K11 Owners Group

deltic · Posted: Mon May 30, 2011 12:56 pm Post subject: What a machine!

I recently purchased an ex police 1999 UK K1100LT with 57,000 miles on for £1600 as I needed a suitable machine for a European tour as I felt my other bikes (Laverda Jota & Triumph Boneville) were not really suitable. I did around 500 miles in the UK prior to the trip; I have to admit that, while I enjoyed the power and stability on motorways, I wasn't sure how it would perform on some of the twistier European roads. After travelling to Plymouth and then ferry to Spain we then rode for two weeks and 2,500 miles across northern Spain and southern France eventualy travelling to Dijon for the Coup Moto Legend. I completed the trip with a single days riding of 750 miles home. I am truly in awe of this machine. Having ridden all sorts of bikes over 35 years this has to be the most rock steady, reliable and comfortable mile eater I have ever been on. Despite my concerns about its size, even on the twistiest of mountain roads loaded up with camping gear it never budged off the line. After over 12 hours in the saddle on the last day I stepped off feeling as though I could do it all again. The tool kit was only used to try and repair my friends bikes! Despite them nick naming it 'Le Fridge', because of its size and colour, I think I had the last laugh only requiring a top up of oil and a bulb change in all those miles. For £1600 it just shows that you really can grab a bargain with a used police BMW that has been looked after. I had intended to sell the bike at the end of the trip but this is one bike I will be hanging onto-unless that is I win lottery and can afford to buy a new one-another BMW of course! Paul C.

Flying Duck · Posted: Mon May 30, 2011 1:24 pm Post subject:

If it has bias ply tires on it then you'll be amazed at how well it rides on radials.
_________________
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

Don Sproule · Posted: Tue May 31, 2011 12:14 pm Post subject: radials

Hey Drake,

My LT is about due for new tires. What do you like for radials?
I can get a break on Michelin and Bridgestone through my bro's business.

Don

Flying Duck · Posted: Tue May 31, 2011 2:34 pm Post subject: Re: radials

Don Sproule · Posted: Tue May 31, 2011 2:43 pm Post subject: radials

Thanks, Drake.

I was hoping to not have to track down a wheel. I'll try to do some digging for a suitable tire before getting down to that.
I would prefer to use my expendable dollars for a new seat.
How much lead time was involved with your Mayer purchase. I might try that if I can have it before the end of July.

Regards,

Don Sproule

Flying Duck · Posted: Tue May 31, 2011 3:28 pm Post subject: Re: radials

BobZ(IL) · Posted: Tue May 31, 2011 10:27 pm Post subject:

Don,

I'm running a Pilot Road 2 on the front and a Bridgestone Battlax BT45 non-radial on the rear.

It transformed my LT from a lumber wagon into a sports job. The bike falls into the the corners now and I think the non-radial rear leverages the advantage. And all this on stock wheels.
_________________
'93 K1100LT
'78 R100S
'05 R1200GS
BMWMOA, CRBMWOA, ABC, K11OG #997

Live well, do good work, enjoy the ride.

Don Sproule · Posted: Tue May 31, 2011 10:45 pm Post subject: radialsl/saddle

Thanks Drake.
Thanks Bob.
Your info should save me a lot of time and messing around.
Hey Drake,

I'm not in B.C. I'm in Saskatchewan (Land Where a Man Cannot Leap to His Death).
We Canadians get hit hard with brokerage fees when receiving goods from out of country if shipped by courier companies.
When products are sent via post (USPS), there are usually no fees. Sometimes there's a small charge from Canada Post on larger ticket items.
I'll have to call Rick and see what he needs for lead time etc.

Don

Scott_Anderson · Posted: Wed Jun 01, 2011 1:44 am Post subject: Re: radials

drikko · Posted: Wed Jun 01, 2011 2:55 am Post subject:

Hey deltic, are you on the Laverda forum as well?

http://laverdaforum.com/forum/index.php
_________________
K1100RS '97
Laverda RGS 1000 '84
Jim Young Trailer Sailer 5.7M WB

DISCLAIMER:- Anything I say may have been when I was drunk so please don't take it personally.

'Bigamy is having one wife/husband too many. Monogamy is the same.'
Oscar Wilde

gladstone · Posted: Wed Jun 01, 2011 7:02 am Post subject:

I've played around alot with wheels and tyres on both my LTs, and here's what I've learnt.

- weaving probs were mainly caused by poor rear shock, fixed by fitting a new RAM shock from Realm
- the best thing by far for me was to fit RS wheels front and rear to the LT, and this is what I now run. With the RAM shock this is an awesome bike
- original crossply tyres on orignal LT rims with a decent shock were totally stable at all speeds but a bit wallowy in fast corners
- original rims with radials (021 front Avon rear) have not been great; unsettling weave at speed only slightly reduced by the RAM shock
- a rear RS wheel and standard front running 021 radials was good too, but was eclipsed by fittingvthe RS front

And my insurance company are aware of the RS wheels - their view was that as long as it didn't increase outright performance it was a 'free' mod.

Hope this helps.

Cheers
_________________
1993 K1100LT (x2!)
1998 R1100R - gone
1994 R1100GS - gone
1990 K100RS 16V - gone

gladstone · Posted: Wed Jun 01, 2011 7:07 am Post subject:

Just spotted the seat before wheel comment - here's how I'd order them:

- shock first
- rear RS wheel with standard front radial
- RS front
- seat

I bought a used RS front with a decent used tyre for the price of a single new front radial.

Cheers
_________________
1993 K1100LT (x2!)
1998 R1100R - gone
1994 R1100GS - gone
1990 K100RS 16V - gone

mtnroads · Posted: Thu Jun 02, 2011 12:36 am Post subject:

Hey Gladstone,

Did you have to do anything special to fit the RS front wheel? I would really like to do that on my LT (just fitted the RS rear wheel).

Thanks
_________________
2012 R1200RT Midnight Blue
95 K1100LT Graphit (sold)
01 R1100RT Black (sold)

gladstone · Posted: Thu Jun 02, 2011 1:40 pm Post subject:

Hi there,

Nothing special, just slotted straight in. Things to note:

- the left spacer/bearing cover (one piece) is smaller in diameter on the LT than the RS, so leaves a small gap radially between circular spacer and wheel (but not a problem)
- the wheel is smaller so heaving onto the centre stand is more effort (I keep meaning to remove the small spacers between stand and gearbox on the LT)
- the disk retaining bolts were very tight and nearly rounded - make sure that you have a good hex socket, and I lay the wheel flat to put all my weight on it as I turned

It makes a phenomenal difference to the bike's handling and stability and leaves me wondering why BMW didn't fit these wheels as standard.

Good luck.

Cheers
_________________
1993 K1100LT (x2!)
1998 R1100R - gone
1994 R1100GS - gone
1990 K100RS 16V - gone

Flying Duck · Posted: Thu Jun 02, 2011 2:13 pm Post subject:

mtnroads · Posted: Thu Jun 02, 2011 11:45 pm Post subject:

Thanks!
_________________
2012 R1200RT Midnight Blue
95 K1100LT Graphit (sold)
01 R1100RT Black (sold)

mtnroads · Posted: Thu Jun 09, 2011 1:31 am Post subject: Re: radials