In 1999

[Doug]

Harley sold over 177,000 bikes, and also outsold Honda along the way.

(...just a bit of trivia...)

[brians]

Good

[BillJ]

In 1999 I married my wife. On the altar were my original sponsor's copy of Alcoholics Anonymous, and a well-worn Harley shovelhead service manual, just to let everyone know where I was comin' from!
:andy:

[Doug]

Hey Bill,

what year is that 1100R? Got pics of it? (or are they already here somewhere?)

[BillJ]

Originally Posted by Doug

Hey Bill,

what year is that 1100R? Got pics of it? (or are they already here somewhere?)

Doug,

It's a 2000 model that I bought in '01. My wife couldn't pack on my ol' shovel, so we went looking for a second bike that might be more comfortable for her. None of the Harleys we tried worked, but on vacation one year we rented an R1100R in Seattle, and rode up into the Olympic peninsula. She was able to ride two long days with minimal discomfort, so we started looking at Beemers.

Turns out that the 2000 R1100R was the last year they made the passenger seat as long as that. The '01 and up Rs have shorter seats that keep her from being able to shift her weight around and reduce discomfort. We ended up buying a bike that was the exact model and color as the one we'd rented!


Here's the one we rented...


...and here's the one we bought.

The last time I tried to post a pic, some folks couldn't see it, so here's the rental pic from another source:

BTW, this was taken on the north end of the Olympic peninsula. Behind those purple flowers is the Strait of Juan de Fuca, and then Canada. Great riding!

[Doug]

Nice bike Bill, and as long as she can ride, then thats what counts. They're supposed to be nice for long hauls, and the new R1200S is supposed to be a pretty good step up from the 1100 too.

Got any thoughts or opinions about that Tele-Lever front end? Any noticable difference over standard forks when you ride it?





R1200S The seat difference is really evident now-

[recoveringnky]

Super nice bike Bill! Hope you and Jackie are out on it again soon!! I'm still working on mine. I may have to throw my hands up and ask for help before too long though! (not that I'm bull-headed or anything) LOL!!!

[BillJ]

Originally Posted by Doug

They're supposed to be nice for long hauls, and the new R1200S is supposed to be a pretty good step up from the 1100 too.

Got any thoughts or opinions about that Tele-Lever front end? Any noticable difference over standard forks when you ride it?

You're askin' a drunk for opinions? :andy:

I've ridden The Princess two-up on day-trips around Central Texas, and it's performed very well. I've also ridden solo, and loaded for camping, on several long trips to West Texas and New Mexico. It ate up the wide open space, and was a stone blast in the mountains.

Mine, which is a bone-stock 1100, can cruise for hours at 85 and 90 mph, without straining, and without much vibration. More than once I've looked down and been amazed at how far beyond the speed limit I'm traveling!

It will also get air if you come off the line too hard. Don't ask me how I know this.

The Telelever fork is great - hyper-responsive compared to my shovel's wide-glide, or any other standard hydraulic fork I've ever experienced. It travels well, and you're more likely to notice a pothole at the rear wheel than the front. With the R's good ground-clearance and tight steering, you can wail in the twisties!

Not that I would do anything like that myself.

I've only made a few adds to mine. First was a tall Parabellum windshield, which has been a huge disappointment. No matter how much I adjust it, I can never calm the buffeting behind the shield. It does keep the .38 caliber junebugs off me, but that's all I'll say for it. I may lose it at some point in the near future.

Second add was the BMW System saddlebags and Givi top case, which have been fantastic! I love being able to pop the locks and carry the entire saddlebag off like a small suitcase. Especially handy when you're motel-camping, or just want to lighten the load for some canyon-carving.

Third was a set of aftermarket footpeg mounts that put "highway pegs" on the cylinder heads, and gave me another place to put my feet on long rides. Unfortunately, my injuries prevent me from getting my feet up there anymore, so I may let them go the next time I'm wrenching on it.

BTW, I paid $60 for my peg mounts, from a fellow in California, and dropped another $22 at the dealer for pegs. BMW now offers a much fancier retrofit kit for upwards of $300, and makes the pegs standard on later model bikes.

Two adds I am currently considering are a peg lowering kit, to give my 36" inseam legs a little more room; and a sheepskin saddle cover, to keep my butt drier on long hot rides.

Other than that, I'm lovin' it!

[BillJ]

Originally Posted by recoveringnky

I may have to throw my hands up and ask for help before too long though!

Ask for help? Can we do that? :andy:

[recoveringnky]

Originally Posted by BillJ

Ask for help? Can we do that? :andy:

Yep, sure can! Pretty kewl huh?