K11 Owners Group

[horacevan]

Hi Gang! I'm new to the K1100RS, and new to owning BMW bikes. I got a very cherry 1993 with only 25,000 miles on it about 2 months ago. It kind of fell into my hands when a guy at work retired and couldn't sell the bike before moving.

So far, I'm only kinda liking it. The biggest fault I'm finding is the handling. It takes a lot of effort to countersteer it, especially on left handers. It also wants to stand up unless the heavy force is kept on. If the corner is bumpy, then the bike is just wallowing and weaving like crazy. Not confidence inspiring, and not like any BMW I've ever ridden.

I'm thinking the first thing I should do is get new tires, even though the ones on it are not much more than half gone. My guess is that they may be very old, given the bike's age and low mileage. They are Metzler RoadTec's, which I haven't heard of before. I used to have a ST1100 and mostly ran MEZ 1 & 3 tires on it.

Is there a general tire preference for the RS? I didn't find a FAQ that would help me with deciding which tires to choose. What are the experiences and recommendations of the group? Are there other known factors that might cause this particular kind of handling?

Thanks for any help you can offer to tame this beast!
Bill Cruise
The CruiseMissile -- K1100RS 1993 26K miles

[SugarHillCTD]

Bill,

First of all, WELCOME

The bike will grow on you. I had a '93RS and sold it to buy a new Kaw Concours. That lasted only one season before I got rid of it to find my current '92.

Many folks here use Michelin Pilot Road radials- even some that ride LT models. The newest ones are the Pilot Road 3. I have used the PR2 version and liked them. Just this year to try something different I ran Avon Ultra 2 Storm tires and liked them also. Both the Avon and the Michelin models I mentioned are dual compound (harder center, softer "shoulders"). Michelin uses the 2CT designation for this feature.

What you are experiencing could be due to tire wear even if it doesn't appear to be very much.

Also watch air pressure and try to vary from what you have been running- possibly go up a bit?

Best of luck. Others should be adding their input soon.

John
_________________
John & Cathy

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

[552255]

I run PR2 radials, with RS rear wheel, handling is super for a heavier bike.

Change your front fork oil, check seals for leaks, it will prolly tighten up those bouncy curves. Same for brake lines, my bike had 19k on it (1997), never had fork oil, brakelines, etc. and it seemed to improve things.

Good radial tires will be your best handling investment, then you can start playing with rear shocks, fork springs...till your wallet is empty.
_________________
1997 K1100LT-SE
1996 K1100RS-SE
"Black & Silver Duo"
Lincoln, NE

[DaveVoorhis]