New to BMW - Need help with differences 1100/1150?

[SCOOOT]

Hello everyone!
I have been contemplating selling/trading my 2002 Honda Silverwing Scooter and getting a 1100RA or 1150RA. I have been looking at e-bay and the problem I'm having is not knowing the differences between the 1100 and 1150!
Could someone please help me with this? I like the looks of both of them and it looks like the 1100 has a more upright seating position, is that one of the differences?
Transmission
Engine
Power
Reliability
Not as refined as the 1150?
One better than the other?

Thanks in advance.
Kevin

[Guest]

Transmission - 6 speed on the 1150, 5 on the 1100

Engine - less than 100 cc

Power - about 5 hp

Reliability - pretty much the same...reliable

The 1150 is smoother while cruising on account of the 6th speed, being an overdrive. The oil coolers are better integrated than in the 1100.

For the money you are better off with a 1150. Buy the newest model that you can afford....therte are a few that prop up on the buy/sell thread.

BTW.....what is your take on the Silverwing, how many miles did you put on her......

Good luck, keep us posted.......

[DJ Downunder]

Ones ugly..one beautiful..(sorry R1100R owners )..but why get the ugly sister when you can have Cinderella..

DJ



Just kidding...they're both great bikes...I just think the R1150R looks better..IMHO

[SCOOOT]

I'm a little ashamed to say that I have only put around 500 miles on the Silverwing since I purchased it new in 2002! Don't ask why, since the answer would take too long. It is not that I don't like the bike-because I really do-just can't have two!(can you say WIFE!) . It is just that I would like to do a long distance tour and think that a 1100/1150 would be nice to try. This bike has all the goodies (large windshield,power plug,motolights,backrest,saddle bags, trunk bags, rear luggage rack, saeng blind-side mirrors, hyper license plate lights, back-off modulator, leg shields,etc.
I appreciate the response and will keep you posted as to what I find. I might put an ad in the "Trades Offered" Section and see what responses I get. Maybe someone will like to have a 600 cc scooter and forget about shifting!
LOL
Kevin

[BobFV1]

This bike has all the goodies (large windshield,power plug,motolights,backrest,saddle bags, trunk bags, rear luggage rack, saeng blind-side mirrors, hyper license plate lights, back-off modulator, leg shields,etc.

Kevin - Are yu sure you are not describing a Gold Wing?

Accessorizing a bike up like that would cost you a fair amount. I would go for the lowest mileage bike I could find and take the 1150 over the 1100 - ideally a twin-spark with ABS. Oh, and try riding this beautiful bike without a wind screen but with a full face helmet. If you want more weather protection and you want to go touring, you may seriously want to consider an RT rather than an R.

[Leno]

Hello everyone!
I have been contemplating selling/trading my 2002 Honda Silverwing Scooter and getting a 1100RA or 1150RA. I have been looking at e-bay and the problem I'm having is not knowing the differences between the 1100 and 1150!
Could someone please help me with this? I like the looks of both of them and it looks like the 1100 has a more upright seating position, is that one of the differences?
Transmission
Engine
Power
Reliability
Not as refined as the 1150?
One better than the other?

Thanks in advance.
Kevin

I have had both and so feel my tuppence might be of worth. They are both fine bikes first of all but the focus is differant. The 1100 is a more layed back easy going bike. Very stable, comftable and I think hansome.
The 1150 is sharper fun, funky with fine handling. The looks are a mix of good and not so good (that beak). The enging on the 1100 is a bit lazy but hums alone fine. The 1150 is stronger harder reving and better at higher speeds. Gears only 5 on the 1100 but with the softer focus not such an issue. Reliable yes both were fine. The 1150 is more moden the brakes and engin and handling are a step above. The seting is more forward on the 1100. But the 1100 is a fine bike if you are happy with 80% instead of maxing out. So I guess that the choice is yours and you are lucky to have it. What sort of ridding do you plan on. I would like the 1100 with the engine and brakes from the 1150.

[GJBushman]

I've also owned both. I agree with all that has been said. Bottom line, the 1150R is a better bike for many reasons. One point I will add, these bike are very different in their handling and their ride. Test ride them and see which fits you best. Also, windshield/windscreen options for the 1100 are very limited compared to the 1150R.

[bikermeow]

Eh, this may be a dumb question, but hhow do you tell whether the machine is twin or single spark?

Cheers

Cat

[The Kurch Man]

I believe 2004 was the model year that it went to the twin spark (2 plugs per cylinder). Easy to spot - one plug wire at the 'end' of the cylinder which might be covered up with a cover, and the other at the bottom of it (underneath). Clear as mud?

[SCOOOT]

This bike has all the goodies (large windshield,power plug,motolights,backrest,saddle bags, trunk bags, rear luggage rack, saeng blind-side mirrors, hyper license plate lights, back-off modulator, leg shields,etc.

Kevin - Are yu sure you are not describing a Gold Wing?

BobFV1 - As a matter of fact, that's exactly what my initial intention was to do. I couldn't handle the big "WING", so I decided to get a little smaller one and make it as close as I could to its big brother. You mentioned that I might want to consider the RT (which I have), but it just is a little too big for my needs. The "R" (with a few add-ons' LOL!) should do just fine.
Thanks for the input!
Kevin

[pbenoit]

I have both models sitting in my garage (98 & 04) and concur with all that has already been said....buy the newest one you can afford. However, I do find the R1100R's engine to be smoother and the handling better, and I also feel that I 'sit in' the R1100R and 'sit on' the R1150R. Either one would make a great long distance tourer having done a four corners tour on the R1150R.

[beekstersocal]

i agree with dj

[SCOOOT]

I have both models sitting in my garage (98 & 04) and concur with all that has already been said....buy the newest one you can afford. However, I do find the R1100R's engine to be smoother and the handling better, and I also feel that I 'sit in' the R1100R and 'sit on' the R1150R. Either one would make a great long distance tourer having done a four corners tour on the R1150R.

Peter: When I lived in VA, there was a Honda dealer that happened to have a 1100 or 1150 R in the used section which I sat on. I remember that it just had a really nice seating position. If what you said is correct, then it must have been a 1100R. BTW- I am not a speed demon and maybe the lack of a 6th gear wouldn't be a problem. I think the max speed I would ever want to travel on highways would be around 70 mph! I guess that the rpms might be higher on the 5 vs 6th gear. Do they have the same gearing-do you know?
Thanks
Kevin

[rph802]

Finally an 1100R question I can chime in on!!! Always feel like I'm doing the asking on general BMW stuff and can never help out cuz I got an 1100R.

I got an 1100R off Ebay with system cases, backrest, Remus exhaust, throttlemesiter, parebellem windshield, tach and clock and 33k on the engine. At the time it wasnt a bad deal but I think I may have been able to find better deal with a little more patience.

After almost 5000 miles in a little more than a year, I WANT MORE!! Maybe its just finding out that I really do love riding and the big aint going away anytime soon. Dont get me wrong, this has been and is still a wonderful reliable bike, especially since I put new Z4's and a Corbin saddle on it. Drastically improved feel, handling and comfort. Would I take this bike cross country? Just waiting for those special 6 numbers!!!

What I want on the bike:

Heated grips - Didnt catch where you live but up in VT even in the summer if you take off early in the day or are out late at night, those heated bars are a thing of beauty. I went out for about 110 miles today and it was warm sunny and about 60F when I left. About 2/3 of the way throught the ride, the sun was going down and my hands were freezing. Rest of me was fine once I stopped and put on my wind proof rain jacket. And I have the handguards, so it could have been worse.

6th gear - I dont do a lot of highway cruising but when I do, 70-75mph (indicated so knock off 4-5mph on my bike, Im barely at the speed limit) is about it. The extra gear is definitley missed. If I had a 6th gear, would I be doing 90mph?? No or at least not often!! It would just make the slab rides more comfortable.

The availablity of stuff is definitely worth considering. If you come across a great deal on an 1100, say $3-3500 for a naked bike then add on accessories, I'd say not bad. If you can float the extra dough or are financing, I would look harder at the 1150. You wont get hosed too bad on resale. I wanted something I could pay cash for and ride for a while to make sure I was going to get into it and this bike has served me well.

Now where is my R1200GS catalog??

Craig

[Scooot]

Finally an 1100R question I can chime in on!!! Always feel like I'm doing the asking on general BMW stuff and can never help out cuz I got an 1100R.

The extra gear is definitley missed. If I had a 6th gear, would I be doing 90mph?? No or at least not often!! It would just make the slab rides more comfortable.

Craig

Thanks Craig for your response and your recommendation regarding the 6th gear. I don't want to tick any one off on this fine forum-but, I kinda like the looks of the 1100 over the 1150. To me it just looks simplier or something, I can't put my finger on it. BTW Craig or anyone else who ever pays attention to such things- at 70mph on the 1100 in 5th gear-what are the rpms vs the 1150 in 6th gear? Is the 1100 really winding out?
Kevin

[rph802]

Not a damn thing wrong how the 1100 looks (which is good cuz I have to look at it alot!!) not the 1150 for that matter. I do prefer the RID on the 1150 which I think you can also get on a 99 or newer, not a 100% on the year they switched over. Mines a 95 RR.

Off the top of my head, I'd say she runs about 4200rpm for 75 mph indicated so a road speed of 70mph which is my normal cruising speed. Wouldnt say shes wound out but after an hour of that it gets old. Even dropping it down to say 3700 rpm would greatly increase comfort slabbing it.

Got $4750.00??? WOuld consider selling my bike with the cases, Corbin, Givi E46 etc. I do want a GS next year and my season is about over. Aint gonna get many more days like today for about 5 months. PMme if you might be interested!!

Craig

[pbenoit]

Kevin,

Rode the 98 1100 today and had a blast. IMHO it handles better than the 1150 and the gearing is perfect for back road or highway work. At 60 MPH in 4th the 1100 turns 3800-4000 RPM; in 5th gear the engine is turning 3000-3200 RPM. Can't remember what rpm it turned at 70 MPH in 5th, however, the engine never felt like it was straining or running too high RPM for comfort. On one short blast I grabbed a hand full of throttle and hit a speedo indicated 110 MPH at 7000 RPM in 4th gear before returning to a saner speed. The only thing I would change on the bike if it was mine is moving the footpegs forward about 1 inch (I believe Suburban Machinery offers such a kit). However, the bike is my wife's and she likes it just the way it is. Hope the info in this tread helps with your decision. Either bike will probably suit your needs, it just depends on which one hits your hot spot styling wise (I also agree that the 1100 is better looking than the 1150) and what your budget can handle. Good luck in your pursuit and ride safe.

[Scooot]

[quote="pbenoit"]Kevin,

At 60 MPH in 4th the 1100 turns 3800-4000 RPM; in 5th gear the engine is turning 3000-3200 RPM. Can't remember what rpm it turned at 70 MPH in 5th, however, the engine never felt like it was straining or running too high RPM for comfort. On one short blast I grabbed a hand full of throttle and hit a speedo indicated 110 MPH at 7000 RPM in 4th gear before returning to a saner speed. The only thing I would change on the bike if it was mine is moving the footpegs forward about 1 inch (I believe Suburban Machinery offers such a kit).

Thanks for the input Peter- its going to be a hard decision whether or not to sell/trade my almost new Silverwing.
Kevin