BMW R1100GS (1994 - 1999) Review

Comfort excellent for me and two up. When two up we have done plenty of 500 mile days without too much problem. Brakes superb and my ABS still working fine.

Accept the power is low and use the torque. I also have a Hayabusa but the GS is still my first choice. A lot is said about them using oil but mine now uses less at 135k than it did when I bought it with 14K. About quarter of a litre every 5,000 miles. Valves are easy to check being screw and locknut but again as mine has aged they need adjusting less and less. It really does feel like it’s got another 100k in it. My ambition is to make it to 200,000.

Excellent. Mine is still completely standard. Only parts that have failed are one coil, rear shock and a starter motor. All acceptable given the age/mileage. Mine is still on its original clutch after 135k. Yes, some paint flaking in the usual spots but nearly 25 years old and gone through 20+ winters of commuting.

Do all of my own servicing. Its basic nature is one of the attractions. I have never had to take mine into a dealers. Very cheap to run. Overall mpg about 50. Will get 55 if cruising on A roads and will drop closer to 45 if motorway speeds of 85 or so used.

Minimal but I like it that way.

I love it. Ride it like a fat thumper. Telelever is a revelation. All day comfort.

Smooth with well balanced throttle bodies. All about the torque. Gearbox could be better but no false neutrals.

Well publicised gearbox issues. Rear shock gets bouncy. Likes oil. ABS can play up but fine without. It's a bike to stay on top of. Perfect home maintainence machine. No cheesy bolts. Engine paint flakes.

Bmw prices are high...does not need much but high mileage bikes will cost for suspension, disks, hall sensor, fuel pumps etc.

Everything I need. Don't look at the clocks much anyhow.

Brakes I deleted my abs as they are POS systems especially on this one. The lines and bleeding and that skipping. My fingers are the best ABS.

Amazing character. I think mine has R or S flywheel which is lighter so 0 to 60 is under 3sec. It vibrates but the boxer firing sounds like no other especially 5 to 6k is like a ww2 airplane diving for bombing. Very special and can listen to it for hours.

Very comfy. Seat sucks because it's more narrow than SBK seats so restricts the blood at the butt and main arteries going to legs. Touratech seat is $700. Sheep overlay is $70 I think I'll Try the sheep. Since $300 redo was a waste of money.

Clutch is easier to do on a 18 wheeler. Apart from that the rest is super easy like head gasket valve adjustment and everything else except the clutch and fuel regulator.

Crusie control would be great. Seat sucks. Heated grips are great. Mpg is decent. Big tank is top heavy but 200 mile per tank is nice.

Amazing handling. Far more than you'd expect just looking at it. Front shock is brilliant once your used to the set up. Rear shock is fairly adjustable too. Firm, compliant ride. I'd even say plush. It's been said for years but you can't believe how well these things handle until you ride one. Then, ride one in a spirited manner on some twisty back roads and be even more impressed. Brakes are combined and with ABS. Great feel, feedback and more than capable of hauling up a big old GS

Only making 85-90 bhp but no more required. I'm sure the chassis could handle more but that would be missing the point. Lovely, torquey motor. Smoother than the 1150 version. Only gripe is the amount if rpm in top but that's the compromise. A sixth gear would be a fantastic option for cruising

My bike is a daily, all weather bike. Aside from the bare alloy wheels being hellish to keep clean and corrosion free it's held up well and everything is easily accessible to clean thoroughly. It has never missed a beat apart from blowing a headlight bulb today

do all my own servicing. It's too easy. Plugs, oil, oil filter, air filter all easy to do in 1 hour. Apart from removing the plug covers, seat and airbox cover, there's no bodywork to remove. I'm using Smith and Allan Semi Synthetic 10w 40, NGK plugs and HiFlo filters. No issues at all. Just over £50 for that lot and my time is free. Metzeler Tourance tyres are £160 a pair. Front wears quicker than the rear but they're perfectly suited to the GS. 5k and the front is finished. I'd say another 2k to go in the rear

Heated grips, hazard warning lights and switchable ABS as standard. Would prefer the heated grips and ABS switches mounted on the bars as using them means a slightly awkward reach but it's only a small gripe. Better than not having them. A handle to assist with getting the bike on the main stand would also be a bonus but it's pretty easy once you know how to do it

Knotchy, slow, heavy but it's got grunt which, with a Remus, is just so rewarding. You can hear every beat as you grind up the hills.

4 out of 5 for what? I guess still being there 82,000 miles on with no signs of giving up.... and of course the low low down torque.

I'm something like the 6th owner and there's 82,000 on the clock, everything still work, sometimes when it's not meant to (neutral light) and all the cracked bits are solved with tape, cable ties and bungies. It's the land rover defender of the bike world, left behind by all the competition, great fun to own and strangely desirable.

Would be alot less if I had a Haynes manual and a garage.

ABS still worth a mention?