felt like a last date before you finish with your girlfriend...... ( you know, she dosn't )

I'ts good to know that maintenance will be a part of owning one aswell, the main reason i've got the exup is to tinker with it, and apart from ongoing running jobs, the TL is a no no for spanner antics

Thanks for the heads up on the rear wheel roddy, i will be sure to check

The bike has 46000 well serviced miles on it, but hasn't moved for two years really, the odd warm up, but no road time. It has a full set of hard panniers and top box also.

i can already see my first purchases being tyres, fluids & filters and a new battery

And after your comments chaps it's now looking like a full blown certainty

oh lordy, i think i've been bitten.................

 

[DrFarkoff]

Take it for a scoot

Push it a bit hard under load from low rpm in 2nd and then cahnge up into third does it "skip" like the ignition cut out for a millisecond????

http://www.largiader.com/tech/oiltrans/

 

[Mac]

good one

 

[motobiker]

L reg is the 94 model... the first of them.. and so should have a plastic tank.

To be honest... I would be tempted to hold out for a later 98/99 model - even if it has a higher mileage... those made in 97 onwards had various improvements (gearbox) and the result being a far more reliable machine.

sorry from 04/96 (according to that link above)

 

[Ian Lynch]

An other minor problem, especialy if its been standing, is noisey rear suspension. Make sure the rear suspension is smooth and squeak free.
Its a realitivly easy job to replace the bearings in the swinging arm but its always better if someone has already done it.

There's lots of mint 1100's out there, the build quality seems better than the later models.

Have fun,

Lynchy

 

[Buckingham]

Don't forget to take a look at the exhaust studs at the cylinder heads, they rust badly then snap when you try to remove them - a right pain if you've got a leaking head gasket.

 

[Vern]

Just buy it and be done with

How much anyway?

 

[shready]

Don't do it, they are totally unreliable

I've had one for about 9 years, a Jan 1999 model.

It 's had the following replaced in that time:

1 new clutch
2 new final drive bearings
1 new speedo cable
1 new battery
3 new headlamp bulbs
2 new rear light bulbs
1 new set of bevel bearings
1 new indicator bulbs

And this morning I noticed that a bulb in the rev counter has broken too! Typical and all this happened out of warranty and it's only done 92,000 miles.

Seriously, they are superb bikes and that is pretty much all that has gone wrong on mine, which is pretty good IMO.

It has only ever been on the back of a breakdown truck once, that was when my second final drive bearing packed up and decided to rip the oil seal out.

I understand earlier models could develop gearbox problems but that's all.

Superb bike, I'd buy another tomorrow without a second thought

 

[Mac]

well i've gone and got it

rode it yesterday and decided to buy it

i noticed a leak in the master cylinder seal and have ordered the bits, so i won't be riding it home untill tues/weds next week

no worries tho, it's mine now

thanks for the heads up on what things to look for, i checked each one and the only thing i noticed is a rattley clutch at tick over which dissapears when i pull in the lever

what did it cost, well nothing in the end, i'm swapping my TLs for the GS and a mate will pull my arms off on weds when i get the money for the exup, so i'm back on one bike

i've attached a pic, nothing you aint seen before but i'm sure someone will ask......

[/IMG]


Happy days...........

 

[roddy]

never seen a 1100 in white before.

That's smart, Enjoy