BMW R 1100 S reviews

I've been reading all the reviews about this bike from Motorcycle-USA's 2010 bike shootout to YouTube. It's all true. I picked this bike up about two weeks ago and even though I only have 304 miles on her now this is truely amazing machine. So powerful and handles like a dream so easy to take corners and the autoshify while in a corner AMAZING/Seemless shifting. I previously rode a '05 Honda Repsol 1000 RR. My Honda feels like lead compared to the new BMW. If you ever wanted the ultimate machine this S1000 RR is it! Show less

Have owned other four BMW's: R90S, R1100RSL, R1100S and a R1200S before this bike. Committed sport bike with decent ergos, super fast, handles like a dream, and is the nicest bike I've ever owned. This from a guy who started out and still owns too many old Brit bikes. Show less

I know it is break in, I select rain mode and ease out into traffic expecting a challenge to run at the lower speed limits based on my K1200R I traded. Much to my surprise, this precision marvel of engineering feels right at home to all my commands. First thought falls onto the unexpected user friendliness of the bike. The "S" class slithers onto the highway during rush hour like an old friend. I have bikes I owned over ten years that are not as familiar as this new technology BMW - as I said, an unexpected bonus. I purchased this bike based on the test data, my ride home is my test ride. Upon arrival, I install the slick mode under the seat. Again, I am amazed at the ease of operation at low speed in my small, and intimate town in SE Ohio. I put out of town at 25 the 35 mph, all without tasking myself at all. I find the first straightaway and watching the tach, not exceeding 7000 rpm I start to grab some of the throttle, rolling it on a little faster as the machine reponds to my 60 year old experienced hand. Rapidly the new best friend starts disappearing the asphalt under my seat at a record pace. I develop chest pains as the gas tank slams into my eighteen year old chest. I ease her down and click the shift assist into higher gears still picking up speed, but not R's - an involuntary grin hurts my ears. Supressing a viking yell I lean her into the first sweeper, paying attention only to the tachometer and the road ahead. In this instant I am once again sixteen years old astride a balanced and shaved BSA Lightning, only this machine does not vibrate, this machine introduces the rider to speed like a mother introduces her spinster daughter. Fast, efficiently and hopeful. Only 48 years of experience, including three races to the top of Pikes Peak in the open invitational class can force me back to 2010 and the task at hand of breaking in this worthy investment. I turn around and take her to her new home where she will rest until I can add up enough miles for my first service. Soon, me and my time machine shall romp unabated on the back roads of Monroe County. To those who would join me, accept my blessings. To those who would like to be instantly younger and to those who would like to enjoy their youth, buy this bike. Brook no excuse, do not take no for an answer. Grab this bike with both hands, all of your wits and your full attention - see if YOU can get the grin off your face. Les Show less

Bought the 2002 new in 2005 at a very steep discount. The first owner bought it and only put 38 miles on the machine. The 2002 RT has been very predictable after reading all the materiel available. It is more touring than sport. The problems were the rear seals & front shocks needing to be replaced at 18,000 miles. It had minor surging initially. My dealer suggested injector cleaner and it worked. They do a solid job with scheduled maintenance which eliminates any hint of surging that may have arisen. I am a confident rider and find the motorcycle inspires willingness to ride in less than ideal circumstances. Rain, cold, bugs on summer nights are not an issue. The bike is very smooth at speed. The ABS brakes work great, but power assist is very touchy until you become accustom to the sensitivity. I have kept the bike well maintained and stock. I am finally going to purchase an aftermarket windshield, as the stock does not protect wide shoulders. The seat is not that comfortable, but I do not do over 250 miles/day. I still would like a Russell Daylong Seat. Changing the oil is snap, even for the mechanically handicapped. The silver paint has held up very well and I do not constantly clean or wax. Still the best part is the riding: deep corners, decent acceleration and the ability for my wife to ride comfortably and to carry plenty of stuff when necessary. There is more emphasis on tour than sport. I have a 28 inch inseam and have little difficulty, but have learned to pick my parking spots wisely. I hope this helps you if you are considering purchasing a used one. I plan on keeping mine, the comparable new versions (K1300 GT, R1200 RT, Concours 14) are not worth the extra dollars to me at this time. Show less

Well, after 20K miles, I am happy to say that I am still very satisfied with my R1200R. I haven't found any other motorcycle I would even consider trading mine in on yet (yes, the wife still loves hers too).
As expected, the BMW has been flawless in the reliability department.
Whether you want to take a leisurely ride in the country, or a spirited ride on the twistiest roads you can find, this bike is more than equal to the challenge. Although the R1200R did not seem to get some of the press of the other performance motorcycles out there, I would have to say for real world, everyday riding, it's hard to beat.
The only negative thing I can say is the wind protection is a bit lacking. But hey, it's a naked bike, what do you expect, get the hand warmers.
What do you have to lose? Go take one for a test ride. Go on the twistiest road you can find and don't be afraid to push it past 4500 RPM coming out of the corners. It will pleasantly surprise you with more than enough torque. Show less

I am 53 and finally was able to own the bike I always wanted. I was visiting dealers for about 1 year sitting on the bikes and leaving the stores depressed because I was not confident on a bike tip toeing. One night it dawned on me that when added my bags and gears the bike would sag a bit and it may actually lower it, so that was the key to my problem, with inseam 29/30 I was able to find a stock low seat right away on the craigslist and it kind solved the problem. Took a 6 day tour from Central CA to Portland Or, and was amazed by the comfort and performance. The seat is not perfect but every 2-3hrs a stop made the trip confortable enough. I had a foam pad underneath my behind and it made a world of a difference. I ride it for short rides 2-4hrs and it is a fun bike, because it has plenty of clearance for cornering despite, that I scraped my boot on the pavement a few times, I am not a hard rider but enjoy the twisties. I have owned a hondas 360-750's, hd sportster and I currently own an 05 MV F4-1000 witch is the performance bike but, mile per mile, the bmw R 1150 Rockster I think surpasses the fun factor. Show less

I picked up a GS in February 2009 after trading in an RT. I was hit head on in March by a driver who was interested in texting more than driving. I suffered a minor concussion and the bike was totaled (you should have seen the car!). Thought I would try out a different brand. I lasted about two weeks on that bike before I realized what I had done. I sold that bike and went back to the R1200GS. It truly is the best in its class and better than bikes in most other classes. It is a jack of all trades, and depending on how you look at it, a master of quite a few. I got the new bike on April 30 and already have 5500 miles logged. I will log another 3K this week, heading up the coast and taking a few forest roads along the way. It is one of the most well-balanced bikes I have ever ridden. I can keep up with most sportbike riders on Palomar Mt. and the bike rips up the track (I didn't even have stickies on)! The bike seems to glide over gravel and sand alike. The suspension when off road has to be experienced to be believed. I teach a sportbike riders course on this bike and you should see the faces of all those squids when I demo the course with all cases on. I would shill for this company for no money. Wait, I AM shilling for no money! Great company and a truly amazing riding experience. Next stop: Baja and then Latin America. Show less

I am the second owner of this bike. I have had it 3 mo. So far it has been better than I hoped. Good smooth power, nice ride. I have had many bikes this is the first BMW should have bought one a lot sooner. I think anyone will be pleased with this motorcycle.... Show less

I have put 10k miles on this bike in 4 months. Weekend mountains and canyon twisties, San Diego to LA slabbing, San Diego cruising, and a recent 1200 mile weekend. Rider comfort is superb and this is a smooth machine. I had some initial issues with the seat, but after changing to a high seat I can ride for hours with no discomfort. This bike has all the get up and go a body could want and handles the tightest corners like a dream. The suspension was obviously not designed for someone as fat as I am but it does a remarkable job. Have I mentioned I love my R1200R? Show less

This is the second review I've posted for this bike. First one was July 2007, called Worth the Wait! I've owned this bike for 3 1/2 years and have put around 8,000 miles on it. I know that's not much, and I wish I could ride more, but I have a family and a demanding job. Like the title says, I'm STILL LOVIN' IT! How can you not enjoy riding such a superb machine as this? It's a beautiful machine, too. It's red and I keep it immaculate, so it gets a lot of looks. I'm in the middle of replacing the battery - wow, talk about open heart surgery! You damn near gotta take the whole bike apart to get to the battery. I hope the replacement battery lasts five years like the original lasted. And I pray I get it all put back together the right way! ;) I can't say enough good things about this bike. I feel lucky to own it. Will write again in a couple more years. Show less