K11 Owners Group

[merlin geikie]

Gee its nice to know you friendly folks are out there

So it looks like an 85 k100 rt is in general terms as good as a k11 rt for handlin and reliability but better for spares coz theres lots of em bein parted out.

And that in any case, gettin a low mileage, well looked after and serviced k100 or k11 bike is wot to go for...pretty much regardless of other factors.

And that mono lever set up may be slightly more lumpy but well maintained..last plenty longer than the paralever...but there isnt really much difference to the average tourin rider.

Have i got it right or what else should i know?

Hey hey thankyou all uze folks of the best k site on the planet.

[jr'sbmw]

I own both an 85 K100RT and a 97 K1100LT. Still ride the LT a lot along with a 07 FJR. Owned the RT for 16 yrs and should sell it. For me, I would take the K1100LT hands down. It has more ponies with another 100cc's and 16 valves. I like the ABS II. My understanding ABS I brains are not available anymore. I hate the key locks on the 85 saddle bags, especially at night. Love the LT electric windshield along with the seat. In hot weather, it can be a warm ride.

I purchased the LT used with 23,000, put another 60+k on, and it has been a good bike. I have had to install 2 fuel gage sending units. I also had the cooling fan walk off the electric motor shaft and take out the radiator. Talked to a fella at Daytona recently that had the same happen. Did my own work, but still cost over $500. I pulled the final drive and transmission at 45,000 miles to check the splines and they were fine. Used Honda spline lub. About time to do it again. Plan to replace the rear main seal while the trans is out just because.

[Flying Duck]

The paralevre will outlast the monolever and gives a better ride.

The K11 brakes are MUCH better.

The lelectric windscreen is generally better but the ealier Rt/LT fixed windscreens are better for staying dry in the rain.
_________________
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

[duckbubbles]

[Flying Duck]

I can't think of a single parlever on a 4 valve K that I've ever heard of failing. Although drive shafts will have U-joints go bad.

In general, at least on the 86 and later 2V K bikes, the splines on the final drive and drive shaft will wear out at somewhere near 100k. (I actually consider that more of a wear item though vs. a failure.)
_________________
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

[duckbubbles]

Yes, the splines on the aft end of the driveshaft on the mono's will wear out. But, until recently, I had the original final drive on my K. The input splines were worn, but they had been through three driveshafts.

It's curious that LT's have had final drive problems due to overloading, I suspect. Also, R-RT's have had their share of problems. With the K11/12 being a large, heavy, powerful bike, I would expect more failures than have been the norm. It is the same design of all of them.

Frank
_________________
85 K100/1100RS, 321,000 miles, 25 years
96 Ducati 900SS/SP, sold it
05 R1200ST, 35,000 miles, 5 years
400,000 BMW miles

[Flying Duck]

The Rs and later BMWs certainly have had their share of FD deaths but they seem pretty darned reliable on the K1, K100RS4v and K1100s.
_________________
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

[Jim]

Frank - from everything I've read, the final drive failures are due to final drives not being set up right at the factory. How can you overload a final drive?
_________________
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."

[Tim (Midland Section)]

I have owned both, traded up from a k100 to a K11Lt, now on my third K11. Both good in their day, but the K11 days are 10 years of research & testing newer. The ABS2 (1995 onwards) K11 is IMNSHO the best, but then i'm biased, check my sig.
_________________
Regards Tim,

Grey haired riders don't get that way by pure luck
1996 Guzzi Cali3 LAPD
1972 750 Commando
G6HRN
#485

[duckbubbles]