K11 Owners Group

[ThomasJ2352]

After having the final drive go out on my R1150GS (67k mi) I have been considering other cycle options…things I’m looking for are:
1. Long trip friendly
2. Twisty friendly (I’m not overly aggressive but still like to lean it over on nice pavement)
3. Reliability
4. Pillion friendly (wife isn’t crazy about joining but we do a long weekend each year and the thought of the Alaska trip seems do-able to her)
5. Something not too close to 800 lbs
6. Relatively easy to work on (do my own wrenching on the GS when possible)
7. Relatively low maintenance costs
8. Commuting friendly (do this every day ~60mi)
I have been looking at the K1100’s with bar-backs (I like the GS’s more upright position) as well as the 1200’s but it sounds like the 1200’s are more expensive to maintain and repair when needed….not to mention the buying in cost. When I went to the Redmond international rally a couple years back I went with the intention of finding my next bike….after talking to many owners of many types I was quite content to keep mine.
Anyone have a suggestion as to what look at/for? Are all BMW final drives equally susceptible to failure? (rather not have a repeat)….maybe once its fixed it will still be “the bike”.
Thanks
Tom
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2001 R1150GS

[Sonu]

Tom,

I've used my K1100LT with similar usage pattern to what you describe for 13 years now and put ~60,0000 miles on it. I'm quite happy with it and this newsgroup has taught me how to do most of the maintenance. I had never wrenched on a motorcycle or a car before (other than oil changes on a Honda Civic)

The bike is pretty rugged and easy to work on.

If cost is a big concern, why not simply fix your GS?

Sanjiv
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1997 K1100LT "Ziggy" _GarminGPS_Corbin saddle_K Guards _Hyperlights_Fog lights_Eastern Beaver Relays_Cee Bailey_4"speakers_Michelin PR4's_MoS2_Spiegler lines_TPMS_VDO

[SugarHillCTD]

Tom,

Sanjiv's suggestion of fixing your bike sounds good.


As an alternative, maybe think Triumph. I can think of 2 K bike to Triumph folk. The triple engine is an interesting bridge- Some of the K bike 4 cylinder smoother/revving thrust with some of the twin cylinder torque feel.

Keep an open mind- I will always keep my (3rd) K bike but continue to look for a good one-up ride that will also be fun on the twisties and at a track day....

Might...just might look at a '12 675R a couple hours from here....
_________________
John & Cathy

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

[ThomasJ2352]

Sanjiv, John....
Thanks for your suggestions...I have been eyeing a triumph (had an old Bonneville in college a long time ago...almost killed myself on it)...been thinking about a Sprint or Tiger...heard good things about the triple too...though when all is said and done I most likely will do just what Sanjiv suggested and once fixed stick with it a while longer...have had it now for about 4 yrs and put just over 55k on it...this was the first time it left me stranded...with any luck the last in a while.
Thanks again for your input...greatly appreciated.
Tom
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2001 R1150GS