BMW R1100RT

I’ve been a sport rider for 30+ years. After about a five year break from riding, I decided it was time for a bike with comfort and luggage. I love my R1100rt except for one major concern.

It’s too big and heavy for me. My inseam is 29” and even with an aftermarket lower seat and riding boots with chunky soles, I still struggle. The seat is very wide and that adds to the problem. It’s by far the heaviest bike I’ve ever ridden. Out on the road, it’s comfortable and responsive. At low speeds, it’s a handful. Sometimes downright scary. I may have to trade for a smaller bike.

You have to weigh it up

I weigh 160 pounds the Beamer is more like 600! The fact that I've taken it

2000 k around Ireland in three days is a testament to its balance and handling.

It's an agricultural beast with the manners of a finishing school

graduate.

I keep thinking this is too big, too heavy, hard to park and why don't I go back to my Fireblade?

Then, having racked up another 200 miles - and a coffee later find I'm ready to go again I realize that's what this bike is all about...a big package with the poise and balance of a heavyweight fighter..It's just a case of weighing things up....and on balance I find I'm going to keep this one....(but I'll keep the fireblade too....everybody should have a hobby)

I have a 1996 r 1100 rt. I have to say its been a great bike. Yes I have owned a lot of bikes. And no the beemer is far from the fastest. As the title says 185,000 miles and never did a top end. Did a lot of tires brakes and assorted items that simply are normal wear items but have not pulled the heads or cracked the cases. It is just now starting to get some

top end chatter even after a valve adjustment. So maybe a Top end after this summer will be in order or better yet a complete rebuilt. As far as the handling??? top tier. I love the lean angles you can get on this bike. It simply instills confidence in me. I have heard some riders say the bike feels heavy, but I remember the very first comment I made when I bought the bike was how light it felt. I guess that comes from years of riding a Harley. So I don't have a lot of anything to say negative about my RT.

I only hope all of you get the great service I got out of mine. I doubt I will ever get rid of the bike. A lot of memories and heck I can but complete engines on line for about 400 or 500 bucks. Go figure......

Just bought a 98 1100RT from a farmer in western NSW. Beautifully looked after. 70,00okm on the clock over 16 years. Rode it bak to Sydney - 5 hours. Midrange pull beautiful. Cornering precise and fun. Miles per gallon - astounding. Got her to 150 ks - still pulling freely and wanting to go faster. Steady as a rock. Beautifully balanced. Engineering excellence. I am wrapped. We will grow old together. We have found each other. Buy one. And the looks you get - cause its a big beamer.....

Having been through the usual procedure, Blackbird, Hayabusa etc. Got an R1100RT to try to grow old gracefully. An absolutely stunning machine. I recently parted with my MV Agusta, but will not be parting with this too soon.

Well where to start i have owned in the region of fifty motorcycles over a range of thirty years,i only ever glanced at bmw's an thought old man's machine. I finally gave in at the beginning of this year after going to collect one for my brother i rode it from bury to derby in poor weather that was it i was hooked,comfort economy,good protection from the poor weather and build quality was bang on. Within a fortnight i had bought my own a 1997 model with 77,000 on the clock full luggage every thing works as it should switches are still as positive as should be with no signs of wear.first things first i changed all the lub's an filters then ten days later toured scotland.the bike never missed a beat motorway mile munching then on the twisty's i thought i had pushrd my luck on more than on occasion the feed back for a bike of this age was bloody dam good.

There are issues with cluncky gearboxes but these machine's are built to last it's not the smooth japanese box i agree but just by changing your riding style slightly this can be overcome. Service history is important Service intervals are every 6,000 miles an very simple to perfrom with basic skills. There is a world of parts and information on the internet to make life easy.all in all these are a great all rounder that will be around for a long while yet. There not an exocet with handlebars but on the twisty's if you got the balls they will return that all important smile. Will be keeping mine......:-))))))))

Having read all the reviews on the BMW R1100RT I took the plunge and decided to buy a used one as opposed to the ST1100..mistake. Perhaps I am used to japanese technology and refinement but to be hones the transmission on this bike wouldnt go amiss on a tractor. from what I can gather these bikes are quite "agricultural" and they certainly are. The gearbox clunkimg is possibly one of the worst I have ever experienced and the engine definately lets you know its a twin cylinder. On a plus side two up it pulls extremely well once underway and handles beautifully for a big heavy bike. The riding position is adjustable and the screen is superb. Instrumentation is easy to read and the gear indicator is very helpful, Not sure if the good outweighs the bad, would I buy another ?? NO

Had the bike now for 1 year,over the last 5 years ive owned a cbr 600f/zzr1100/cbr fireblade.ive road alot of other bikes including the hyabusa, The bmw rt 1100 is the best bike ive ever riden it handles realy well and its so comfy.If your thinking of bying one buy it you won't recret it, dont worry about whot your mates think your be the one smiling after a long run comfort wins over speed.This bike is not slow 135mph top end and quick getting there, 200 miles to a tank its all you need and more.

I have been on the road for 40 years, and as I was in the motor trade, I have ridden and owned a hell of a lot of machines. I have never owned ANY vehicle for more than 2 years, as I get bored with them and move them on for something new. (if only I could do that with the wife!!) But that was before I bought an R1100RT. This bike has been mine now for over 6 years!! I have not ridden a better bike yet, and until I do she will stay here. Mine now has 113,000 miles on the clock, but looks as if its done 20,000. It is fast, handles superbly and is the most comfortable bike I have ever ridden. I have ridden on the continent and all over the UK. Try one, you'll love it. Better than the 1150, in my opinion, haven't tried the R1200RT yet, so??? maybe eh!

Of the 20,000km I've put on my R1100RT 16,000 have been with an aftermarket (Corbin) seat. A good quality seat absolutely makes the bike the best I've ever had. For the price you would think BMW would toss their torture saddle in favour of a REAL seat, but anyway onto the bike... Enough power to get yourself into and out of trouble. Handles more like a sport bike than a tourer. Great mileage. One of the best looking machines, in my opinion, ever made. Garbage transmission/final drive. Very easy bike to travel long distances on. I agree with others that the maintenance is expensive. Despite it's shortfalls - I'm a BMW fan forever due to this machine.