Buying a classic BMW R1100S in Germany can be one of the best ways to find an exceptional example. Germany had the largest market for the model, and well-maintained bikes still appear for sale. It does, however, require planning, patience, and a willingness to travel.
This is Hugo Sørensen’s story of bringing home a beautifully restored Orange BMW R1100S.
The Search Ends in Germany
I had been looking for the right BMW R1100S for quite some time when I found one on Mobile.de.
It immediately stood out.
The bike was a 2002 BMW R1100S finished in Orange, showing 41,000 kilometres. It had recently been repainted in the original colour, looked exceptionally well maintained, and appeared to have been cared for throughout its life. It was exactly the kind of example I had hoped to find.
There was only one problem.
It was located near Zwickau, close to Leipzig in eastern Germany, about 856 km from my home in Randers. That meant hitching up a trailer and setting off on a journey of more than 1,700 kilometres.
A Long Drive for the Right Motorcycle
Buying an older motorcycle abroad is never just about handing over the money.
After twelve hours on the road, I finally met the private seller. Communication wasn’t always easy, as he spoke virtually no English, so my rather rusty German suddenly became much more useful than expected.
Fortunately, everything went smoothly.
After completing the sale, there was still one important task left before heading home. The motorcycle had to be deregistered at the local German registration office before it could legally leave the country.
Only then could the long drive back to Denmark begin.
It was a tiring day—but completely worth it.
The Bike Was Excellent… But I Still Went Through Everything
Back home, the BMW went into the garage.
It was already a very fine motorcycle, but owning an older R1100S means more than simply trusting previous maintenance. Preventive work today often prevents expensive repairs tomorrow.
So I went through the motorcycle from front to back.
The first upgrades included:
- Replacing the original rubber brake hoses with stainless steel braided lines.
- Installing a new clutch slave cylinder.
- Replacing all fuel hoses, both inside and outside the fuel tank.
- Upgrading to the later cam chain tensioner.
- Installing a new Hall Effect Sensor.
None of these jobs are unusual on an older Oilhead. In fact, they’re among the first things every new owner should consider.
For anyone buying an R1100S today, these are some of the most important reliability upgrades you can make.
Taking It One Step Further
Some of the work wasn’t strictly necessary.
But I wanted complete peace of mind.
So while the motorcycle was apart, I also installed:
- A complete new clutch.
- A Tractive suspension system.
Neither upgrade was essential at the time, but I prefer knowing that everything underneath me is in first-class condition.
The result is a motorcycle that feels better than new and should remain reliable for many years to come.
Ready for Danish Roads
With the mechanical work completed, the final step was registering the bike in Denmark and receiving Danish number plates.
After a long journey, plenty of workshop hours and a series of preventative upgrades, the project was finished.
Today, the Mandarin Orange R1100S sits in my garage exactly as I wanted it:
A classic BMW sports boxer that is ready for many thousands of kilometres, without me having to wonder what the previous owner may have overlooked.
Sometimes the best motorcycle isn’t the one closest to home.
Sometimes it’s the one worth driving 2,000 kilometres to bring back.
Buying an R1100S? Learn from Hugo’s Experience
If you’re considering buying a BMW R1100S—especially one imported from Germany—don’t just admire the paintwork.
Inspect or replace the known weak points before you start riding:
- Clutch slave cylinder
- Original rubber brake lines
- Fuel hoses inside and outside the tank
- Hall Effect Sensor
- Left-side cam chain tensioner
Doing this once gives you a motorcycle you can simply enjoy for years.
And that’s exactly what Hugo achieved.
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