BMW R 1100 S reviews

This motorcycle turns heads! It is absolutely breathtaking to see going down the road. And...It doesn't stop there -- to feel it is like nothing you can explain. It will do whatever you want it to: cruise around -- slow and easy -- or take it to the limit...it floats and glides and goes into another dimension like nothing you have or will ever experience on any other motorcycle. Extremely smooth and comfortable...especially for those who are inseam-challenged since it has lowered shocks! This is an awesome motorcycle. Show less

Got my '04 BoxerCup new. Street riding is way cool. Have about 10,000 mi on it now. The only part of the bike that sucks are the shocks. Although others have written about low power and feel of the assisted braking system, on a short track like Infineon, it works well enough to make RC51 riders give you an unsolicited high 5 after you beat them to the corners and execute -the pass. When you get it-you know what to do. The Grin Factor, it feels great. Show less

I bought my '04 R1100S in Jan.'05 while still riding two other hot performance bikes. Couldn't help but fall in love with it at first sight. Today, she is the only one in my stable because simply put, the S is all the bike I'll ever need. She's fast, nimble, reliable, and a great traveler. Took it from OR to MI this past summer and literally had the speedo pegged at 100+ thru Mont. and N.Dakota. Same on the return thru S. Dakota and Wyoming. The cops don't care as long as you are careful! It never used any oil after break-in and never missed a beat. The bike was designed for the autobahn and it did not disappoint. There's plenty of room for solo riding with hard bags and a tail bag. I look forward to many more rewarding trips around the U.S. Unfortunately, they don't make this bike anymore. '04 was the last year for this incredible machine. Show less

Going from a Ninja to a Boxer takes some getting used to. The sound, the feel and the performance are different. Once you get the hang of it, the ride is smooth, comfortable and the performance is excellent. I have taken this bike out for a 4 day trip with a backpack and it was not hard on me at all. However, the real bonus to this ride is the fact that you don't see many other bikes like it around. Also, this bike turns heads like you can't believe! You park this thing somewhere and when you came back to it, there is always a few people around asking you about it and complimenting it. I've even had a few big Harley dudes say how much they thought it was a hot bike! Anyway, I know there were only 50 shipped to Canada and 300 to the States out of a total of 1100 produced, so this is quite a unique machine out on the road. That is something I really appreciate. Show less

I've been off bikes in general for about 10yrs. This past January I went to the CycleShow in NYC bought a riding jacket & that darn riding bug bit me & I knew that I had to get back on, I had a chance to test ride a few bikes & after test riding the BMW r1100s I knew this was it. Amazing balance, very good comfort, handeling was just right for my size. The fairing is really cool too. Overall you can't go wrong with this beautiful machine. PS low mantaince is key when it comes to spending your time riding, as opposed to being in the shop like a few other bikes.... trust me! Show less

I've owned my BMW now for 2 years and all I can say is that it's a joy to ride. The roads here in NJ are poor but you would never know it riding the 1100s. I've owned my share of bikes but the suspension systems on all BMWs let you ride faster with more confidence than anything out there. A real keeper Show less

Just got off the bike, and I'm sure it will take days to get this smile off my face. It has great power, is really comfortable and rock stable. Did I mention the power? All that and ABS, what else can you ask for? Truly a bike that needs to be experienced. Show less

I've been riding for a long time, and have pretty much owned every kind of bike out there at one time or another. Coming from an H-D Fat Boy, I knew that I wanted something much more reliable and fun to ride. This bike is perfect. In 24,000 miles I haven't had to so much as replace a turn signal bulb. The R1100S can tear up back roads, (and with hard bags) tour a lot better than you'd expect. It's got good wind protection, and is fairly comfortable with a passenger. I personally prefer the Boxer motor, and with an upgraded exhaust, nothing sounds quite like it! There are a lot of great bikes out there, but this one will never be for sale. Show less

This is my third bike and also my favorite. I like it so much I actually have two. A perfect fit for the more aggressive rider who also enjoys one or two day touring. Not tons of top end, but plenty to get yourself in trouble with. Great in the twisties, great in the rain. If you want to scrape some heads, this is the machine for you. Show less

I bought this bike with about 40K miles on the clock, six months ago, after ogling it in a 1998 motorcycle magazine since it was first introduced. I put bar risers and foot peg lowers on it, replaced the rear shock with the BoxerCup sport shock (yellow), and have otherwise made it more comfortable for a guy my height. Unfortunately, the stock seat is extremely uncomfortable - sliding the rider forward inexorably toward the gas tank and crushing his manly bits.
That said, I've still gone on several all-day rides, including a trip 650 miles to Tennessee one day, spending a day there, and coming back the third day, and would do so again in a heartbeat, given the opportunity. I've been on bikes since I was 7 (now 32) and I've never enjoyed motorcycling so much before! Yes, the seat sucks -- and I'll replace it with a Corbin when the wallet allows -- but other than that, it's a dream. Power output is helped by aftermarket exhaust and fuel management, but it's plenty powerful enough in stock trim to excite all but the most jaded riders. Will I be challenging full out street racers anytime soon? No, that's not the way I ride. But get this thing on twisties or in the Virginia-Tennessee Mountains and it holds curves like nothing I've ever been on.
An elderly gent at a grocery store wanted to look it over, and was talking about his years on motorcycles, just as I got to the end of a 500-mile ride. All I could think of at that point was the fact that my lower back (and other portions of my anatomy) hurt. But then he asked me: Would you get it again?
And you know, I would. I'd go out and get the same bike. That says something. Show less