BMW R1100RS

I've owned and now sold my BMW R1100RS. It was a 1995 model and sported ABS and heated grips. I obviously bought it second hand after a disasterous flirtation with a brand new BMW F800GS (terrible bike). I knew nothing about the boxer twins and did a bit of research before deciding the R1100RS would be my next bike. With the problems I encountered with the F800 I wanted a cheap bike so if I didn't like it I would not lose a shed full of money. My first ride on it home was a revelation as to how good the bike was. The boxer engine is brilliant. Smooth, powerful and torquey, with real character. The more I rode it the better I liked it. The fairing is very, very, good at wind deflection and keeping the worst of the elements off you. I felt the handling was very predictable and stable and was confidence inspiring. The Brembo brakes were just about adequate, but I think that was more down to their age rather than an in built deficiency. I serviced the bike myself early on in my ownership. It did feel smoother and the gear change although still a bit slow and clonky was vastly improved. For the £1500.00 I spent on the purchase I was very happy with it.

But...........Oh dear!!! 12 months into my ownership there was a problem. It started to jump out of second gear?? Onto the internet to have a search for the symptoms. Oh oh, it's a common problem. With a bit more research I found the later, better gearboxes would fit. The only problem was the cost of the second hand gearbox then finding someone to fit it. Basically it was going to cost in the region 0f £1200.00 total to sort it out. I cut my losses and traded it in against another Bee Emm this time a lot newer R1200ST. Very much like the R1100RS but better in every department. So gearbox problems aside and I don't hold this against evaluating the bike, the R1100RS is a fine bike to own and ride.

Bogger