Your thoughts on upgrading to an R1100R

[RVC7]

I've had a Honda Shadow Sabre 1100 for about a month now. It's a cruiser that sits low. It's got plenty of power and it's fun to ride but it just doesn't feel right for me. I'm 44, 6'2 and about 235 lbs. I'm active and athletic. Before I bought the Honda, I test drove a R850R and really liked it. It sold before I could make the next move. I'm now thinking about selling the Sabre and getting a R1100R. It has 22K miles and it's a 2000 year model. Any thoughts? Thanks in advance.

[pinecone]

I've had my '97 for four years and love it more every day. For the right price and assuming it's in good shape I wouldn't hesitate to make the move. I've never owned a cruiser but if you are feeling like the Shadow isn't the bike for you, then this seems like a logical next move. From here you'll know if you want to go yet another direction - sport, touring, dirt, etc. But this bike will do it all pretty well. Let us know if you get it!

[RVC7]

Thanks for your response. The R1100R is selling for $5200.00. I think I could get him down to $5000.00 if I'm lucky. Is that a good price for this model in excellent condition?

[MikeCam]

R1100R are decade old models, supplanted by the R1150R (better brakes, ECU, shocks, styling, and values) and the R1200R (lighter, more powerful, different styling, and newer HexHead motor). Values for R1100R should be in the 3500-4500 range with added value for low miles, excellent service records, limited farkling (and only what is valuable to you, not the PO) and system cases.

Watch for wear and tear on the transmission and driveline - not a known problem across the line, but an indicator of heavy use. Note all fluid weeps, seeps, and leaks to indicate blown seals or worse. Insure the alignment of both front axle and rear FD, forks, swingarm pivots.

The engines are nearly bulletproof, the 5 speed transmissions are solid yet clunky, the dry clutch is abrupt but functional. A test ride is best - 100 miles of highway, back road and city streets. For the $5K ask, he should accommodate you.

I'd lowball at $4k and settle near $4500 for a bike in good condition (after 10 years excellent condition is a sales term only), nearby, and up to date services.

[sweatmark]

Have to agree with MikeCam's comments.

My first BMW was R850R, then R1150R Roadster, then R1100R for Mrs. Sweatmark, then an R1200C Cruiser and R1150R Rockster. We kept the Roadster and Rockster as his & hers (hers & his, respectively) do-all motos. Having personally ridden all of the bikes extensively, there's no doubt that $5K these days will buy you a heck of lot more bike in the form of an R1150R. Don't get me wrong: we loved the older 850/1100 Roadsters, but a combination of improved drivetrain (especially transmission) and ergonomics makes the R1150R an important consideration. In fact, the ergonomic "fit" of the R1150R might be sufficient cause for choosing the later model, based on your height and athleticism.

Recommend you test ride both versions of possible and then decide.

[philbytx]

Well, let's get the styling issues out of the way first. Some say the R1100R is a nicely styled naked bike, and a lot of folks think the R1150R styling is weird (especially the "beak".
Now the reality....
You don't see a lot of later R1100R's for sale.......and a decent one will be in the $5k - $6k range, especially with ABS, bags etc.

The last iterations (2000/2001) of the R1100R are pretty much trouble free and way simpler and easier to maintain and work on than the R1150R's. If you pay your dealer, then it's a wash, if you DIY, the R1100R is (as we say in the Old Country) a doddle to work on. I have a 2003 R1150RT and a 2000 R1100R and can give you a real world comparison on maintenance.

Good, used bikes are at a premium at the moment and R's have always been a popular "pre-ridden" model for those "in the know".

Performance-wise, the R1100R is a great bike....I'm 6'2" and now 205 (was 225) and it fit's me very well.

[Arbee]

Its an interesting question... with a few comments...

Had the shadow for a month and ready to sell, boy that doesnt sound good at all...
Upgrade to an R1100R, upgrade??, these bikes were first manufactured in 1994 most of my friends regard a 5 y.o. bike as old
Coming onto a BMW site asking if the bikes OK, i would have gone to a generic forum, as it sounds like the decision has already been made.

My opinion is that the R1100R is superior in a lot of ways to the R1150R, (looks over shoulder waiting for axe)
especially ease of maintenance and on extremely costly bikes to maintain this aspect is usually overlooked by potential
customers.

The ABS modulator is half the cost of the bike so if it fails (you know what)

[SLEDGE]

I have a '97 R1100R .I love the bike,no problems,a piese of cake to work on.

[fixinbones]

I had a 1994 R1100R, I think it was the first year it came out. I loved the bike. I think its head over heels better looking than the R1150R. When I decided to upgrade I tested an R1150R and hated the riding position. I felt it was much more aggressive than the R1100R. At the time I really wanted a naked bike but settled on the GS which fit me better. I would go for the R1100 in a minute. Dont look back, before you know it you'll be looking at R1200Rs.

[pinecone]

Obviously major differences in style preferences between all of us! Love it - something for everyone out there. Personally even if I like the looks of one over another, comfort rules (although the 1150 is my least fave of the oilheads). Agree with fixinbones, the R1100R riding position is more "standard" than the 1150 or the current 1200. My '97 feels more like sitting on a current GS than the R1200R or R1150R except the bars aren't as wide. You don't hear of as many folks adding barbacks or lowering pegs on the 1100/850. Which is why it seems to me like a good move for someone coming from a cruiser. Outside of BMW parts being outrageously priced, the cost and maintenance burden is pretty low on these older bikes. Still, the price for the one in question here seems too high as you should be able to find a newer 1150 for close to five grand.

[hendrix89]

I had a 2000 Honda Sabre fot about 6 months....I always bought Hondas, Yamahas,etc. But those bike are not meant to get alot of miles on them because they are not made good as the BMW.I wish I would had test drove it first.......The bike looked good but I hated the engine sound and the solid rims. When the wind hit it the bike was hard to keep it on the road. Lets face it out the door for 8000 dollars, you should not expect much....I did put the Vance and Hines Longshots on it, but it was not my type of bike. I have now is a 1999 BMW R1100R I bought two years ago with 800 miles on it. The old man was scared to death so he sold it to me thru a Dealer/consignment for 5000 dollars. The bike looks flawless only a small dimple on the tank when he dropped it at a light. I will never sell my BMW...The ride is incredible!!! Its a German bike that is built to last up to and over 100,000 miles...That tells you something

[MikeCam]

Motorcyclist Buyer Guide July 2008
[years reversed from values]
R1100R (1998-2000) - - - - - - - - 3440 3060 2525 - - -
R1100R ABS (1995-2000)- - - - - - - - 3960 3610 3575 3385 2955 3495

Add for system cases, heated hand grips, low miles
Subtract for dropped, heavily modified electronics, high miles, no service history
Farkles, glitz, and bling valued according to buyer's tastes.

[OU812]

I just picked up a 2000 R1100RT with 55k miles and I have owned 3 K bikes and 2 R1150R's. The 1100 motor is a fine one! I am in love again with the boxer motor. Much lighter then the K's and I gave $4500, so if it is really clean with goodies go for it!


The R1150R is the best looking bike BMW ever made.

[roadglide]

I have an 1100r and a Harley Ultra Classic and it’s the best of both worlds. I actually bought the beamer to split up the mileage I am putting on the Harley and I needed a new toy. If you liked the 850 you will love the 1100r in a lot of ways the beamer is superior to the Harley. In Suspension and handling the beamer if far superior in long distance the HD is the way to go. If you go with ABS, I have not found a better stopping bike than the 1100r. Good luck

[omg1010]

The 1100R is considered to be a rock-solid engine. However earlier models had gear-box probs (this was fixed when a revision came out in 1998) and minor cosmetic changes were applied in 1998. Hence I'd go after model year 1999 onwards. I personally own a tuned 1100r and I prefer this over the later 1150R's as the feeling with the 1100 is such as you fit "in" the bike whereas with the 1150 I had more of a feeling as I was sitting on top of the bike ... I'd clearly prefer the 1100 which you get for comparatively cheap money depending on the age and mileage.

Look for photos of mine in some earlier posts.

Kind regards
Oliver

[libertynh]

OK so I am responding to an old thread. It's the Sabre thing. Just sold my 02 to buy a 01 R1100R w/ 8K and am spending about 1.5K on the difference. Upright for my 50 year-old back. Fairly low for my short legs. A full featured performance bike folks are passionate about. No more hanging my head next to the wife's R1200C. The Sabre was a loyal steed but I am looking forward to the "upgrade" too.

[SDMAX]

Slippery slope; pd 4K for a blue R1100R with 49K miles on it and a WUDO fairing; scienced out the windshield; put about 2500 miles on the bike; my first real motorcycle; took it to the independent BMW jockey....How much to make it better? About what you pd for it....shocks, tires, all kinds of things; drove it to the BMW store with malice aforethought, check book and pink.

Road home on a 2007 R1200R. Cut to the chase skip the R1150R; ride the R1100R for a while; if you love the boxer motor; you'll be looking at R1200R's which are two iterations better. The ABS is the cheese; the motor sings, the transmission is the bomb and no surging issues.

The 2011 R1200R is coming out soon; the prices on the R1200R's are coming down. They are mostly owned and taken care of by BMW fanatics so they are all pretty much clean and as new.

Just be careful. You test ride an R1200R and you'll wind up being an owner.

[Ric]

You're debating getting rid of a Honda Shadow ? Really ?
How about helping us all out on the economy and buying a new 2010 R1200R.

[joem8895]

You're debating getting rid of a Honda Shadow ? Really ?
How about helping us all out on the economy and buying a new 2010 R1200R.

i just got a 95 r1100r,,,,traded in a fire blade. im loving the bmw just a bit worried about the gear box, iv heard lot but not sure,,,,any thoughts,,,

[omg1010]

Now you have it so there is nothing you can do if it happens. The models prior to 1998 had a higher risk for gear-box failure but it does not mean that you will experience this with 100% certainty. If it happens start saving some bucks as the repair is costly. There is nothing you could do to prevent this happening.

Brgds
Oliver