Just got a "new to me" blue 1997 r1100r.....

[snarly]

Hi,

My name is Chris and I live above Hoboken, NJ. I have had a few different scooters and motorcycles but this is my first bmw / driveshaft / fuel injection.

I just got a r1100r today - blue with about 40k miles.....looks great. Previous owner kept it in a garage, tires look fairly new.

I have a few newbie questions...bike sort of jumps -pulls to the side a little when rev it in nuetral or with clutch pulled in - is this normal or something I need to check?

I think it has the stock muffler - sounds kind of quiet...any easy addons to existing pipes that would make it louder and deeper?

Should I think about getting a power commander or any thing I should read up on this fuel injection?

What gas is preferred?

Any suggestions on reading - I prefer to do my own maintenance and am willing to learn.

Thanks!
Chris

[sweatmark]

Welcome to the group. The R1100R is a solid performer, classic and modern at same time.

The torque reaction you feel is normal for boxer motors and longitudinal crankshaft + flywheel/clutch. Initially, the twisting sensation is a surprise but quickly becomes "normal".

My advice re: engine tuning is to keep things stock; there's little to be gained via Power Commander or similar mods with the R850/1100/1150 oilhead motors unless you start changing pistons, cams, etc. Such projects are very rare for these Beemers, but we have a couple of members here that have done the work and can share expertise.

R1100R exhaust system is single piece comprising catalytic converter unit and muffler. Replacing exhaust with aftermarket system (typically two pieces: y-pipe and muffler can) will add noise and lose weight.

Most folks can get away with mid-grade fuel unless temps are hot.

We've had R850R and R1100R in the family and really enjoyed the bikes. Hope you do too.

[snarly]

Thanks for the detailed reply....

I will keep her stock then. I am used to having to upgrade and do like to tinker.

I traded a 380sl benz that I restored for the bike and was looking for another project.

We traded pinks so this bike has been a pleasant surprise... initially thought 40k was a lot of miles. After your comments about the torque I can't see anything wrong with this bike. Bigger bike than I am used to but it feels like a glove when I sit on her. Prior owner was my same height and build.

I do have an hd sporty, vespa lx150, and Stella Fireball...all of which I am keeping and teaching my wife to ride. I plan on letting friends who know how to ride borrow one and cruise with me around Hoboken and Manhattan.

A few more newbie questions:
what is a good idle speed and how do I adjust?

Why doesn't the bike start with the sidestand down? Why does it stop when stand is put down?

Any ideas to install a signal canceler?

Can someone explain what the various lights are on the dashboard? ie ABS has left and right...
I see 3 buttons on the handlebars - heated hands (cool), hazards, and ABS - what does the abs do?

What is the preferred braking method ie 70% front 30% rear? Comments on ABS? (first time with them on a bike)

I can't figure out how to get it on its center stand...what am I not doing?

I read that it is easy to adjust the seat height - I don't need to yet, but will when my wife want to ride her.

Thanks again,
Chris

[ICBMguy]

Can't speak to the ABS since my 00 doesn't have it (sigh). The sidestand has a switch linked to the engine kill switch circuit. It's linked for safety to prevent you from riding away with the sidestand down and then making an overly-exciting left hand turn.

Signal canceler, I've got a Kisan Signal-minder that was installed by the previous owner, I think it's the SM-5, though I heard rumors Kisan stopped making them. It is a relay that installs in the fuse panel under the seat; a quick tie in to the brake line ans voila! The ABS brake light tie in may be different though, there's a few posts on here that address it.

To get the bike on the centerstand, push down on the stand with your foot, while at the same time lifting with your right hand on the frame just above the exhaust/below the seat lock. There should be a little wleded loop to keep you from sliding your hand down onto the exhaust while you do this. Just be careful not to drop the bike over; a couple of times practicing and it will be second-nature to you.

Seat adjustment is dirt-simple. Pop off the seat and underneath you see the supprots (look like 2 "wheels") At the base are a couple of allen-screws. Undo these and you can move the support bracket to "low," "med" or "high."

Have fun riding!

[derscott]

Welcome to the group! I've had my "new to me" 1998 r1100r for a couple of months now. It's a fun bike.

I think you can disable the ABS using the button on the steering, just not sure how.

Getting the bike onto the center stand is all about technique. I use one hand on the handle bar and one hand on the luggage rack (use the frame if you don't have the rack) with my right foot on the stand. Press down (hard) with your foot and pull up with your right hand. I also pull backwards on the handle bar a bit as well. I only weigh around 155 pounds, so if I can do it, anyone can. Just be careful since these bike *will* fall over if you aren't careful.

cheers,
Scott

[snarly]

I see some pics with or without this cannister - what is it?
I would post a pic but not sure how ....

Thanks,
Chris

[snarly]

Did some more searching and found out that cannister is a carbon air filter that has all kinds of mixed opinions.....

For now, I will leave it on - but it does have some bare rusted spots - any ideas on how to clean up? Can I lightly sand and then use black paint?

Anyone have instructions on the full instrument cluster? How do you set the clock?

Thanks!

[DMM]

Okay, admittedly, I have an 1150R and not the 1100R, so I can not provide first-hand knowledge of your new bike model. However, I will throw in my two cents here.

The center stand is simple. Don't over think it. With the bike on the side stand, use your foot to push the center stand down to the ground. Once it is just in contact, shift the bike so that both sides of the center stand are in contact with the ground. Then step on the center stand to fully lift the bike onto the center stand. You don't have to put your full weight on the stand to get it to lift the bike. You are using simple mechanics to step and lift the bike.

As to the side stand and the bike not running, that is a safety mechanism. The bike can only be in neutral with the side stand down for the motor to be running. If put in gear, the motor cuts out. Again, it's a design that is intended to be a safety feature. Don't ask me to explain how.

+1 on the Kisan. https://www.kisantech.com/view_product.php?product=SM-5
Discounts are offered to members of various mc sites.

Cheers,
D

PS - Oh, get yourself the Clymer manual. It is worth the cost for diy work on the bike.

[omg1010]

Did some more searching and found out that cannister is a carbon air filter that has all kinds of mixed opinions.....

For now, I will leave it on - but it does have some bare rusted spots - any ideas on how to clean up? Can I lightly sand and then use black paint?

Anyone have instructions on the full instrument cluster? How do you set the clock?

Thanks!

Mornin Chris,

you could download the repair manual here http://www.carlsalter.com/motorcycle-manuals.asp

For the clock you will find a black knob sticking out below the instrument cover. Push that and see the clock moving.

Have fun with your R1100R. I have the same since 12 years and still having loads of fun.

Best regards
Oliver

[snarly]

Couple of other questions after putting a couple hundred miles on her:

What rpm best to shift? The bike seems to "lurch' at 3500 rpm ...from smooth to kick butt?

Muffler / exhaust: sounds kind of wimpy at idle? Thinking of adding some type of aftermarket slip on?

Thanks,
Chris

[derscott]

You can shift almost anywhere you please. The engine has a lot of torque, so I short shift in heavy traffic quite a bit. Otherwise, it's up to how much gas you want to burn.

cheers,
Scott

[philbytx]

Boxer motor "sweet spot" is around 3500 rpm's and up.........and you can run them like a raped ape upto redline and it won't hurt 'em !!

BTW - Do NOT lug a boxer motor.....they don't like to run under 3k. They are torquey and will pull from there but changing down and bringing her up to the sweet spot is way preferable.

Save your money. Not worth screwing around with a stock boxer engines really, aftermarket exhausts are a good waste of money and offer little in the way of additional performance (if any!).

Oh! And BMW's are QUIET not WIMPY...I blow off "Loud and manly" HD's with impunity on my "wimpy" BMW's. Be friendly to your neighbors, quiet, quick and stealthy is good lol !

[snarly]

Thanks!

Didn't mean anything by "wimpy" - I have a hd sporty and a vespa as well that my wife and I both ride.

Interested to learn more about 3500 rpm...so I am right in that it "jumps" at 3500 rpms? Also, noticed some sort of "lag" that I thought might be due to the fuel injection.

With that in mind, down shifting is still ok?

Chris

[Redhawk4]

I've not noticed that with my 99, or any real powerband, for me being more used to 4 cylinder road bikes I find it has a lot of torque in low to mid range and it's certainly very fast, but I don't get that surge at high rpm a 4 cylinder gives. Maybe with only 4.6k miles on it and an original owner (up to 3k) who was very much a "steady eddie" it may still loosen up a bit. For overall rideability and fast A-B riding you can't beat the torque and also the amount of engine braking you have when you back off the throttle going in to turns. The handling never ceases to amaze me, I find it agile, very stable and there is a solid feel about it. I find myself cornering faster than I logically might want to go and realizing I'm not even close to the limit.

The exhaust is certainly very quiet, but I always feel "quietly superior" as I smoke the average loud piped HD while still virtually short shifting away from the lights.

My R1100r certainly has a very different character to other bikes I've owned, but I love just about everthing about it.

[snarly]

Hi -couple of updates:

I switched up to high octane gas and the bike is a different critter!

I did have an electrical problem over the weekend.

The bike died while at a light but started right up.
Ran a few errands and the bike stopped again. This time it wouldnt start.

I pulled off the seat - the black negative cable was hot and smoking.
There were exposed wires on it.

Think I need to replace the cable and clean the connector.
Any thing else I might need to do?
Thanks,
Chris

[omg1010]

Two things come into my mind:

a) check when the fluids have last been changed and if unsure change!

b) check the zip-locks around the front and if need be loosen them (to avoid breaking cables)

Other than that enjoy the ride with this fine bike!

Best regards
Oliver