Just bought A Beemer

[GS1150Pilot]

just like a KLR

I do like KLRs, LoL

[LAB3]

I've always loved the look of the airheads and even a bit fond of the flying brick as well. Needless to say after hearing the stories about the shaft issues on the newer bikes I'd be hesitant to pull the trigger on one of those

[Brendan W]

Got an R1100R a few months back. Even though I had experience with an R100RT this is a very different ride. Downshift with care, at least not like the GS850G and it's not as flexible at low speeds in high gears and I miss the gear position indicator. In spite of the torque I find myself shifting more often, maybe that will change with time. Then the 850 is a hard act to follow. What I like is the easy turning. It's very quick and wants to go further and feels rock solid. The steering damper has lost it's oil and I find that more of a problem at walking speed with that smaller front wheel.
I was looking at older airheads and then I woke up
If I believed everything on the net about transmissions I would stay in bed just as would never have bought the 850 if I was swayed by the stator fry stories.

[storm 64]

Yeah, I'm glad BMW finally got the turn signals figured out.
Like someone said "three switches for two lights"
It was like patting your head and rubbing your belly at the same time! Haha

I had a 96 R1100 rsl "Big Blue" So smooth and purred like a kitten. A little top heavy but I always managed. It was the motorcycle that got me into motorcycle touring.
It developed a oil leak around the base gasket. Not a bad leak but a few drops of oil on my boot made my decision to sell it easier. Also, the buyer (friend of a friend) really wanted it...

I'm looking forward to being back on a BMW.

[Suzukian]

I have to admit that I've always wanted an older Beemer. My brother-in-law had a demo bike, a 1000 cc and he let me ride it, a lot. It's handling, braking were impressive. I did not like that you can not engine brake with these bikes, it could throw you down in a turn. On the other hand, the brakes were so excellent, that was easy to overcome. The shifting actually started to hurt my foot after a while, not a god city bike, but with all the torque, it wasn't like you really needed to shift a lot.

With all it's peculiarities, it's what makes it a BMW, and I'd still like to get an older R90 o RS1000 full fairing model. MAX BMW in Ct. had a beautiful one, but the bike was on consignment, and the owner wanted 12K and wouldn't budge. Max eventually gave the bike to the guy. He told me the bike was overpriced, and it wasn't the Silver/Blue I wanted. If I was going to spend that much on a used bike, it would have to have everything I wanted.

Last year I went to purchase a GS100G, with the intention of making a trike out of it (I have a really bad back). The guy sold it out from under me. W had made a deal, and I drove 1.5 hours to get to his house, with my trailer. He apologized, then told me he could make it up to me. He pulled out a 2004 ZZR1200 and it had only 3875 miles on it. It had been sitting in a climate controlled room the whole time. His buddy purchased the bike as his first bike, he was 6 '4" tall. He thought it would be a great 1st bike, and it scared the heck out of him, so he parked it, and many years later, had the local Kawasaki dealership tune up the bike, and his friend sell it for him, he just wanted to get rid of it.

He said he could give it to me for $2200 bucks. I jumped on that deal so fast. I had been looking for a BMW, but you can't get anything at that price. I've spent the last year, mounting Pirelli DIablo tires, NISSIN Brake Calipers and have lowered the suspension 1" (Soupy's Lowering kit). I also designed a new muffler system that knocked 40 lbs. off of the bike. This bike only weighs 40 lbs. more than my '83 GS750ES, and it puts out 145 H.P. at the rear wheel!

I still would like to own a BMW though, but at my age, I think this is the last bike I will purchase. 3 bikes is enough , for me, for now, right BMW, right time, you never know. I still want to make a trike, seeing how that BMW uses an automotive style clutch brings all kinds of crazy ideas to my head.

[GS1150Pilot]

Got an R1100R a few months back. Even though I had experience with an R100RT this is a very different ride. Downshift with care, at least not like the GS850G and it's not as flexible at low speeds in high gears and I miss the gear position indicator. In spite of the torque I find myself shifting more often, maybe that will change with time. Then the 850 is a hard act to follow. What I like is the easy turning. It's very quick and wants to go further and feels rock solid. The steering damper has lost it's oil and I find that more of a problem at walking speed with that smaller front wheel.
I was looking at older airheads and then I woke up
If I believed everything on the net about transmissions I would stay in bed just as would never have bought the 850 if I was swayed by the stator fry stories.

There is a fix for the steering damper. Mine was shot, too.

[Brendan W]

There is a fix for the steering damper. Mine was shot, too.

Thanks for that link. Do you recall what the seal size is and what did you fill it with?

[alke46]

To GS1150Pilot, when changing the final drive gear oil, make darn sure to inspect the magnetic piece in the drain plug. DAMHIK, but BMW was famous for not making sure the shimming process was properly done. The ones that fail were mostly shimmed too tight. The guy that overhauled mine claims he has rebuilt over 150 of them.

Inspect that drain plug to watch for any metallic pieces as that can spell disaster. If you would like, I can post pictures of what they can look like when they fail.

Not fun.

Anyway, have fun with yours and good luck.

[Rob S.]

Thanks for that link. Do you recall what the seal size is and what did you fill it with?

I think he filled it with half 10, half 5. Watch the clip to be sure.

[Brendan W]

I think he filled it with half 10, half 5. Watch the clip to be sure.

I saw that and didn't he say something about that being a recipe for 7 1/2?
I use a mix of 10W40 and ATF for the GS forks and work on the principle that the thinner has a disproportionate effect on the result in the ratio of about 2:1

[GS1150Pilot]

Thanks for that link. Do you recall what the seal size is and what did you fill it with?

https://www.amazon.com/EAI-Double-Stainless-Spring-Coating/dp/B08B5PKJ34?crid=2JEY951QEQ6PF&keywords=10mm+x+20mm+x+7mm+seal&qid=1654996822&s=industrial&sprefix=10mm+x+20mm+x+7mm+seal,industrial,69&sr=1-4&linkCode=sl1&tag=14wntr-20&linkId=d6f6d9c8c08028ec446aca3151e11ac8&language=en_US&ref_=as_li_ss_tl

[GS1150Pilot]

To GS1150Pilot, when changing the final drive gear oil, make darn sure to inspect the magnetic piece in the drain plug. DAMHIK, but BMW was famous for not making sure the shimming process was properly done. The ones that fail were mostly shimmed too tight. The guy that overhauled mine claims he has rebuilt over 150 of them.

Inspect that drain plug to watch for any metallic pieces as that can spell disaster. If you would like, I can post pictures of what they can look like when they fail.

Not fun.

Anyway, have fun with yours and good luck.

Yep, I had it fully inspected by a local independent BMW shop!

[GS1150Pilot]

I saw that Jedz had one of these and did some fun lightening of his. I may follow suit, though the bike feels lighter than the Sportster even though it isn't by much.

I definitely plan to upgrade the suspension and will be doing tires and brakes soon.

[Suzukian]

We have MAX BMW in New Milford, Connecticut, one of the best BMW dealerships in the country. Heluva nice guy too.

[GS1150Pilot]

We have MAX BMW in New Milford, Connecticut, one of the best BMW dealerships in the country. Heluva nice guy too.

MotoGhost here is an amazing shop.