No particular place to go but I don't give a feck.

[martybabe]

I purchased a BMW R1100rs a few months ago, primarily because I wanted a decent two up steed to take the Bride on outings around Godzone. Frankly the credit card size pillion seat on the Harley didn't exactly inspire much confidence in her for happy holiday jaunts, that plus it broke down every trip (quite reliable in it's un-reliability really).

So anyway, I looked at a lot of bikes on the short list and The Beemer came out tops in terms of condition, price and suitability for the purpose. I have no particular allegiance to BMW, it just seemed to be the best deal around when I went searching.

A rather strange thing has happened to me in the short time I've had the German though, more and more the Bride has been left at home to read her books while I buggered off in search of nice places to take her on future trips :shifty:

Hourly blats turned into a couple of hours, a couple of hours turned into half the day, half the day turned into......

Yup, it kind of snuck up on me but the Beemer has turned me back into a motorcyclist, not someone that rides a bike a bit once in a while but back into an enthusiastic two wheeled adventurer that I thought was gone forever.

I suppose it dawned on me yesterday when I set off for a quick sortie over the newly sealed Mount messenger, the Beemer lost the ability to U-turn for some reason so I ended up doing a seven hour circular route, 550ks , no map and no reason other than I could. I remember seeing Lake Taw Paw somewhere on route and Mount rupertpayoo, but it didn't really matter where I was, I was lost in the joy of going wherever I was going.

I've not enjoyed the sheer pleasure of motorcycling for motorcycling's sake for many a year but the Beemer just brings it out of me, we have adventures out there together just because it's fun.

Right, having said all that, I best make it clear that I'm not suggesting that BMW is biking nirvana for all of you. I read somewhere that the R1100rs is great at nothing but good at everything and I think that about sums it up for me. It's never gonna win any particular category against it's peers but, for me, it gets kinda 7-8 out of ten for everything. It feels a bit special, it's easy to use, it's long legged and comfortable and it's got a very usable turn of speed when required.

In short, for what appears to be a very sensible and therefore not necessarily very desirable bike it has re-ignited everything I once loved about biking, just setting off for the horizon with no particular place to go, for the sheer fucken joy of it.

Martybabe biking Nirvana ? Possibly, all I know is I can't wait for the wind and rain to stop so I can waste some more Petrol money.

How about yous guys, any particular bike made you remember why you took up biking in the first place, anyone bought a bike not expecting much but fell in love with the darned thing. Bloody weird, I end up buying a 10 year old, rather uninspiring bike, that I think may be of some use and in the fullness of time it has become one of the very best bikes I've ever had, simply because I get so much pleasure from it.

[Gremlin]

Yes, BMW is biking nirvana.... I may be biased :innocent:

[MIXONE]

Funny you should say that Marty.My brother bought the same bike about 6 months ago with the same result.Got it at a bargain price too.

[martybabe]

Yes, BMW is biking nirvana.... I may be biased :innocent:

I can't help but concur, however, It's not so much the make of bike it's just that every once in a while on a bikers journey you just kinda click with a particular bike and despite not being super fast, super fashionable or even super desirable, this old German Horse has surprised me with how much bloody fun I can have on it.

As I consider most of the road going Beemers that came after mine to be a bit on the Fuggly side of unattractive, The GS has shot to the top of the list for a most likely future replacement though :yes:

[Motu]

BMW don't play the numbers game - they don't have the highest HP,fastest top speed,quickest 1/4 mile...but they are a riders bike.Ride one for more than a squirt around the block and it all seems to make sense.I've had to modify mine to get it to where I want - but now I feel it's the bike I've spent over 40 years trying to find.

[wingnutt]

yep, brought a 86 goldwing about 4 years ago, for no other reason that I wanted to get back into riding, and I had always wanted a goldwing though had never ridden one.

I surprised me just how great an alrounder it is, and so great to ride that when I take off, no less than 300kms plus is required for the day! :yes:

the BMW is a great bike congrats.

[martybabe]

Funny you should say that Marty.My brother bought the same bike about 6 months ago with the same result.Got it at a bargain price too.

Good for him, I feel his joy, obviously a man of good taste :yes:


BMW don't play the numbers game - they don't have the highest HP,fastest top speed,quickest 1/4 mile...but they are a riders bike.Ride one for more than a squirt around the block and it all seems to make sense.I've had to modify mine to get it to where I want - but now I feel it's the bike I've spent over 40 years trying to find.

Persactly, a riders bike, Such a good balance of all aspects of riding, not just horses and speed.


no less than 300kms plus is required for the day! :yes:



Ha, you are so on it my mate :niceone:

[froggyfrenchman]

BMW don't play the numbers game - they don't have the highest HP,fastest top speed,quickest 1/4 mile...but they are a riders bike.Ride one for more than a squirt around the block and it all seems to make sense.I've had to modify mine to get it to where I want - but now I feel it's the bike I've spent over 40 years trying to find.

Usually true, but they broke that mould with the R1000SS.

I have to agree with the sum ups of the R1100RS though, there is something about that bike that makes touring far more enjoyable. I dont own one, but my folks have had three in a row. Its on Trademe at the moment, and if i could possibly fit another bike in the shed (already 7 in a single) Then i would buy it tomorow.

[NodMan]

Good on you Marty You have got the disease just like so many of us here!

I dont share your admiration for that particular bike but I have the same disease!

Yesterday when a certain kwaka 1000 wouldnt fire up a little 500 jumped outa the shed at me and I disappeared for 8 hours just because the road was there...(or in places like Kawakawa it wasnt there cause it was still underwater) but it didnt matter

my only problem was cruising down a great metal road at what I thought was the posted speed limit when I realised that this little bike was wearing an MPH speedo and obviously I was enjoying myself WAY too much so I had to return back to the penitentiary and take my medication!

[raftn]

I purchased a BMW R1100rs a few months ago, primarily because I wanted a decent two up steed to take the Bride on outings around Godzone. Frankly the credit card size pillion seat on the Harley didn't exactly inspire much confidence in her for happy holiday jaunts, that plus it broke down every trip (quite reliable in it's un-reliability really).

So anyway, I looked at a lot of bikes on the short list and The Beemer came out tops in terms of condition, price and suitability for the purpose. I have no particular allegiance to BMW, it just seemed to be the best deal around when I went searching.

A rather strange thing has happened to me in the short time I've had the German though, more and more the Bride has been left at home to read her books while I buggered off in search of nice places to take her on future trips :shifty:

Hourly blats turned into a couple of hours, a couple of hours turned into half the day, half the day turned into......

Yup, it kind of snuck up on me but the Beemer has turned me back into a motorcyclist, not someone that rides a bike a bit once in a while but back into an enthusiastic two wheeled adventurer that I thought was gone forever.

I suppose it dawned on me yesterday when I set off for a quick sortie over the newly sealed Mount messenger, the Beemer lost the ability to U-turn for some reason so I ended up doing a seven hour circular route, 550ks , no map and no reason other than I could. I remember seeing Lake Taw Paw somewhere on route and Mount rupertpayoo, but it didn't really matter where I was, I was lost in the joy of going wherever I was going.

I've not enjoyed the sheer pleasure of motorcycling for motorcycling's sake for many a year but the Beemer just brings it out of me, we have adventures out there together just because it's fun.

Right, having said all that, I best make it clear that I'm not suggesting that BMW is biking nirvana for all of you. I read somewhere that the R1100rs is great at nothing but good at everything and I think that about sums it up for me. It's never gonna win any particular category against it's peers but, for me, it gets kinda 7-8 out of ten for everything. It feels a bit special, it's easy to use, it's long legged and comfortable and it's got a very usable turn of speed when required.

In short, for what appears to be a very sensible and therefore not necessarily very desirable bike it has re-ignited everything I once loved about biking, just setting off for the horizon with no particular place to go, for the sheer fucken joy of it.

Martybabe biking Nirvana ? Possibly, all I know is I can't wait for the wind and rain to stop so I can waste some more Petrol money.

How about yous guys, any particular bike made you remember why you took up biking in the first place, anyone bought a bike not expecting much but fell in love with the darned thing. Bloody weird, I end up buying a 10 year old, rather uninspiring bike, that I think may be of some use and in the fullness of time it has become one of the very best bikes I've ever had, simply because I get so much pleasure from it.

Fantastic post Martybabe, you have captured what motorcycling is all about, and the fact you have reignited tyour passion is just brilliant. Keepit up.....just great.

[pritch]

BMW don't play the numbers game - they don't have the highest HP,fastest top speed,quickest 1/4 mile...

That's the old BMW. The new BMW is the most powerful bike BIKE magazine has ever tested, and the first to actually make more HP than the maker claimed.

[martybabe]

I have to agree with the sum ups of the R1100RS though, there is something about that bike that makes touring far more enjoyable. I dont own one, but my folks have had three in a row.

Then your folks certainly know a good thing when they find one :yes:


Good on you Marty You have got the disease just like so many of us here!


Yesterday when a certain kwaka 1000 wouldnt fire up a little 500 jumped outa the shed at me and I disappeared for 8 hours just because the road was there.

!

There you go, different bike, exactly the same buzz, good for you mate.


Fantastic post Martybabe, you have captured what motorcycling is all about, and the fact you have reignited tyour passion is just brilliant. Keepit up.....just great.

How extraordinarily nice of you, clearly I'm not alone in my passion, it just went away for a while, who'd of thought I'd find it in an old German bus, ain't life great sometimes.


That's the old BMW. The new BMW is the most powerful bike BIKE magazine has ever tested, and the first to actually make more HP than the maker claimed.

You may not be aware but I stalk you around these pages because you've always got something interesting to say. Can't help noticing however, that most of your posts lately are quotes and specs from articles you've read in bike magazines.

I put it to you me old chum that you have a serious case of 'what bike next ?'disease . A malady that causes one to study even minutia of detail on bikes you're not even that interested in and lust after bikes you can't even get hold of.

I wish you a speedy recovery mate :D

[Highlander]

BMW don't play the numbers game - they don't have the highest HP,fastest top speed,quickest 1/4 mile...but they are a riders bike.Ride one for more than a squirt around the block and it all seems to make sense.I've had to modify mine to get it to where I want - but now I feel it's the bike I've spent over 40 years trying to find.

When I was looking for a new bike (new to me anyway brand spanking just isn't within my budget for a few years yet), I wasn't considering BMW until one appeared that met what I was looking for at a price that was acceptable.
I asked a friend who I knew had had one, his advice was to take it for at least 200km to test ride. He said that BMW do things quite different and it feels weird at first but after a bit just feels right.
I did, though I was sold after the first 100km

Not the prettiest bike around, but 18 months on I get a "Happy Glow" every time I ride it. Even the look is growing on me.

Last week it was WOF time, 25 km from home to bike shop to do the WOF, 300Km from bike shop to home. :woohoo:

[martybabe]

When I was looking for a new bike (new to me anyway brand spanking just isn't within my budget for a few years yet), I wasn't considering BMW until one appeared that met what I was looking for at a price that was acceptable.
I asked a friend who I knew had had one, his advice was to take it for at least 200km to test ride. He said that BMW do things quite different and it feels weird at first but after a bit just feels right.
I did, though I was sold after the first 100km

Not the prettiest bike around, but 18 months on I get a "Happy Glow" every time I ride it. Even the look is growing on me.

Last week it was WOF time, 25 km from home to bike shop to do the WOF, 300Km from bike shop to home. :woohoo:

That's the way, you know exactly what I'm talking about :yes: I'm quietly contemplating the boxer cup version of your bike, a good buy d'ya think?

http://www.trademe.co.nz/Trade-Me-Motors/Motorbikes/Motorbikes/Sports/auction-349807665.htm

[Highlander]

That's the way, you know exactly what I'm talking about :yes: I'm quietly contemplating the boxer cup version of your bike, a good buy d'ya think?

The ONLY thing I don't like about my bike is that under all that fairing they only hid a 17 litre tank, guess that goes with the "Sport bike" tag though. Still a lot more tourer in ride position than a number of Touring bikes I tested.

The Boxer Cup version would be a real hoot. Bit of extra perk over mine (not that I've found the top end of mine yet)

[pritch]

I put it to you me old chum that you have a serious case of 'what bike next ?'disease .

Not yet I hope. I've only had the Triumph a coupla weeks - and loving it. Did just renew my BIKE subscription though...

And I agree with your comments re the R100RS. I like the older ones but, as good as they are, the newer ones are just too ugly.

Notwithstanding that though I've got a raffle ticket in an F800R.

[martybabe]

Not yet I hope. I've only had the Triumph a coupla weeks - and loving it. Did just renew my BIKE subscription though...

And I agree with your comments re the R100RS. I like the older ones but, as good as they are, the newer ones are just too ugly.

Notwithstanding that though I've got a raffle ticket in an F800R.

Triumph !!! nobody tells me anything :facepalm: so you've recently recovered from the 'what bike next' syndrome, that explains a lot. Fair play big guy, so when do I get to see it, when, when?

[PrincessBandit]

Balu was very taken with the R12 a while ago and very tempted to surrender his Burgman in order to own the beemer. Others have drawn his eye as well, namely the 1250 bandit and Vstrom but he keeps coming back to the beemer.

It is the siren which is trying to lure him away from the burger!

[martybabe]

Balu was very taken with the R12 a while ago and very tempted to surrender his Burgman in order to own the beemer. Others have drawn his eye as well, namely the 1250 bandit and Vstrom but he keeps coming back to the beemer.

It is the siren which is trying to lure him away from the burger!

Aye, a lovely piece of kit, got a bit more zip in the engine this year too. I would very much like to have one of those please Mr Lottery man in the sky.

[Gremlin]

I can't help but concur, however, It's not so much the make of bike it's just that every once in a while on a bikers journey you just kinda click with a particular bike and despite not being super fast, super fashionable or even super desirable, this old German Horse has surprised me with how much bloody fun I can have on it.
I reckon two types by a BMW. Either posers, or at least very gentle folk, sorta bought for the BMW image, or Long Way Round/Down stuff, and then the real riders, who clock up big km, keep losing time every time they head out the door etc.

Life is short... live it the way you want. After clocking up about 1500km over the weekend, its all making sense, and while quirky and not perfect in some ways, the head decision is slowly making the heart come to realise it was the perfect decision, and why didn't I do it sooner. Hopefully I hold onto this one for years... its expensive changing bikes :weep:

[martybabe]

I reckon two types by a BMW. Either posers, or at least very gentle folk, sorta bought for the BMW image, or Long Way Round/Down stuff, and then the real riders, who clock up big km, keep losing time every time they head out the door etc.

Life is short... live it the way you want. After clocking up about 1500km over the weekend, its all making sense, and while quirky and not perfect in some ways, the head decision is slowly making the heart come to realise it was the perfect decision, and why didn't I do it sooner. Hopefully I hold onto this one for years... its expensive changing bikes :weep:

Very well put. I have no data on this but I wouldn't be surprised to find that BMW owners change their bikes less frequently than other makes, maybe, they certainly seem to be built as keepers and the more ks I put on mine the more I like it.

Not perfect as you say but really good at just about every thing. If I had to be critical...I think the top box is ugly and there is to much vibration through the handle bars for a continent eater but that really is it. For the first time in my 35 years of riding I don't want to change anything on the bike, it doesn't need it, it's just built to ride till you've had enough.

1500k in a weekend is pretty impressive Grem :yes:

[shrub]

a 1981 Moto Guzzi le Mans 850. It was uncomfortable at any speed under 130, crap around town and had stupidly heavy throttle and clutch, yet I would wake up on a Saturday morning with no plans and arrive home well after dark having done 600 - 1000 kms. My arse would be numb, my wrists and back would be hurting like there's no tomorrow, yet I loved riding that bike like no other before or since.

[martybabe]

a 1981 Moto Guzzi le Mans 850. It was uncomfortable at any speed under 130, crap around town and had stupidly heavy throttle and clutch, yet I would wake up on a Saturday morning with no plans and arrive home well after dark having done 600 - 1000 kms. My arse would be numb, my wrists and back would be hurting like there's no tomorrow, yet I loved riding that bike like no other before or since.

Yup that is a surprise but you clearly understand what I'm going on about. Come to think Of it, I've seen many a bike out there and wondered what the attraction could be, It's not immediately obvious to the ignorant, like myself, why a somewhat uninspiring, ordinary looking and generally forgettable bike would be the bike of choice for some riders (other than financial constraints of course) but I sure do get it now.

It is perfectly possible for a bike that doesn't excel in any particular category to make sense as an overall package. What may not add up as a bunch of statistics on paper can ultimately prove to have , in spades, the best quality of all, true ride-ability. No swooning at it's beauty every time I open the garage doors, no moto GP contender, no crowds of admirers everywhere we go, no classic status or any other 'normal' reason why anyone would desire one. Except that behind that rather dull facade hides a very very good bike. :love:

[Motu]

That's why BMW had to keep producing the airhead long after they tried to kill it - customers demanded they keep making them.By the mid '80's they were the slowest most uncool bike on the road - it shouldn't have been a bike that could sell,but was still 40% of their sales.BMW had to come up with something better than a 25 year old bike that still did everything right.

[Highlander]

It is a great thing that we are all different and looking for different things form our motorcycling experience.
For me one of the things that appealed about the BMW was the slightly uneven, rattle / pop / thump of the boxer engine. Almost like a heart beat, feels like it is alive rather than the soul less silky smooth of the Japanese inline 4.

[martybabe]

That's why BMW had to keep producing the airhead long after they tried to kill it - customers demanded they keep making them.By the mid '80's they were the slowest most uncool bike on the road - it shouldn't have been a bike that could sell,but was still 40% of their sales.BMW had to come up with something better than a 25 year old bike that still did everything right.

Well they got something right, I had two boxers way back when, a 1000rt and a 1000rs, both pretty good, both decent cycles but not quite the class act of my 1100rs. I assume the 1150 and 1200 variants are equally good.


Almost like a heart beat, feels like it is alive rather than the soul less silky smooth of the Japanese inline 4.

Daft to put human attributes on a machine I guess but it does have human like characteristics and I feel like I've got a trusted old mate in the garage now.

Ever one for an eye on the next bike though, if this 10 year old bike is so sorted what must the R1200s be like? I see the 1200RT has won loads of accolades as the best tourer ever....still a bit bloomin fugly though. R1200, R1200gs, boxer cup rep, mmm nom nom.

[Highlander]

....still a bit bloomin fugly though...

But how much of it do you see when you are riding?

Like they say you don't look at the mantel piece while you are stoking the fire :msn-wink:

[martybabe]

But how much of it do you see when you are riding?

Like they say you don't look at the mantel piece while you are stoking the fire :msn-wink:

:yes: Good point, I'd have to keep riding it forever so I wouldn't have to look at the front end...sounds like a blardy good plan Mr lander :laugh:

[Gremlin]

Ever one for an eye on the next bike though, if this 10 year old bike is so sorted what must the R1200s be like? I see the 1200RT has won loads of accolades as the best tourer ever....still a bit bloomin fugly though. R1200, R1200gs, boxer cup rep, mmm nom nom.
You're already emotionally cheating on your current girl!! :gob:

[monkeymcbean]

Yup that is a surprise but you clearly understand what I'm going on about. Come to think Of it, I've seen many a bike out there and wondered what the attraction could be, It's not immediately obvious to the ignorant, like myself, why a somewhat uninspiring, ordinary looking and generally forgettable bike would be the bike of choice for some riders (other than financial constraints of course) but I sure do get it now.

It is perfectly possible for a bike that doesn't excel in any particular category to make sense as an overall package. What may not add up as a bunch of statistics on paper can ultimately prove to have , in spades, the best quality of all, true ride-ability. No swooning at it's beauty every time I open the garage doors, no moto GP contender, no crowds of admirers everywhere we go, no classic status or any other 'normal' reason why anyone would desire one. Except that behind that rather dull facade hides a very very good bike. :love:

My bike I learnt on was all the above mentioned to me a 'Suzuki TU 250' I rode it everywhere back roads, dirt roads, definelty not many busy highway roads.
I did not know what any other bikes where like to ride, it was just such a new way to travel about for me.
My Suzuki 650 bandit was my first big bike and that was great to lots of touring.
I have a BMW f800s now and had it for a year, I really like this bike, its got 28,000 kms on it and I have not seen another bike I would like to replace it for now.

I've added a few 'farkels' to it, some functional some cosmetic. I hope that rotex engine holds out for a while yet. Im going to hate to have to park it up for winter down here, guess it will mean getting the push bike out.....ho hum.

[shafty]

Good stuff Boys, I hear what you're saying Marty,

I remember riding an R1150R I was given for a week (Road test for BRM way back) and I was riding aimlessly around Meremere, and thought, Ï wonder whats down that road,- lets have a look" therein followed a nirvana moment when I thought "Yeah, feck it, I can go wherever I damn well like" - I guess years of owning unreliable old bikes in my youth - well 1 anyway lol had always made me wary of how far I was away from mechanical help!

After a R100RT, a R100R, a R1150R I was wanting more weather protection but opted for the Pan after seeing a $10K difference in price, else I'd still be on a boxer.

I've ridden and love the R1150RS too - they are a dark horse alright, well under-rated.

Good on you Guys who are loving it!

The ST is pretty sanitised, I know, but I plan on fitting some slip ons to give her some attitude and look forward to putting a huge mileage on her - some overseas have 500,000 and still ticking nicely.

We must go for another spin with each other sometime Boys.....

ps 29 litres nah na-na nah nah

[martybabe]

You're already emotionally cheating on your current girl!! :gob:

Yes, I have a roving eye but it doesn't mean I don't love her, I'm just wondering what it would be like to ride her younger sisters :laugh:


Im going to hate to have to park it up for winter down here, guess it will mean getting the push bike out.....ho hum.

Don't mention winter mate, still time to get another 10k on your 800 before winter, head north young man. :yes:


" I can go wherever I damn well like" -





That sums up the mood I was trying to convey perfectly, I suddenly feel Free again .

Well said young shaft.

P.S. 23 liters but 65 mpg nah nah na!....... actually I'm not sure who won that

[Gremlin]

ps 29 litres nah na-na nah nah
33L here, but I suspect its actually more like 35L :bleh:

P.S. 23 liters but 65 mpg nah nah na!....... actually I'm not sure who won that
Ok, no way I can do 65mpg, but I've had it down to around 5L/100km... BMW wins!

[Staticam]

Yes, I have a roving eye but it doesn't mean I don't love her, I'm just wondering what it would be like to ride her younger sisters :laugh:
<<<>>>
P.S. 23 liters but 65 mpg nah nah na!....... actually I'm not sure who won that

Look but don't touch!

23 litres yes, but have you actually managed to ever get that much into it? Modding the filler neck might have to be my next job.

Haven't become a nirvanist yet. A bit of nirvs sometimes and anist in others... but often go the long way round the block - because I can :yes:

[martybabe]

Look but don't touch!

23 litres yes, but have you actually managed to ever get that much into it? Modding the filler neck might have to be my next job.

Haven't become a nirvanist yet. A bit of nirvs sometimes and anist in others... but often go the long way round the block - because I can :yes:

Well no, now you mention it. when the gauge reads empty and the fuel light is on, I can only get about 18 litres in it. I assumed the gauge wasn't accurate and there was a few litres still in there. Are you telling me they were never in it in the first place :facepalm:

[Staticam]

Well no, now you mention it. when the gauge reads empty and the fuel light is on, I can only get about 18 litres in it. I assumed the gauge wasn't accurate and there was a few litres still in there. Are you telling me they were never in it in the first place :facepalm:

Dunno. I've only managed to squeeze in 19.5, hate that filler neck. Maybe one day I'll run it till it stops and find those missing buggers, but don't know if it could harm the injection system?

[Gremlin]

but don't know if it could harm the injection system?
I know my manual says not to run my 2010 R1200GSA dry, as it will hurt components. Your bike being a bit older may not be quite so restrictive?

My manual says 33L, yet I've had a range of 60km remaining and filled with 32L, so I reckon I can get more like 35L in. No mods done to filler neck or anything. Looking at Devil's 06 GSA, the necks differ, and mine can't be pulled out so easily.