1100 - what to look for

MattW

MattW

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I could do with a little 1100 advice.
I'm thinking of buying a 52k '94/95 1100GS. I've not been to see it yet, but it's advertised as being mechanically / cosmetically spot on.

Being new to BMW's I'm a bit nervous about buying myself a heap of trouble with a 13 year old bike - any advice as to any key things to look for when I go to see it would be very much appreciated! (Not sure whether the seller is going to be happy about me test riding it, but hopefully he'll take me for a pillion spin)

Finally: Gearboxes.
I've read about the potential problems with the pre '97 boxes - if the worst happened and it went t*ts-up, is the fix expensive? - I guess there are two options, an independent specialist like Steptoe or DIY... Anyone got a feel for the relative costs?

ta
Matt
 
Had mine for 2 yrs never had a problem (61000miles). As you say gear boxs are a problem, just check its ok in 3rd at about 3700rpm and on tickover on the stand the wheel doesn't turn and no gearbox rattle. DIY fix might be a bit hard depending on your skill.
Hall sensors can also give trouble, but as far as I know they work or not.

Have fun with it
Pete
 
MattW said:
I could do with a little 1100 advice.

I guess there are two options, an independent specialist like Steptoe or DIY... Anyone got a feel for the relative costs?

ta
Matt
Click to expand...

NO - there are 3 options. The third being be patient and wait for a late 97 or 98/99 bike to turn up. :thumb

Or.. a 4th - look for a bike thats had the later Gearbox fitted - many have!!
 
tony.nottm said:
NO - there are 3 options. The third being be patient and wait for a late 97 or 98/99 bike to turn up. :thumb
Click to expand...

How right you are :)

Patience has never been easy for me - people with nice late 1100's don't seem to want to sell them (wonder why that is) :rolleyes: ....

cheers

Matt
 
why wait

I bought myself a cracker, A 1995 model loads history and I've had it for 2yrs now.
you can get problems with new bikes too.. Best bet, If its clean/tidy/price is right grab both feet and jump in. T'is what I did and have no regrets I have taken mine to France/Germany/Belgium/Holland on many occasions and even though I travell with GSX'S Fireblade's R1's I have never been left behind and I bet I've had more fun.. Pete
 
i'm with the large one on this :beerjug:

I have just bought a 94 1100 and they are awsome bikes. Not sure what bikes you have ridden but you will get used to the noises the gearbox make,so long as they are constant and not obviously mechanically painful, it's part of the bikes character. :thumb2

My engine is silent with the clutch pulled in, so i know the crank and heads are good, and the ride is unique, very smooth and stable

go with your instinct, once you've ridden it you'll know .........


Someone on here has said that if carlsberg made bikes it would be a R1100GS


soo true....
 
I don't think I would worry about the age of a bike rather than how its been maintained and who's been riding it. If it's the one I think your talking about I would think it's a pretty safe bet on both.
 
Matt,where abouts in Cheshire are you.My workshop is just outside Chester and I have an early 1100,and a late 1100.If you want to pop over and have a mooch,just let me know and we'll sort something out.

Mobile is 07905 802663
Workshop 01829 771040

PS,Just buy it anyway:thumb
 
the large one said:
I bought myself a cracker, A 1995 model loads history and I've had it for 2yrs now.
you can get problems with new bikes too.. Best bet, If its clean/tidy/price is right grab both feet and jump in. T'is what I did and have no regrets I have taken mine to France/Germany/Belgium/Holland on many occasions and even though I travell with GSX'S Fireblade's R1's I have never been left behind and I bet I've had more fun.. Pete
Click to expand...

Gotta be realistic here - your mates must ride like wusses then!

My 1100 tops out at 120 so never keep up with my mates on big Japs and Hinckley Triumphs, but am a damn site comfier and just top up every 100 instead of looking for a fill up every other petrol station so keep up that way :thumb ... but saying that , down the twisties....we do have the edge there particulary with luggage and pillions :D
 
1100's are the future:thumb2


my only concern is the headlight, they aint bright enough, but again fairly easy to rectify,
 
Wow - a lot of positive comments about 1100's :D - thanks guys!

Set my mind at rest a bit regarding dodgy gearboxes!

Vern - I'll be in touch :thumb2

cheers
Matt
 
I've recently taken ownership of a 98 1100 after 2 1200's and an 1150.

I'm chuffed to bits with the bike and my paranoia has gone away;)
 
bought a GS1100 95 model
the guy was a nob , he was not too happy with me giving the bike a good run.
as ive had gixers before , i didnt know owt about th GS..
i had a short run around , and noticed it lunged a few times , i was told this
was down to surging and could be sorted out with a good service.
th bike was cheep, and had a a remus pipe , with a added bonus of a private reg plate.

long story short , i now have a m99 box fitted to my m95 GS , old one worn out, so my point is give it a good ride , take a gser to test it out so ye can get a good feel of the bike, they take a bit of getting used to , specialy if yer a sports or streetfighter rider..

wi sellin reg plate i made my monies back , so its the luck of the draw, there pretty reliable...
mine has done over 84000 miles and still runs ok, well thats wen i fit the new clutch:augie

do ye reaserch n ye will find a good un...

ugg
 
ugg said:
bought a GS1100 95 model
the guy was a nob , he was not too happy with me giving the bike a good run.
as ive had gixers before , i didnt know owt about th GS..
i had a short run around , and noticed it lunged a few times , i was told this
was down to surging and could be sorted out with a good service.
th bike was cheep, and had a a remus pipe , with a added bonus of a private reg plate.

long story short , i now have a m99 box fitted to my m95 GS , old one worn out, so my point is give it a good ride , take a gser to test it out so ye can get a good feel of the bike, they take a bit of getting used to , specialy if yer a sports or streetfighter rider..

wi sellin reg plate i made my monies back , so its the luck of the draw, there pretty reliable...
mine has done over 84000 miles and still runs ok, well thats wen i fit the new clutch:augie

do ye reaserch n ye will find a good un...

ugg
Click to expand...

There are some good ones around as well.
My 1100 will need a box and a rear shock.
Still wouldnt swop it.
Ogni
 
Thanks for the replies guys - very helpful.

It's potential 'big hit' items that are my only real concern - I'm realistic and accept that a 13 year old bike is going to need looking after and bits replacing (shocks etc).

From what I've read on here, the only big thing I need to worry about is the gearbox, so I just hope I can get a decent test ride and work out if it's ok. I guess post '97 second hand gearboxes are like hens teeth :rolleyes:

thanks again
Matt
 
Dont bank on the later gearbox "feeling" any nicer, I have a 98 and I love it but the gearbox still makes some noises and the bikes can feel like they have square wheels sometimes too, its a bit of a Marmite thing, wear earplugs, buy and enjoy :thumb

Stewart
 
Well, I didn't end up buying the bike I went to look at, but the advice on here and other reading on the site proved very useful (I ended up making a checklist of 'stuff to check for' - sad I know :rolleyes: ).

So thanks again for all the help (in the thread and via PM / telephone) - I'll just have to keep looking!

cheers
Matt
 
whats all this bout wheel turning with the stand down , noticed this weekend , bike on the center , in nuteral , wheel turning , just had a new clutch fitted few weeks back and was advised to adjust after few hundred miles , done , now the tread has worried me !! , 96 1100 , should i be looking for box now ??
 
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