R1100R versus the rest

[Arbee]

So far in the period of my servicing & maintenance of the R1100R I have
determined that the R1100R seems to have a few advantages and better
design in a few areas over the "others"

1. First the ABS system can be totally bled & refreshed from the wheel
circuits as the design is different and does not require tank removal or
a degree in mechanical engineering to achieve a fluid change.

2. The clutch spine has more meat on it in length as to enable a stronger
design than the R1150R which is prone to have spline failures.

3. The seat is of a Western cowboy saddle design and affords better
comfort to enable more time in the seat with less fatigue allowing
more or longer trips if required.

4. The removal of the rear wheeel is achieved by removing the rear
wheel only... (go figure) no mufflers or tail light mudguard to fiddle with.

5. The BMW Windshield is of superior construction & design
the disadvantage is there is only one to choose from (Tourer)

6. The front brake master cylinder is real... not plastic.

7. The external oil coolers dont make the fuel tank look like
a 55 litre GS tank.

8. The tool kit is more comprehensive than the 1200's

9. There are no dodgy design fuel quick-disconnects

I will add more when i can think clearly


Any other offers

Cheers
Arbee

[slant]

Arbee.... cheers indeed.
You also aid in my renewed appreciation of my semi neglected R1100R.
Exposed Oilfilters are actually Oil-coolers.

regards,
slant

[OU812]

7. The external oil coolers don't make the fuel tank look like
a 55 litre GS tank.
But they do look funny. Just kidding, I felt a little jab at my R1150R on that one. Truth is, the 1150's tank holds very little gas!

[OU812]

OK R1100 riders, if I offended anyone I am sorry. Just have to poke back now and then.

[hendrix89]

I love my R1100R....I have been riding since 1979. So I do have some riding experience...This bike will never be for sale

[TX2Step]

For me, ownership was more a result of knowing what a good value the R1100R is. Unfortunately, I think it is one of the most misunderstood and/or under-appreciated BMW's made. But because of that, I got a great deal on a great bike!!

I appreciate its naked good looks and the resulting ease of maintenance (including brake fluid changes). I find the dreaded surging can be largely eliminated by good valve adjustments and throttle-body synchronization. Autolite plugs help too. I believe the placement of the oil coolers is very effective in providing thermal transfer between the hot oil and ambient air.

The ONLY disadvantage I can think of is the lack of mounting options for electronic gizmos if you're into that. But I suppose that can be solved mostly by replacing the cast handlebars with tubular handles via the Moto-Techniques adapters. Where there's a will, there's a way.

Yeah, I look at other bikes. Sometimes I wish I had a little more wind protection or a little more long-distance comfort. But it always comes down to my R1100R doing everything I need it to do and doing it well.

You'll have to pry it from my cold, dead hands!!!

[eluno]

As we all know in 15 years, the R1100R will be the sought after bike because it looks like a bike! I bought mine new in '99 because the other bikes in the show room, although very cool, had a bit of design influence that seemed to be coming from Japan.
The nakedness of the bike speaks to the clean classic design of what a motor bike was in the very early days of motorcycling. It's a sleeper, but soon to be a classic.

[Paul White]

I bought my bike new in '99. I thought if I rode more I'd want an RT. But the more I ride the R1100R, the more it suits all types of rides. I commute daily, for trips it has plenty of space, the stock windshield offers good protection from weather w/o losing too much air flow for summer heat. I've read someone else's description - it's a GS in a tuxedo, it'll certainly do gravel fire roads w/ a passenger. I read all I could on the internet when I bought my bike and expected to replace the seat w/ aftermarket, etc... But I wound up spending my extra dollars on riding gear and not bike mods. At 54K miles, the bike runs better than new, has had few problems (fixed them myself), never left me. I rode eight of the sixteen Swiss Alp passes on a rented R1150R in 2006 and liked that bike too, but I like the R1100R's upright riding position better. If I could change something today, I'd get a more comfortable pillion seat for my passengers (mine's fine) and I'd like to find rear rack topcase mount or the Givi F635 (not sold in US) rack. Not much to complain about!

[jacksgp]

Ditto, 1996 r850r....76,000 miles/ no problems!

[Ves]

10. The seat is height adjustable. Right?

[omg1010]

Arbee, all your points are indeed correct. The R1100R is an awsome and stable bike. I have mine since 1999 and during the last 56.000 kms she has never let me down ...

I have made a few modifications though:
- Wuedo CR11 fairing (resembles the good old R90S)
- LSL superbike handlebar with adapter plates
- Ohlins shocks
- k&n airfilter
- R1100RS manifold
- zach exhaust (including catalytic converter)
- tuning camshafts, tuning chip and forged pistons (resulting in 92 HP as per dyno)

And some more mods are in the pipline for next month
- telelever (a-arm) from the R1150 Rockster
- central oilcooler (taken from the R1150RT) under the telelever (to replace the ones above the cylinders)

Regards from sunny Germany
Oliver