hi hi- ellecy systems

[thrang]

Hi folks, got back from my jollys with the missus on the Canary Islands. After the UK's dull cold misserable and damp autum it was nice to feel a little sun on the old bod even if I did not get a real boxer to play with for a couple of weeks... So I hired an 1150GS oil head, nice bike but no character.

Incomparison to a 2 valve airhead the bike was so dammed antiseptic, sure it was a cracking ride, smooth, fast, good breaks and astonishing handling for its size, weight and upright stance, but it was boring.  You did not have to think about what you were doing or think about the bike as you chucked it in to a corner, even two up off road, which after an airhad was an eye opener. Sure if I had the money I'd buy one but when I got home and felt my bum settle in to the comfort of the RT's seat I think I'd stick to my Bimbo. When she breaks (and she's not yet... but she will) I can fix her my self. While if I got an oil head I'd have to get some else in, coz I had a look under the tank and it looked like a jzz mag for a computer nerd.... Boxes wires and things every where...

However my father inlaw lives in Frogland (Cognac) and although the 65 will/and has done the journey I'm thinking about somthing a little more moderen and a few more cubes is in order.  I'm thiking about an R100, but a good twin shocks ( I detest mono's horrid poor handeling things incomparison to a sorted twin shock) are thin on the ground, and buying an okay one one lobbing the dosh at it to sort it is more than 4 valve money I'm considering one. as a distance bike  The problem is I like to tinker and resent paying for someone (who I never trust) to fix my my bike and as I barely understand and air heads ellecy system my heads not really up to oil head wiring... But (to get to the point) anyone one know a good book web site on oil head ellecy systems... coz I do fancy one.

Tony

[Semper Gumby]

 A late model R100 monoshock bike is a wonderful thing.  An RS would be great fun.  The only reason I don't have one is that I would drive it too fast and I have a perfectly good R65.  The R100 does 90 mph like my R65 does 60.  I would lose my licence before I knew what happend.  

[Bob_Roller]

Tony

The latest R bikes from BMW, are just like 4 wheel vehicles of today, you're not going to fix it on the side of the road by yourself.

Without plugging in a diagnostic scanner into the OBD 2 connector under the seat, you would be hard pressed to find a problem, unless the part was obviously damaged.

If you want to 'tinker' this is not the bike for you.

I have an '02 R1150R, and an '81 R65, I get to tinker all I want on the R65, the oilhead, change oils and filters, and forget about it.

Requires the same care as a late model 4 wheel vehicle.

But as you found out, they are devoid of most character, as compared to an airhead.

In my opinion they make a rider think they are a better rider than they really are.

When I do have the R65 running, the differences between the two bikes is quite distinct, two different styles of riding.

I can get a consistent 58-60 mpg (25 km/liter) one up, on rural highways at 75 mph with the oilhead.

There's a website , I think it's R1150.net , I used to go there , until I had problems logging in, and they couldn't get it fixed, you may want to 'lurk' there and pick up some useful knowledge about the bike.

As with most motorcycle sites they tend to get rather anal about things, and obsess about matters that really don't amount to much of anything in the real world.

[nhmaf]

thrang - if it is any consolation, I'm pining for an R100 too, even thought I've the R65LS and a Kawasaki Concours (GTR1000 on your side of the pond) in the garage.  Something about those long legged big boxers chuffing along... a proper gentleman's bike !  And the ability to fix things and do reasonable maintenance in your own garage, or when pressed, by the roadside, is not to be underestimated !   I'm thinking I'd possibly hook the R100 up to a sidecar, for practical as well
as purely aesthetic reasons.   I didn't find the ride of the monoshock bikes at all bad, just different, though the monoshock bike's engine seemed a little "smoother" and more torquey at lower RPMs, even if the upper end was more mellow.   Someday, I'll get one.....

[Justin B.]

Thrang, you must have ridden some terribly worn out monoshock bikes.  My '95 mono (with Works rear shock) RT will ride circles around my '81 R100 (with Koni shocks).  It handles quicker than the dual shocker even though it's dragging around a huge fairing!

[thrang]

You're right about me riding some knackered monoshocks... They were mainly Ex police bikes with 90k ish on the clocks when the despatch company I was working for got  them, and by the time I got to use one, it was horrid with a capital F!

I agree with Bob that the oilheads do tend to give the rider a sense of being a better than they are... but my god all that power is addictive even if the servicing costs from Mills BMW in Sundeland or Southport Superbikes (the nearest journey time dealers to me) are enough to put me off!

Well thanks for the input guys, and I can see me spending most of the winter looking for an tidy R100, or one cheep enough that its worth doing up.

Tony

[Bob_Roller]

Thrang

The bike was back to the dealer for a 600 mile inspection, required to keep the warranty in effect.

Since then, I have performed the annual required maintenance.

Only time it was back at the dealer after that, was after an 'incident' with a 4 wheeler that made a left turn in front of me , and then procceed to stop, a I hit the brain dead bastard at about 35 mph, claims to not have seen me, although I had enough auxillary lighting to be a real life simulation of 'close encounters of the third kind'.

[tagordon]

Tony,
I was sooooo wanting a 2007 R1200R. After much consideration I finally decided that I wanted another Airhead. For that "Character" you speak of. I narrowed down my choices to 90-95 R100's. I found my Cafe R100 project on eBay & bought it with what was to be my down payment on a new bike. Have no regrets.
I have a pure blast riding the R100 stripped of all unnecessary items.The extra power & speed are a world different from my R65; that I bought this past June.
They are both loved for their own attributes.
These are my first Beemers & I may buy other makes of bikes in the future. But I truly have been won over to the Airhead camp. I emphatically agree with what's been said about the Character/Charm/Mystique of these practically indestructable Airheads.  

[MrRiden]

Thrang,
I think the R100 RS would be a brilliant choice! I've gotten to ride some new machinery belonging to pals and yes they are competent bikes but there is something missing from these numb modern models.
Side note to bob, I've seen your light display and anyone who claims not to have seen you is either a liar or blind.
rich

[thrang]

The wife kind of likes the idea of an oilhead RT, and I must admit an affection for the 8 valves power... but I think for what we'll be using it for I'd rather have a late model R100. I had a quick scan of MCN this morning, and from what I saw low mileage examples are around the 3 to 4 grand mark.

Anyway I'll let you know know how we get along .

Cheers
Tony