Seduced by the Dark Side. To buy or not to buy, that is the question.

[rbm]

I feel like I am being seduced by the dark side!  My buddy just picked up a 94 R1100RS for a song and is offering to to me.  It's soo nice in the pictures. What to do; buy it or not?  I know this is a facetious question because only I can decide that.

[Laitch]

Listen to Uncle Chris until approximately 0:26. He'll clear your vision. 

[rbm]

Ooohh, that pricked up my ears.  Catch fire is left to idle? Wow.  thanks Laitch.

[Laitch]

As long as you're not idling the engine while you're leaning against your motorcycle smoking a fag and hassling the general public in your thug persona, rbm, everything should be OK. Nomex riding pants might be considered though. 

[Scott_]

I've had my '97 R1100RT since August of last year.
Though it only had 48K miles on it when I bought it, the more I was going thru repairing items it was obvious that it was not cared for at all. The individual I got it from had given it some TLC, he was far from having it road worthy.... (maybe why he was selling it, but he wouldn't admit it)
Like quite some other RT's and RSL's this RT had been left to set at idle for an extended period of time at least once, or more. How do I know? Well, the plastic down below and around the exhaust header pipe was well cooked and shows signs of deforming/heat exposure. I can't imagine this would happen just by riding it.

RBM, the one in your post looks like it has been taken care of, I wouldn't be afraid of it.

I was slightly surprised how many of the K1100 bike system/parts were also used on these R1100 bikes. Even if all the parts may not be interchangeable, at least the design was similar to the K. IE the brake system, para-lever drive line.

The more I ride mine, the more I'm liking it..

[caveman]

Rob,
My brother bought a basket case one a few years ago (it now belongs to my nephew and he loves it). Had all the same problems that a k bike has if left sitting to long, goo in tank, injectors with poor spray pattern, all the normal stuff. Personally I did not care for it but it was interesting. One thing to look at is the wiring harness at the hall effect sender they have the tendency to brake down from the heat so you may want to look at that. Also even with good injectors and throttle body rebuild and balance it would still serge a bit when at cruising speed. And the starter motors often get loose magnets in case and drag to the point of no start if not fixed.
I say get it and fix it up a bit and if you don't warm up to it flip it.

[beemuker]

I just sold a 94 R!!00RS and bought a 00 R1100RT. I also have a  93 K1100LT. The R's are a different machine. They feel like a motorcycle , and  While missing the smoothness of the K engine, they handle brilliantly and have plenty of usable power.I like them both but they are a bit redundant as both are touring.. I'll eventually sell one, but at this point I don't know which. I like the white color, good one for FL. Try it, you may like it, a lot.