K11 Owners Group

[GasStation]

I am considering moving from the dark side (R-bike) and considering buying a K-bike: 97 K1100LT. However, after reading many posts on this Forum, this R-rider appears perplexed and concerned at what appears to be an abundance of ABS flashing fault light issues.

The owner and seller of my potential purchase has admitted that his ABS light flashes at cruise speeds (60 - 70 mph). The bike is selling for $5000 and has 27,700 miles on the odometer but requires new fork seals. I suspect a new battery will be in order and then there's the infamous ABS flashing light.

Should I be overly concerned about these ABS problems and run away from this particular K-bike?

Any advice, comments or suggestions are extremely welcome and required.

Gas

[Flying Duck]

It tends to be much more of an issue on 93 and earlier bikes with ABS I. And the ABS II on the 94+ bikes is the same unit(slightly different programming but exact same part) that was used on R bikes of the era so it's not really a K vs. R issue.

Also note that people whose ABS never fails don't tend to post about it.


Edit: Find out if it's really the ABS causing the flashing. If it's just the "triangle" light then it's a brake bulb going south thaat needs to be replaced. Does the ABS reset itself while riding or does the bike need tb be restarted? Typically, once efaulted, the ABS stays that way until the bike is restarted.

Check the gaps on the sensors. That could be the problem.

Or a dying battery but there should be sufficient voltage from the alternator at cruising speeds.

If it really is faulting then get a 12V LED and read the fault code to see what the brain thinks is wrong. Put the positive lead of the LED in the center hole of the diagnostic plug and ground the other end. Then count the "dips".

Curry's write-up is a little old - all you really need is an LED.

http://www.ibmwr.org/ktech/abs-diagnostics.shtml

I wouldn't pay $5k for a bike with faulting ABS and leaky fork seals.
_________________
93 LT (x2)
94 RS
86-97 K75F(K75/100/1100 Frankenbrick)
86 K75C w/paralever, hi perf cams,TURBO!
91 & 92 K75Ss
91 K1
86 custom K100
14 WR250R
IBA #17739 (SS1K, BBG, 50CC)
Buy parts HERE

[Mystic Red]

I would give 5 grand IF he did the seals and had a shop deal with the ABS issues. I've never had a problem with ABS and it HAS come in handy a couple of times. I paid 55 hundred 4 years ago and the bike had 37K on the clock. I feel money well spent.
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Scott Hespelt, '94 K11LT
K11 OG #466

[Sonu]

[Jim]

Gas - welcome to K11. There are a lot of really good people here, with a lot of good information. Let's see if we can get off to a different start here.

You say the ABS lights flash at 60 - 70 mph. Are they flashing continuously from the time you start the bike until you get up to those speeds? Or does the ABS self test, turn the lights off, and then they start flashing when you get up to 60?

If the lights stay on after you've ridden awhile, stop, turn the bike completely off, then restart it - the battery should be charged back up and the lights should go out when you take off again.

As far as fork seals, they're not that big of a deal, all things considered. I definitely recommend installing gaiters on the forks, though. You can get BMW /6 or maybe /7 gaiters, or Rancho fork boots (probably made in China) for a lot less. I prefer the BMW gaiters myself - I refuse to put Chinese parts on my bike if there's any other choice. Some info on that here: http://www.k11og.org/forum/viewtopic.php?t=4618&highlight= http://www.k11og.org/forum/viewtopic.php?t=2182&highlight=gaiters

Or, you can use the Search button that lives at the top of every page to search for gaiters, gaters, or gators. (The correct spelling is gaiters). If you want more info on Rancho fork boots, search for Rancho.

I haven't changed my own fork seals (because I haven't had to), however a lot of the guys here do their own.

I haven't checked the latest bike price guide (but I will tonight). I got my '97 in '01 with 10,000 miles for $9,500 or $9,750. I guess all the used 12's on the market really dropped the price on the 11's - but if the bike was in really good shape, I'd probably pay $5,000 for it today. That said, I'd sure try to get the price down - especially if it's being sold needing repairs. In my opinion, the 11 is a much better bike in almost every regard than the 12.
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Jim
1997 K1100LTSE 94,000 - still has gremlins!
1995 R100RT Classic 16,650 crashed - repaired!
1992 K75RTP 46,000

"We shall not all die, but we shall all be changed."

[Off the grid]

Gas.....welcome.

5500 is way too much to spend on a K that is anything other than mint.

If I were to sell mine that is how much I would ask and mine comes with tons of extras and is mechanically perfect.

Keep looking, you can get a better deal for sure. I got my 93' with 46k on the clock bone stock with full cases and a helmet for 4k 2 years ago.

It now has 75k on it and I couldn't be happier.


Try the link below for used K bikes, and keep an eye on craigslist, they pop up there once and a while, that's how I got mine.

http://www.ibmwr.org/
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Bane of your existence since July 2006
2007 Triumph Tiger ABS. "Sabertooth"
2009 Husqvarna TE610. "The dirty Italian mistress"

[Jim]

Gas - the bike has reasonably low mileage. If the painted parts are all in good shape, and with ABS working, no leaks, and probably a record of some recent service, that bike, on average, would sell for $4,810.00. That figure is from Motorcycle Consumer News - I think they compile their figures from several sources, including NADA. The price varies somewhat in different parts of the country.

That should give you some idea of how much to beat them down. I would guess, not knowing any more about the condition of the bike, a good first offer would probably be sort of in the $4,300.00 range. HTH
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Jim
1997 K1100LTSE 94,000 - still has gremlins!
1995 R100RT Classic 16,650 crashed - repaired!
1992 K75RTP 46,000

"We shall not all die, but we shall all be changed."

[classicmotorcyclerides]

All great insights and considerations for your investigation by all!
Duck mention that the 93's may be more ABS challanged than others?
We have 2 93 LT's and yep, both were plagued with issuses. 1. Brain Dead 2.Loose connections and or sensor gaps.
Either way solving the ABS can be timely, costly and replacement brains are rare to find. Sometimes there can be a few available but not usually when you are in need.
A local electronics circuit solutions company has my old brain and would like to solve for all the module needs US & International?
A shop will charge around $300.00 for front fork seals, if that is all it is?
Do your homework and you will have a ride you will enjoy!! RJ
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It's a Great Time to Schedule a Rental or Tour on our BMW Motorcycles!
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[PHIL1601UK]

If I may add my 2 pence worth, some good advice has already been posted, the 94 models onwards display far fewer issues with abs, plus a 97 bike will have the upgraded alternator, and little things like the powered screen switch is integrated into the left handlebar switch cluster. I've ridden Rs, the engines has a lot of character, I'll admit, but for me, I love the K. 100bhp and 80lb/ft torque gives tractor like pullng at 20mph in top gear and stonking mid to high range acceleration.

With an 11 year old bike there are potential issues, but unless you're unlucky the build quality and reliability of these machines is in my view unrivalled. I've had to fix a couple of little things, and I've got a cracked downpipe (to post my own thread on this shortly), something I missed at purchase time but I have no regrets about purchasing the bike. If you can get a diagnosis for the flashing ABS (see 2nd & 3rd paragraphs of Jim's post) and haggle the price down a touch based on the issues, then you'll have a bike that potentially you could keep years to come.... and the build qulity is superior to current K's in my opinion.
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1996 Aspen Silver K1100LTSE - acquired 23/03/07

[GasStation]

I have decided to get on plane to try this bimmer and check it out for myself.

I've have been actively looking for other bimmers but keep coming back to this one - must be karma. Oops! Karma can be good and bad but I'll stick with the glass being half full.

Here are a couple of pics of what the current has sent me:

http://groups.msn.com/MyForSale/shoebox.msnw

Apparently the trailer hitch has never been used. The current owner said the first and original owner never hauled anything with it. The hitch ball shows no signs of any wear on the chrome. I doubt I will keep the hitch.

Gas[/url]

[mnb]

The gas tank doesn't have knee pads. This usually means it was replaced. Not that that's necessarily bad, mine have sprung leaks every 5 years. But you might ask him if the tank is original, how old it is if it's not or if he took the knee pads off.

BTW, buying the kneepads isn't worth it IMO. They're $90. (about 3x what they should be)
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M N B
1997 BMW K1100LT ABS Special Edition
2003 Husqvarna TE610e
2007 Harley Davidson Road King
2009 BMW F800GS
2011 Husqvarna TE310
2014 Ducati Multistrada Pikes Peak MNB Edition

[chopper_harris]

Here in the UK, for sure, they were additional cost items from the accessories catalogue.

Are you stating that they were a factory standard item on US bikes
_________________
C1 200 (2001)
R100 RS (1990)
NSU Quickly N (1964)
Honda 400/4 F1 (1977)
MotoGuzzi 1000C (1978)
Suzuki TL 1000 R (1999)
Kawasaki KLV1000 (2005)
K12R Sport (2007) - Wifeys

[mnb]

[Flying Duck]

[J.R.]

I've had several R series airheads and presently have an R80RT. About a month ago I bought a 95 k1100rs on ebay for $2750.00. Because of the price I had to try it. I'm keeping my R80 for a second bike and for my son to start out on. But the K11 is a far superior ride. It's very fast, smooth, and handles incredibly well. I would turn down $5,000.00 for mine. The K11 is easy to love.
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95 K1100RS
86 R80RT

[CheapJapCopy]

I think 5kUSD is a bit too much for that bike. Try and bargain him down a bit. It's really old, so things like rubber components are going to be deteriorating even with the best will in the world. I got my RS for 3kUSD (1500UKP) with 40k and a full BMW service history..
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1992 K1100RS - Red and gold.

[PHIL1601UK]

Hiya Gas,

How's it going, did you get to see the bike yet? Just seen the pictures, it looks a beauty, when I was looking at a couple of bikes I kept coming back to the one eventually I bought, and I've never looked back. Don't let a lack of knee pads put you off, the tank has the original coach lines from what I can see. But your decision, it's a BMW, and when you own one of these machines nothing is too good for them.... Good luck.

Phil.
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1996 Aspen Silver K1100LTSE - acquired 23/03/07

[chopper_harris]

Quick Note - Those images are two years old - maybe the bike has been stored since then, but you should get some current shots before you travel to view.
_________________
C1 200 (2001)
R100 RS (1990)
NSU Quickly N (1964)
Honda 400/4 F1 (1977)
MotoGuzzi 1000C (1978)
Suzuki TL 1000 R (1999)
Kawasaki KLV1000 (2005)
K12R Sport (2007) - Wifeys

[PHIL1601UK]

Good point Chopp, didn't register that - need to cut bigger holes in me paper bag.
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1996 Aspen Silver K1100LTSE - acquired 23/03/07