K11 Owners Group

jklnhyde · Posted: Fri Mar 06, 2009 9:41 am Post subject: New K11LT owner in NC

Greetings! I just purchased a gently-used 97' LT and I couldn't be happier. Several years ago I was looking for a Sports-Tourer that I could keep for more than a few years (I get bored easily!) and I had the selection narrowed down to an LT or a CBR1000F. Well, the right 1990 CBR came along at a great price and she has been my main squeeze for 3 years, and I have nothing but compliments for her.
Then a few days ago I was doing the 'craigslist window shopping-thing' and I saw this 97' K1100LT less than an hour away for $4000 or best offer.
I went to see it that afternoon and the next morning it was in my garage; I got it for $3600!
The LT is everything I thought it would be and a complimentary partner to the big CBR. The LT needs fork seals and the luggage paint is faded, but she came with a full service history and all major services had been done within a year. The only thing I have to purchase right away is replacements for all the BMW emblems, a rear speaker grill and the other two issues I mentioned. That's it!
Well, she does have 74,XXX miles, but this is a BMW, right?
I've always had older BMW coupes and sedans in my garage, and I've become a guru of sorts out of pure necessity. My last BMW coupe was sold last year, a 1987 635CSi, so it's nice to have the LT in the garage.
I'll be asking lots of questions on this forum to keep my LT running and looking well.
Thanks!
Rick

BobZ(IL) · Posted: Fri Mar 06, 2009 10:20 am Post subject:

Welcome, sounds like you did good.
_________________
'93 K1100LT
'78 R100S
'05 R1200GS
BMWMOA, CRBMWOA, ABC, K11OG #997

Live well, do good work, enjoy the ride.

SugarHillCTD · Posted: Fri Mar 06, 2009 10:37 am Post subject:

Rick,

Welcome to the nuthouse. MOST of the posters here are harmless. Lots of good information and some oddball observations.

Good luck with your K.

John
_________________
John & Cathy

'92 K100RS4V Pearl White SOLD
'04 K1200GT
IBA Several-SS1k, BBG, 50CC NYC to S.F.

Klinker · Posted: Fri Mar 06, 2009 11:59 am Post subject: Re: New K11LT owner in NC

dave n · Posted: Fri Mar 06, 2009 12:02 pm Post subject:

Where bouts in NC?
_________________
Dave Norris KOG 248
1999 Cagiva Gran Canyon
1993 K1100LT w/Hannigan sidecar
2008 Suzuki DR650

Flying Duck · Posted: Fri Mar 06, 2009 12:02 pm Post subject:

Sounds like a decent deal. Still a baby (OK, maybe a teenager) at those miles. Congrats and welcome! Very Happy

(Hint: It helps others help you if you put your year and model in your signature - use the "Profile" link above.)
_________________
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

rydor · Posted: Fri Mar 06, 2009 12:38 pm Post subject:

Welcome

You've come to the right place! Post some pics ASAP

Off the grid · Posted: Fri Mar 06, 2009 1:09 pm Post subject:

Sup mate.

Imma hold my breath until you post some fkn pics! Embarassed

_________________
Bane of your existence since July 2006
2007 Triumph Tiger ABS. "Sabertooth"
2009 Husqvarna TE610. "The dirty Italian mistress"

Saltcreek · Posted: Fri Mar 06, 2009 1:51 pm Post subject:

For a minute I thought he had OTG's bike
_________________
Jim

1994 K1100LT Mystic Red, bfd, 37000 miles, sold Sad

2009 Wilderness Systems Zephyr 155 ST
2002 Litespeed titanium

endoman100 · Posted: Fri Mar 06, 2009 6:25 pm Post subject:

Welcome
great people here. lot's of good info to be found here.
they have help me out with alot of questions.the one thing I've learned is no question is to small or large for this group.
_________________
In the words of the stones
Time Is On My Side
Yes It Is
1993 K1100RS

jklnhyde · Posted: Fri Mar 06, 2009 10:20 pm Post subject:

Profile updated. Well I just put a quick 150 miles on the LT this afternoon. Mostly open country roads with very little traffic and somewhere between 60-70MPH mostly, with minor city slog.
When I got home I did some quick math after the fillup; is this correct?! I used 2.68 gallons and covered 123 miles--that's 45.8MPG! The CBR will only cover 150 miles with a 5.1gl tank! I know who is getting rode to school everyday...
Riding Impressions: this is the first true tourer and the only BMW I've ever thrown a leg over. My other bikes have been large, liter-plus Japanese iron; GPz's, a Yamaha Turbo (great wind protection, fairing very similar to a BMW), Interceptors, etc.
The riding position is incredibly natural for me, but one mod will be done ASAP. I'm 6'4" and my knees are buried in the fairing, mostly due to the seat rise. That's task number one on the list.
The power delivery is adequate but the vibrations caught me off guard. I had read about the 'BMW buzz', but it's a different matter to experience it! I kept shifting into a sixth gear that doesn't exist. Why didn't BMW put another cog on this tranny?!?
Getting used to the different switch setup was minimal; a few miles is all it took to master the radio, windshield, turn signals and high-beam, but the horn didn't get 'checked' until I was able to look at it up close at a stoplight. Anyway, my hands are getting used to the array.
Since the latter half of my ride was done after sundown, I had a chance to test the heated grips and windshield position for comfort. I give them an A-plus!
Overall, I love the bike and how it rides. The ergos are nothing like I've ever ridden, but feels adequate to me. The suspension settings need to be worked out, and since the fork is weeping oil, I can't comment on the ride quality for now.
I'll be posting some pics as soon as I can.
R

SugarHillCTD · Posted: Fri Mar 06, 2009 10:41 pm Post subject:

From what I have experienced with our RS and what I have read here about LTs- your fuel mileage is just about right. If you are nice with your right wrist, about 45mpg is LT mileage and near 50 is RS territory.

Of course, your results may vary.

Keep looking- 6th gear must be somewhere.... Confused

John
_________________
John & Cathy

'92 K100RS4V Pearl White SOLD
'04 K1200GT
IBA Several-SS1k, BBG, 50CC NYC to S.F.

Mystic Red · Posted: Sat Mar 07, 2009 1:23 pm Post subject:

The vibrations can almost eliminated by a tune up and throttle body sync. I can still feel them at 4K RPMs, though. I almost always get 47 mpg. A Corbin seat keeps me from rubbing my knees and I find it all day comfortable. Cost was $299 vs. sevenish for a Russel but I have heard the Russel is even more comfortable.
Horn switch. OMG, what were they thinking! Rolling Eyes

When you do the fork seals upgrade the springs and look at upgrading the rear shock if it's OEM.
_________________
Scott Hespelt, '94 K11LT
K11 OG #466

Off the grid · Posted: Sat Mar 07, 2009 1:31 pm Post subject:

Believe it or not, the handlebar stiffening mod actually lowers the vibes a bit and ups the control factor a ton. Plus it's only about 4 bucks to do. Surprised

The seat makes a huge difference. I cannot stress that enough.

The Corbin is hard as hell, but it brings you almost 1 1/2" down and 1 1/2 further back....allowing us tall guys to clear the fairing.

I ran the Corbin for years, recently sold. With the stocker on it is a noticable difference, both in comfort and "fit" of the bike.

Enjoy your K. When it's tuned in to your body....shocks, seat, windshield....the bike is a thing of wonder.
_________________
Bane of your existence since July 2006
2007 Triumph Tiger ABS. "Sabertooth"
2009 Husqvarna TE610. "The dirty Italian mistress"

blue95lt · Posted: Wed Mar 18, 2009 7:42 pm Post subject: welcome

Hi Rick
Saw you were in jacksonville n.c.
Are you a jarhead?,were you in the suck? I'M keith,got out in nov.of 87
I lived in j-ville out 258 I think in a trailer court. A old guy with aplot of ground put some trailers on the place and made money!!
Is it still there?
congrats on the "k" I have a 95 k1100lt with appx.52xxxon it and love it and about a month ago I was able to buy a wilbers shock for it to replace a works progressive shock and like the wilbers better!
later ace,keith

endoman100 · Posted: Wed Mar 18, 2009 10:54 pm Post subject:

I bought new Tires and replaced the fork seals at the same time and all vibration stopped. but I have an K1100RS don't know if that makes a diff Cool

_________________
In the words of the stones
Time Is On My Side
Yes It Is
1993 K1100RS