Description
Of all the stock and mild-custom machines we’ve seen come and go at Bob’s over the years, this one has most certainly received the most attention from our staff – from the parts team to the sales team, and especially the service team. To quote our top tech who performed the MSI and road test, “Probably the cleanest bike I have ever seen. Not a spec of dirt or grime even under the fairings, etc.,” and that followed the official report (just the facts here) that the “Brakes/ABS/Clutch good”, “Runs Great”, “No Oil Leaks Noted” and “Tires Semi Recent”. It was a perfect pass. But that is just the beginning of the story of this one-of-a-kind custom R1100S ABS.
We’ve just added an original, barely used BMW ZUMO GPS kit with a fabulous (and not cheap) custom mounting kit from Touratech specifically for the R1000S in the original BMW box with everything it came with when sold new. While a brand new BMW Nav 6 will do more, it would also set you back another $1,200 + – with a mounting bracket such as this one. This is a fine sweetener to a superb machine and is the tip of the story.
Bob is a huge R1100S fan and owns two which see light but regular use; these are special but for different reasons. He confessed that while he’d love to own this one as well, he’s not greedy — and honestly we need to sell bikes to stay in business! So, this one is officially waiting to find its perfect next owner. The bike’s second and most recent owner spent roughly 18 months, not to mention considerable thought and dollars, on making sure everything was perfectly executed from start to finish on this custom build. He acquired it with just 2,984 miles in the spring of 2010 via the same dealership that sold it new.
All the silver bodywork is in the original factory paint. It is perfect. There are no blemishes of any kind; the paint is seriously like-new perfect. That became the basis for everything else that makes this custom R1100S so very special; it’s all subtle but amazing paint on small and medium components, modifications, accessories and performance focused items that make it a visual stunner and possibly the best running, easiest to ride, most comfortable R1100S out there. This one started with BMW’s factory comfort kit which offered slightly higher handlebars and a slightly taller, more protective screen. But then, further steps were taken to make it even more comfortable.
That perfect ergonomic adjustment comes from the machined alloy top triple tree/risers which allows for any BMW 22 mm diameter bars to be used – the builder chose one of the all-time best in Bob’s opinion; those from a 1990s era K1. Due to the mounting point this places the average rider (we tested this with those from about 5’5” (Bob in this case to riders over 6’1’ – other staff) and everyone agrees the seating and lightly leaned forward position is fabulous. You’ll have to try it yourself but we’ve included a photo of Bob on the bike for reference (or amusement). The Sargent’s seat upgrade further helps, as the original stock R1100S seats are not known for all day comfort and this one makes noticeable improvement in support without damaging the overall visual lines.
This machine still boasts a perfect original BMW carbon fiber front fender and has been mated with a beautifully constructed rear carbon fiber fender which brings a very tasteful sheen and texture to the rear wheel. And while we have your attention at the rear of the bike we’d like to focus your attention on the stunning paint work that’s been performed on both wheels – it’s more visible on the rear due to the para-lever swingarm and suspension and a single drilled disc brake rotor on just one side.
Even the lug nuts have been painted a special chrome silver color to match the edges of the wheel rims; the iridescent blue is to die for and we’ve begun plotting which new BMW to paint in this stunning color. Those two colors show up again starting with an amazing metallic black on the valve covers; look closely and imagine the time, skill and effort that went into crafting these beauties to highlight the smooth and powerful R1100S air and oil cooled boxer engine. Take in the brake calipers which to accomplish this and had to be rebuilt with all new seals to ensure they were functioning as perfectly after the work as before it was undertaken.
And that’s a story that is repeated often throughout this custom R1100S. As of just 500 miles ago the following was done: a new alternator belt, 4 spark plugs, valve adjustment, throttle body synch, full brake fluid flush with the new Speigler stainless steel blue covered brake lines (ABS works perfectly), a new fuel filter, BMW battery, Michelin Pilot Power tires, totally-rebuilt front and rear brake calipers, new brake pads, new front wheel bearings (also because of powder-coating). There are clear turn signal, tail light and running light lenses with more special stuff inside so keep reading.
Seriously, it is like a new motorcycle with 5,600 miles on which the second owner spent well over $8,000 on parts, labor and more — and we have the receipts for all of it. This bike also has a new set of front and rear Öhlins shocks which alone cost over $1,600. Then, of course, there is all the powdercoat work involved to make this a serious attention getting BMW. That total also does not include all of the LED lighting upgrades which replaced the stock turn signs, tail lamp, brake lamp and running lights. The headlight is a LED unit, which is a fan-cooled H1 unit from Cyclops. All other components came from Hornig Special Products in Germany at a cost of about $330.00.
The bike has two tiny cosmetic flaws and we’ll point them out now in words but also inform you that even with these clear images enlarged on your large monitor you may still not be able to see them. So as a full disclosure operation since the beginning in 1981 as Bob’s Used Parts, we want you to know that the front wheel blue paint has very minor imperfections in it – almost like the crazing you sometimes see in high quality ceramic finishes. The other is a very tiny scratch near the top of the factory windscreen. You will not find anything else that would lower the near 100 point rating Bob graded this machine at, which was actually 99.5 and the highest he’s given any used bike.
This project build was a true labor of love developed from the prior owner’s vision And now, one lucky person will get to reap the benefits of that vision, effort and expense in the near future. It was completed in October, 2017, at about 4,550 miles and has just recently arrived at Bob’s BMW. It boasts the factory touring bags and mounts. When the bags are removed (easily done with the key that also matches the ignition, fork, gas cap and seat) the bike looks like a sport bike. The bags’ mounting brackets are one of BMW’s stealthiest designs and nearly disappear in the lines of the bike. There is also a nearly invisible set of clear knee protectors installed on the panels that cover the actual fuel tank.
You can see in the photos that the bike includes the complete factory tool set (two levels) that hides under the rear seat, plus the original owner’s manuals, the factory tire repair kit which is also housed in a special location under the seat, and two original BMW keys. There is also a brand new but never actually used (why it’s with the plastic bag) original and now hard to get BMW Multivario tank bag with quick detachable map case and fast fueling release design. It has a factory accessory socket, Battery tender lead and a Gerbing heated gear plug in connector. And you should notice that the factory Zeus fasteners that usually hold on the rear cowling have been replaced with a much more effective and stylish set of machined stainless steel items making it more secure and the items underneath more quickly accessed.
We feel we have priced this machine exactly where it should be valued considering what a run-of-the-mill R1100S without any extras costs, and what we’ve found to be an average of about 25,000 miles logged through 2 or even 4 owners. Some being offered have sold in the $5,000 to $6,000 range and don’t even have ABS. Others, while very attractive and the cleanest of the offerings or completed transactions are mostly special due to a factory decal package (Boxer Cup prep series as one example) and command upwards of $9,000 and sometimes over $10,000.
While placing the right price on any custom motorcycle is never easy we’d like to point out that a lot of custom airheads are being built and sold these days. Recently a very nice example built around a R100 from the early 1980’s sold for $16,000 at auction w/o the 5% buyer’s premium. That motorcycle has roughly half the horsepower and at best about one quarter of the stability, handling, safety, comfort, control, reliability and real world performance that this machine offers. We also don’t think it is near the head turner visually that this sleek Bavarian sport bike/sport tourer is. But beauty is in the eye of each individual.
We welcome all brands and other BMW’s in trade even if they’re not currently running. If you’ve fallen in lust with this bike, then you should call the sales team at ext. 501 and schedule an appointment. Or, if you’re not located within easy traveling range of our store, call to arrange a comprehensive on-the-phone virtual walk-around this beautiful bike. Bob’s BMW in Jessup, Maryland, has the most convenient location in the entire Mid-Atlantic region for everything related to BMW motorcycles. Our team is highly customer-service focused with a very long track record of taking superb care of every customers; one at a time.
