K11 Owners Group

sccommuter · Posted: Wed Oct 26, 2011 7:33 pm Post subject: new old rider

Haven't owned a bike in a number of years (20 yrs) due due to powers beyond my control (wife). The wife has moved on and I got the bug to ride again. Picked up a 1995 K1100LT last week and took it for a shakedown ride today. I put about a 100mi. on it riding up to Highlands, NC, down to Clayton, Ga and back home. Overall very pleased with the bike. My main complaint is downshifting. Sometimes it just doesn't want to. Hopefully this is just a matter of getting used to it. Is downshifting on this bike more art than science?

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1995 K1100 LT
Illegitimi non Carborundum

Stoked Steve · Posted: Wed Oct 26, 2011 7:40 pm Post subject:

Nice looking bike, don't know that I've ever seen a white LT(?). Very sharp.

As far as downshifting, these bikes have a somewhat "clunky" shifting transmission and sometimes need a little presuading to shift properly.

For whatever reason I find my bike shifts a little better after an oil change. Shouldn't matter as these are dry clutches, but it does.

Welcome to the KOG!
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Steve
Virginia Beach, VA
93 K1100RS Mystic Red SOLD
12 Suzuki DL650A VStrom

sccommuter · Posted: Wed Oct 26, 2011 7:59 pm Post subject:

Thanks for the reply. It's good to know it's not just me that experiences the shifting problem. The bike was repainted Pearl White by a previous owner. Original color was Graphite.
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1995 K1100 LT
Illegitimi non Carborundum

Scott_Anderson · Posted: Wed Oct 26, 2011 8:40 pm Post subject:

If the downshifting is really a difficult issue, it is a teltale sign that you are due for a transmission input shaft spline lube.
I did my '95 LT a couple of years ago and my '97 a couple of years before that. So it's possible yours could be due.

Use the search feature up at the top of the page and there is plenty of info here to help you decide if you want to tackle it yourself.

Welcome to the forum. Check out the meetings section for our HM V gathering in May '12 in western Virginia.
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Ride safe.

1995 K1100LT 0302044
2017 FLHTK Ultra Limited
Garmin StreetPilot 2820
Garmin Zumo 550
Garmin Zumo XT
"One who does not ask questions is ashamed to learn" Danish proverb
1997 K1100LT 0302488(R.I.P.)
1997 R1100RT ZC62149(sold)

mtnroads · Posted: Wed Oct 26, 2011 11:02 pm Post subject:

Absolutely beautiful bike (and not a bad setting for a pic too). I love my LT - they are great bikes, especially in the cooler, wetter weather we're starting to get up here in the Northwest.... heated grips.....mmm.... exhaust headers by left foot....mmmm...

Mine has no shifting issues at all, a very light touch is all that's required, or maybe I'm just used to big bikes with heavy dogs in the tranny. But seriously, if it really is reluctant to downshift, check your clutch adjustment to make sure it is fully disengaged when you pull in the lever - there should only be a little freeplay in the clutch lever before it gets firm when you test it with the engine off.

And welcome to the group, ride safe, and enjoy that fine machine. Smile

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

Jim · Posted: Wed Oct 26, 2011 11:27 pm Post subject:

Welcome to K11!

That is a very good looking K11 - great colour!

I agree with the others - check clutch adjustment, and if that's OK, you're due for a spline lube.

Let me know if you're interested in HMSP. I can start working on getting another cabin together.
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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."

Number 6 · Posted: Thu Oct 27, 2011 1:25 am Post subject:

Nice bike. Each gearbox can be different, some are easy, some hard. As others said, check clutch adjustment and have a gearbox oil change. Giving a bit of throttle when downshifting may help. Otherwise you have the option to rebuild the gearbox...
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I am not a number, I am a free man.

94 K1100LT

Number 6 · Posted: Thu Oct 27, 2011 1:27 am Post subject:

Niemand · Posted: Thu Oct 27, 2011 2:57 am Post subject:

Welcome, sccommuter. And welcome back to two wheels as well.

***redacted*** <queue flashbacks>
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Niemand

1994 K1100RS
2023 DR650SE

lee richter · Posted: Thu Oct 27, 2011 6:31 am Post subject:

N I C E, real nice, the white ones are faster than the red ones.

Down shifts on the Beemers require that you carry a little RMP. I rest my foot on the shift pad as the RMPs back down and it will just drop down to the next gear. Kind like RPM matching in a big truck. As previously stated by others here of great knowledge, clutch adjustment and lubrication do make a difference. Do some search for drive shaft lube it seems that that made the biggest difference on mine. I am currently running Titanium in my Transmission and Final Drive lube, I know there are some running Moly in theirs. I have used it also and I believe that it does make a difference.

Welcome to the group, this is an excellent source of knowledge.

The White Ones really ARE faster.
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Lee Richter
Orlando, FL
I like flying, HIGH or low, Wings or Not
182 Texas Tail Dragger
'39 J3 Cub
2000 HD Soft Tail Sold
2002 R1150R
1994 K1100LT

Ernie-NH · Posted: Thu Oct 27, 2011 5:24 pm Post subject:

Hi "sccomm...".. and WELCOME back to biking !!

I agree with Scott... I lubed my tranny input splines last winter and "wow" what a difference it made. Same is true on my "R" Airhead bike but those have to be lubed every (max) 15k... Agree that its a "must do" and a PITA to get there, but well worth the effort.

Enjoy your new bike, and contact Jim about coming to HMSP-V in May along with the rest of us !

Very best regards......// Ernie in NH
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AMA,, American Deaf Bikers
Airhead Beemers Club
'11 G650gs
'95 K1100LT
'76 R100/7

mtnroads · Posted: Thu Oct 27, 2011 11:33 pm Post subject:

drikko · Posted: Fri Oct 28, 2011 12:07 am Post subject:

Don't forget to paint it red so it goes faster!!
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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

malcolmt · Posted: Sun Oct 30, 2011 12:55 pm Post subject:

Hi there, welcome back to the saddle.

Cracking looking bike.

Take it steady after being away for so long.

Malcolm(t)
Joburg, South Africa
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A Bike on the road is worth two
in the shed
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Off the grid · Posted: Thu Nov 03, 2011 2:05 pm Post subject:

Wow that LT is stunning in white!
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Bane of your existence since July 2006
2007 Triumph Tiger ABS. "Sabertooth"
2009 Husqvarna TE610. "The dirty Italian mistress"

robert85 · Joined: 25 Oct 2011 Posts: 22

The K1100LT is the absolute luxury tourer. Despite its high weight it is an agile motorcycle with a reverse gear. Really i love LT... Smile

sccommuter · Posted: Mon Nov 07, 2011 5:58 pm Post subject: Blipping the throttle

Took the bike out again today for a little run up to Caesars Head State Park and blipped (reved) the throttle before down shifting and it was like magic. Down shifting became a breeze, what a difference! Very Happy

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1995 K1100 LT
Illegitimi non Carborundum