BMW R1100S (1999-2005)

Had mine for five years till White Van Man wiped me out just before Christmas. Handling and Engine were faultless in my eyes. Quality and Reliability was dyre, what with a failed fuel pump, failed battery, seized callipers each year, ABS being tempremental, paint peeling off and having to wait a month for the warrentee job to get done et cetera. However I'm struggling to find something to replace it's all-round capability...... can't seem to fit a Land Rover gearbox on the pillion seat of many other bikes :o) (yes, LT77 from a mates to home. Didn't have a car at the time).

I have had the R850R and grew to like it, this R1100s does what I want and with the same reliability, its smoother, sharper and feels really safe, looking forward to years of happy sports touring.

All that you'll ever need from a bike, does it all, in comfort.

The daily Scarborough - Whitby commute has never been so much fun! Down on power compared to japanese sports tourers, but more than makes up for it in every other way!

Purchased this after writing off my SV650S. Came with luggage so I can travel a bit with it. Love it! Just grown up performance without waking up the neighbours. Sporty looking but with a mature kudos. Does everything I ask of it - tours, commutes, gets silly....

I've ridden just about everything over the years including various beemers, and owning mainly japenese fours this bike is a revalation, it covers miles with ease, doesn't kill my back or knees and has room for my 6' son when he's pillion and the missus loves it too. Not too bad for a bit scratching once you get used to the size. I'm glad I watched the race series, seeing titanium sparks coming of the head covers is a sight to behold.

Strengths

comfort reliability good fuel consumption

Weaknesses

Not as quick as its Japenese countaparts

What a revelation! I have a 60 mile commute on a mixture of motorway, A and B roads and this bike handles it superbly. A brilliant mixture of comfort and real world usable performance with the added advantage of shaft drive. Have to admit was initial sceptical of a BMW but you would need to prise the keys away from me now.

Strengths

Effortless mile munching ability coupled with plenty of usable torque for when you need it.

Weaknesses

There is some vibration at certain speeds, but that it part of the character of the bike and also it isn't bad so don't let it put you off!

I purchased this bike new last year after owning a GSX-R750, Fireblade, Hayabusa and a ZX12R that I crashed in France! When I took stock of what I really wanted from a bike the following were important to me;Something that looked the part, sensible power out-put, a physicaly large bike (I'm 6ft 4)and it had to be affordable (I leased the bike from BMW on a 'select'finance deal, it costs me less than £100 a month with a £1200 deposit and i can hand it back after 3 years!). The bike is the best handling that i have ever owned, ok its not the quickest but thats not why i bought it. it attracts all sorts of attention, even has people photographing it at bike meets. You dont need to worry about the race rep crowd either, this bike gets respect as a genuine racer on the road.

Strengths

Handling,build quality, resale value, exclusivity (better than a 999 or MV and nowhere near as fragile)

Weaknesses

Dealer back up, although my dealer has recently lost his franchise so this may be an isolated case