K11 Owners Group

John Clauss · Posted: Sun Apr 28, 2013 7:48 pm Post subject: Old and less old comparison

Not really sure why am writing this, more for me than anything. I have not been riding my K much recently. In 1998 my father passed away and I got his 1974 R75/6. I rode it as a daily commuter and for trips until 2003 when I bought my 93 K 1100RS. Then the R sat for a long time. Just last year I finally got it back on the road and I have been riding it a lot. Just yesterday I installed a new battery in the K and went on a nice long ride. Wow.

Having not ridden the bike in about a year I had forgotten a lot about the bike in comparison to the R bike.

Handling - The R is very easy to get to move. While the K seems to resist changing direction easily. To the point that I almost blew my first turn. I do think it has to do with the tire size as well. Those little skinny tires on the R just have no issues moving.

Engine - Double the horsepower all of the fun. I forgot about how much fun acceleration can be. I had the pleasure of sitting next to a "Hog" at a traffic light, I made quick work of him. I can still be juvenile sometimes.

Braking- Incredible, what a difference. The R you use engine braking a lot more to get it slowed, you can on the K, but you do not need to.

Transmission - The transmission is "snickable" compared to the R. I found myself being very ham-footed when shifting, but once I got used to again, what a pleasure.

Position - The R bike is very upright. The K felt much longer and more stretched out. Not bad, just different.

Next week I will be doing several hundred miles on the K, can't wait. Like it is new again.
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1997 K1100LT
1975 R75/6

It will bring you so close to nausea, it will make you sick! - Big Al

BobZ(IL) · Posted: Sun Apr 28, 2013 9:28 pm Post subject:

John, I actually alternate bikes weekly and each time I switch, it's like wow, I forgot how much fun this bike is.
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'93 K1100LT
'78 R100S
'05 R1200GS
BMWMOA, CRBMWOA, ABC, K11OG #997

Live well, do good work, enjoy the ride.

SugarHillCTD · Posted: Wed May 01, 2013 7:19 pm Post subject:

John,

Last year I had my '92 K100RS and the '04 R1100S to ride. Admittedly my R was a 4 valve oilhead so a bit more power that an airhead.

But our 25 y.o. daughter (Kawi ZX6R rider) was unhappy when I returned it to the dealer (long story) because she said I was much faster on the R1100S than my K bike. Didn't feel like it..

John
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John & Cathy

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