Have I got an S or an SS

[skiddy boxers]

I'm fairly new on here and a bit embarrassed to ask this.

I've bought an 02 bike but haven't picked it up from the dealer yet (non BMW). All the documentation says it's an R1100S but the bike has the wider rear rim, steering damper and I seem to have read somewhere that if the rear shock has a yellow spring it's the sport version. The dealer doesn't know, as far as he's concerned it's a standard S.

Can anyone tell me if I have an S an SS or an S with the optional sports pack. Is there anything else I can look for that is unique to the particular model as I would quite like to know what I've got.

Thanks

[sandbar]

Hi and welcome,

My understanding is that as far as the factory is concerned there is no such thing as an SS. The added nomenclature of 'Sport' is purely a local thing. These sorts of 'additional' models are the favourites of certain country's importers.

The UK particularly uses this ruse. For example 318iSE does not exist at the factory - it is purely a 318i with a certain collection of factory fitted extras which BMW UK chooses to call SE. The Americans like this sort of thing as well

It sounds as though you have a R1100S with 'Sports Suspension Package'.

Sandbar

[andrew s]

I agree with Sandbar, if you have the extra's fitted then it is the 'S' sport model.

It isn't any better than the 'S' only that you get better tyres with a 180 instead of a 170.

Andrew

[skiddy boxers]

Thanks to you both

That makes sense and helps clear up the mystery.

Nick

[winger]

When the S was launched in 98,there was the stock S and the SS,which came with taller suspension and the springs were yellow,there was no difference in the shocks just the castings were longer which gave the extra height and it had the bigger back wheel,it was also possible to buy the shocks and wheel as a kit.

It didn't take long for people to start tut tutting German bike!!! SS!!! so it got dropped and they called a sport,they then went on to various boxer cup models,the bottom line being the different in speed and a performance between a 98 and 2005 more down t0 production quality,i'd take an early bike with a pipe and induct and K+N and Verholen arm, against a Rep every time.

Chris

[sandbar]

When the S was launched in 98,there was the stock S and the SS

Not in Europe there wasn't. Only in UK, USA and a couple of other importers jumped on the bandwagon. There was only a stock R1100S plus a list of available options. The only different 1100S models were the blue/white BCR ( sports suspension pack as standard, but all the other options were available) and the 2004 BCR again standard with sports suspension pack (this time with a higher rear ride height) but no options!

Confused - you will be!!

The importers made up their own rules as they went along. In the UK they even propagated the myth that the so-called Sport could not, for technical reasons, have ABS. Well - everywhere else in the world was able to have ABS on a bike with the 'sports suspension package'.

It was just that when they ordered and specified their allocation a least a year up front, they decided not to order any with both those options on the same bike - ABS and Sports Suspension. That is of course apart from those that were destined to go to members of staff at Bracknell.

They've been at it for decades with the cars - SE, ES, Lux, Sport etc etc etc.

Sandbar

[winger]

Question asked by someone in the Uk,on a UK website about a UK model!!!! whats Europe got top do with it!!

[sandbar]

Good point!!!

What do I know anyway?

Sandbar

PS Just trying to point out the machinations of the importers. In the end - in the future - the reality will be that there was no such model as a R1100S Sport. It doesn't matter what the local importers do or say - it is what comes out of the factory that is important.

[jltownshend]

I bought a new S with Sports Package (and ABS!), and now (after a small mistake) I have an SS (with an SS sticker on it) and no ABS.

The difference...

Insurers decided that the SS was a group higher...sigh.

That's quite a few quid for an ugly extra S on the tail.