As per the title really, 1100s' seem to be nearly £2k more than the 1000, whats the consensus here is the Ohlins & extra capacity worth the additional ££? Also can you lower these bikes? At 5ft 8 with a 30 inch inside leg they look a tad intimidating to me. Ta
I owned a 1000DS up until earlier this year when I replaced it with a 1200, they are great bikes but bear in mind that the newest one you can get is going to be around 15 years old now so they're getting on a bit. I've ridden 1100's and there's not a huge difference in power between them, it's only around 5bhp if I remember right. If you can find a well cared for 1000 DS then you'll likely have a good one but it helps if you're handy with the spanners on these older bikes. The standard suspension is perfectly adequate, they can be thrown around like a big supermoto and not get out of shape, the Ohlins should obviously be better but I never felt the need for it and I used to ride my DS pretty hard. Don't let higher mileage put you off if well cared for and well serviced. I've seen 1100's on ebay for as little as £2500 but as much as £4500, I've seen 1000's for anywhere between £800 and £3500, price depends on spec, luggage etc. If you can stretch the finances to an 1100 you'll have much better wet clutch and generally a newer bike. The rear can be lowered quite a lot with the standard adjuster rod, five minute job if not seized.
re: lowering - in theory, you are supposed to be able to lower seat height approx 12 mm on average (would have been more if they'd sited the weldnut differently) without resorting to suspension geometry** changes, but the tanks are often so distorted that part of tank touches frame before the rubber adjuster feet do/were intended to. It doesn't hurt to lower slightly by** if necessary.
There isn't a lot of foam at the front or rear of the seat, I had one in bits to add a gel pad, around 20mm front and rear so not worth trying to cut down. You can reduce the rear a fair way with the adjuster bar, I've also heard of people cutting the adjuster down to lose even more height, you would have to be careful of fouling something if attempting that though.
Bought my 100ds 04 plate, dry stored with 4.5k on the clock. £3k with panniers. Done another 5k in 10 months.. All the carbon bits, MRA screen, top box, gel seat. Best £/mile bike I have owned in 40 years. Rolling road makes the same bhp as the 1100 at the wheel, dry clutch v wet clutch and termigonni slip on. Iridium plugs with K&N. Light,quick in an old fashioned way, lot of bike little money.
