Paging those who own/have owned modern Beemers....

Advice and thoughts required, please (Lozzo, NO!!!!).

Amongst other things on my shortlist of possibles for my next bike are
some Beemers: R1100RT, R1100RS, K1200RS and possibly a R1100GS. All around
1997/8.

What I would like is input form those who have actually owned and ridden
any of the above.

Usual concerns:

Will I fit? Average legs - about 30" inside leg, long back (and probably
slightly short arms). I find my knees are too high up on most bikes -
including my ex-tiger.

Tied in with fit - comfort and protection. This mainly concerns the RSs. I
have a bad back and a knackered neck - how good are the screens/fairings
for a barn-door type chap. I really need to avoid buffeting!

Costs: servicing, fuel, etc....

Is it easy to do a basic service even if you are mechanically cack-handed?

Anything to be aware of and/or look for, if checking over a potential
purchase?

TIA.
--

Cheers!
Fr Jack
90 CB450DX (The Moped)
FRJACKUKRM AT GMAIL DOT COM
skype: fr.jack (without the dot)
We'll open up your eyes,
just to check that you're asleep, again

 

Have you considered the K1100RS instead of the 12? It is lighter and
maybe better for a back problem. I've had three K100/K1100 RSs over the
years and found them easy to get on with. I tried the K1200RS but didn't
get on with the feeling of bulk at low speeds.

I find my R1100RS does everything I want for touring and general riding.
The position is fairly upright and the fairing gives pretty good
protection. The seat height is also adjustable so you can prolly get
your legs into a comfy position with your hips away from your heels.

I've never owned an RT but have ridden them as loan bikes on services
and the main difference is that the fairing give loads more protection,
and also gives the "hand of god" effect.

My RS seems to avoid buffeting quite well, wind noise being the only
issue sometimes but that is fixed by adjusting the screen angle.

45mpg in my usual "making progress" mode, gives it a 180-200 mile tank
range.

Depends on how cack handed. Valves are hanging out in the wind on the
Rs, so easy to get at. Similarly carbs for adjustment/balancing (and
they do need it regularly). I have heard that the clutch is a bugger to
do as it appears to be in the geometric dead centre of the bike. and
requires 95% of all nuts/bolts/fastenings/cable ties to be removed.

The older ones may be a better bet then later ones - I reckon finish
quality has gone down over the last few years but I can't put an exact
date on when that started.

Where are you? Most dealers will do longish test rides quite happily or
if near Dorset you are welcome to try mine for size(this space left for
a fnaar).

 

they're bloody good bikes _if_ in primo condition.

the real weakness is the BMW philosophy of "all electrical wires MUST
go via a minimum of one relay" which means if you get leccy problems
make sure your best friend is a good auto electrician, preferably an
airframe electrician.

 

Fr Jack emerged from their own little world to say

Servicing on the boxers is very easy[1]. Many people do their own and there
is a huge resource of information on the web. Used spares are plentiful. I
think the only special tool you need is an oil filter wrench

Buffetting can be a problem on any R-GS. Depends on your stature. Even the
latest R1200GS suffers from it. After market screens and other devices[0]
help but I've not come across a solution that completely fixes it. On a
motorway journey it is the buffeting that limits my maximum speed rather
than the engine performance. 90mph cruising is fine if a little noisy.

You may be lucky and IIRC the R1100GS suffers less than later models.

There's some things to look out with the R-GS:
http://www.micapeak.com/bmw/gs/gs_tel1.html#secondhand

and another excellent BMW resource: http://www.ibmwr.org/ especially the
Tech articles that describe maintenance procedures.

[0] I use a bracket modification made by someone on ukgser.com that
increases the gap between the fly screen and
[1] on the naked bikes for sure - I'm not sure how much of a PITA the RT
fairing is to remove or work around.

 

About 1991-1992

BMW dealers are doing a day-long test opportunity on the new R1200RT at
the moment...
--
Gyp BOTAFOT#99, BotToS#4, UKRMT5BB, DIAABTCOD#28, HYPO#4
'81 R65RS - SORN but not forgotten
'89 R80RT - intercontinental ballistic tourer
'97 XLH1200 - weapon of muff disruption
'04 Z750 - oh look, something from this millennium
Take out the chemical loo to reply

 

MikeH emerged from their own little world to say

I concur. The R1100GS has a better quality finish than the 1150.

The changeover year was 1999.

 

Thinking about it, you're prolly right. I've just gone from a 99 R1100S
to a 1998 R1100RS and the finish seems better, but that's only a sample
of two (or one from each year, for pedants-r-us) and it is a
particularly good RS.

 

The K11RS is swimming around at the edge of the pond.... but I recall
having a natter with Hog and ISTR he was less than complimentary about the
fairing - or summat... ( memories are a bit foggy - we got very drunk that
night).

It would appear there are peg lowering kits, too.... useful.

I'd hope so! ;-)

In what sense?

I'm used to noise, after the various "experimental" screens I tried on the
Tig - the standard one was noisy enough....

Good... the Tig could drop to 35 when attempting to hold over 90 for any
decent stretch, but averaged 45 on my usual commute.

Hmmm... as I'm looking at late 90s stuff, would they still be carbed (the
Rs)?

I can see that, as just about everything hangs off the engine and box....

All depends on the definition of older, really ;-)

I'm up by Manchester.
--

Cheers!
Fr Jack
90 CB450DX (The Moped)
FRJACKUKRM AT GMAIL DOT COM
skype: fr.jack (without the dot)
We'll open up your eyes,
just to check that you're asleep, again

 

Hmm... first experience of a big tourer... Manchester city centre, rush
hour, on a Saturday morning.......fun...?
--

Cheers!
Fr Jack
90 CB450DX (The Moped)
FRJACKUKRM AT GMAIL DOT COM
skype: fr.jack (without the dot)
We'll open up your eyes,
just to check that you're asleep, again

 

They tend to be looked after, from what I've seen......

Ah....... do they get many electrickery faults?
--

Cheers!
Fr Jack
90 CB450DX (The Moped)
FRJACKUKRM AT GMAIL DOT COM
skype: fr.jack (without the dot)
We'll open up your eyes,
just to check that you're asleep, again

 

Motorworks (or the other one) is about 25 miles away in Holmfirth - so I'm
happy that I can get stuff.

I figured that, so its not at the top of the list - the prices aren't
helping, either.... bloody biking celebs......!

You've met BGN, yes? Saw him down to 6'2" and make the shoulders and bod
broader. Barn door.....

Twas buffet central on the Tig.....

Useful stuff, ta!
--

Cheers!
Fr Jack
90 CB450DX (The Moped)
FRJACKUKRM AT GMAIL DOT COM
skype: fr.jack (without the dot)
We'll open up your eyes,
just to check that you're asleep, again

 

Hog's K1100LT was quite a nice bike and I enjoyed delivering it to
Belfast. The only real fault I could find with it was that it was hugely
under-geared - I think they redline in top at about 120mph, meaning
motorways are a very buzzy experience.

 

Fr Jack emerged from their own little world to say

Not on the late 1990s R11xx that you are looking at.

The most common fault is an imbalance in the throttle position sensors.
This is the BMW fuel injection equivalent of carb. imbalance and a routine
maintenance item that takes minutes if you have a digital voltmeter.

Wiring problems are rare. If you do get a fault then tracing it can be
tricky apparently. BMW like to splice junctions using crimp connectors
which are then sealed with shrink wrap. If you are unlucky enough[1] to get
water ingress in one of these junctions then tracing a fault can be fun.

My bike is a 2000 model and the only electrical fix required has been a new
battery after 4 years. It started the bike but the voltage drop was too
much for the fussy ABS controller.

[1] TBH I've only known this happen on a small number of R1150GS used
either off road or for winter commuting. Water corroded connections in a
harness going to the instrument panel causing an idiot light discotheque.

 

<drags knuckles, breathes through mouth, bumps into furniture>

 

At speed, the wind goes up and over the fairing and comes at your back,
giving you the feeling of being pushed along, hence hand of god.

Mistake in my terminology. They are not really carbs - it's injected -
but they are "thorttle bodies" which need balancing. It's like a carb
with injection instead of jets.

Quite a long way to come down here for a test ride then. The offer
stands anyway.

 

Bugger.
Snipped then left out the clever footnote pointing out I can do it.

Back to my "my first usenet"[1] it is then.

[1] Copyright Sony, obviously

 

Fr Jack scribbled on the back of a napkin:

I've got something like a 28" inside leg but iffy knees so I can't keep
them at a tight sporty angle for too long without it getting painful.
The only BMW that's got a remotely comfy kneeangle for me is the GS, in
my case with the 'high' seat on as well. Means I can only tiptoe the
bike but at least it's reasonably comfy. Mind ewe, mine's an Adventure
that has a completely different seat from the bog-standard GS.

That said, you can get footpeg lowering kits for the GS which may help.

 

Applying your questions to a K1200RS:

Yes, you will fit. Seat height is adjustable and I found either height fine
for my 31" legs. Pegs are also adjustable and you're less hunched than on a
ZZR1200. I found it quite a nice riding position.

Screen on mine was adjustable between two settings. But I found the higher
setting virtually useless for motorway riding although it gave more
protection from the rain.

BMW mechanics are probably the most expensive in the business. £65/hr seems
to be the norm for London. But you usually get a nice cup of coffee when
you take the bike in for a service.

As for doing your own servicing, I've no idea.

Other things to watch out for:

The K1200RS is the most unreliable heap of garbage ever fitted with tyres.

Buy one if you like walking.