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the more comfortable it got. Never
dreamed I'd want one, but it sure got me thinking. However,
I'm a Boxer kind of guy. There's just something about
the timeless design of Max Friz that seems so "right"
to me. I admire the engineering, appreciate the "character"
and most of all enjoy the "feel" of BMW's
Boxer twins. I enjoy doing most of my own routine maintenance,
and I am familiar and comfortable with the Oilheads.
There was just enough time for one final little "test
ride" on the R 1100 S ...
Can you see where this is leading? Perhaps you, too,
should re-examine this underappreciated Oilhead. I've
found it to be a great sport-touring mount, and even
managed to squeeze 185 miles out of its small tank Perhaps
the tank was chosen to give older riders more opportunities
to stretch. I still wish it were larger, but every bike
is a compromise and this one has
many strengths to offset this deficiency.
While the R 1100 S boasts impressive aerodynamic refinement,
there is still room for improvement. The stock short
windshield and the taller BMW "touring" shield
both provide a buffet-free helmet environment, but there
is still considerable wind pressure felt on the torso
at higher speeds. This wind pressure can be significantly
reduced by fitting an even taller Touring Windshield,
one of four R 1100 S windshield designs now available
from Oil Rag advertiser Cee Bailey's Aircraft Plastics.
As the pictures show, the Cee Bailey's Touring Windshield
follows the countours of the the BMW touring windscreen,
but it extends and "flares" at
the top by several inches.
Clif's R 1100 S with Cee Bailey's Touring Shield
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The somewhat funky appearance
of this shield will not be embraced by all riders, and
I admit to being more than a little skeptical that a windshield
with so much flar on the trailing edge could provide a
quiet "pocket" for the rider. Boy was I surprised!
Pressure in the chest area is significantly reduced, and
airflow around the helmet and faceshield remains completely
smooth, allowing for long periods of comfortable Autobahn
cruising. At triple-digit speeds the shield flexes down
a bit, partially covering the top of the speedometer and
tachometer, but the airflow remains smooth and the bike
securely planted.
In addition to greater comfort, some riders report an
increase in top speed while using this windshield. While
I can "neither confirm nor deny" such reports,
the shield does seem to provide a significant reduction
in aerodynamic drag, and it "feels" like it
accelerates more quickly at higher speeds. One final disclaimer:
Flashing blue lights that may appear in your mirrors while
using this shield remain completely your responsibility.
Cee Bailey's Touring Windshield for the R 1100 S will
not be the first choice for around-town riding as so much
air pressure is removed from the rider at speeds below
about 60 mph that wrist pressure from the leanforward
riding position may become uncomfortable. In its element
out on the freeway, however, it shines.
U.S. sales of BMW's beautiful R 1100 S have been disappointing,
and prices of used S-bikes tend to be lower than those
of their more popular Oilhead sisters. Can you see the
opportunity here? Many clean, low-mileage examples from
every year since 1999 are out there awaiting savvy buyers.
A little time spent searching the Internet will reward
the prospective buyer with a number of affordable choices.
Do you prefer ABS II, non-ABS, or the new ABS III with
servo-assisted, partially linked brakes? Do you prefer
high or low handlebars? Footpeg-lowering kits are available
for inseam-gifted riders. Aftermarket seats and suspension
components are popular additions. Full-size System Cases
like those on the RT provide plenty of carrying capacity
for the touring rider, but they are quite wide. Many S-riders
choose the narrower City Lids for commuting and short
trips.
Don't wait too long, however. BMW is bringing the "BoxerCup"
series to Daytona for Bike Week this year, so interest
in the S may be rekindled. It's a surprisingly capable
machine, great fun to ride, and a worthy successor to
the legendary R 90 S. |
