Difference between the models

[ned1]

Hi,
Just started looking for a R1100S but I would like to find out the difference between the models, which improvements where made and when, which do people think is the best year etc, or even a book which list the above.
Thanks
Ned (the pain)

[madman]

Ned,
Speaking of just the S models there were no too many changes over the years. My wife has a 2001 and I have a 2004, the main differences are:
Brakes. The later bike has BMW stamped on the calipers and bigger disks, the earlier has Brembo and smaller disks. Both are non ABS and both seem to be good brakes.
Ignition system. The 2004 is a twin spark system. There is no power advantage, but the twin spark seems to be about 5% more economical. The visual identification is in the black plastic strip on the rocker covers - the twin spark goes from the middle to the back while the single goes from the front to the back.
On the SS and boxercup models, the suspension is longer and can be identified by yellow instead of blue springs, and the boxercup has the mirrors attached to the handlebars rather than the fairing.
Others will come and tell you about more differences. Many people are very happy with the oldest 1998 bikes and unlike Japanese bikes there were not major changes every year.

[ianbcr]

hey madman i noticed on the Wales rideout pics that only the red/white/blue 04 bcr have handle bar mirrors, the randy mamola has screen fitting. or did they change that between years.

[Ruffy]

Hi Ned, wot madman said was spot on, and if i was looking for one i'd go for the twin spark as that's what wev'e got and mines got abs as well though some folk will tell you that's more to go wrong but it also gives you peace of mind as it shouldn't lock up on ya,i think as far as the mamola goes it was made by bmw uk but the bcr was a factory model made to commemerate the boxer cup race and was made with a black coloured engine,if you can make it to Hawes in september you'll be able to ask a long list of q's that you'll no doubt have,see you there.

[ned1]

Thanks for that all ,
Madman,
when you say "On the SS and boxercup models, the suspension is longer" will the seat be higher on those !!

Thanks
Ned

[herrman]

[quote="ned1"
"On the SS and boxercup models, the suspension is longer" will the seat be higher on those !!

Thanks
Ned[/quote]

Certainly will be and even higher on Mk2 (RWB) Boxercup.

[ned1]

So, Can we get this right about seat highs,
Could someone please give me a list of R1100S that have the lowest seats please so I know which ones to go for.
Thanks
Ned
ps my bike for the last 10 years is sold, so a bear with a sore head comes to mind

[herrman]

Std S has lowest seat height---SS or Mamola Boxercup Rep are higher and Mk2 Boxercup (the Red White & Blue one) even higher!!

HTH Peter.

[big rob]

Hey didley-doo Ned
Look at the colour of the spring on the rear shocker, if the bike has the original BMW shocker, a BLUE spring will be the lower seat height, a YELLOW spring indicates the 'sports' package which has a slightly higher seat height.

Try and find a dealer close to you and try a bike for size.

Good luck,

Rob

[madman]

Ned,
I am 5'9" but have short legs. The S is much lower than the R1150RT that I had and a little lower than the K1200GT that I had. I think it is down to the narrow seat at the front, which gives more confidence to us short leg people.
Both of our bikes have the blue (standard short) springs fitted.

[sandbar]

think as far as the mamola goes it was made by bmw uk but the bcr was a factory model made to commemerate the boxer cup race and was made with a black coloured engine,

Not quite correct!

In about 2001/2 BMW UK took about 25 random R1100S with sport pack, fitted them with a fibreglass bellypan and painted them in the same colours as the UK Boxer Cup racers. They were also supplied with a Laser exhaust and chip in a box that was supposed to be fitted by the dealer at the first (600 mile) service. This model was nothing to do with BMW in Germany.

In late 2002 (2003 model year) the BMW factory in Germany produced a limited edition of 'Randy Mamola' BCRs. These were all single spark.

When they and the various importers around the world discovered that these sold quite well BMW (Germany) decided to make them a normal production model. By that time production had moved on to the twin spark engine. The decals on the bellypan were also slightly different.

For the 2004 model year they changed the BCR colour scheme to red/white/blue, moved the mirrors to the handlebars and increased the ride height to the highest of all the factory R1100S. It was also only available as the basic bike - there were no factory options available at all.

sandbar

[Ruffy]

Thanks for that correction sandbar,your more educated on 1100's than me for sure!

[RoLoo]

think as far as the mamola goes it was made by bmw uk but the bcr was a factory model made to commemerate the boxer cup race and was made with a black coloured engine

Not quite correct!

etc.etc.etc...

sandbar

...and the engine wasn't black...

[ned1]

Hi all, Thanks for your help,
I have now put a deposit down on a R1100S 03 with 6,000 miles which has not been modded in any way, this is a (he says) fully loaded with ABS, power socket, wide rear wheel, servo brakes (is he pulling my leg) and so on, but the rear spring is blue, can this be right !.
Which mods should I do first, Y pipe, chip, ect, also which make and how easy/hard are the mods to fit

Thanks
Ned