"R series BMWs" thread in "Motorbike Chat"
Can anyone give me a heads up on old R series beamers pls. Looking at 96-00 R1100R or GS. Do the paralevers last ok, seems ...

Can anyone give me a heads up on old R series beamers pls.

Looking at 96-00 R1100R or GS. Do the paralevers last ok, seems like the engine casings suffer corrosion, which does bother me as much as mechanical weaknesses.

Cheers in advance.

Look for evidence of oil coming from the shaft 'joint' or bevel box. It is a pain to cure. There are seals everywhere.

Castings are fine enough - leave them for a couple of years and they can be cleaned up fine. Check the frame (and seat base) as they can rust anywhere and frequently do.

You mean the Oilheads? (as opposed to fully air-cooled R-series, eg R80, R100?)

Assuming you do...

The Paralever system works ok, there's SOME issues with the 1150s (with the curvier swingarm) where the clutch output shaft splines (IIRC) don't mate fully with the gearbox - (or something) and you can strip the splines if you're seriously ham-fisted or unlucky. Has happened to me once, (hamfisted). It's also possible for the large final-drive box bearing to fail (but there are obvious warning signs), but then there are a lot of forces going through it. (it's about as likely as a regular wheel bearing failure I think).

Yes the paint finish isn't good in places - but mechanically they last fairly well.

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non quod, sed quomodo

I don't know?

This kind of thing
BMW R1100R Tourer on eBay, also, BMW, Motorcycles Scooters, Cars, Parts Vehicles (end time 12-Sep-08 20:05:21 BST)

BMW R1100 GS on eBay, also, BMW, Motorcycles Scooters, Cars, Parts Vehicles (end time 10-Sep-08 19:57:10 BST)

Ah! The casings on those get furry and seem to stay that way. Not like the older boxers.

Shaft is the same. Lots of annoyance if there is any evidence of oil.

Yup - they're oilheads. Cylinders are cooled by air, and also the engine oil is cooled by a/a couple of oil cooler radiators (depending on model).

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non quod, sed quomodo

They can and do achieve good (read big) mileages. Still suffer from bevel drive leaks and munching of bevel drive bearings and if the gearbox oil seal goes, which is not uncommon, its the whole back end of the bike out to do as is the clutch. so look very carefully for any signs of oil leaks around the engine/gearbox join and along the drive train.

In summary not as reliable as you might think but not as bad as some might have you believe!

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Wonder about my avatar? CLick this www.freeschapelle.net/

Something weird with that R1100GS.

I reckon it's actually an R1150GS - he says it's got 1150GS lights and clock on it - but that doesn't explain the 1150 spec swingarm/driveshaft tunnel.

See this pic :
This is an R1100GS - note the "square" swingarm shape.


Compared to This pic :
This is from that Ebay ad - clearly showing the 1150 shape swingarm shape, and also the rear mudguard.

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non quod, sed quomodo

Awesome bike though.

I've got one and it's the bestest bike I've ever owned I think.

Old, high mileage, but ticking along nicely. The paint has come off the telelever wishbone, so it looks scruffy round the edges, but it rides OK and I love it.

Despite my immense problems with previous BMW's I've owned, I really recommend you try one. They're awesome.

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MC011