Some people buy an R1100S because of the specifications.

Patrick bought one because he couldn’t forget how it looked.

After years of dreaming about owning a BMW boxer, he finally found a 2005 BMW R1100S in Titan Grey with Alpine White graphics. This summer it took him on the biggest motorcycle trip of his life: more than 3,200 kilometres from the Netherlands through France and Germany to the 6th European BMW R1100S Meeting in Aosta, Italy.

The mountain roads were unforgettable.

Rider Profile

Name: Patrick

Country: The Netherlands

Born: 1970

Occupation: Postman

Motorcycle: BMW R1100S (2005)

Colour: Titan Grey / Alpine White

Ownership: Third owner

Mileage: 84,000 km

It Started With an Uncle

Patrick’s motorcycle story started long before he owned one himself.

As a teenager he sometimes skipped school to borrow his uncle’s motorcycles. His uncle owned both a Moto Guzzi California III and a BMW K100LT.

“Great uncle and aunt.”

His first own bike was a Jawa 350 two-stroke, but the idea of owning a BMW boxer never disappeared.

Then He Saw the R1100S

Patrick originally thought an R1100RS would become his first boxer.

Then he discovered the R1100S.

“I saw an S. Those pipes underneath… sold.”

Like many owners, it wasn’t horsepower that convinced him.

It was the design.

More than twenty years later he still rides a completely original motorcycle with no major modifications.

Why the R1100S?

Ask Patrick what makes the bike special and the answer comes quickly.

“It steers brilliantly and is very, very stable, also in wind and rain.”

Despite its sporty appearance, he has found it surprisingly comfortable over long distances.

“It is truly a sport-tourer.”

And then there is another reason.

“Because it is not a GS… or a Harley.”

The First Real Adventure

This year’s European R1100S Meeting became much more than a weekend away.

It was Patrick’s first real motorcycle tour.

Camping.

Mountain passes.

Long days in the saddle.

New countries.

In two weeks he covered 3,245 kilometres.

His journey began with a night at Motorcamp La Grange in Lalobbe before heading south to join the European meeting in Italy.

Along the way he camped in Germany’s Black Forest at Zum Wilden Michel, one of his favourite overnight stops.

More Than DIY

Patrick originally joined the R1100S community for practical reasons.

“I started as a handy tool to get more info for DIY.”

That changed after the meeting.

“I believe I made friends.”

That sentence probably describes the European R1100S community better than anything else.

People arrive because of the motorcycle.

They return because of the people.

Why He’ll Keep It

Some motorcycles come and go.

Patrick doesn’t expect this one to.

“Because of the design and rarity.”

Simple as that.

One Last Question

How would Patrick describe the BMW R1100S in only a few words?

“Beautiful. Underestimated. For the connoisseur.”

We couldn’t have said it better ourselves.

Patrick’s Perfect Riding Day

• Temperature: 15–20°C
• Roads: Black Forest-style twisties
• Lunch: Somewhere local
• Evening: Good food and a beer with friends