A 'do everything' bike and the demise of the 11S?

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Gromit
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A 'do everything' bike and the demise of the 11S?

Postby Gromit » Wed Feb 08, 2006 9:14 am

As a point of discussion (was nattering to a friend about this the other day)...

Does such a beast exist? I know there are those who will say to own more than one main bike (ie as opposed to the winter hack which gets used when the weather's shite) but for some of us that idea wouldn't be condusive to domestic harmony ;)

The 11S I would imagine could come high on a list of possible 'do it all' bikes. I'm not just talking tangibles either - it has a very important factor for me in that it has real character. It'll also do track days, or take 2 people with plenty of luggage across the Continent in reasonable comfort.

This is what I feel is a shame with the new S, in that a lot of the old bike's skills will have been diluted to the point of non-existence. Sure, BMW may have been trying to go for the sportsbike jugular but it does seem a somewhat half-hearted attempt - and someone who wants to buy a 999 or Mille probably wouldn't look twice at a shaft-driven, air-cooled Boxer twin. The ST may be a good alternative for the 1100S owner looking to go to a more modern Boxer but sorry, with a bike which looks so hideous even its mother wouldn't love it, I just could never give one garage room. Shame as I feel the idea is a sound one, only poorly executed. It may or may not be good to ride (I've yet to have a go on one so won't pass judgement based on lack of experience) but as is often the case with BMW it seems like an opportunity missed.

Is there anything in the current BMW range which could replace the 1100S - and still be as useful a tool, and look as good? I really don't think so which in many ways is a shame.

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Harry
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Postby Harry » Wed Feb 08, 2006 9:45 am

In other words Grom, we need not fear the demise of the S quite yet then....
Amen to that.

H

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Gromit
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Postby Gromit » Wed Feb 08, 2006 9:48 am

Harry wrote:In other words Grom, we need not fear the demise of the S quite yet then....
Amen to that.

H


That's exactly the point - it's as though the 1100S doesn't actually have an 'equal' replacement. The concept of the older bike just hasn't been carried on.

Maybe the 2nd hand values will soar! It'll become a collector's item!!

Er...coat etc

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Postby theseadog » Wed Feb 08, 2006 9:53 am

Aren't BM trying to polarise the choice with the new models though ?

Want a Sports Tourer, that'll be the RS then sir
Want a Sports Twin, that'll be the S then sir

I'd agree that neither (IMHO) is a genuine 11S replacement, they both fulfil roles, but neither appears to tick all the boxes the 11S does.

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Postby Boxered » Wed Feb 08, 2006 10:27 am

If your looking at a new bike, then I'd have to agree with you Gromit, but a used 1150GS with S wheels takes some beating, my mate has such a beast, and I can't keep up with him on the twistys,(thats not saying much, I know) and it tours very well as long as you're not a ton up tourer.

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Postby bmwonder » Wed Feb 08, 2006 10:54 am

Oooh! Good thread.

What BMW is equally at home;

Daily commuting
Two-up touring
Sunday blasting
Saturday afternoon shop trip
Handful of trackdays per year

The only beemer that comes close in the new range is the GS (I guess that the Rockster is not really part of the new range anymore?). THe only other one is the F800, but that's not really a BMW as we all know! :wink:

If your looking outside of BMW then for the money it would have to be an SV 1000. I don't think that there's a better value bike available anywhere. You get two for the price of one R1200S!!!

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Postby julian » Wed Feb 08, 2006 10:54 am

I will test ride the R1200S and K1200R back to back as I could do with a technology refresh this year. However, I don't really want to blow 10K+ on a new bike and despite my previous claim for more power I don't really need it - in fact in an inverted snobbery way I rather like being under-resourced in the BHP department.

Despite its known shortcomings (over-porked and under-poked) the good old 'S' still checks all the right boxes for me. Combined with the KTM 660SMC I have all the toys I need but there is still a craving for something else that won't go away.

So, if I can force my hand in direction of wallet, I could possibly be tempted with a new 'S', or 'R' or more likely a used 'Blade, Speed Triple or even a KTM 950SM.
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Postby bmwonder » Wed Feb 08, 2006 11:01 am

A 1150GS with a set of Bridgestone 020's is a mighly beast on a trackday! I have been thoughly whipped by one!

(Although that's not really that hard)

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Gromit
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Postby Gromit » Wed Feb 08, 2006 11:06 am

bmwonder wrote:A 1150GS with a set of Bridgestone 020's is a mighly beast on a trackday! I have been thoughly whipped by one!

(Although that's not really that hard)


Agreed - an S-wheeled GS is certainly in the 'naughty but nice' category. :)

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Postby julian » Wed Feb 08, 2006 11:24 am

Gromit wrote:
bmwonder wrote:A 1150GS with a set of Bridgestone 020's is a mighly beast on a trackday! I have been thoughly whipped by one!

(Although that's not really that hard)


Agreed - an S-wheeled GS is certainly in the 'naughty but nice' category. :)


Small wheels on a GS remind me of a tasty super-model with mince pie size knockers :(
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winger

Postby winger » Wed Feb 08, 2006 11:29 am

Sorry boys no such bike!!!,my original plan was the spend money on the S to get it how i wanted,although thats got a little out of control and keep my Tiger stock!! that hasn't happend either,the question i always get, which one would you keep if you had to go back to one bike,i never answer it cuz,rideing a trailie for any length of time you miss that focused feel (even though mines Supermoto'd and i'm waiting for Dymags to replace the SM wheels that i had speacially made in the first place!!),the feel that i've got with my S,it's how much it cost to get there thats the problem!!!!

I'd say a SuperMoto GS1200 is about as close as you'll get the 1150's to slow.

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Re: A 'do everything' bike and the demise of the 11S?

Postby RoLoo » Wed Feb 08, 2006 11:43 am

Gromit wrote:...the ST may be a good alternative for the 1100S owner looking to go to a more modern Boxer but sorry, with a bike which looks so hideous even its mother wouldn't love it...


...hmmm, IMO it doesn't look THAT bad...
...with wavy discs, and a Laser... :?

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bmwonder
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Postby bmwonder » Wed Feb 08, 2006 11:53 am

...hmmm, IMO it doesn't look THAT bad...


What have you been smoking? Its a complete fugly! It should only be ridden after dark in a deserted neighborhood.


.....and the mirrors are crap.

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RoLoo
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Postby RoLoo » Wed Feb 08, 2006 12:10 pm

...sorry... :oops:

...maybe with a belly-pan...?? :?
Have a nice day !

Ron.



R1200S + R1200RT

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Postby Me-109 » Wed Feb 08, 2006 12:50 pm

Out with the grinder and welding kit:

Chop subframe and ditch (sell on eBay).
Add 11S subframe, underseat cans and plastics/saddle.
Don't look at it from front on.

Job done.


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