Question re: purchase of 1995 r1100r

[gamalost]

Hello -- I've been riding a Harley 883 and a Honda Magna and am interested in purchasing a bike of my own. Am looking at a '95 R1100R that a friend has for sale, and would appreciate any advice y'all might be able to offer.

It is a 1995 with 27,000 miles. Custom black paint and seems to be in great condition (one owner, garage kept and never wrecked, raced, or laid down). He's asking $4,000 with hard case BMW saddle bags, rain suit, skins, etc. The bike is a great fit for me, and I love how it looks. A bit nervous buying a bike that is over 15 years old, but hear BMW bikes are built to last. He has had the starter replaced recently... I plan to use this as a daily bike - to work and home each day - plus the occasional trip out of town.

Thanks for any thoughts. If I buy it, I imagine I'll be back with more questions soon

Best,
erik

[SDMAX]

I owned one for a couple of months before trading up to a 2007 R1200R; I think the price is high for a bike that old. I think you could probably get a lot of use out of it but I'd rather see you pay no more than 3K. Even with all the stuff that's coming with it, you'll be putting 1K in it before the year is out one way or the other. Good luck; look on the NADA site for comp prices.

[gamalost]

Thanks - I pulled up $3,405 on Kelley Blue Book and figured the low mileage is why he's asking $4,000. Closer to $3K does feel better for a '95 bike...

[SDMAX]

NADA for my 92110 zip which is Southern California no rust etc:
Excellent $2215
Very Good $1485
Good $1080
Fair $595
Poor N/A

There will be no other customers besides you for this bike. You want it so you are
disqualified from negotiating for it. Have another person you trust go to the owner with the above infor and two thousand in cash; 20 Benjamin Frankins; if the owner is insulted, walk away. Try again at 2500.

Look for an R1150R. Make sure you are getting ABS brakes on the 1100 or the 1150. The local San Diego
dealer had an R1100R that they sold over and over for 4K and only gave 2000 for same bike when it
came back on trade. For real a 2007 R1200R would be the best and they are gettting to be affordable.

[gamalost]

Thanks, yeah -- I should keep looking. Would rather spend a bit more for a newer bike...

[SDMAX]

The R1200R beginning in 2007 is still the cheese. Light years better than what went before it. Make sure you get ABS. Miles don't really matter. You surely don't need a new one.

[gamalost]

Oddly, all the bikes I'm finding are sort of in the same price range...

Found a 2002 r1100r w/ 46,000 miles and ABS for $4200 (OBO) about 3 hours east of me.

and a 2004 r1150r w/ 42,000 miles, new Pirelli Angel tires and some other stuff for $4,000. The bike's suspension was lowered, however, for a 5'4" rider so might be smallish for my 5'11" height. The owner is putting it at a local bike shop on consignment this weekend, and it is a pretty far drive to check out...

The closest alternative to the 1995 r1100r I posted about is a bit more expensive... it is another 2004 r1150r with 30,000 miles for $5,200 (OBO)

[SDMAX]

I don't know where you are but wherever you are, it's still winter; you have time. You are going to wind up with an R1200R. Go ride one. If you can ride an R1100R or an R 1150R; I'm about 100% certain that you will find the R1200R to be worth the extra cost which you will get back if you ever unload it.

You aren't going to get much back on an R1100R or an R1150R as they were the latest and greatest a long time ago; but, not now. The R1200R is that much better. I had my R1100R for one month before trading it on the R1200R.

1100 has a transmission that sounds like a milk truck; steering, brakes, everything is changed up with the 1200. Just did a quick search and there are no 1200 deals out there right now; they do turn up; for about 9-10K you should score a 2007---doesn't matter where in the country, 500=600 will ship it to you.

IMHO I'd start saving up.....if price is tough and these are tough times make sure you get ABS and if you can an 1150 over an 1100

LL&P John

[gamalost]

Thanks -- good points all around. I'm in Memphis. Inventory around here can be a bit limited, so I was looking at Austin and St Louis which I'll be driving to in the next month. Finding the right bike and having it shipped in is a good idea too...

[SDMAX]

I gotta run; but, I have a friend here in San Diego County who bought a used 2007 R1200R for a great price in the midwest and it shipped here.....no problems.

With a used bike like his, you can wind up with Ohlin shock; custom seat, all kinds of farkles thrown into the deal....keep searching....

[ICBMguy]

NADA for my 92110 zip which is Southern California no rust etc:
Excellent $2215
Very Good $1485
Good $1080
Fair $595
Poor N/A

There will be no other customers besides you for this bike. You want it so you are
disqualified from negotiating for it. Have another person you trust go to the owner with the above infor and two thousand in cash; 20 Benjamin Frankins; if the owner is insulted, walk away. Try again at 2500.

Look for an R1150R. Make sure you are getting ABS brakes on the 1100 or the 1150. The local San Diego
dealer had an R1100R that they sold over and over for 4K and only gave 2000 for same bike when it
came back on trade. For real a 2007 R1200R would be the best and they are gettting to be affordable.

I believe KBB is used east of the Mississippi while NADA is used out west, and NADA often shows a lower value than KBB for any vehicle. Bike prices may also be on the rise due to an increase in demand for high gas-mileage vehicles, and fewer people selling/buying vehicles in the down economy. That being said, $4K IS still high, but I would think $3K is reasonable if it's in good mechanical shape. Earlier R11Rs had issues with surging and final drives, so I'd be wary of any years before 98. Personally I love my '00 R11R and don't think it's transmission is "milk truck"-like, you just have to shift it like a BMW and not a rice rocket! Of course, if anyone wants to give me an R1200R as an even trade I'd happily take them up on it

[SDMAX]

Forgot about the surging problem I did a plug and play fix by replacing a cream colored plug in under the seat with an orange one or vice versa; info on this forum I think...It was the european plug that replaced the USA one and made it a lot smoother.

Milk truck might be too strong. R12 tranny is all snick snick.

Latest issue of Motorcycle Consumer News by subscription, arrived today; uses NADA values and confirms R1100R pricing at 2310, 2030, and 1655 for years 00, 99, and 98.

Hey it's still a boxer and therefore iconic. Only kind of BMW to own. IMHO.

[gamalost]

Well, I actually did manage to find a couple of 2007 R1200R bikes for $9,000 each (31,000 miles and 54,000 miles). At dealerships who could presumably ship them in, assuming they're still available... That's really stretching my budget. The 2002 - 2004 R1150Rs I've come across are around half that, which would leave me with a lot more money in the bank... I understand that the newer model will have a better resale value down the road, but is a 1200 a few years newer really worth double?

On a completely separate note -- and this may be the wrong place to ask -- but have any of y'all ridden the R650GS or R1150GS? Not planning to do off-roading really, but I like the idea of being able to cross whatever terrain I come across... The 650 is probably underpowered for long highway rides (or maybe not...), but I'm seeing some R1150GSs priced right in the middle of the R1150Rs and R1200Rs...

[SDMAX]

OK I still think you have time for more research. Maybe now would be a good time to rethink the whole deal:

http://www.calsci.com/motorcycleinfo/index.html

This is a motorcylce windshield designer and science type who writes and collects info about everything motorcycles. I note it looks as if you have been riding someone's HD 883 and a Honda....no problem...if you have less than 5K real world recent motorcycle miles under your belt then look at his section on buying a motorcycle...hell, look at all his sections; he even has motorcycle reviews going back forever.

I probably should have had a smaller bike FIRST before riding my two Boxers....I eventually pulled even and learned but a friend on a smaller bike (BMW 650 something) seemed to catch on quicker. Also smaller can be cheaper.

This is a great web site; I've learned a lot from it. Have a great weekend. John

[red99ryder]

[quote="gamalost"]Well, I actually did manage to find a couple of 2007 R1200R bikes for $9,000 each (31,000 miles and 54,000 miles). At dealerships who could presumably ship them in, assuming they're still available... That's really stretching my budget. The 2002 - 2004 R1150Rs I've come across are around half that, which would leave me with a lot more money in the bank... I understand that the newer model will have a better resale value down the road, but is a 1200 a few years newer really worth double?

On a completely separate note -- and this may be the wrong place to ask -- but have any of y'all ridden the R650GS or R1150GS? Not planning to do off-roading really, but I like the idea of being able to cross whatever terrain I come across... The 650 is probably underpowered for long highway rides (or maybe not...), but I'm seeing some R1150GSs priced right in the middle of the R1150Rs and R1200Rs...[/quote

Hi , dont be scared to buy an r1100r , yes newer models are out there but they are fine bikes , i have had a 1997 for awhile now and recently bought a r1100rt .. thought about selling the r1100r , but have decided to keep it for now . Also i did a fly in and ride home when i picked up the r1100rt ,, Flew to Bobs bmw and rode home to Jackson ms .. It was a great long weekend trip and it was just about as cheap as shipping it in .
good luck in your search

[Clem]

Hi Erik,
SDMAX and ICBMguy have given you very GOOD advice.
Every motorcycle I ever had, was the BEST bike ever, WHEN I HAD IT.
SAVE your money, be patient, shop wisely, and buy as NEW a machine as YOU CAN AFFORD.
Good Luck, Clem

[hamio]

I can't say I have any real buying advice as others have covered that. I can say I have a '96 R1100RTL (for several years now) and have enjoyed it. At the time of purchase it was 13 years old, well maintained, ABS, heated grips, system cases, radio, and had no problems. It was priced a bit high for my taste ($4900) but I've had no regrets.

A definite plus when you buy an older (or any) BMW is a site such as this. Lots of experience and knowledge is available to get you through some of the maintenance issues that will crop up. There are also a number of sites that sell parts, both new and used.

Good luck!

[Ton1959]

My advice is to buy the later R1100R from 98 onwards. The earlier ones had more problems with the gearboxes and you will find that many BMW dealers won't like taking them of you when you want to buy another bike.