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2003 BMW R 1100S Overview
BMW R 1100S is a sport touring motorcycle, displacing 1085 cc. Power comes from a Two cylinder boxer engine running OHC valve actuation, a compression ratio of 11.3:1. Bore and stroke come in at 99 x 70.5 mm. On the performance side, it delivers 71.4 kW @ 7500 rpm of peak power and 97 Nm of torque. Top speed is factory-quoted at 227 km/h. On the road, the 2003 R 1100S tips the scales at 236 kg, carries an 18-litre fuel tank, offers a seat height of 800 mm and spans a 1478 mm wheelbase. That's roughly 6.4 kg lighter than the average sport touring motorcycle in our database. The full 2003 BMW R 1100S spec sheet below covers every technical detail, from suspension travel to tyre sizes.
2003 BMW R 1100S compared with other bikes in the Sport touring category
We checked the recorded figures for the 2003 BMW R 1100S against up to 562 bikes in the Sport touring category in our database, counting each model once at the model year nearest to this one.
- Only 145 of the other 561 bikes in the Sport touring category have a larger engine displacement than the 1085 cc of the R 1100S.
- With 227 km/h, the R 1100S has the joint 102nd highest top speed of 329 bikes in the Sport touring category, 10% above the category average of 207 km/h.
- Seat height of 800 mm is lower than that of 221 of the other 363 bikes in the Sport touring category.
- Narrowing the field to the 117 models within five model years of it, the engine displacement of 1085 cc is larger than that of 68 of the other 116.
Versus the 2002 model
Compared with the 2002 model, top speed increased from 219 km/h to 227 km/h (+8 km/h). Peak power, peak torque, wet weight, displacement and seat height are unchanged.
2003 R 1100S - Pros & Cons
Strengths
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⚡
Strong power output: With 71.4 kW @ 7500 rpm and 97 Nm of torque on tap, the R 1100S is no slouch for its class.
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🔧
Fuel injection: Fuel injection means consistent cold starts and clean throttle response without the fussiness of a carbureted setup.
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🛑
Strong front braking: Stopping power up front is strong thanks to the disc setup, with plenty of room to upgrade further with braided lines.
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⛽
Large fuel range: An 18-litre tank means fewer stops on longer rides - a genuine plus for touring or a lengthy daily commute.
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⚙️
Low-maintenance final drive: Running a shaft final drive cuts out the regular chain cleaning and tensioning that most bikes need.
Considerations
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ℹ️
Age-related wear: Nothing specific stands out as a weak point on the R 1100S - the usual used-bike checks (service history, consumables, tyres) apply.
Wear Points & Servicing Notes
Heat management in traffic
Because the R 1100S relies on airflow rather than a coolant jacket, expect noticeably more radiant heat at low speed and in traffic. It's inherent to air cooling, and ventilated gear largely offsets it.
Fuelling & injector care
The Bosch fuel injection on the R 1100S needs little beyond good fuel and periodic use of an injector-cleaner additive - no jetting or float-bowl maintenance to worry about.
Brake disc and pad wear
Braking up front comes from 2 x 320mm discs, 4 piston calipers - solid stopping power, with disc and pad wear best checked on the same schedule as tyre changes.
Suspension condition on used examples
The R 1100S's suspension runs Motorrad Telelever, stanchion diameter 35mm, central strut, rebound damping adjustable at the front. The rear uses Paralever, central strut, spring preload adjustable to continuously variable levels by mean of a hydraulic handwheel, rebound adjustable damping. Fork-seal condition and rear linkage play are the two things worth checking before buying used.
Final drive maintenance
The R 1100S uses shaft final drive: essentially maintenance-free day to day, with periodic gear-oil changes the only real service item.
Frame & chassis check
Built around a Three section composite frame consisting of front & rear section, load bearing engine, the R 1100S's chassis is straightforward to inspect: look for corrosion, cracks or repair welds around stress points like the head-stock and swingarm mounts.
Handling the weight at a standstill
236 kg puts the R 1100S toward the heavier end of its class. It's most noticeable at walking pace; once underway the mass settles into the handling rather than fighting it.
R 1100S - Buying & Maintenance Guide
What to check before buying
Before handing over money for a used 2003 BMW R 1100S with its 1085 cc sport touring, cover the fundamentals: service book and oil change history, drivetrain wear, and any sign of oil weeping around the casings. This model runs shaft final drive, so ask for proof the shaft-drive gear oil has been changed on schedule - it's easy to overlook since there's no chain to draw attention to it. Now 23 years old, this sport touring is as likely to show age-related wear (perished rubber, seized fasteners, degraded seals) as mileage-related wear. Cold-starting it yourself tells you a lot - a healthy R 1100S should catch quickly and settle into a smooth idle.
Oil and filter changes
Nothing protects the R 1100S's 1085 cc two cylinder boxer like disciplined oil changes - stay on the manufacturer's schedule (roughly every 6,000 km or annually). With an 11.3:1 compression ratio, running the octane grade specified in the manual matters more than on a lower-compression engine. Match the viscosity grade to what the owner's manual specifies, not what's cheapest.
Fuel system care
Fuel injection on the R 1100S needs little attention beyond decent fuel and an occasional system-cleaner additive. Anything left standing for three months or more should have its fuel drained and replaced before it varnishes the injectors.
2003 BMW R 1100S - Frequently Asked Questions
What engine does the 2003 BMW R 1100S have?
The 2003 BMW R 1100S uses a Two cylinder boxer engine with 1085 cc of displacement. It is air/oil cooled.
What is the top speed of the 2003 BMW R 1100S?
The 2003 BMW R 1100S has a factory-quoted top speed of 227 km/h. Real-world speeds vary depending on rider weight, conditions and state of tune.
How much does the 2003 BMW R 1100S weigh?
The 2003 BMW R 1100S weighs 236 kg. This is the manufacturer's wet figure.
How much power does the 2003 BMW R 1100S make?
The 2003 BMW R 1100S produces 71.4 kW @ 7500 rpm of power and 97 Nm of torque. These are peak figures.
What is the fuel tank capacity of the 2003 BMW R 1100S?
The 2003 BMW R 1100S has an 18-litre fuel tank. At around 5-6 litres per 100 km, that is roughly 300-360 km between stops.
Is the 2003 BMW R 1100S suitable for shorter riders?
The 2003 BMW R 1100S has a seat height of 800 mm. This is a moderate seat height that suits a wide range of rider heights.
What brakes does the 2003 BMW R 1100S have?
The 2003 BMW R 1100S uses 2 x 320mm discs, 4 piston calipers at the front and single 276mm disc, 2 piston caliper at the rear.
What tyre sizes does the 2003 BMW R 1100S use?
The 2003 BMW R 1100S runs 120/70-ZR17 front and 160/60-ZR18 rear tyres. A good selection of sport, touring and all-weather rubber is available in these sizes.
What gearbox does the 2003 BMW R 1100S have?
The 2003 BMW R 1100S is fitted with a 6 Speed transmission.
BMW R 1100S Spec Evolution
The BMW R 1100S was produced across 4 model years (2000-2006). The table below highlights the key specifications that changed across the production run - useful whether you are comparing years or tracking down a specific variant.
| Specification |
2000 |
2002 |
2004 |
2006 |
| Dry Weight |
237 kg / 522.5 lbs |
229 kg / 505 lbs |
229 kg / 505 lbs |
229 kg / 505 lbs |
| Engine Type |
Two cylinder boxer, four-stroke |
Two cylinder boxer, four-stroke |
Two cylinder boxer |
Two cylinder boxer |
| Top Speed |
225.0 km/h / 139.8 mph |
218.7 km/h / 135.9 mph |
227 km/h / 141 mph |
227 km/h / 141 mph |
| Seat Height |
800 mm / 31.4 in |
800 mm / 31.4 in |
800 mm / 31.4 in |
800 mm / 31.4 in |
| Fuel Capacity |
18.00 litres / 4.76 gallons |
18 Litres / US 4.76 gal |
18 Litres / US 4.76 gal |
18 Litres / US 4.76 gal |
| Brakes - Front Diameter (mm) |
310 mm |
305 mm |
320 mm |
305 mm |
| Brakes - Front Diameter (in.) |
12.2 inches |
12.0 inches |
12.6 inches |
12.0 inches |
| Fuel Control |
- |
- |
OHC |
SOHC |
Key Specifications
Engine
Two cylinder boxer
Power
71.4 kW / 98 hp @ 7500 rpm
Torque
97 Nm / 9.9 kgf-m / 71.5 lb-ft.@ 5750 rpm
Top Speed
227 km/h / 141 mph
Fuel Capacity
18 Litres / US 4.76 gal
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Full 2003 BMW R 1100S Specifications
Year
2003 - 04
Make
BMW
Model
R 1100S
Colours
Gray, Red, Gray/Mandarin, Blue
Make Model
BMW R 1100S
Seat Heigth -Alternate (in.)
33.3 inches
Seat Heigth -Alternate (mm)
845 mm
Seat Height
800 mm / 31.4 in
Wheelbase
1478 mm / 58.2 in
Height
1160 mm / 45.6 in
Length
2180 mm / 85.8 in
Width
880 mm / 34.6 in
Dry Weight
229 kg / 505 lbs
Fuel Capacity
18 Litres / US 4.76 gal
Wet Weight
236 kg / 520 lbs
Engine Type
Two cylinder boxer
Stroke
70.5 mm
Fuel Control
OHC
Displacement (ci)
66.21 cubic inches
Bore x Stroke (in,)
3.9 x 2.8 inches
Bore x Stroke (mm)
99.0 x 70.5 mm
Displacement (cc)
1085.00 cc
Displacement
1085 cc / 66.2 cu in
Engine Detail
Four stroke, two cylinder horizontally opposed Boxer, 4 valves per cylinder
Fuel System
Injection
Bore x Stroke
99 x 70.5 mm
Compression Ratio
11.3:1
Cooling System
Air/Oil cooled
Fuel Consumption
6.0 L/100 km / 16.6 km/l / 39.0 US mpg
Fuel Induction
Bosch fuel injection
Fuel Reserve
4 Litres / 1.05 US gal
Ignition
Bosch electronic
Lubrication
Wet sump
Starter
Electric
Valve System
4
Battery Capacity
12 V, 14 Ah (special equipment: 12V, 19 Ah)
Clutch
Dry, single plate
Final Drive
Shaft
Gear Ratios
1st 2.050 / 2nd 1.600 / 3rd 1.270 / 4th 1.040 / 5th 0.900 / 6th 0.800
Gearbox
6-speed
Transmission / Drive
6 Speed
Frame Type
Three section composite frame consisting of front & rear section, load bearing engine
Suspension - Front
Motorrad Telelever, stanchion diameter 35mm, central strut, rebound damping adjustable.
Suspension - Rear
Paralever, central strut, spring preload adjustable to continuously variable levels by mean of a hydraulic handwheel, rebound adjustable damping.
Wheel Travel - Front
110 mm / 4.3 in
Wheel Travel - Rear
130 mm / 5.1 in
Brakes - Front Diameter (in.)
12.6 inches
Brakes - Rear Diameter (mm)
276 mm
Brakes - Front Diameter (mm)
320 mm
Brakes - Rear Diameter (in.)
10.9 inches
Brakes - Front
2 x 320mm discs, 4 piston calipers
Brakes - Rear
Single 276mm disc, 2 piston caliper
Rims - Front
3.50 x 17"
Rims - Rear
5.00 x 17" (special equipment: 5.50 x 17")
Tyres - Front
120/70-ZR17
Tyres - Rear
160/60-ZR18
Wheel Ratio - Rear
1:2.81
Wheels
Die cast aluminium wheels
Specifications are compiled from manufacturer documentation and cross-referenced
technical sources, and corrected on an ongoing basis.
Spot an error? Let us know.
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