I'm about to pick up an 1100s

[Michael9]

Is there anything I should know about, I've had a variety of bikes during my 30 yrs of riding but never a bm, cars yes not bikes. The 1100s is seemingly the "sportiest" of them but I'll use the term loosely, I've been reading up them quite a bit and it's all quite good apart from a few saying the telelever front takes some getting used to if you ever do.

In the last 18 years it's all litre bikes I've had, the last being An old gsx11f about 6 months ago, before that a mk1 bandit 12 and currently a vtr1000 so I'm still getting to vibes

So what will find different about the 11s compared to what I've had

[slparry]

don't ride it like a four, use the mid range rather than revs like a multi

And give yourself at least a month to get used to it, the telelever is awesome

[Michael9]

Much like the vtr then (that I've not been on in dam near a month cause of weather, freezing, rain everyday at some point here, Scotland) NOT ideal for trying to get used something totally different

[Michael9]

That's gonna be hard is this weather, freezing, rain (everyday so far here, Scotland) NOT ideal for trying to get used something totally different. Just to add, I'll be going 360-70 miles for it

[Michael9]

Another I'm keeping an eye on a 98 11s with only 11-12000 mls and going by the mot history it's right...well back to 07 it is further than that is anyone's guess, looks stunning in photos though

[slparry]

Another I'm keeping an eye on a 98 11s with only 11-12000 mls and going by the mot history it's right...well back to 07 it is further than that is anyone's guess, looks stunning in photos though

they tend to use a little oil until about 20000, take a while to run in fully

[Michael9]

Ok will watch for that.....does that one sound to good to be true

[kfrogzx7]

Hello Michael, welcome to 11s ownership, I'm sure you'll love it altho' you need an open mind to begin with because it won't feel like anything you've ridden before that's for sure !!
Having said that, with a couple of caviats, it's basically all positive.
The 11s is sporty, but as a sports tourer rather than a race rep, you won't find much that will beat it across the country and deliver you relaxed and comfortable even if it won't ever be first to the pub.
The telelever won't take much getting used to because it won't ever surprise you in bad way, it'll feel different yes, but it will simultaneously fill you with confidence , particularly on the brakes ( also brilliant btw ) late into turns.
Mid corner stability and speed is where it's at for " making good progress ", I find mine as confidence inspiring mid corner as my much late lamented Ducati 851ds , and praise for secure handling doesn't come higher than that.
The engine is addictive too in the same way my 851 was, grunt low down out of corners is great and grip always feel plentiful under these conditions. As Steve says use the low down torque as much as possible rather than playing with the agricultural gearbox, make deliberate changes early then use the engine, again this sort of riding lends itself to easy mile munching.
Economy is great, 55 mpg and 200 miles per tank quite do-able.
Lights are pretty poor, fit some HID.com aftermarket ones to cure that.
Good luck and you'll find plenty of help on here.

[GunK190]

I've had my R1100s for just over a year only had multi's before mainly Kawasaki's.When I was looking to buy a bike was searching eBay for one of those when I came across my Beemer. How it came up on the search to this day I don't know, but it caught my eye and couldn't believe the condition and price didn't want to bid on it, so rang the bloke and asked if I could come and see it.

When I took a test ride it felt awkward but looked great, loads of history and bills so took a punt on it. So glad now I did the front end did feel a little weird and after a few days of owning it pangs of oh god I think I've a mistake of buying it were creeping in. Then without realizing it I found myself not diving into corners but sweeping into bends powering out short shifting not even thinking about what speed I was doing only to look down at the speedo, f**king hell and the smile just getting broader and broader. In June I went for a week touring the Scottish Highlands fully loaded and it was a dream comfortable and stable and a joy to to ride. keep an open mind and you'll end up loving it.

[Neil178]

55mpg?
Am i having too much fun at only 40mpg?

[Al]

Neil, you are not the only one having too much fun, never got anywhere near 55mpg or 200 miles to a tank either, 125-135 to the light on is average for me and around 40mpg.

Al.

[Mitch1100]

You'll love it until it's time to change air filter, battery or fuel filter...

[slparry]

You'll love it until it's time to change air filter, battery or fuel filter...

or fuses .... now that's a job I'd not want to do on the moors on a cold, wet and windy night

[kfrogzx7]

Neil, you are not the only one having too much fun, never got anywhere near 55mpg or 200 miles to a tank either, 125-135 to the light on is average for me and around 40mpg.

Al.

Am I really that slow ?
I regularly get >50 mpg ( x 18 ltr or 3.9 gal ) thats over 190-200 mls per tank in theory, admittedly I almost always fill up sooner ( 180 ish usually ), but once or twice I've gone to 200 no problem.
Perhaps I am just slow
Course Al, you've still got well over a gallon when light comes on so that'd be 175 per tank at your 40 mpg.
I did notice that my consumption dropped a lot ( 10 mpg at least ) when I had the GS intake tubes, PowerBoost plug installed tho'.

Note.. must try harder.

[Blackal]

Don'f forget that your perceived consumption is based upon what your odometer tells you. They are optimistic by up to 10%, but each one can be different.

When I quote that 10 miles / litre is a general average - it is probably closer to 9m/ltr in absolute terms

Al