V11 Sport vs R1100S

[beauchemin]

I'm looking for the objective differences between these two bikes. I think that we all know that BMWs don't have Italian soul, or style - so let's not go there.

 

In particular, I would like to know the differences in handling, shifting, legroom, maintenance, quality of fuel injection, fuel mileage, etc.

 

I love most things about my V11 Sport, but the handling on real-world bumpy twisty roads is frustrating me. My '75 Laverda twin was more competent in the handling department on those kinds of roads.

[Guest ratchethack]

I love most things about my V11 Sport, but the handling on real-world bumpy twisty roads is frustrating me.  My '75 Laverda twin was more competent in the handling department on those kinds of roads.

I hear ya.... Y'er not ever gonna be in the same league with any "modern", (or even "pre-modern") well-built, well-balanced and well set up chain-drive chassis with any heavy shaft-drive bike in the circumstances you describe.

 

On the positive side, as long as you've done y'er due diligence with springs and sags well-matched, have proper tires on, and y'can hold on -- Oh, and don't chop the throttle near the apexes , the Guzzi is remarkably stable and may I say even borderline competent in most circumstances, IMHO. But then, I'm merely a Road Geez....and as always,

 

TJM, & YMMV

[ferguzzi]

A mate had one for a couple of years.

Both bikes seemed quite similar. The BM was uglier,didn't sound as good(mind you it had stock pipes), had a better hard pannier system(although it made the bike veeery wide), about the same wind protection, and it seemed to vibrate more.

And it was a shitty orange colour.

[ferguzzi]

One other thing.

It was far more comfortable on the crappy rough roads round these parts.

[Steve G.]

I spent a day in southern California last summer riding an '02 1100S. It is true that comparing the two is difficult, as they fill slightly different catagories in the motorcycle arena. Ignoring as you said the vast difference in character and emotional feedback, the one difference about the two that is glaringly clear is that the Beemer absolutely rails in the corners compared to the spine frame. The German bike's front end is truly a great working design. Comfort is surprisingly close, with the BM edging out the Lemans simply by having better leg room. The factory heated grips, the very well designed fairing, the factory panniers, the ABS, it all makes it very attractive.

BUT, BUT, if you ever get one of these newer oil head bikes, pray very hard you never have to have any work done. It is very expensive, and you can't do it!! BMW doggedly is sticking to oil control seals with only one seal edge instead of the standard two. The shaft drive of that era has a reputation of needing the rear drive unit [differencial] needing it's oil seal re-done semi annually. They have a reputation for the rear engine seal going, destroying the clutch in the process. You can't change your own brake fluid without telling the ABS computer you have put in new fluid. The EFI, after 12 yrs, is still notchy and difficult to modulate during low speed manouvers.

I could go on.

Ciao, Steve G.

[DeBenGuzzi]

I spent a day in southern California last summer riding an '02 1100S. It is true that comparing the two is difficult, as they fill slightly different catagories in the motorcycle arena. Ignoring as you said the vast difference in character and emotional feedback, the one difference about the two that is glaringly clear is that the Beemer absolutely rails in the corners compared to the spine frame. The German bike's front end is truly a great working design. Comfort is surprisingly close, with the BM edging out the Lemans simply by having better leg room. The factory heated grips, the very well designed fairing, the factory panniers, the ABS, it all makes it very attractive.

BUT, BUT, if you ever get one of these newer oil head bikes, pray very hard you never have to have any work done. It is very expensive, and you can't do it!! BMW doggedly is sticking to oil control seals with only one seal edge instead of the standard two. The shaft drive of that era has a reputation of needing the rear drive unit [differencial] needing it's oil seal re-done semi annually. They have a reputation for the rear engine seal going, destroying the clutch in the process. You can't change your own brake fluid without telling the ABS computer you have put in new fluid. The EFI, after 12 yrs, is still notchy and difficult to modulate during low speed manouvers.

I could go on.

                                                                                Ciao, Steve G.

88080[/snapback]

I really like the 1200GS but I don't think I make enough money to OWN one.

[Steve G.]

I really like the 1200GS but I don't think I make enough money to OWN one. 

88082[/snapback]

Yes, they are asking silly prices for them here where I live. I would not by a new one because of the prices these days.

[Guest trispeed]

legroom's about the same, the beemer has a 'buzzier' high frequency vibration, a little more power, similar crap fuel economy, same weight, worse reliability and harder to service, more compliant suspension but surging throttle response. Oh, and it cost 50 % more.

[Admin Jaap]

I testrode both and decided for the V11... Thank God.

[Guzzirider]

I love most things about my V11 Sport, but the handling on real-world bumpy twisty roads is frustrating me. 

88030[/snapback]

 

Will probably be a lot cheaper to sort out your V11 suspension than splash out on a BMW.

[jbuzbee]

worse reliability and harder to service

 

Huh? I've had my oilhead for about 16 mos. and put 19,640 trouble free miles on it: It had the valves and the TB's done at 600 miles, and now it's probably time for another: oh and I'm going to do it myself.

 

Oh, and it cost 50 % more.

 

When I bought my R1150R a new R1100S was only $900 more than a comparable V11.

 

Will probably be a lot cheaper to sort out your V11 suspension than splash out on a BMW.

 

When the idiot in front of me took a right turn into my path about 5 yards from me the Rossa Corsa I was test riding couldn't even stay on her own two tires. My beamer doesn't have ABS and stops, handles better than my Ducati.

 

Now, I know this a Moto Guzzi Board, and it's rude to come into your house and say the things above. Because with any community it's healthy to have adversaries: it promotes comradery, and loyalty, and gives it's members something to talk about on long winter afternoons. However, what I can't understand is the attacks on your Clansmen BMW! Why not attack Honda, or Harley, or those stuck up guys over at the Aprila camp??? BMW and MG have so much in common and one day the two will share my garage - peacefully.

 

Can't we all just get along?

 

 

jb

[beauchemin]

Will probably be a lot cheaper to sort out your V11 suspension than splash out on a BMW.

88098[/snapback]

 

I agree with you. But I think I've done what anyone can reasonably be expected to do, and I don't think there's a silver bullet. I have re-sprung the front for my weight, and changed to lighter weight fluid to get the correct damping. I've replaced the shock with one that has the correct spring and damping rates. Finally, I have set the sag and fiddled with the damping. What am I missing?

[Steve G.]

Huh?  I've had my oilhead for about 16 mos. and put 19,640 trouble free miles on

Now, I know this a Moto Guzzi Board, and it's rude to come into your house and say the things above.  Because with any community it's healthy to have adversaries: it promotes comradery, and loyalty, and gives it's members something to talk about on long winter afternoons.  However, what I can't understand is the attacks on your Clansmen BMW!  Why not attack Honda, or Harley, or those stuck up guys over at the Aprila camp???  BMW and MG have so much in common and one day the two will share my garage - peacefully.

 

Can't we all just get along?

 

   

 

jb

88115[/snapback]

I'm on 3 different brand, or model specific forums, and am used to what you talk about. Remember, each forum will have a high percentage of absolutely hard core followers of that forum's claim to fame. The extremely knowledgable and highly entertaining Pete Roper may pipe in at any time describing anything not Moto Guzzi as being nothing but regurgitated camel shite! Most situations naturally develop a scapegoat, and BMW flat twins appear to be the scapegoat of this forum. And I'm ok with this. It makes a forum healthy. You should hear what the CBX boys have to say about Moto Guzzi!! And you would not want to hear what the Norton boys have to say about anything Japanese!! It makes my face blush!

Ciao, Steve G.

[mike wilson]

The extremely knowledgable and highly entertaining Pete Roper may pipe in at any time describing anything not Moto Guzzi as being nothing but regurgitated camel shite!

 

Not true. He has just recently shown a decided soft spot for Fantic Chopper mopeds. I'm not sure that one can get any softer than that.

 

mike

VMCC MZ Marque Specialist

[Guest ratchethack]

I agree with you.  But I think I've done what anyone can reasonably be expected to do, and I don't think there's a silver bullet.  I have re-sprung the front for my weight, and changed to lighter weight fluid to get the correct damping.  I've replaced the shock with one that has the correct spring and damping rates.  Finally, I have set the sag and fiddled with the damping.  What am I missing?

Not a thing, Chris. If you've done all the above properly and have a decent set of tires -- the right size for the wheels! -- this is as good as V11's are capable of, IMHO. As far as I can tell from the Guzzisti I ride with and reading posts here and on other Forums for a couple or three years, it puts you in about the top 10% of V11 owners as far as handling capability and sheer enjoyment of y'er Guzzi. Let's face it -- the remaining 90% either don't bother sorting out their suspensions because they don't care, and/or they haven't a clue how important/significant getting it properly dialed-in is to road manners, and/or it's too complex for them to understand, and/or it's more important to them to chase peaks on dyno charts...