Discussion
Ended up getting one. R1100rt in sort of a sage green. Under 40k rides perfectly perfect (including abs) say for ever so slightly square rear tyre. Slightly grottier than it looked in pictures but only slight. Looks like it’s been looked after for 20 years then 1 year of winter service. Top box and panniers, heated grips arnt working but it’s not like your hands are exposed on these. The gearbox is very very tight and quite precise considering the reports I’ve heard and the clutch is fine everywhere. The thumping of the engine is strange but nice and being upright is gloriously comfortable especially with the electric screen. Overall really pleased with it. My wife says it’s too old man for a 37 year old but I love it.
Scobblelotcher said:
Looks good, what will you use it for? Commuting, fun, touring etc?
These bikes are fantastic and it still looks great at it's age. I'm a similar age and my other half and others have suggested I should get something a bit more relaxed and up right (I ride a S1000RR), we can't win eh?
A bit of everything. I got into bikes for commuting and need to do some uk touring this year for some more fun use and see it as more than a tool. These bikes are fantastic and it still looks great at it's age. I'm a similar age and my other half and others have suggested I should get something a bit more relaxed and up right (I ride a S1000RR), we can't win eh?
I could cope with a s1000xr but a super bike just gives me nightmares. I’m relatively fit and work out but the body position just makes my eyes hurt.
Gave her a decent wash, took all the removable stuff off and gave everything I could see a clean. Few more marks found but nothing outrageous. Went for a 50 ish miles ride today after the wash and alls absolutely fine until a mile or so from home. The rear brake went full travel and stopped working. Found some spots on the rear wheel so think the line has leaked or popped but didn’t have time to check it over. Shouldn’t be a big deal but a arse none the less. 
I read armchairbiker's write-up on the R1100RT (what's happened to www.armchairbiker.com, incidentally) which was very complimentary about it. I've been vaguely keeping an eye out for one ever since, and I'm very taken with the OP's!
Worked on hundreds of these, be very specific when you remove the fairings, the fixings are quite the eclectic mix, label them, they take forever to remove the panels. Keep the collector box area clean as those exhausts are ridiculous money if memory serves me right. Good ‘bus’ Is that a servo braked one, I cant remember the years they had the servos.
Rockets7 said:
Worked on hundreds of these, be very specific when you remove the fairings, the fixings are quite the eclectic mix, label them, they take forever to remove the panels. Keep the collector box area clean as those exhausts are ridiculous money if memory serves me right. Good ‘bus’ Is that a servo braked one, I cant remember the years they had the servos.
The servos were on 1150s only (luckily for the OP).outnumbered said:
Rockets7 said:
Worked on hundreds of these, be very specific when you remove the fairings, the fixings are quite the eclectic mix, label them, they take forever to remove the panels. Keep the collector box area clean as those exhausts are ridiculous money if memory serves me right. Good ‘bus’ Is that a servo braked one, I cant remember the years they had the servos.
The servos were on 1150s only (luckily for the OP).308mate said:
Keep the salt off it or at least rinse very thoroughly if you have ride on salted roads. Pay attention to the front and rear shock too. They'll be coming up for service and arent cheap to replace. On my 1200RT I think the front was a non-serviceable item. 
I had to ride back through snow, salted roads and rain for 2.5 hours on the day I got it. Waited for it to cool down then rinsed it all thoroughly. I used to do that on my pan so knew what was needed. It’s very good at 3ft but closer there is some slight paint bubbling but I’m happy that I don’t have to fret about it being perfect. Shocks seem ok. Maybe one day in a year or so I might look at what can be done if they don’t fail in the meantime.
Just want to keep it running sweet and presentable. Need to get in the shed and fix that rear brake!!
Edited by Carlososos on Tuesday 14th December 20:40
great bike, I have the 1150 (2003), bought it back in 2009 as a stop gap to something else (another big tourer) but it's just too good, all day comfy and fantastically balanced.
I keep looking at other bikes but change my mind every time i get back out on it. Handles better than any other bike I've ridden, from walking pace to motorway speeds.
Obviously basic compared to the new stuff but none of that expensive electrickery to go wrong.
I keep looking at other bikes but change my mind every time i get back out on it. Handles better than any other bike I've ridden, from walking pace to motorway speeds.
Obviously basic compared to the new stuff but none of that expensive electrickery to go wrong.
55north1west said:
great bike, I have the 1150 (2003), bought it back in 2009 as a stop gap to something else (another big tourer) but it's just too good, all day comfy and fantastically balanced.
I keep looking at other bikes but change my mind every time i get back out on it. Handles better than any other bike I've ridden, from walking pace to motorway speeds.
Obviously basic compared to the new stuff but none of that expensive electrickery to go wrong.
That does look good in that darker shade. Very nice. I keep looking at other bikes but change my mind every time i get back out on it. Handles better than any other bike I've ridden, from walking pace to motorway speeds.
Obviously basic compared to the new stuff but none of that expensive electrickery to go wrong.
That’s the great thing about bikes apart from a few gizmos for the majority of riders old bikes and new bikes are the same! Apart from proper cruise control, cruise control is on the next bike for sure.
Is that a bigger screen? I’m 6.2 and get a whiff of hustle of the top of my screen at 70. Wondering if a bigger one would get rid.
Carlososos said:
That does look good in that darker shade. Very nice.
That’s the great thing about bikes apart from a few gizmos for the majority of riders old bikes and new bikes are the same! Apart from proper cruise control, cruise control is on the next bike for sure.
Is that a bigger screen? I’m 6.2 and get a whiff of hustle of the top of my screen at 70. Wondering if a bigger one would get rid.
Yes, bigger screen, A GIVI, it's circa 50mm taller, I'm 6ft and it takes the airflow that little bit higher, I ride pretty much all the the time with either a Shoei 3/4 or Shoei Jo helmet and there's no turbulence. I take calls on my SENA and people can't believe i'm on a bike.That’s the great thing about bikes apart from a few gizmos for the majority of riders old bikes and new bikes are the same! Apart from proper cruise control, cruise control is on the next bike for sure.
Is that a bigger screen? I’m 6.2 and get a whiff of hustle of the top of my screen at 70. Wondering if a bigger one would get rid.
55north1west said:
Carlososos said:
That does look good in that darker shade. Very nice.
That’s the great thing about bikes apart from a few gizmos for the majority of riders old bikes and new bikes are the same! Apart from proper cruise control, cruise control is on the next bike for sure.
Is that a bigger screen? I’m 6.2 and get a whiff of hustle of the top of my screen at 70. Wondering if a bigger one would get rid.
Yes, bigger screen, A GIVI, it's circa 50mm taller, I'm 6ft and it takes the airflow that little bit higher, I ride pretty much all the the time with either a Shoei 3/4 or Shoei Jo helmet and there's no turbulence. I take calls on my SENA and people can't believe i'm on a bike.That’s the great thing about bikes apart from a few gizmos for the majority of riders old bikes and new bikes are the same! Apart from proper cruise control, cruise control is on the next bike for sure.
Is that a bigger screen? I’m 6.2 and get a whiff of hustle of the top of my screen at 70. Wondering if a bigger one would get rid.
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