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BMW R1100S Test
Submitted by Smeggy
Post a comment about this bike test!
(Our N. Ireland resident Davy Filson
is back, this time getting some saddle time on BMW's sporty R1100S.)
Due to
recent discussion in the forums concerning the Boxer Cup replica, I decided to take a demo ride on the
standard R1100S BMW. I've always fancied this bike as a contender to
replace the VFR at some stage as I like the styling and the thought of
shaft drive (minimal maintenance) appeals greatly. Last months BIKE
magazine even ran an article headed "Better than a VFR"
which made me even more keen to ride BMWs' sportiest bike.
The bike I
was able to borrow was a used machine with 16K on the clock. It was
still in excellent condition and personally I'd expect nothing less
from a BMW such is their reputation. As far as mods went, it has had
the cat removed and a set of (not for road use) performance pipes
fitted with a chip for the injection. It made a lovely noise, not too
loud, just throaty. Those and some rubber paint protectors and luggage
racks fitted, the bike was as standard. I was told that the pipe mods
gave the bike an extra 5 bhp (or so).
I was only
able to do about 60 miles before heavy rain came on, but to answer
BIKE magazines comment on the R1100S being better than a VFR, IMO, No.
It is
disappointing to have your dreams dashed, but I'm afraid this bike
just didn't do it for me. Under 70 mph, it was nice enough. But take
it to 80 and beyond and the amount of vibrations that came through the
'bars and footrests were awful. They gave my hands and feet what I can
best describe as pins and needles. I also found the riding position a
bit funny (or else I'm just a funny shape). My legs felt cramped, but
I seemed to have to stretch to grab the 'bars. It just didn't feel
like a completely natural position for me.
I did like
the handling though. The telelever front end was great with no dive when
I threw out the anchors. The seat is probably slightly more
comfortable than the VFRs, but with only doing limited miles I
guess that would be open to further debate. Power wise, it was fast
enough, but didn't have the same feeling of stomp that the Ducati
MultiStrada produced even with more horsepower available.
So
unfortunately, I'm disappointed that the R1100S has failed to excite
me. It may be a case of long-term ownership bringing on the faithful
following BM owners have for their brand, but ultimately it just
didn't float my boat. The dealer was disappointed too when I returned
the bike and I gave him my impressions. He reckoned that the pipes may
have had something to do with the amount of vibes I felt, but I'm not
convinced. However, he's arranging a test on the R1150GS trailie for
me soon, so maybe he thinks that I'll like that one enough to change
brands.
Reader Comments
| - toddrod |
12:39 AM PST - 6/26/2003 |
| You go Smeggy! Tell it like it is! Wow, you should make this a career! :)
IP:68.164.91.145 |
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 - Shhted |
6:03 AM PST - 6/26/2003 |
| I, as a Beemer guy, take no offense whatsoever. Thanks for your reports - they are highly informative and entertaining. I agree with toddrod - I smell new career.
IP:199.86.70.50 |
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| - jimmystartup |
8:22 AM PST - 6/26/2003 |
| Damn Smeggy, there you go an ruin a perfectly good fantasy of mine to own this very bike. I've been watching them for a couple of years now and thought it would make a perfect commuter tool. I'll still ride one to see for myself but the initial mystique is forever tarnished!
IP:65.101.159.93 |
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 - nsalas02 |
2:35 PM PST - 6/26/2003 |
| I rode one for a short demo ride when the Bike Show came to town. I liked the bike but couldn't stand the footpeg vibrations. Some BMW guy told me that it was a matter of getting to know the bike and shifting gears properly. Now after reading your comments...I am not crazy they just vibrate too damm much!
IP:67.161.35.52 |
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| - Nozz |
7:25 AM PST - 6/27/2003 |
| I had the same fantasy for this BMW, given I won the lottery, but that's another story. Great report.. succint, informative, honest. Thanks.
IP:198.26.118.36 |
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| - cliffst |
11:51 AM PST - 6/27/2003 |
| Couldn't agree more. Beautiful bike that I really wanted to like. My impressions after my own brief ride were that it felt like it handled great, but the ergo's and the vibrations sucked. The engine also felt a little anemic to me. I also felt the drivetrain surge that people complain of. I just don't get the BMW thing. Sorry.
IP:205.166.192.249 |
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| - Jimmystartup |
12:42 PM PST - 6/30/2003 |
| Last night on "It's good to be Ben Afleck" they noted that he owned this bike and it was the mark of someone who demanded the best in motorcycle performance and quality!
IP:65.101.159.93 |
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| - jagged |
10:46 AM PST - 7/04/2003 |
| I also own a BMW but its an F650GS. Had a friend try out the Boxer Cup and he told me that the BM vibrates alot more than my VFR. Heck, even the head sales rep of the local BMW dealer (the Boxercup was his company ride) complains about the Boxercup's vibes.
IP:203.131.90.102 |
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 - Snuffleupagus |
1:35 PM PST - 7/04/2003 |
| Thanks Smeggy... nice report.
Personally, I think that the RT and the VFR are EXACTLY the same.
tehe
IP:142.32.208.231 |
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| - JMCQ |
5:13 PM PST - 7/04/2003 |
| I recently rode the 04 1100S. As a VFR owner I found it down on power and too much vibration. It didn't seem to have the midrange I expected from a larger displacement engine. I did like the sound and appearance and riding position although I was only on it for an hour.
IP:152.163.195.192 |
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| - Wudreaux |
4:09 AM PST - 7/06/2003 |
| Smeg - spot on analysis. I rode the last 100 miles of a 350 mile day on an '02 R1100S last month. The bike didn't really seem to fit me as well as my VFR and by the end of the ride I was starting to feel pressure on my tail bone that I never get with my bike.
IP:63.231.26.204 |
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| - penmanVFR |
9:41 AM PST - 7/16/2003 |
| Thanks for the insight Smeg! Take a couple of days off a week to review bikes and I think you're all set : )
I guess I'll keep my 'next bike' fantasies directed toward Triumph for the moment.
Chris
IP:24.145.207.183 |
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| - Lowside |
10:31 AM PST - 7/22/2003 |
| I rented a R 1100S for a two week ride in the mountains of North Carolina. I came away from the ride liking the BMW very much. The problem I had with the foot pegs was not related to vibration at all but instead due to the fact they are just a little too high causing my right knee to get stiff. I rode the bike with the sport bars on. They are good for 300 mile days on the interstate and were never a problem in the twisties. I was riding with my brother on a 2000 VFR 800 and both bikes were pretty much equal in sport mode. The BMW is a blast in the twisties and is very forgiving and stable.
IP:205.188.208.39 |
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 - 1meanMF |
3:07 AM PST - 7/29/2003 |
| Most of you sound like girls, so it stands to reason that the vibration would be most pleaserable experience. I've had several 200 mile plus trips on my '04 boxercup - had no issues with vib., handles better than most in the twisties, the acceleration is smooth (no power band surges)and deceptive. No problem staying with other sport bikes. I've had the bike for a 45 days and it curently has 2431 miles.
IP:24.74.183.168 |
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| - KingKraz |
6:29 AM PST - 7/31/2003 |
| Cool review!
I guess I'd like to ride one sometime, but I thought a boxer engine was supposed to be vibration free?
IP:134.129.193.135 |
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 - WVRIDER |
11:10 AM PST - 7/31/2003 |
| Decent comments on a short ride. I owned an RT for 34k miles (2 years). The boxer motor is not vibe free, its got perfect primary balance (the 108 degree piston arrangement) but is subject to secondary vibes. The motor takes about 16k miles to break in fully and does get better with age in smoothing out but the biggest factor is having the throttle bodies synched really well. If they are off the vibes will anoy. The suspension is the real deal. I wish my Duc had telever...
phil
IP:198.74.20.78 |
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| - wvrider |
11:11 AM PST - 7/31/2003 |
| um, of course I meant 180 degree piston arrangement.....duh
IP:198.74.20.78 |
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| - k12rs |
2:32 AM PST - 8/28/2003 |
| Sometimes vibes are bad - like at 4000 rpm on my otherwise turbine like k12rs.
Sometimes they are good - like on the WWII fighter plane feeling R11S.
My K12 is smooooooth but lacks character. The R11S is vibey but is the most fun on two wheels I have ever had!
IP:62.119.18.34 |
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| - jackalope |
10:57 AM PST - 8/28/2003 |
| Having both an ST11 an a Guzzi, I know whats vibey and whats smooth. The R11S I test rode was more Guzzi than Honda. I really wanted to love the bike, having owned a K75SA. It just wasn't there for me. Surge,klunk,surge,klack. Not for US$14K.
IP:12.2.115.11 |
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| - 35roadyears |
3:10 PM PST - 9/03/2003 |
| I have ridden BMW's for years & like them. The oilheads are stronger and faster that the airheads. Expert prep and the right RPM range help the "surge". Techlusion offers a fix but why spend $300 just to make our bikes run right. I like oilheads but I'm still riding my airhead twins instead of the newer bikes. 14K+ is a LOT of cash for any motorcycle. BMW is capable of offering a much more powerful and sophisticated machine for the price. Get a ride on the 1150 GS if you can. Big fun there and they don't seem to have the "surging blues" as much as some of the others!
IP:64.12.96.135 |
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 - MilleArp |
11:56 AM PST - 9/04/2003 |
| Sheesh. I've got over 40k on my R1100S., I've ridden it over 600 miles in a day. It has the stock footpegs (now worn down) and the stock sportier handlebars. With the preload crancked all the way up, I've scraped not only both pegs, but the brake lever and BOTH JUGS !
A very capable two-up sport tourer, and with all the gear stripped off, a great corner carver (for a sport-tourer).
Vibration? What vibration? It's a twin, fer keeriste sake!!!
IP:12.165.161.238 |
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| - MilleArp |
12:00 PM PST - 9/04/2003 |
| Oh, I weigh about 220#, 6'1" and the jugs were scraped (multiple times) while riding solo w/o the bags in the Gap. Are there better corner carvers? Absolutely! That's why I bought a RSV Mille R monoposto! R1100S's rock!
IP:12.165.161.238 |
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| - MadZeca |
6:14 AM PST - 9/19/2003 |
| I own a R1100S Boxercup replica. Completly Standard, no mods whatsoever...
It's my first BMW, so I'm not a faithfull BMW owner.
IP:194.65.14.77 |
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| - MadZeca |
6:14 AM PST - 9/19/2003 |
| PROS:
- I don't have any Vibs.
- I can make 1300km on the same day and still be fresh enough to go to a disco, very confortable.
- It handles like a dream, and brakes even better.
- It acellerates very quickly.
- It always feels very safe. (altough the back wheel on a couple of ocasions had a mind of it's own).
- It looks very cool. (chick magnet)
CONS:
- Top speed quite desapointing. (220/230 kmh)
- Fuel Consuption (8/10lt 100km)
- Oil consuption (1/2lt 1000km)
IP:194.65.14.77 |
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| - MadZeca |
6:16 AM PST - 9/19/2003 |
| Would I buy it again????
You bet!!!!!
IP:194.65.14.77 |
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| - MadZeca |
6:20 AM PST - 9/19/2003 |
| P.S.: The 2003 model has a TwinSpark system, wich eliminates must surging and midrange problems.
The vibes tend to disapear with time and usage.
IP:194.65.14.77 |
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 - MadZeca |
6:21 AM PST - 9/19/2003 |
| Try riding a Ducatti and tell me about vibs...
IP:194.65.14.77 |
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| - MNR11S |
10:45 AM PST - 9/23/2003 |
| Don't let anyone talk you out of the R11S until you ride it. Make up your own mind. Sure it's vibey, but only above 4K rpm. Below 4K it "purrs". Personally, I'm used to it. I've recently ridden my buddies' 900 Monster and Honda 954. They are fine machines, but I wouldn't trade my "S" for them. I have no problem keeping up those guys. Most of the time they're trying to keep up with me! Like MilleArp, I've also done 600 mile days on mine. No problem at all even with the lower bars. (get rid of the stock seat though)
IP:204.69.40.13 |
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| - Oilhed |
5:27 AM PST - 10/07/2003 |
| Thanks for an honest insite. If honda would have bumped the VFR to 1000cc, added a shaft and skipped the funky valves and weird exhaust they would have stole more market from BMW. On the other hand a lot of the BMW following has to do with the dealers servicing the bikes for 10 or 20 years with parts off the shelf. Just try that at a Honda dealer.
IP:209.113.233.189 |
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| - iflyducati |
8:27 AM PST - 10/10/2003 |
| Great review on a bike that was obviously a popular "next bike". I considered a BMW but couldn't break away from Ducati. I bought an ST4sabs and oh BTW MadZeca, what vibes?
IP:68.167.196.216 |
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| - mtrager |
1:35 PM PST - 10/15/2003 |
| I just sold my 99r1100s. Many days were over 1000 miles. Suburban machine make a peg lowering kit that will make the bike very comfy. Sunday I rode my Fj1300 with my friend who bought my s. I wish I had it back.
IP:24.73.132.46 |
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| - skrumphyjack |
6:15 PM PST - 10/19/2003 |
| I ride a Triumphy Trophy 1200 and I have no idea what I am getting next. I am wating to see what Triumph is going to do with there sport touring bikes, and after reading what you wrote I am still on the fence when it comes to the BMW and the Ducati Strada. But one thing is for sure the VFR is not in my future it looks to much like a Futura.
IP:67.25.199.242 |
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| - ViFeR TEC |
5:11 AM PST - 11/03/2003 |
| i haad a k1200rs with 128 hp at the rear wheel and loved it. Then got a 02vfr with staintune zorst, thought it was nice but i bit of a backward step. VFR was more of a toy. 3 weeks ago i got a 1100s. this bike is great. The vibes add a new angle to it. i wouldnt go back again. nice to ride every now and then but not as my main ride
IP:203.33.165.88 |
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 - ViFeR TEC |
5:13 AM PST - 11/03/2003 |
| go back to a jap bike that is
IP:203.33.165.88 |
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| - 93vfrider |
12:35 PM PST - 11/25/2003 |
| I rode an R1100S when thinking my '93 VFR was a little long in the tooth. I found it sluggish and vague in comparison. A few days later I bought an '03 VFR and haven't looked back since. I certainly liked the idea of the R1100S but it just didn't do it for me.
IP:130.76.32.20 |
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