Replace the R1100S with What?

[winger]

Rideing around on something with 50 hp less when you don't have to,interesting!.

[sfarson]

See posts from Chris like this in multiple places. It goes on and on like a scratch on an LP record. Listen, the R1100S was too much of a compromise bike for many. Many of us liked its dual personality (including me) but the marketplace did not. A key reason why it was never a big seller. For BMW to build another bike just like it would have insure continued dismal sales. At least they tried something different and gave the marketplace, along with existing R1100S owners, a choice.

For those wanting a more touring friendly yet sporting ride... the R1200ST. Chris is the only one whining about its handling. Every review notes it as a handling improvement over the R1100S, with the additions of greater power, lighter weight, and more touring friendly accomodations. Understandably, the aesthetics are a challenge for more than a few, but remove the appearance from the functionality. Stellar. Sometimes I think about buying an ST just so I could stick it to all the close-minded whiners and complainers out there and blow their doors off in a nearby Colorado canyon, and then go to another time zone and do the same. Sheeeesh. An excellent ST video here: http://www.bmwmotorcycles.com/bikes/pop ... 1200st&i=1 Watch it.

And then for those wishing the R1100S was a little more sporty... the R1200S. Exactly what I was looking for after five years on the R1100S. Lighter, more powerful, tasty options, real world ergos. Sweet. One of the finest road going sporting rides around.

[winger]

I'd get your Chris's sorted out mate before you start posting,you think i'm Chris Geuting!!!!!.

[BlueBoxer]

Well I've had a 1100S for 4 months and 6000 commuting miles, and I'm loving it.

I went looking for a shaft drive bike, that was easy to maintain, that I could live with it's looks.

I wasn't sure about the Rotax engine in the F800S, or the belt final drive, can it be self spannered?
BMW's generally, I don't like the styling.
Moto Guzzi, for 12 month riding, I've no confidence in the finish.
Yamaha cruisers, small tank and poor finish.
Honda Deaville, the one's I looked at, all were rotting, front of engine and exhausts.
Then I saw the R1100S.... Thinking that BMW finish was good, after reading the posts here, I'm waiting for the paint to fall off, and the bolts to shear when I touch them So another BMW, not till I'm convinced that the finish quality is high

[sproggy]

I'm waiting for the paint to fall off

You've had it 4 months/6000 miles and you're still waiting? Sounds like you've got a good one

[paulR]

I'd get your Chris's sorted out mate before you start posting,you think i'm Chris Geuting!!!!!.

I think he's referring to BMW-Fahrer, who gets loads of abuse on the Pelican Parts forum for slagging off the R1200S for its lack of practicality. I do see his point (about the lack of practicality compared with the R1100S), but as I'm lucky enough to have more than one bike the R1200S suits me fine. I haven't tried mine with a pillion yet but I intend to do a solo trip to Garmisch next year and I reckon it will do the job ok with a tail pack strapped to the back. As for the centre stand, I got a paddock stand for Xmas so that shortfall is covered. Mine has the on-board computer option which includes an oil level indicator, so checking the oil is just a press of a button

[sproggy]

Mine has the on-board computer option which includes an oil level indicator, so checking the oil is just a press of a button

You're a brave man. Having had experience on the electronics on some R1200 models I wouldn't trust the bike to check its own oil!

[winger]

I know exactly who he thinks i am,wrong bloke,wrong country,wrong continent,it's called lack of home work!!! hence my wry smile!!,i think the 1200 looks shits load better than 1100, but BM have lost the plot, why they wanted to go so focused it's an aircooled twin for god sake,it's taken years for them to get 1100 sales going 98/99 were very poor,my local dealer was saying things had just got better and better,and then they change tack,and have to start all over again,haveing cut off probably half the BM punters with it's lack of two up ability,never mind panniers,but then i've been on the road for two weeks,two up and haven't needed panniers anyway.

I(we) use the bikes for travelling,holidays,and two up rideing,and if i (we) didn't i'd be rideing a Gixxer thou,actually i wouldn't!! it would be a ZX10

The funny thing being with this thread,i've had my 1100s for 7 years next month,anyone beat that!!.

[Stevie]

.....,but then i've been on the road for two weeks,two up and haven't needed panniers anyway.

That made me smile after your earlier rant

I(we) use the bikes for travelling,holidays,and two up rideing,and if i (we) didn't i'd be rideing a Gixxer thou,actually i wouldn't!! it would be a ZX10

Good for you - doesn't mean we all have to want one though.

The funny thing being with this thread,i've had my 1100s for 7 years next month,anyone beat that!!.

and that is the most surprising thing considering your oft stated dislike of them. I've had mine almost as long - 7 years in March - and I still like it. I might even just hang on to it.

Incidentally, does anyone have access to any real sales figures for the 1100S and the 1200S? I don't really trust much what dealers tell you over a coffee, but mine claims to have been shifting 1200S like warm buns.

[andrew s]

I know the Chris, Steve is on about never a good word about the 1200S.

I can see why he was mistaken though Chris (only joking, it is good to have a moan every so often and it is part of your charm and readabiltiy (is that a word).

So he has now morphed over here as BMW-Fahrer (hope this info is right). I just hope that the posts don't go the same way as they have on the Pelican. Both the 1200S (I'll find out when we get good weather) and 1100S are great bikes.

Both have excellent points and some not so good points, but as I always say biking is in the mind and both bikes have given me that fix.

Andrew

[winger]

Now thats funny!!! Me rant your haveing a giraffe!!!,i don't ever rant,it people with thin skin who seem to have the problem.

As for BM marketing they haven't a clue,spend years getting the S up and running after an appalling start,once someone had worked out how to sell e'm,and bugger me have got to start all over again,with different kind of punter.

As for owning a bike and then slateing it!!!,thats what make this board different from the rest,the rose tinted glasses get left at the door,as for selling it?? jesus why would i do that,it's not worth anything!!!,it'll get shoved up the back of the garage with the hedge trimmer in the end.

[sfarson]

I'd get your Chris's sorted out mate before you start posting,you think i'm Chris Geuting!!!!!.

So is your name Chris? Don't see it signed as such or in your profile. Sorry for the mis-sort.

[winger]

No worries dude!!!!, it is Chris but it ain't Geuting,if you've ever looked at the Pelican!! you'll see i sign in with my real name,Canning

[BMW-Fahrer]

I did not say anyhing bad about the R1200S.It is actually a very nice bike but as a sport-only bike it is a joke and therefore a very slow seller.The R1100S sold more than 30000 units and so did the R1100/1150RS.Sport riders get more performance for the same or less money in form of a GSXR or 1098 and BMW sport riders who occasionally like to take the partner or go even god forbid on a trip with a tent and clothes can't do that anymore on the new R1200S,which is a pity.
The R1200ST is already dead.Looks,handling compared to the R1100S,smaller tank and no underseat space who knows but it did not sell.The R1200S needs some options to fill the R1100S and R1100RS sport-touring gap if they actually want to move some units and not only sell to a few old farts who want a sporty "image"...
Likethe R9S or later R1100S the R1200S has less performance on paper compared to the sportsters from japan or italy but unless it's predecessors it doesn't make up it's deficit with real world useability like the R90/1100S predecessors which is a pity.The bike is what a lot of BMW riders and sports-tourers were looking forward otherwise but let down by some marketing "geniuses" who proudly boasted nowhere to put any panniers,and the missus and srew the holiday trip,too...
Of course the inredients that sales are made of...
I wonder why they did not make the tank even smaller,15,5 litres like the Duc would have been even "sportier".Especially when you have to push running out of fuel somewhere in the countryside...
What I really wanted to ask if the tranny is really a letdown on the otherwise excellent F800S but I guess looking at them side by side the R1100S is still the one...
Chris
PS:Why a centerstand?It's so practical.No need for a stupid racestand to change the oil or even two changing tires or just checking the oil or simply parking the bike upright.This outweighs easy the oly disadvantage of maybe 1 kilogramm of additional weight.What's next junk the practical and clean shat for a couple of pounds and get a "sporty" chain?

[sfarson]

Zzzzzzzzzzzzz