BellsBCR

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The first time I ever saw a BCR

I remember it like it was yesterday! Larz Anderson Euro day, there it was under a tent. At the time I was so deep into Ducati that looking at a BMW seemed like a total waste of time but I was impressed by the bikes cross section of BMW reliability and Ducati influenced styling. The Single sided swingarm, pipes under the seat, two up riding was and still is a great matching of two worlds.

The BCR was a bike wrapped around a formula race program BMW created called the Boxer Cup. The bike has higher power (98HP), more aggressive positioning, Floating front brake rotors, Custom body work with a belly pan and a higher ride hight than the standard R1100S (which is also a great bike). The bike came in two models: Randy Mamola and the RED / WHITE / BLUE units. BMW made 2,350 of these bikes with the US getting 800, 500 Randy's and 300 Red / White and Blues. Of all the builds in the US, 150 had antilock with heated grips.

Here is the sales brochure for the bike, showing the R/W/B unit.

I didn't buy one then but I never forgot the bike. A year or two later a friend (Who's nickname is "Bells", hence the name) was looking for a bike and the BCR was the one for him, or so I had decided. He loved the idea of the bike after I showed him a few pics, so we started looking and found one in Chicago which we shipped to RI. When he received the bike I said, "if you ever want to sell that thing, call me first".

He rode the bike for 15 years and then sure enough, he called me and said he was thinking of selling the BCR. I took my wife on our second date on this bike so in my mind I had to have it. Little did I know this was the beginning of bikes coming back into my life!

This bike was a 2004 #139 with heated grips and ABS (which is rare for the BCR), Randy Mamola model which is white and blue, carrying two matching blue wheels and no red. One small change to the bike was the removal of the original Lazer exhaust, replaced with a Two Brothers cat delete kit.

Personally I really like the Red White and Blue schemes but that was not in the cards but this is where I went with the white rear wheel, it was standard on many of them (But a pain to keep clean!)

Here she is as delivered in March of 2023.

Right away, it was clear a lot of things needed work. The brakes and clutch were mucked up, tires were hard and the suspension was toast (Sachs crap). Additionally I was never going to use the bags so I removed the carriers from the bike completely. At the time I was able to source an ohlins rear for the bike and installed it, knowing it was not the correct length for the bike but it was better (and taller) than the OEM rear shock after being used for 20 years.

Getting into the bike 03/2026

In March of 2026 I decided to dive into the bike and give it the treatment it deserved. After finding a very hard to source adjustable front ohlins from Japan, I knew it was time to pull the bike into the shop and goto town.

Having all the parts (or most of them) I took the entire bike apart and started in on it. Before kicking this off, I sent the front and rear suspension out to Superbike Services for a full refresh.

One never sees an R1100 in pieces, they are strange to see really. With the a-arm front, it is a real JOY working on the suspension. Also strange to see the actual fuel tank without the plastic shroud.

Nothing better than a table of parts ready to go in. Parts for these bikes are getting hard to source. The rear ohlins came from Australia while the front came from Japan! Luckily Tim@SuperBike Services can work on any ohlins.

As mentioned, I hated the dark rear wheel, it toned down one of the best parts of the bike. On the final year R/W/B bikes, they ran a blue front with a white rear and I loved it, opted to PC my rear. Added Breaking wave rotors for a more Agro look and better cooling and bite. I usually hate these rotors but on this bike they work well as the rotor is basically an extension of the wheel, not a stand alone part that catches the eye.

EBC pads are some of my favorites. I don't ride in the rain so that is one of their major down sides (less bite when wet) but they run very clean and bite well.

Rolled out and looking good 06/2026

After this round of work I was very excited to get out and ride the bike. Fixing the ride hight and getting an ohlins in the front made a noticeable impact. Along with the removal of the tail blinkers and new brakes, the bike was just about done.

The summer of 2026 I rode this bike a lot, much as my get around. The ride hight fix was worth the wait, she turns in like a pro now. For those out there with R1100S bikes, get ohlins and raise her up, you will not regret it.

One more itch to scratch 09/2026

One thing I recall from the time these bikes were released was that StainTune made a very good exhaust system for the bike. The bike had a replacement exhaust system from Two Brothers but I never loved the look, the sound or the power from them.

The downside of this itch was two fold: The Staintune system was a $2.5-$3K option new AND they are impossible to find these days. Many will tell you I have a serious issue with Ebay but sometimes it pays off. After passing on a few systems over the past 4 years due to cost, location and import duties, one popped up in "decent" shape state side. I jumped on it as fast as I could!

After fighting with the bike for 4 hours, I was able to get the new system on. One of the major differences of the Two Brothers / Staintune systems is that the Two Brothers was a mimmic of the OEM Laser but without the mixing catalytic: These are both two-into-one-into-two, neither doing any justice to the big ass 1100 in the bike. Also, the Laser and Two Brothers build quality was crap and the mufflers looked like shit on the bike, far to modern.

The Staintune system is a very high quality product, is a full 2 x 2 system with devoted feeding both the baffles. Additionally the Mufflers look like the OEM units but deliver great power and sound like anything but a BMW! I am very very happy to have this final part of the puzzle.

The final part of the bike should be here anyday, a proper seat. The OEM seat is a pile of shit!

Final Pictures 10/2026

With all the parts in and a few hours to work on the BCR, I was able to get it done. At this time I feel the bike is right where I have always wanted it. The Suspension, the exhaust, the seat, the braking, the look of the bike are all aligned. If I come across a period correct seat cowl I will jump all over it but I have been looking for 4 years so far and no dice. One day.

When I have some time I will replace the headers, repaint the belly pan and a few other bits but the chances are low I will get around to it!

The bike rides perfectly and is as fun as a tractor can be.

Specifications

Frame and subframe: 2004 BMW R1100S (#139 of 300) 
Engine: Air cooled 4v BMW 1100S
Bodywork: BMW Boxer Cup Replika OEM
Front suspension: Ohlins adjustable 
Rear Suspension: Ohlins adjustable, maxed out for length
Front Brakes: BMW Brembo calipers / Galfer Breaking wave rotors / Galfer braided lines
Rear Brakes: BMW Brembo / OEM / Galfer braided lines
Steering Damper: BMW OEM
Wheels: OEM, Rear powder coated white
Exhaust: Staintune full system, cat delete. 
Tail: BMW BCR OEM, custom plate mount, integrated blinker / brake light
Seat: Sargent Atomic foam

Maintenance log

Logging of work

Date	Description	New / Used parts	Notes
06/01/24	Front and Rear Tire	RaceTake Off	Dunlop Sport Max Front, Michelin Power Cup Evo Rear
05/19/26	Fork slider rebuild	Original	BMW OEM, Full seal, bushing, fluid replacement
05/19/26	Ohlins front and Rear installation	Used	Ohlins, complete build @ SBK Services, rear shaft replaced with 330mm (max length)
05/19/26	Front / rear brake pads	New	EBC front, Galfer
05/19/26	Braided Brake / Clutch lines / System Flush	New	Spiegler, unique for ABS
10/27/26	Custom plate hanger	New	db custom jobby
10/26/26	Staintune Exhaust	Used	Dual feed, Cat delete