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Hi all. right then, some of you may find this a little strange but here goes anyway... Next year I'm planning on a bit of a jolly of about 5000 miles and basically I don't want to do it on my r1100s why well, its as near mint condition as any bike I have ever had and I would like to keep it that way, sooooo I'm thinking of spending a max of £1200. for that I want luggage blah blah would prefer a boxer but may look at a k series, so what do you recommend. Me thinks this is the best strategy, I need luggage anyway and after the jolly I could sell her and still have my shiny one.

Your thoughts would be appreciated

Thanks and regards Marsh

I can understand where you're coming from in some respects, but being reluctant to do go on a really good jaunt on your 11S? Must admit, it's the perfect bike to do it on. Spending 1200 quid on something just for the trip you could end up not having the best of times - especially if said bike gives you trouble.

Back in 1999 Mrs Gromit and I did 4000 miles in just over 3 weeks on my lovely R1100R and it didn't suffer one bit - once home and given a good clean it was as smart and shiny as when we started the trip.

You love your 11S? Take it on the trip that lovely bike deserves.

It's of course your choice though.

Have to agree with Gromit on this, You love the 11s--Take it on the trip and enjoy. Good clean and protect before and after would make it all worthwhile imho.

Peter.

I agree that the 1100s is made for the trip. I struggle to see why its condition may deteriorate on said trip. Buy hard cases for the bike with fitting kit and they are there for future use. Saddle up the 11 you know it makes sense.

I have had exactly the same thoughts as you have.
Have a BCR ’04, and a K 100 RS ’90.
To be honest: of the two bikes, when it comes to touring, the K 100 is better. Even if it’s 14 years older. For lots of reasons:
The fairing is better.
Torque. No matter what numbers say, I feel when going in top gear, at autobahn, in 160 kph, and whacking the throttle wide open, the K 100 accelerates faster than the BCR.
Width. With panniers, the BCR is way too wide to pass lines of cars standing still.
The panniers on the K 100 are much narrower. The side view mirrors on the K 100 are as wide as your panniers. So they work as kind of antlers.

I agree with gromit and herrman. You have the right bike. Use it. Ok, so the bike might get a few battle scars. Great. At least you'll have had the adventure.

Have to agree with taking the 1100s, no reason why it should not be ok after the trip, always hard boxes and rails for sale and if you never do it again you would get your money back on the luggage.

Al.

I think the advice from Boxertrix is clear and consistent on this one. The R1100S will be perfect for your trip, and you can clean it up when you get back.

If it is in top nick now, it won't take much effort to bring it back and you will only love it more with the memories of the adventure.

That is exactly why I've put so much effort into mine, and will never part with it.

Assuming your routes include some good riding roads, and not motorways - why not take the bike you are used to riding.

Handles well, you're used to it
Carries luggage well
Reasonable tank range

Al

The S will manage it no problems and I doubt it would be a wreck by the time you got back. Get it serviced and new tyres etc and you'll have loads of fun with it.

I do agree with Tapio as well though. I got rid of my S for a K100RT a few months back and touring on it is much easier. It is the only bike I have ever ridden nearly 400 miles in a day and got off with no aches or pains. Even the 1100S couldn't match that. Having said that, the S handled much better and was more fun on twisty roads.

We've done something similar - I have a big trip planned next summer, so bought an early 1300 Pan European. The right tool for the job.

Originally, it was thought the 11S would be fine - but we did a trip to the Black Forest on it this summer and it was hell at times.

When we were on the open road, with the wind keeping us and the bike cool, and lifting the weight off my wrists, it was fine for me. Although my wife on the pillion seat got one hell of a buffeting on the autobahn.

However, in town and slower moving traffic, it was absolute hell. Too much weight on my wrists, the engine got very hot and subsequently caused me to overheat, too, and it was just a bit too vibey at times.

I absolutely adore my 11S, but despite what some may say, or what BMW claimed, it's more 'sport' than 'tour' - it's more sporty than the Triumph Sprint and Honda VFR, too.

K1100LTs are wonderful tourers, but I'd probably be looking more towards an ST1100 Pan Euro if I were you. Just check that the swing arm and exhausts aren't rotten.

ETA: You won't get a decent boxer tourer for your budget - £2k is the entry point for a usable R100RT - and remember, they're really a bike from a couple of generations ago, and feel it. You would get a K100RT and possibly a higher mileage K1100LT - but I'd still look at the Pan first.

Mister C (Marsh) wrote:Hi all. right then, some of you may find this a little strange but here goes anyway... Next year I'm planning on a bit of a jolly of about 5000 miles and basically I don't want to do it on my r1100s why well, its as near mint condition as any bike I have ever had and I would like to keep it that way, sooooo I'm thinking of spending a max of £1200. for that I want luggage blah blah would prefer a boxer but may look at a k series, so what do you recommend. Me thinks this is the best strategy, I need luggage anyway and after the jolly I could sell her and still have my shiny one.

Your thoughts would be appreciated

Thanks and regards Marsh

I reckon the Yamaha 900 Diversion would be perfect.
I bought one for £900 from a BMW dealer who'd taken it is as a trade in.
It had 40,000 when I got it, and I racked up another 40,000 in the 4 years I owned it.
It was my every day, all year around, all weather transport and it never missed a beat, despite receiving only the bare minimum of maintenance.
I only intended it to be a stop gap bike, but I found it so effective, I kept hold of it,
I sold it 4 years later to a courier for £300 and it was still purring like a kitten,
£600 for 4 years use.

It's a shaft driven comfy 2 wheeled sofa for two, which has a good smooth torquey engine, handles well, and is frugal on the juice.
I know it's image is a bit drab, but as a budget all rounder, I reckon it takes some beating, and your budget easily get's you one with luggage.
I can't sing this bikes praises highly enough,
Here's an example that is a little over budget, but this time of year people are more willing to negotiate.
http://www.autotrader.co.uk/classified/ ... ?logcode=p

Many many thanks to all, I can see all the positives from all of you. I know it would do the job but to be fair most modernish bikes would. My 1100 is the best bike I have owned in my 40 years of wobbling around, its also in the best condition. I'm not in a position to get anything better, its my baby and the thought of some numpty on a gs clattering into it on a ferry or Johnny foreigner messing with her would drive me nuts...

Still open minded though, that diversion looks the business it really does for the money.

Like I say my final decision will be made soon even though the trip isn't till August, plenty of time to get sorted.

Thanks once again I do appreciate all your thoughts, regards Marsh

Use the 1100s. used mine a few times abroad, filtered with panniers no probs. I know what you mean about keeping it mint but it's meant to be used

Thing about the Diversion 900 is that they are soul-destroyingly dull.

Fine for commuting - but you want something with a bit of character for a summer holiday.