R100GS, FAQ for beginners

[Hustler]

I've been looking through the posts here and could do with some pointers for basic questions, ideally some sort of FAQ for beginners.
Is there anywhere someone could point me to please, or maybe a book or 2 to get hold of ?
I could do with answering a few basic questions like for example -
Are they likely to be a money pit ?, which is probably a how long is a piece of string question
and why do the PD models weigh so much more
and I think they are paralever but I don't really understand this paralever / monolever malarkey ?
Anyway, any pointers appreciated, thank you.

 

[Rob Farmer]

Undoubtedly a money pit while you get the bike sorted and as you want it to be, once they are sorted apart from the fuel they are pretty cheap to maintain.

Micapeak is a good starting point http://micapeak.com/bmw/gs/ all the models and years explained.

The Monolever and Paralevers refer to the rear suspension arrangements. Monolever is a single sided swinging arm using the same drive shaft as the twin shock road bikes - very rugged back end but suffers from the rear end jacking up under acceleration. In reality the bikes lack of power means this isn't really a problem. The Paralever dramatically improves the ride quality of the bikes but adds weight and can suffer from drive failure because of universal joint bearing failure.

 

[nick.ct]

Hustler, hi

Have a look at the Monolever and Paralever registers for pictures showing the difference between the rear swing arms. In the Paralever the shaft runs dry, well in grease not oil, the Monolever its oiled. The paralever was introduced to prevent the rising of the back of the bike when accelerating. Many on the Airhead Forum have expressed strong views about the benefits of each type.

No need for them to be a money pit, but like all bikes there are some good ones and some bad.

What are you thinking of getting?

Nick

 

[Hustler]

Thanks for the replies Rob and Nick, appreciated.
I'm information gathering at the moment Nick, unsure if I'll buy anything or not. I suppose it's a definite maybe.
I've got a 650 at the moment (and a Hornet) but looking for something with a bit more on the torque front and a little more comfy than the 650 as I don't find it over comfortable for longer distances. The Hornet doesn't really do long distances, well it does and has done but tank size and luggage carrying are not exactly its strongpoints.
I'll certainly keep the 650 though, although the Hornet may seek a new owner.
But I'm living in la belle France nowdays so have got to go for a bit of a peruse around the shops as buying a UK one gives all sorts of re-registering potential headaches, not insurmountable but not really recommended either.

 

[ChasF]

Hi Hustler,

I imported my R100GS without any problems but tend to agree that you would be better off getting one here if you can find one. They also seem fairly pricey.

I've had mine a long time (it's a 1989 standard GS). All the usual things have gone wrong but it has generally been reliable. They are very easy to work on and spares are readily available in France although I still use Motobins and others in the UK.

 

[(RIP) Proff]

Monolevers are the best
END OF !!!!













FYI I DO have a rather nice 93 PD Paralever for sale, ask Rob Farmer..
£2750 to a Tosser
Engine replaced with a 1985 R100 [very low mileage] bottom end to aleviate the problem of studs pulling out of the Monkey metal later Airhead cases.
42,000, new valves and guides as 40.000 is recommended change time for airhead valves

 

[Voyager]

I've got a 650 at the moment (and a Hornet) but looking for something with a bit more on the torque front and a little more comfy than the 650 as I don't find it over comfortable for longer distances.

What do you call a 'long distance' ?

I haven't ridden a 650 very far but my 1989 R100GS can get very hard on the rear after a few hundred miles. I did 588 miles one day and I was sore for a couple of days .

I wasn't carrying any luggage and may have had the rear shock preload a bit high (Hagon shock). 300 to 400 mile days are no problem.

Its not as comfortable as my 1150GSA on which I have covered over 1,000 miles in a day with no after effects.

As for being a money pit . . . It all depends. Mine had 10 previous owners and it needed a lot of work. Over the last three years I have replaced the coil, wiring loom, exhaust system, rear shock, seat, had a top end overhaul, starter motor, driveshaft, gearbox rebuild, new speedo - all the normal stuff really

I was getting it ready for a Continental Tour . . . Then bought the 1150GSA and used that instead

They are great bikes though. I use the 100GS in preferance to the 1150 if I am doing minor roads in Scotland as its smaller, lighter and more manageable. Its very 'grunty' and is great fun to ride. Its not as sophisticated as the 'oilhead' though and the 240 watt alternator struggles if you use heated clothing in winter.

Bob.

 

[Hustler]

What do you call a 'long distance' ?

I haven't ridden a 650 very far but my 1989 R100GS can get very hard on the rear after a few hundred miles. I did 588 miles one day and I was sore for a couple of days .

I wasn't carrying any luggage and may have had the rear shock preload a bit high (Hagon shock). 300 to 400 mile days are no problem.

Its not as comfortable as my 1150GSA on which I have covered over 1,000 miles in a day with no after effects.............

My bottom doesn't seem to survive beyond 100 miles on the 650 but a long day to me is around 200 miles, 300 tops really.
And I have no intention of getting into your 1,000 mile in a day club, but well done though.
I don't tend to need heated clothing so that little problem is null and void for me.
I suppose the torque is probably more important than the comfort but I don't like bikes to be too heavy so that to me rules out some of the more recent models.
Thanks very much for your reply.

 

[Rob Farmer]

You could buy a perfect one and you would still pump loads of money into it making it your own. Thats the thing with the airheads they are very addictive and you will never see two exactly the same. The Monos are lovely bikes but the paralever is a far better option for longer runs, they are more stable at higher speeds amd the 100 has far more uumph.

My GSA spends most of it's time in the garage playing second fiddle to the airheads. for longer runs I'd always take the GSA though..unless I had that nice PD Proffs selling - I've seriously considered selling the GSA to buy it.

 

[Spout]

My bottom doesn't seem to survive beyond 100 miles on the 650 but a long day to me is around 200 miles, 300 tops really.
I suppose the torque is probably more important than the comfort but I don't like bikes to be too heavy so that to me rules out some of the more recent models.

In my experience the 650 isn't any worse than the airheads for distance work, riding my Dakar reminded me of my monolever days. The paralevers are slightly better, but at the expense of extra weight.
To increase comfort on your 650, why don't you junk the low seat (in your avatar) and get the full size one?

As Rob says, airheads they are very addictive, and everyone should own one at some time. Go for it!

 

[Hustler]

..........To increase comfort on your 650, why don't you junk the low seat (in your avatar) and get the full size one?...........

Thanks Spout, I've had my 650 for over a year now and I was always of the belief that it was a standard seat.
Well, well you live and learn eh.
Thanks for pointing that out.
Better find out where to get one from, it's on my "to do" list now.

 

[(RIP) Proff]

Thanks Spout, I've had my 650 for over a year now and I was always of the belief that it was a standard seat.
Well, well you live and learn eh.
Thanks for pointing that out.
Better find out where to get one from, it's on my "to do" list now.

Put it on the FS+W post on the site, always shortarses wanting lower seats, may get a straight swap

 

[(RIP) pastyman]

I had a 650 Dakar and found the seat very uncomfortable on the first long (350 mile ride) Then I sort of melted into it and from then on had no more probs. Ive now got an old 800 mono and a 100 gs para and to save Proff from having appoplexy and Im not going to say which is best.. I love them both and yes they are addictive. As for the money pit. When you spend money on new bits to keep it going, you can at least see where it is. Buy a new 1200 , drive it out of the showroom and watch a couple of thousand dissapear with absolutely nothing to show for it..
My advice.. Keep the 650 and definately get the airhead (para or mono) as well.

 

[Hustler]

Put it on the FS+W post on the site, always shortarses wanting lower seats, may get a straight swap

Thanks Proff, better investigate postage charges to and from France before I do that really.
I've just have a quick look, out of interest, at TT seats and the prices are, errr, a little on the high side, no pun intended.

 

[Hustler]

....... My advice.. Keep the 650 and definately get the airhead (para or mono) as well.

Thanks pastyman, I thinks that's good advice and one that will be followed in due course.

 

[judge]

I used to run an 1150 and a R100GS-PD, both were money pits, the former was a money pit as I kept putting toys on it but other than that only paid out for service items and a replacement front shock oh and when I binned it and had to put it back together

The PD on the other hand even considering the fact it was rebuilt 18 months before I bought it has had many major component failures and a few improvements - they are a bike that needs constant fettling and if this floats your boat it will be a perfect and willing companion.

Now I'm not that 'animal' and by rights I either shouldn't own it, should learn to like fettling it, or keep it in my garage only to give me a warm and fluffy feeling that in some owning one makes me a better person, its certainly not a bike for just riding and forgetting about (though Tarka will tell you no bike should be like that).

Fact of the matter is it can do all I want for a bike, it can bimble, it can scratch, it can do the sunny Sunday and it has the legs for a lengthy tour, loaded up with passenger and camping gear, it can commute, it can off-road, or ford with the best of them and I don't need 3 of you to help me pick it up. With a modicum of nouse I can with the aid of some basic tools and a manual service it, fix it, improve it.

Parts are readily available (just don't bother your BMW dealer parts counter cos its its pre-2000 they have no idea what you're talking about), in Sherlock's, Motobins and Motorworks you have all the bits you could want (new or secondhand).

And having just put Tourances on and having taken the TKC's off I'm really enjoying the riding again and have put the for sale sign away again, so while I'm in that mood I should get the 400 watt alternator kit fitted, overhaul the carbs and fix the broken headlight mount

 

[(RIP) pastyman]

Right on Judge,,,,, Having spent the whole day(absolutely precipitating down outside) in the garage fetteling both the 80 (oil change plus) and the 100gs, trying to find the source of the engine rattle, I recon I had quite an enjoyable and productive day. Learned a bit more about the airheads ( dont try to put the front alternator cover back on before the engine has cooled. Now nursing burns and blisters on my knuckles)
Everything is relatively simple and the more you take it apart the easier the nuts and bolts undo, I mean head ,barrel and piston off, checked and put back together and running in under a couple of hours and without rushing, What other bike could you do that on.
Love em.
I suppose it would be quite nice to just ride and take into the garage,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,Nooooooooo .too tight

 

[Hustler]

Thanks for your thoughts, judge and pastyman, appreciated.

 

[Sylvester]

Why don't you try and buy one from Germany? Found mine on autoscout and luckily its had most of the mods done and came with wilbers F&R, Sibenrock 1000 kit and other goodies and its left hand drive. As for the money pit, the gimme list for these bikes just goes on and on. As the other tossers have added you can't beat a day in the garage having a fettle. Having said all the above they are not different from any other bikes, buy a pig and you will suffer. It also depends on your definition of moneypit, buy an old Italian bike and enjoy an overdraft the size of a small African country.