Bmw R100s
BMW R100S
Long-Term Wrap-up
TRAVELIN' MAN'S COMPANION
Overall, i'm satisfied with my yellow, non-ABS model, but the clips that hold the solo seat cover in place are poor by BMW standards. l've lost one cover already. -Jim Clieckeye Apollo, Pennsylvania
RIGHT OFF THE BAT, WE LIKE THIS bike. A lot. During its eight-month stay, our long-term BMW R1100S was constantly in motion, serving as a daily commuter, weekend sport-tourer and comfy continent crosser. In fact, staffers logged saddle time in no fewer than 15 states, recording 15,282 miles.
Averaging nearly 2000 miles per month on the newest, most powerful Boxer-Twin was an agreeable assignment for all involved. After the bike’s East Coast introduction, Associate Editor Paul Seredynski blitzed from New Jersey to California in 48 hours. “Anything west of the Mississippi is a one-day ride,” he proclaimed upon arrival in Newport Beach. Along the way, Seredynski sampled some of the
country’s best backroads, including State Route 28 in northwestern Arkansas, which he labeled “sportbike nirvana.” In California, the bike was outfitted with OSi soft saddlebags (factory hard luggage was not yet available) and ridden to Colorado by Managing Editor
Matthew Miles, who handed it off to Peter Egan. Our esteemed Editor-atLarge then spent a week with his wife Barb and friends touring Colorado and northern New
Mexico before returning home to Wisconsin.
While in the Dairy State, our R1100S had a brief service stopover at Mischler’s Harley/BMW in Beaver Dam. Mischler’s changed the fluids, adjusted the valves and levered on a set of Dunlop D207s ($314), all for $547.57. A few weeks later, Egan was wending his way west through Missouri, Arkansas (again) and the fabled Texas Hill Country. By the time Peter reached California, the sticky D207s were evaporating into the ozone. While the stock, sport-touringissue Dunlop D205s lasted 8871 miles, their replacements were only good for roughly half that distance.
Quotes from the logbook
Paul SeredynskiKnock the RHOOS’s appliance-like character all you want, but it’s the Maytag of motorcycles. After all these miles, the engine is only getting stronger. Matthew MilesI love the S-model’s ergonomics: no buffeting, not too much weight on the wrists and an all-day comfy seat. Excellent work, BMW. Brian CattersonWith electric vest plugged in and heated grips on high, there are few nicer places to be than in the saddle of the R1100S. If only the engine were smoother, the S might be the perfect sport-tourer.
I love my R1100S! Overall performance is excellent, especially for the sport-touring type of riding that I do. Stability is very good all the way to an indicated 240 kph (150 mph). -Darren Nickle Edmonton, Alberta, Canada
In preparation for March’s “GT Experience” sport-touring roundup, Irv Seaver Motorcycles in
Orange, California, performed the scheduled 12,000-mile inspection. The bill came to an eye-popping $1226.97, and included a second set of D205s ($229) and a $495 hit for a bent front rim. (Two years ago, our longterm R850R suffered similar damage.) Had the bike not been needed for the aforementioned comparison, we probably would have had the wheel straightened at a local shop. Officially, BMW discourages such practices, no matter how minor the damage.
At 15,222 miles, we took the bike to Brown Motor Works in Pomona, California, for a leaky Paralever housing. The problem turned out to be a failed pinion shaft seal, but because the accompanying bearing was not readily available, BMW warrantied the entire rear-drive assembly. Under normal circumstances, though, Brown would have waited the requisite two to three days for the part to arrive from Europe. We also asked Brown to install a new rear brake-stay arm ($195) from MAP Engineering (805/964-8502). Besides being beautiful, the machined-from-billet-aluminum, 3Ainch-shorter-thanstock piece ups rear ride height, thus providing a slight improvement in steering response.
My R1100S slots nicely between my R11Q0RT and Ducati I expected better front-end compliance from the Telelever, which is a little harsh over bumpy pavement. Stunning looks and tremendous torque, though. -Ray Woo San Jose, California
BMWs are lauded for their sustained, worry-free utility, and aside from the rear-drive problem, our long-termer was no exception. In our initial road test, we noted that after about 4000 miles of very hard running, the bike began to break-in, getting stronger with each passing state line. Another 11,000 miles later, the air/oil-cooled engine made even more power (88.2 bhp vs. 87.3), and the six-speed transmission shifted more smoothly. Zero-to-60-mph times dipped from 3.5 to 3.3 seconds, and quarter-mile acceleration improved by more than .1 of a second. Clearly, BMWs only get better with age.
At test’s end, we’re sad to see the bike go. There is, however, an upside: CWs Advertising Coordinator Dottie George and her husband Calvin just sold their RI 100RT to make room for our S-model long-termer. So at least the bike will remain a fixture around the office.
$15,600
