BMW lifer thinking of making the S3 plunge. Can I live with this bike?

[MassiveAttack]

Hi folks! You all have a fantastic forum here. I've been lurking for a few weeks now.

I'm looking for some advice from those of you commute with your S3. I'm a veteran rider, and have always used my bikes as tools more than toys/hobbies. Heck, I haven't even owned a car since some time in the 90's. Because of my daily demands the BMW was a natural choice and has never let me down over 15 years and four separate machines (would switch out of boredom more than need). For me, the appliance-like functionality of those bikes was a real badge of pride, if not exactly inspiring or sexy.
Well, a few months ago I had an encounter with an '03 Speed Triple, and that little bast**d really gave me a visceral thrill. I've been obsessing over it since, often losing sleep while that thing growls and whines in my thoughts. I crawl out of bed and fire up the computer so I can look at more pics. It's every bit as maddening as an unfulfilled lust for a woman you don't have.

Problem: I can't afford two bikes. Not unless it's medically possible to survive on nothing but mac 'n cheese for the next six months.
So here is the biggie - how confident can I be in this machine as my primary method of transportation? I've read less than inspiring accounts but am not sure if they are from a pissed off and therefore vocal minority. I am looking at used but low-mileage examples and will fly-n-buy this month unless any of you can offer some caution as to why the S3 may not be a good daily mount.

Some relevant details:
Riding style: Urban commando mostly w/ monthly day trips to carve out some miles and smiles. Occasional touring (can live with some discomfort in this area). Last rig was a '99 R1150RT. I'm 35 and not a squid ...it's funny because most people spend their youth on hooligan bikes and then graduate to a more staid mount. I'm trying to do the opposite

Thanks for the input!

ps - almost forgot - my budget these days is 6k, which will get a good low-mileage example. Any input on particular model years with subtle changes that may be more suitable for my style is also appreciated!

[DEcosse]

Riding style: Urban commando mostly w/ monthly day trips to carve out some miles and smiles. Occasional touring (can live with some discomfort in this area)

Checks the boxes well here.

Worth checking out the Sprint also - different ergos but same motor. So the subtle differences may give you a preference of one vs the other.

[oil-spitn-rat]

Suspension on the S3 is ok at best, the further back you go in model year the worse it gets. These suspension bugaboos can be over come with $$ and help from racetech. You can look at spending 500-1500+ to get a good result. Height and weight are factors here. The oem stuff is just poor. Bar options are another factor here too. I have rizomo bars and a bar snake and find the ride to be ok coupled with a corbin seat (this is an 01 bike). But the ride can be a bit brutal on crappy surfaces. I need about $1000 bucks and then some for front end upgrades and rear shock mods. Not really worth it frankly. The newly issued bike are meant to have a great ride and better adjustabilty. Motorcyclist has reviewed both the Street Triple and the S3 with good reviews on suspension and handling. If I were to buy another triple I'd go for the new Street Trip, if I could find one made in the UK and not Thailand... I don't know if that animal exists as most bonnes and other models are Thai made. That decision to move ops to Thailand put me off new Triumph models for good.

Kinda funny how I can across this post as I've been looking for a long hauler/commuter and BMW has been on the top of my list. I've been needing a change and while I love my Hinckley bikes I find them to be a 150mile per day bike at best.

[MassiveAttack]

Originally Posted by DEcosse

Checks the boxes well here.

Worth checking out the Sprint also - different ergos but same motor. So the subtle differences may give you a preference of one vs the other.

Thanks for the reply! But if I'm defecting to Triumph for a few years it's most definitely going to be the S3. Even with similar performance, the Sprint is missing something. I do love the hard pannier option though (I routinely fit a 12 pack of bottled beer in most BMW cases, with room left over for chips!). Definitely a sacrifice but I'm willing to make it for the raw emotion of the Speed Triple.

[MassiveAttack]

Originally Posted by oil-spitn-rat

Suspension on the S3 is ok at best, the further back you go in model year the worse it gets. These suspension bugaboos can be over come with $$ and help from racetech. You can look at spending 500-1500+ to get a good result. Height and weight are factors here. The oem stuff is just poor. Bar options are another factor here too. I have rizomo bars and a bar snake and find the ride to be ok coupled with a corbin seat (this is an 01 bike). But the ride can be a bit brutal on crappy surfaces. I need about $1000 bucks and then some for front end upgrades and rear shock mods. Not really worth it frankly. The newly issued bike are meant to have a great ride and better adjustabilty. Motorcyclist has reviewed both the Street Triple and the S3 with good reviews on suspension and handling. If I were to buy another triple I'd go for the new Street Trip, if I could find one made in the UK and not Thailand... I don't know if that animal exists as most bonnes and other models are Thai made. That decision to move ops to Thailand put me off new Triumph models for good.

Kinda funny how I can across this post as I've been looking for a long hauler/commuter and BMW has been on the top of my list. I've been needing a change and while I love my Hinckley bikes I find them to be a 150mile per day bike at best.

EXACTLY the sort of reply I was looking for! Thanks. I'm still leaning towards the S3, though, heh

And if you're serious about a long hauler/commuter, BMW has earned every bit of the reputation. Maintained properly, they cannot be killed. I once had a K1100RS still running well at a spot over 100k. I gave the dude my email address and asked him to let me know when the cases finally needed to be split, and that was four years ago. Haven't heard from him (though he probably just didn't care to email). When I asked about reliability of the Triple, I'm definitely not expecting that sort of longevity. Just looking more for day-to-day reliability over the span of two or three years, at which point I'll sell it for whatever it's worth by then.

[mnhoulden]

Originally Posted by MassiveAttack

(I routinely fit a 12 pack of bottled beer in most BMW cases, with room left over for chips!). Definitely a sacrifice but I'm willing to make it for the raw emotion of the Speed Triple.

This bike does it all...long, short, fast, hard! AND with the right bag you'll get 24 tall bois AND 2 cartons of cigs!

[cave1]

I have a 77 R100S that just turned 109K. I treated it by putting a new timing chain and crank gear on it, then ran it 1000 mi. r/t to New Orleans. The bottom end hasn't ever been touched on that bike. I don't expect my '97 T509 to exhibit that kind of longevity, but it has 24K mi on it, and has been stone reliable in the 3 years or so that I've had it. With a Corbin seat on it, 500 mi. days are fine. Not plush, but fine. There's about enough room to carry a cheeseburger on the bike stock, but I use Luggage Locker tank and tail bags to commute with (to carry stuff for work, coffee, and gym clothes), and a Ventura rack and pack for longer hauls. The S3 works well as an all-purpose mount. You'll likely be looking at newer models, but they are going to be at least as flexible and easy to live with as my T509, and probably more so.

[MassiveAttack]

Originally Posted by mnhoulden

This bike does it all...long, short, fast, hard! AND with the right bag you'll get 24 tall bois AND 2 cartons of cigs!

See, now you're speaking my language. B/w that and some soft luggage on the rear I can make a decent grocery run! But mainly I'm good with just beer.

Originally Posted by cave1

I have a 77 R100S that just turned 109K. I treated it by putting a new timing chain and crank gear on it, then ran it 1000 mi. r/t to New Orleans. The bottom end hasn't ever been touched on that bike. I don't expect my '97 T509 to exhibit that kind of longevity, but it has 24K mi on it, and has been stone reliable in the 3 years or so that I've had it. With a Corbin seat on it, 500 mi. days are fine. Not plush, but fine. There's about enough room to carry a cheeseburger on the bike stock, but I use Luggage Locker tank and tail bags to commute with (to carry stuff for work, coffee, and gym clothes), and a Ventura rack and pack for longer hauls. The S3 works well as an all-purpose mount. You'll likely be looking at newer models, but they are going to be at least as flexible and easy to live with as my T509, and probably more so.

Appreciate the luggage info. That would definitely be my first purchase the next day. I was a bit bummed to find that pre-'07 Triples have a plastic tank, severely limiting bag options should I find a good deal on such a model year. Also, straps just look terrible but oh well.
It's nice to hear that you've put 3 trouble-free years on an older model, 'cos that's precisely what I have in mind. Don't really care if the motor itself lasts until 50k, because I'll have moved on by then. But no one likes being stuck with a bike that has electrical issues or the other crap that keeps you from getting where you need to go. I can do some moderate repairs but the idea is to not be stuck in the first place. Thanks for the reply.

/btw, how did like the roads in New Orleans? I'm from there. Great place to live life - abysmal on a bike

[maverick48]

I got my S3 dec 07 and clocked up 20,000K in year one. Have toured on it (whole east coast of Aust) and its perfect. Yes there is a bit of wind blast... but roll the wrist in 6th gear on the open road and the smile will help you forget Around town its a hoot... you wont be able to resist power wheelies away from the lights. For luggage... get a ventura rack and your set. The seat is seriously comfy too.... standard. My neck hurts from the wind long before the butt does.

Only downsides? No helmet lock is a big one if your commuting.. Suspension is not too bad really. Ok its found wanting on the limit, but otherwise its fine. The standard tyres are pretty soft too... great for scratching, but id suggest going for a sport touring tyre at first change (like a pilot road)

As for reliability... I can only speak for my bike... its never missed a beat. Been perfect.

[MassiveAttack]

Originally Posted by maverick48

Around town its a hoot... you wont be able to resist power wheelies away from the lights...

...Only downsides? No helmet lock is a big one if your commuting..

I never learned how to wheelie! No, seriously, I suck. I've just never owned a bike that would do it effortlessly so I never bothered trying. The whole internet seems to agree though...the S3 around town is just tons of smiles. That's exactly what I need! When the time does come to tour, I can take the discomfort and fatigue since it'll be somewhat a rarity.
The thing that bothered me about the R1150RT (not the bike's fault) is that I had all of this touring and two-up prowess, but I only used it for it's intended purpose maybe once per year, so I basically spent a few years wasting the machine's reason for existence. Meanwhile, I'm all over the city where I could be having a serious amount of fun with the S3.

No helmet lock? Damn, that's harsh. I'm glad you mentioned that b/c I just assumed that all bikes had one. That means I have to be that one a**bag who carries his helmet with him everywhere because he wants people to know he rides a bike?