BMW R1100GS (BMW R1150GS)

Name: Rabbitson

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Product:	BMW R1150GS
Date:	27/10/03 (9124 review reads)
Rating:

Advantages: surprisingly good on-road handling, Great comfort over long distances, Some dirt riding potential

Disadvantages: Lacks a bit of power for an 1100, Agricultural gearbox, Indicator makes horn difficult to use in an emergency

This reportis primarily based on two experiences of the BMW R1100GS motorcycle (the pre-decessor to the R1150GS). My first was when I took one for a test ride about two and a half years ago, the second is based on my first three weeks of owning a secondhand model, which I have done about one thousand miles on so far.

I have to say that generally speaking I am not a big fan of BMW motorcycles and I have spent the last ten years or so, cutting my teeth on different varieties of Japanese (mostly sport orientated motorcycles). What initially attracted me was magazine reviews of the bike. I have always liked two cylinder motorcycles (my last was a VTR1000F), and I wanted something a bit more practical but still fun. I was initially considering a VFR750, but when I saw the Beemer appearing in the same reviews (and often coming out on top) as an all-rounder, I decided to take a closer look.

On the first ride my initial impression was that this is one massive motorcycle and as I rode it off the dealer forecourt for the test ride (this was the special '98 model with full options and red/silver paint scheme), I was nervous that I might drop it embarassingly at slow speed near to the window. Despite being 6ft 3in tall this is still a big bike for me (compared to a sports bike at least).

After a couple of miles (it took me that long to get used to the bizarre BMW style indicators), I started to feel a bit more comfortable on the machine and despite the slightly gruff agricultural gearchange and bizarre engine sticking out in front of my chins I could immediately see the appeal of this bike.

I have to say that the front suspension on this motorcycle is really what seperates it from other big trail bikes and makes it such a good all-rounder. What is so good about is that there is very little fork dive when the brakes are applied hard. A factor which in the real world makes it difficult to keep a trail bike up with more road orientated machi
nes on the tarmac because of all the difficult transfer of weight and the change of wheelbase length that goes with that. This, combined with the (comparitively) low centre gravity offered by the boxer engine makes for a very good handling bike.

The long fork travel is still preserved for sleeping policemen, road bumps and other imperfections which make it possible to keep up momentum where it would be impossible on a rigidly sprung sports bike.

The small head fairing does quit a good job of keeping windblast off (although I have never ridden a proper touring bike so I think your expectations depend on your experience in that regard) and the high up riding position is ideal for traffic filtering and other low-speed capers

The ABS option suits the special front suspension set up very well as with slightly irregular characteristics under braking, judging the amount of available grip can be difficult. It also made me want to buy the bike more as for those cold, tired moments, I figured it could be a life saver.

All this was two and a half years ago, and now I have finally got around to buying one, I have discovered that the passenger comfort is excellent and occasional off-road work is possible.

In short, I don't think there is another bike (excluding the six-speed 1150 version), which is such a genuine all rounder as this. The 1150 is a better looking bike and has 6 speeds (the 1100 has only five), but the 1100 is considerably cheaper and still a great bike.

Summary: