K11 Owners Group

2wheeltroy · Posted: Wed Jun 16, 2010 11:02 am Post subject: Which to buy - dilemma of a nOOb

I am contemplating between two k1100lt's and I thought I might see if the collective wisdom might help me decide. Price is comparable between these two bikes. Both are being sold due to age and/or medical limitations of the current owners.

93 K1100LT - 75,000 miles - 2 yrs ago all rubber hoses, gaskets/seals, frayed wires replaced by dealership, lowered 1 inch (shock, kickstand, centerstand), well farkled (Corbin Seat, Jesse side-bags/rear bag, GPS, running lights).

vs.

94 K1100LT - 34,000 miles, up to date service, needs front tire, older Russell Day Long, no other mods/farkles.

I am 5'9" with a 31 inch inseam. Currently own a 95 R1100GS - so the Jesse luggage are a plus for me

Thanks, Troy

Naked Hoof · Posted: Wed Jun 16, 2010 11:15 am Post subject:

74K or 34K, that's nothing for a K. They will last a lifetime if properly cared for. Personally, I would choose the one with 74K because of the rubber replacements and the extras. I did not like the Corbin seat. Most others would prefer it to stock, but not I.

Oh, welcome to K11OG.
_________________
79 Honda CB750 trainer
traded for Suzuki GS1150e (stolen)
81 Honda CB900F
02 Kawasaki ZR7 (cursed)
93 K1100RS Mystic Red

Dreams should never be reduced in potency by subjecting them to reality. - Lord Snarebottom

Jim · Posted: Wed Jun 16, 2010 11:29 am Post subject:

Hi Troy - welcome! Ah, decisions, decisions.

The bikes are close enough in age that age isn't an issue. As far as mileage, neither one has very many miles.

I'd go for the '93. I can't think of any major changes between the '93 and '94 model years - but someone else might know of something.

I don't think you need a lowered bike, but it might be more comfortable for you. If the bike was lowered properly, taking all aspects of bike geometry into consideration, that shouldn't be an issue. Unless you are an aggressive rider - then you'll be scraping the pegs all the time. JMHO

My inseam is an actual 31.5" - after trying a bunch of seats, I finally settled on a Sargent that lets me flat foot when stopped.

Are you able to flat foot the bike with the Russell seat?
_________________
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."

RJTrucker · Posted: Wed Jun 16, 2010 11:45 am Post subject: 93 vs 94

I have a 93LT and I would go for the 94LT only because of the ABS2. ABS2 is a major improvment over ABS1.

Ron
_________________
Ron
1993 K11LT
1985 K100RS with over 100K on it
1985 K100RS Luftmiester Turbo Work in progress (any help is appreciated)
1974 R90/6

2wheeltroy · Posted: Wed Jun 16, 2010 11:51 am Post subject:

I haven't been able to physically inspect either bike - one is 500 miles north and the other is 400 miles south and I am trying to work this out as much as I can before I start the trek in either direction.

troy
_________________
94 bmw K1100LT
95 bmw R1100GS
44 HD 45 c.i.
68 HD Servicar - Metermaid

Naked Hoof · Posted: Wed Jun 16, 2010 11:57 am Post subject:

Move out of the corn fields. Razz

_________________
79 Honda CB750 trainer
traded for Suzuki GS1150e (stolen)
81 Honda CB900F
02 Kawasaki ZR7 (cursed)
93 K1100RS Mystic Red

Dreams should never be reduced in potency by subjecting them to reality. - Lord Snarebottom

Flying Duck · Posted: Wed Jun 16, 2010 12:28 pm Post subject: Re: 93 vs 94

blue95lt · Posted: Wed Jun 16, 2010 12:41 pm Post subject: 93!!!?

Seema a lot of the final drive trouble is with the 93,not sure if its lt or rs.
But it does seem like lots oe the trouble is with 93 model yr bikes?
jm.2cents w keith
_________________
1995 k1100lt daily ride(22953)when I got it
1982 cb650sc blue nighthawk (38000)(crashed)
1974 kz400(sold to get nighthawk)

Jim · Posted: Wed Jun 16, 2010 1:00 pm Post subject: Re: 93 vs 94

Ted · Posted: Wed Jun 16, 2010 1:14 pm Post subject:

I'd go for the '94 - bigger alternator, ABSII, and I prefer stock bikes (and make my own mods...) Does the '94 come with BMW side cases?
_________________

Ted

KOG#1

Flying Duck · Posted: Wed Jun 16, 2010 1:30 pm Post subject: Re: 93!!!?

2wheeltroy · Posted: Wed Jun 16, 2010 2:06 pm Post subject:

The 94 does come with rear and sides cases and the passenger padded backrest.

The 93 comes with Jesse Odyssey rear/side cases as well as the stock system cases.

How beneficial is the replacement of the hoses/seals/gaskets for a 93? Would I be looking the need to perform this same level of maintenance/restoration on the 94 in the near future?
_________________
94 bmw K1100LT
95 bmw R1100GS
44 HD 45 c.i.
68 HD Servicar - Metermaid

Ted · Posted: Wed Jun 16, 2010 2:36 pm Post subject:

Depends on which hoses and seals - the coolant hoses are nice to change but are probably fine on the '94 - as for seals, if there are no leaks don't worry about it.

Personally I would be a little suspect about the wiring repairs - were whole sections of the harness replaced or did someone get fancy with a soldering iron?
_________________

Ted

KOG#1

mtnroads · Posted: Wed Jun 16, 2010 3:09 pm Post subject:

Oh my - take the newer bike with less than half the miles. It's less modified from stock, easier to re-sell if nec and has ABS II - an improvement in my opinion. Also, who wants Jesse bags on an LT? Those are for expedition/GS adventures. Of course there may be other factors - damage, etc, but all other things equal it is a no brainer.
_________________
2012 R1200RT Midnight Blue
95 K1100LT Graphit (sold)
01 R1100RT Black (sold)