K1100RS

Any idea what the comfort is like compared to, say, a VFR? - one of the
reasons I got shot of the VFR was that I could barely walk due to stiff
knees after riding it for an hour or so.

 

More legroom on a BMW, definitely. Much more for the pillion, as well.

 

Why don't you just find a dealer who has one in stock and ask for a
test ride? It's not difficult to do and it doesn't mean you have to
buy the bloody thing even if you like it.

 

'Find a dealer who has one in stock' is the problem.

There are about 3 or 4 for sale nationally. None within casual test-ride
distance.

 

You could go to a couple of dealers and tell them what you want
because they might find one for you. It's an old bike now so most main
dealers will just punt them out to smaller dealers if they take one in
PX but if you've told them you want one they'll often ask around so
they can pick up a few quid without much effort.

 

Dunno about a comparison with a VFR but I'm 5'10" and could ride my
K1100RS all day with no aches or pains, pillion never complained either.

I reckon it was one of the best bikes BMW ever produced - the K1200RS
they followed it with had a lovely engine but felt a lot heavier than
the 1100 around town.

 

I have a VFR750, and can ride it all day happily, with no pains whatsoever.
The exception is when I'm unfit or haven't ridden for a while, when I get
achey hands from leaning on the bars.

I had a run on Andy's K100 before the chair was attached. The riding
position was similar to the VFR, but it seemed like it weighed about 3 times
as much as the VFR. The addition of the chair hasn't markedly altered the
handling.

 

Better than a VFR750, but not stellar. If you've got knee problems,
there are better bikes.

 

Care to elaborate?

Maybe my arthritic knees are worse than most, which I doubt, but I've
felt my legs were cramped on every bike I've owned. Yup, even the
R100RT and the Tiger...

I've not tried a GS, but then again, I doubt I could afford one, TBH.

 

Well, I do have duff knees and keeping them at sportsbike-like angles
for even short amounts of time ensures I won't be walking anywhere in a
hurry afterwards. The VFR750 (which IMHO is better than the 800 in that
department) is OK for me to do my usual London commute and still walk
to the office afterwards. The K is better, slightly more relaxed angle
but still not something that I'd use for longer distances. Most newer
BMWs have fairly 'sharp' knee angles (which I way I don't get along
with R1100/1150RSs) and the ergonomics only work for me with those that
have upright seating positions and height-adjustable seats.

Oddly enough, I don't have that problem with airheads.

 

Hmm... Looks like I'll have to get something cruiser-y, if I want to
go any further than 50 miles, then...

 

Which is why I've got a Milwaukee tractor for when my knees are really
bad. And yes, the forward controls actually help a lot.

 

lower pegs make the R-GS very comfy on a long jaunt. I put the seat in the
high position and slide back in the seat on motorways or fast A roads.

 

Did you ever have a go on the Drifter?

 

Do you still have a shite old airhead?

 

Using the patented Mavis Beacon "Hunt&Peck" Technique, platypus

He really doesn't need *that* much help in the "looks like a gay pirate"
department.

 

Outed it about 3 years ago.

 

Ahhh, was wanting one local-ish for a HAGM.

 

I suppose the more recent oilheads are postmodern...

 

Oil / air cooled, like the old Suzuki GSXR lumps, AFAIK.

Not entirely sure what I want - R1100RTs aren't loved by the BMW
community, K1100LTs are, but are in huge demand. But then I looked at
the R100RTs after TOG suggested them and they look like a pretty decent
idea. Especially as they're around Katie's weight lighter than the Ks
and more modern Rs.