Should I buy a R1100 RS???

trinituner

trinituner

Registered user
Joined
Dec 1, 2012
Messages
109
Reaction score
0
Location
Suriname
Bit of history,

Been riding since 2000 and in that time have done a crap load of trackdays etc etc, fell out of love with road riding years back then got a R1100GS and have loved it for it's all round capability, esp on the dirty stuff..

I rode recently with an advanced instructor and honestly he opened my eyes a bit, I was given some fairly basic instruction on turn in points (I had subconsciously acquired a bad habit of started my turn in to early) Very very common so I am told.. Anyway since then I have found my Mojo again and been out for hours most days really enjoying the Essex country lanes.

My GS has offroad bias tyres (Sava/Mitas MC60) as I do hit the green lanes around here often and they work quite well on the road and longer motorway rides, so I would like to keep the GS as is..

I just fancy something that I can chuck about a bit more for the remainder of the summer, the nicest choice would be a R1100S prep as I could not justify the expense of a full Boxer cup bike, but my budget has kinda taken a hit recently with a unexpected funeral and all the bills that come with that. Even the cheapest bikes seem to be 3k+, and that is before doing the routine precautionary work that is required on a R model..

By shear fluke I came across a article on the Battle of the legends series where it showed the R1100RS as the bike that was used from I think 1993-97??.. I am keen to stick with a "R" bike but the RT is just a bit to heavy so I think the RS may fit somewhere that could work for me. Up until then I would not have even considered one.

They seem to range from around £1200-£2200 which is right within my budget, having tyre sizes of Front: 120/70-17 Rear: 160/60-18 means that some decent rubber can be sourced, obviously service history is a must and even the most pampered bikes can have a moment.

So are there any RS owners that mind telling me of their experience of ownership, anything I should know about if I start to look for an example???.. I have not ridden one yet :nenau



regards
 
I can't help with the experience of owning one...but have you considered having a second set of wheels with different tyres...even doing the RT wheel conversion.

Easy to swap for offroad excursions....
 
blueranger said:
I can't help with the experience of owning one...but have you considered having a second set of wheels with different tyres...even doing the RT wheel conversion.

Easy to swap for offroad excursions....
Click to expand...


I did but honestly I change my mind like the wind, it would be far easier to just get into either my twat suit for off roading or my leathers for road riding plus it is a excuse to get another bike..

By the time I have sent this I would have probably changed my mind again and will be looking at a CBR600!!!!...












joke :beer:
 
Had one for 12 years and loved it as a brilliant all rounder. Changed the battery every couple of years and did my own servicing. Biggest issue was the paint falling off the engine and blistering under a baglux which to be fair on what was a 17 year old bike (when I passed it on) was down to poor cleaning and being kept outside all year.
Bridgestone BT 021s worked well.

Must be a few out there and worth looking and paying for the best condition.

Good luck!
 
Great bike. Usual issues over servo abs in later models so avoid the 1150s unless it has had the servoectomy. Go for a well cared for 1999 or 2000 model which have the upgraded gearboxes as oem. Good ones are out there ...
 
scotboxer said:
Great bike. Usual issues over servo abs in later models so avoid the 1150s unless it has had the servoectomy. Go for a well cared for 1999 or 2000 model which have the upgraded gearboxes as oem. Good ones are out there ...
Click to expand...

Indeed, sadly I would go for any 1150 due to the Servo situation.

Thanks for the reminder re the gearbox, I remember now the reason why I wanted a 1999 GS was for the later box, :thumby:
 
I love my 1993 R1100RS overall, it's my second ( first one was brand new one in 1993) Paid £1800 for this one, and had to replace the brake hoses - the old story of the inner hose linings detaching - Ritebike paid for the hoses, I did the work. Not too keen on the 5 speed gearbox, very klunky and 30 in town is awkward, to low revs for 3rd, too many for 2nd but I'll get used to it. I have put a cheap chip in ( www.sol2.be ) brilliant, and fitted modern injectors from www.tills.de - cant really feel 200 euros worth of difference TBH. Also tried a chip from Greek John, didnt like it, ran lean at low revs, ( poppin - no g ) and overfueled at high revs - much reduced engine breaking
 
Last edited:
I wouldn't bother with an Oilhead RS. It's too similar to your existing bike. As above, best bet is to buy a set of 17" cast wheels and fit to your 1100GS. 30 mins tops to change the wheels over and makes for a brilliant setup. Spend the rest on new shocks and enjoying great roads:thumby:
 
Do it, I have a 1996 R1100RS SE which my son and I renovated, I also have a 2015 R1200RT LC the riding experience is entirely different but both equally plough their own separate furrow. The RS is different to the R1100GS in relation to bars, seating position and power delivery. One thing I would suggest is find one with braided brake hoses, and swap the tyres for Michelin Pilot 4's. Parts are plentiful and cheap on e bay de. I purchased mine as a basket case, it is now immaculate and a keeper....
 
dave perry said:
I love my 1993 R1100RS overall, it's my second ( first one was brand new one in 1993) Paid £1800 for this one, and had to replace the brake hoses - the old story of the inner hose linings detaching - Ritebike paid for the hoses, I did the work. Not too keen on the 5 speed gearbox, very klunky and 30 in town is awkward, to low revs for 3rd, too many for 2nd but I'll get used to it. I have put a cheap chip in ( www.sol2.be ) brilliant, and fitted modern injectors from www.tills.de - cant really feel 200 euros worth of difference TBH. Also tried a chip from Greek John, didnt like it, ran lean at low revs, ( poppin - no g ) and overfueled at high revs - much reduced engine breaking
Click to expand...

From my experience if it is setup correctly then a R1100 will run fine, my current GS does not have any hint of surging or poor fueling. The throttle bodies where synced and valves checked, Iridium NGK plugs fitted along with draining a good deal of water from the airbox via the drain screw (I doubt the previous owner knew it was even there????) and it has been running perfect for 4 years with just routine checks and consumables... We will not mention the final drive rebuild... The one thing that I crap my pants over is having to faff around with a clutch replacement and the aggro that goes along with it so I will be doing everything I can to try and avoid that little chestnut..


Karlread said:
Do it, I have a 1996 R1100RS SE which my son and I renovated, I also have a 2015 R1200RT LC the riding experience is entirely different but both equally plough their own separate furrow. The RS is different to the R1100GS in relation to bars, seating position and power delivery. One thing I would suggest is find one with braided brake hoses, and swap the tyres for Michelin Pilot 4's. Parts are plentiful and cheap on e bay de. I purchased mine as a basket case, it is now immaculate and a keeper....
Click to expand...

I have done a braided line swap on the GS and I actually do not care to much about ABS and would probably bypass if the job was needed and the lights where pissing about as they do on these bikes. Should save a few KG also.. I expect a bike to need a full service regarding fluids, I have a spare set of Nushings for the rear drive that would be fitted and I half expect to have to do a rear drive rebuild anyway shortly after purchase as I am not the luckiest person when it comes to buying anything used (or new for that matter).. In the words of Kevin Schwantz "If I had a pet fish it would drown"...


Thanks all thus far
 
Bought my 955i T595 shape Daytona for £1900 with 11500 miles. Brilliant engine and comfy once I flipped the bars around. It offered a totally different experience to the 1150gsa but in reality it's not much quicker point to point.

I'd have an 1100S but the RS is not a bike that excites me or presses any buttons for me at all. Had an 1150RT and it handled better than a GS and was faster, but it was all a bit 'unfun' if ya get my drift.
 
Think i'd go for a spare set of wheels until I could afford an S. From the sound of it you'll find the RS clumbersome like I did.
You don't actually need alloys, another set of spoked wheels with Contintrail attacks or maybe Pilot 4 trails will give all the grip for hooning about on the road on a GS.
 
Ok I finally have a few days off,

I looked at a 1100RS locally today through word of a friend of a friend (near epping), It was a total bag of shite, seller was obviously a eBay type dealer, that is one friend off the crimbo list..

I have been offered a very well cared for and more importantly cheap K75RT of 90's vintage, I guess they handle like a cargo ship but I may well have a test ride as nothing to loose all to gain.


I was hoping to get out on the GS this weekend but a early morning greenlaning excursion on Friday before work saw a 6 inch nail go through the tyre, this is confirmation I need another bike..




Regards
 
IMHO................ hold out for a well cared for 1100RS, there seem to be many appearing for sale for very little money. Never mind all the swapping wheel stuff etc., the GS, RT, R and RS are all different bikes

Bide your time with a wad of notes in your back pocket, keep looking, wait for the gem to turn up and then pounce.
 
Nippy Normans supply Touratech, Wunderlich, Desert Fox and many other makes of accessories.
You must log in or register to reply here.

Similar threads

Where can i buy a male plug for the Aud Power Splitter 61132316621
Replies
2
Views
332
Kenny Rodkiss
Kenny Rodkiss
grantmac
If I don’t use / keep my Nav VI, what should I buy and still keep use of the whirly wheel?
Replies
5
Views
445
daesimps
leadfarmer
Should I buy the BMW ConnectedRide Navigator or something else?
Replies
13
Views
13,402
leadfarmer
leadfarmer
Should I buy a 750?
Replies
16
Views
3,432
Stevie4scoops
Stevie4scoops
Richie B
XT advice - Should I buy one? Better than 396? Bluetooth compatibility?
Replies
5
Views
2,060
Cheney Triumph
Cheney Triumph


Back
Top Bottom