Go Back   Horizons Unlimited - The HUBB > Technical, Bike forums > BMW Tech
my r100gs my r100gs
Register FAQ Calendar Today's Posts
BMW Tech BMW Tech Forum - For Questions specific and of interest to BMW riders only.
Photo by Ellen Delis, Lagunas Ojos del Campo, Antofalla, Catamarca

I haven't been everywhere...
but it's on my list!


Photo by Ellen Delis,
Lagunas Ojos del Campo,
Antofalla, Catamarca



Reply
 
LinkBack Thread Tools Display Modes
  #1  
Old 7 Dec 2010
Registered Users
New on the HUBB
  
Join Date: Nov 2010
Location: Port Ewen, new York 12466
Posts: 3
my r100gs
Just purchased a 1989 r100gs, my first bmw. Reading some of the threads I can see that I have alot to learn. Is the 1989 r100gs a oilhead or a hex head and why? Thanks
Reply With Quote
  #2  
Old 7 Dec 2010
Registered Users
HUBB regular
  
Join Date: Oct 2010
Location: Far North Queensland Australia
Posts: 80
airhead
Hey Ridge Runner

Have a look at this link. It will gives some insight.

Cheers

BMW Airhead Motorcycles
__________________
An idea comes suddenly and in an intuitive way. But intuition is nothing but the outcome of earlier experience.
Reply With Quote
  #3  
Old 7 Dec 2010
Registered Users
Veteran HUBBer
  
Join Date: Oct 2002
Location: Stockholm - Sweden
Posts: 317
It is an Airhead - i.e. an aircooled engine.

You might find this usefull:
Airheads Beemer Club - Home
BMW Motorcycle Owners of America
Motoren-Israel
__________________
Drive Safely,
Albert
Reply With Quote
  #4  
Old 17 Dec 2010
Registered Users
Veteran HUBBer
  
Join Date: Jul 2002
Location: Oxfordshire, UK
Posts: 173
Well done. You are very lucky to own the greatest bike ever built.

It is "unstoppable" in both senses: impossible to break, and rubbish brakes!
Reply With Quote
  #5  
Old 17 Dec 2010
Registered Users
HUBB regular
  
Join Date: Dec 2010
Location: Los Angeles
Posts: 27
Ridge Runner these people are about to become your bestest friends..... Moto-bins - BMW Spare Parts and Accessories for Motorcycles - Index and
BMW Motorcycle Parts // Welcome


they do mail order the world over

Enjoy!
__________________
Reply With Quote
  #6  
Old 18 Dec 2010
Registered Users
Veteran HUBBer
  
Join Date: Jul 2002
Location: Oxfordshire, UK
Posts: 173
Top 5 things to do to improve a 20 year old R100GS:

Get the carbs tuned by an expert.
Get new throttle, clutch and choke cables.
Get the forks refurbished.
Fit a Hawker Odyssey battery.
New tyres - TKC80 if riding on dirt, Tourance if not.

The rear shock might also need replacing. You'll be tempted by Ohlins, but i've not been that impressed.

Most likely failures:

Starter motor (the original ones were rubbish, but the latest BMW stock replacements are fine, no need for an expensive alternative).
Drive shaft - they wear out in as little as 30,000 miles.
Gear box - get the oil serviced religiously. They fail. They cost lots.
Reply With Quote
  #7  
Old 18 Dec 2010
Registered Users
Veteran HUBBer
  
Join Date: Jul 2002
Location: Oxfordshire, UK
Posts: 173
Also watch out for the external mechanisms on the carbs getting gunged-up and sticking. Avoid spraying the carb mechanism with oil (especially WD40), as it wrecks the cables. Just clean off the gunk.
Reply With Quote
  #8  
Old 18 Dec 2010
electric_monk's Avatar
Contributing Member
Veteran HUBBer
  
Join Date: Aug 2001
Location: Waterford, Ireland
Posts: 309
Check to see if the bike has the Y-Piece or collector box in the middle of the exhaust system.
If it is the Y piece then you'll need to clean the clutch actuating mechanism regularly, the collector box shields it from most road dirt.

Enjoy the best bike ever built....
__________________
The electric monk always has faith.
Reply With Quote
  #9  
Old 19 Dec 2010
Registered Users
Veteran HUBBer
  
Join Date: May 2008
Location: SW France
Posts: 304
Quote:
Originally Posted by Roboyobo View Post
Top 5 things to do to improve a 20 year old R100GS:

Get the carbs tuned by an expert.
Get new throttle, clutch and choke cables.
Get the forks refurbished.
Fit a Hawker Odyssey battery.
New tyres - TKC80 if riding on dirt, Tourance if not.

The rear shock might also need replacing. You'll be tempted by Ohlins, but i've not been that impressed.

Most likely failures:

Starter motor (the original ones were rubbish, but the latest BMW stock replacements are fine, no need for an expensive alternative).
Drive shaft - they wear out in as little as 30,000 miles.
Gear box - get the oil serviced religiously. They fail. They cost lots.
Interesting list of improvements there, which I would agree with although I think you're better off spending the money and some equipment to balance the carbs and learn to do it yourself - it is very easy.

The forks can benefit from some tuning to your taste and the front brake could do with some improvement, the cheapest and biggest improvement can usually be achieved just by changing the hose to a braided type (assuming everything else is working properly).

I have a Technoflex shock on mine with a White Power which I use when the bike is very heavily laden. Could get a lighter spring for the White Power and use it all the time but it's not really any better than the Technoflex.
Reply With Quote
  #10  
Old 20 Dec 2010
Registered Users
Veteran HUBBer
  
Join Date: Feb 2002
Location: Wessex, UK
Posts: 2,136
Another mod if you are a bit short in the leg is fit the rear shock from an R100R, it lowers the seat about an inch and reduces the swinging arm movement giving longer shaft life, my last shaft did over 100,000 miles, many of those overland with luggage. Avon Distanzias give good life and reasonable handling on road.
New jets and needles in the carbs every 50,000 miles give a few more mpg.

They are one of the best all round bikes ever made.
Reply With Quote
Reply

« Previous Thread | Next Thread »

Currently Active Users Viewing This Thread: 1 (0 Registered Users and/or Members and 1 guests)
 

Posting Rules
You may not post new threads
You may not post replies
You may not post attachments
You may not edit your posts
BB code is On
Smilies are On
[IMG] code is On
HTML code is Off
Trackbacks are On
Pingbacks are On
Refbacks are On

Similar Threads
Thread Thread Starter Forum Replies Last Post
BMW R100GS PD or 08 KLR 650? henryammons BMW Tech 3 31 Jul 2007 22:00
R100GS '95 Yololeo BMW Tech 3 17 Sep 2005 05:59
95 R100GS Yololeo Camping Equipment and all Clothing 1 15 Sep 2005 08:26
R100GS ve8nc BMW Tech 3 29 Oct 2003 02:34
R100GS motortt BMW Tech 3 28 Sep 2003 01:29

 
 

Announcements

Thinking about traveling? Not sure about the whole thing? Watch the HU Achievable Dream Video Trailers and then get ALL the information you need to get inspired and learn how to travel anywhere in the world!

Have YOU ever wondered who has ridden around the world? We did too - and now here's the list of Circumnavigators!
Check it out now, and add your information if we didn't find you.

Next HU Eventscalendar

HU Event and other updates on the HUBB Forum "Traveller's Advisories" thread.
ALL Dates subject to change.

2024:

Add yourself to the Updates List for each event!

Questions about an event? Ask here

HUBBUK: info

See all event details

 
World's most listened to Adventure Motorbike Show!
Check the RAW segments; Grant, your HU host is on every month!
Episodes below to listen to while you, err, pretend to do something or other...

2020 Edition of Chris Scott's Adventure Motorcycling Handbook.

2020 Edition of Chris Scott's Adventure Motorcycling Handbook.

"Ultimate global guide for red-blooded bikers planning overseas exploration. Covers choice & preparation of best bike, shipping overseas, baggage design, riding techniques, travel health, visas, documentation, safety and useful addresses." Recommended. (Grant)



Ripcord Rescue Travel Insurance.

Ripcord Rescue Travel Insurance™ combines into a single integrated program the best evacuation and rescue with the premier travel insurance coverages designed for adventurers.

Led by special operations veterans, Stanford Medicine affiliated physicians, paramedics and other travel experts, Ripcord is perfect for adventure seekers, climbers, skiers, sports enthusiasts, hunters, international travelers, humanitarian efforts, expeditions and more.

Ripcord travel protection is now available for ALL nationalities, and travel is covered on motorcycles of all sizes!


 

What others say about HU...

"This site is the BIBLE for international bike travelers." Greg, Australia

"Thank you! The web site, The travels, The insight, The inspiration, Everything, just thanks." Colin, UK

"My friend and I are planning a trip from Singapore to England... We found (the HU) site invaluable as an aid to planning and have based a lot of our purchases (bikes, riding gear, etc.) on what we have learned from this site." Phil, Australia

"I for one always had an adventurous spirit, but you and Susan lit the fire for my trip and I'll be forever grateful for what you two do to inspire others to just do it." Brent, USA

"Your website is a mecca of valuable information and the (video) series is informative, entertaining, and inspiring!" Jennifer, Canada

"Your worldwide organisation and events are the Go To places to for all serious touring and aspiring touring bikers." Trevor, South Africa

"This is the answer to all my questions." Haydn, Australia

"Keep going the excellent work you are doing for Horizons Unlimited - I love it!" Thomas, Germany

Lots more comments here!



Five books by Graham Field!

Diaries of a compulsive traveller
by Graham Field
Book, eBook, Audiobook

"A compelling, honest, inspiring and entertaining writing style with a built-in feel-good factor" Get them NOW from the authors' website and Amazon.com, Amazon.ca, Amazon.co.uk.



Back Road Map Books and Backroad GPS Maps for all of Canada - a must have!

Your ad could be here, on EVERY page of the HUBB, or the whole website, or as many as you like!

New to Horizons Unlimited?

New to motorcycle travelling? New to the HU site? Confused? Too many options? It's really very simple - just 4 easy steps!

Horizons Unlimited was founded in 1997 by Grant and Susan Johnson following their journey around the world on a BMW R80G/S.

Susan and Grant Johnson Read more about Grant & Susan's story

Membership - help keep us going!

Horizons Unlimited is not a big multi-national company, just two people who love motorcycle travel and have grown what started as a hobby in 1997 into a full time job (usually 8-10 hours per day and 7 days a week) and a labour of love. To keep it going and a roof over our heads, we run events all over the world with the help of volunteers; we sell inspirational and informative DVDs; we have a few selected advertisers; and we make a small amount from memberships.

You don't have to be a Member to come to an HU meeting, access the website, or ask questions on the HUBB. What you get for your membership contribution is our sincere gratitude, good karma and knowing that you're helping to keep the motorcycle travel dream alive. Contributing Members and Gold Members do get additional features on the HUBB. Here's a list of all the Member benefits on the HUBB.



All times are GMT +1. The time now is 18:44.

Contact Us - Horizons Unlimited Motorcycle Travellers Website - Archive - Privacy Statement - Top