R1100GS - Talk to me about it
 

Hi all.

Im thinking of getting an R1100GS for a second bike. I already have a fully overland prepared XT600E but im after a second bike mainly for road miles and commuting.

I cant afford to spend a lot so a 1100GS at around £2500 springs to mind.

Can anyone advise me on the pitfalls of the bike and anything specific to look out for.

I suspect you already know this, but just in case you dont then get on over to - UKGSer* ::::* For BMW GS Enthusiasts

Make it a Triumph Speed Triple Ted!!

Dave

Naaaaaaaaah ;)

Maybe a Tiger though.

Near enough - got the engine there, but the Triple will give the greater fun on the road commute and you have the XT for the rest.

Dave

i know what your saying but I prefer traily's.

I dont think id like big mileages on a Speed tripple. Too cramped and not really made for luggage.

I had a 1997 R1100GS for a little over 2 years. I had lots of problems with it. I put almost 50,000kms on it. I bought it with 28,000kms on it. I had to change the clutch which I had done at a dealers. I also had gearbox bearings replaced and final drive bearings and finally oil seals between the engine and gearbox and the final drive started leaking causing the clutch to slip again.
I know BMW have a great reputation and I met a guy who had 375,000 miles on his without major problems.
I am not sure if I was unlucky or got really bad mechanics(all BMW authorized) or what happened but I had more problems with the bike than any other bike I've owned. I finally sold it when I changed the gearbox oil and a ball bearing came out. It wouldn't change gears very well and was almost impossible to find neutral.
I loved the way it rode and the fact that it would go almost anywhere. You can get good accessories for it- bags, crashbars, lights etc. Oilchanges and routinue maintainence is relatively simple. The engine has a lot of torque and will cruise all day at 100mph.
I am happy to be rid of ot but also liked the experience of riding it. It handles well 2 up and can carry a lot of luggage.
If I lived in England I would look for a used Suzuki V-Strom which doesn't have tha character but will probably give you better reliabilty.
My 2 cents worth, hope it helps you decide.

It's funny you should mention that,
 

but I'm on the verge of selling mine, having bought an NX650 Dommie ar Ripley.

It's 1996, 114k miles and will be returned to standard before sale, as the goodies are worth a small fortune! In five and a half years and 60k miles of my ownership the only things to go wrong were the Hall sensor and the heated grip switch. It's a fantastic bike, but too big for what I now want and I can't afford two.

Picture below, and you may have seen it at the bottom of the main field last weekend.

Regards, Mick

Ive had my 99 1100gs 18 months have put 29000m on it & its the best bike ive ever owned . Been riding 27 years & have owned most makes of bikes. It now has 85000m on the clock
Kev

I bought a used R 1100 GS in 2001 (’95 model) with 45.000 KM on the clock.
Since then, after few modification, I rode it from Tunis to Tashkent (Uzbekistan), across North Africa, the Balkans, Middle East, Iran, Caucasus and Central Asia (and in part of Europe, of course). Now I have 103.000 KM on the clock.
So far, I never experienced any single problem, not even minor, except the breaking of the speedometer cable and the breaking of the rear rack in Armenia due to huge potholes and the weight of my bag.
The only downside of that bike, in my opinion, is the weight (but I’m quite a weak person). Otherwise, I think it’s almost perfect.

I'm travelling to India now on my 100GS.

Long and short of it is that if you go anywhere near dirt roads/tracks, do do not want a 100GS or anything else that size. If its a road trip... OK

Smaller and lighter is the way to go. Chuck half the crap you plan on carrying away and get a lightweight/

IMHO

John

I found my 1100gs quite good on dirt roads & tracks & even off the tracks in the desert . In soft/deep sand it was a bit of a hand fall so a lighter bike would be beter for this but it makes up for this with the comfort/load carrying ability & is much better on long road sections . If your mostly off road / dirt roads then a lighter bike mite be better but how much time will you be on tarmac ? I enjoy ridding my bike alot & it always puts a grin on my face. At the end of the day it depends on what you will be ridding on most & how hard the off road sections your planning are & of course what you enjoy ridding yourself.
Ps i was not on my own when ridding off road in the desert so if i got stuck there was some one to help so this might make a difference.
Hope this is some help
Kev

Well iv got an XT600 for offroad stuff so its purely for road miles really. Would be nice to have limited offroad capability but its not essential.

Just trying to decide whether to get the 1100gs, a Tiger, Africa twin or a Varadero.

So many bikes, so little time
 

The choice is getting wider Ted!

You have my full sympathy and attention; about 6 times per day I go through the same thought process -

"What other bike do I get next????????"

Regards,

Dave

ps Why discount the Vstrom/Weestrom?

i like the V-storm but a little small and vibey for mile munching. I have the XT so just want a lazy road bike to compliment it.