K11 Owners Group

[MtnManCO]

Hello,

I am new to this forum, new to the K-bike. I have had a R100/7 and a 1200GS but was always interested in K-bikes.

I live in Boulder County in Colorado and found two potential candidates:

- 1993 K1100RS, 35,000 miles, for $3,800

- 1996 K1100RS, 54,000 miles for $3,600

As far as I know there are only minor changes to the engine between the different model years, but the ABS might be more advanced in the later model. Any other changes I should be aware of?

Which one do you think is the better option?

Any advice is appreciated!

Greetings from the Front Range,
Armin

[SugarHillCTD]

Armin,

First of all, WELCOME!

I have owned a '94 K1100RS (briefly), a '93 K1100RS that I did considerable maintenance work on then stupidly sold and currently have a '92 K100RS4V.

Other than the change from ABS I ('93 and before) to ABS II ('94 on), the only other difference is alternator output. From '94 until the end of production the bikes came with 50 amp alternators as opposed to the 33A of earlier units. Although my '93 had a 50A alt, I don't know if it came that way or the previous owner had changed it.

This could be important if you plan on adding auxiliary lights and heated clothing or other power consuming items. But the alternators are identical and a 33A can easily be switched out for a 50A.


Look for any signs of oil leakage- at the front bottom of the engine and at the bottom between the engine and the transmission (weep hole in the bell housing). If the bike comes with grip heaters, be sure that they work- the wiring to these burns out on some bikes. Also see that the gauges work and are not fogged up. Forks dry or leaking?

Others here may add their thoughts.

Good luck.

John
_________________
John & Cathy

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

[Scott_Anderson]

I don't think you could go wrong with either one.
Personally I'd consider the newer one.

Either one is old enough to consider replacing ALL of the rubber bits, vacuum lines, fuel lines, throttle body intermediate boots, fuel injector o-rings, and brake lines.

Strictly because of age the rubber will be loosing its elasticity, and sealing ability. The insides of the brake lines can be deteriorating and be falling apart.

I don't have personal experience with ABS1, so I can't say which one is better. Just in the last few years there are sources for repairing the ABS1 control system. I think that they have started repairing the ABS2 controllers in the last year, but I can't confirm this.
_________________
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)

[MtnManCO]

Thank you for the friendly welcome!

Two more questions...:

- At freeway speeds, let's say at 80 mph, does the engine sound stressed and one is looking for a higher gear?
I used to have a 1979 Yamaha XS1100; great engine, but I was always looking for a non-existing 6th gear.
I know the K1100RS was developed with Autobahn speeds in mind (I am German), but I am still wondering about the gearing.

- Compared to the K1100RS would a K100RS be much inferior in terms of reliability, performance, vibration, parts availability etc.? I like the visible engine of the K100RS, but assume that the K1100RS is technically more advanced.

Thank you,
Armin

[whyoldbill]

[jpberens1994K1100RS]

Boy oh boy you got a lotta questions!

You are in the right place. Great people here.

All of this IMHO.

I came from an 81 R100RS.

Yes, you will be looking for 6th gear. You will get used to it, you will not need it. It's an over square motor. Run Mobil 1 15-50 and REV IT!!!
I know from personal experience that my MPG stays normal until I exceed 90 MPH for any length of time. It is only then that it will drop to the high thirty's. Otherwise it's 42 MPG + and at steady flat cruing speeds around 70 I've gotten 50 MPG.
The K100 4 valve is NOT under powered, nor is it a reliability issue. Vibration will be similar. Proper tuning and some other tricks make this a non-issue for me and many otheres here. The parts for both are readily avaliable.
The K1100RS will have the larger 50amp alt. My 93 does. The K1100 will also have better brakes and suspension. Having come form my little R100RS with 130,000 plus mile on it the K1100 is a BIG ol' dose of POWER / TORQUE and yes, comfort. The bike just fits me.
I have owned a 94 and my current 93. I swithchd over in 2008. I only had the 94 a couple weeks before I got crashed out. My 93 had some ABS issues last year due to me powder coating the wheels AND the axle spacers. This changed the sensor distance just enough to make the sytem do some odd things. Which of course is never good nor fun on a braking system. It finally started to throw a fault and I could read the code & adjust that sensor gp by removing one .012" shim.
I'm kinda with the crew here on those bikes. You should look at them BOTH! Then buy the cleaner best maintained one. That $200 price differential can be gone in a heartbeat. The year differance is negligible with the biggest differance being ABS1 to ABS2. Having owned both, even though the 94 was very breif, I am fine with ABS 1 on the 93.
My first panic stop, yes I was cut off at about 40MPH, the bike stopped so fast I almost did not get a foot down in time. With big sticky radials and the suspenion set up right the bike is a real treat to just ride and ride.
They are BIG HEAVY fooking bikes. This is NOT a sport bike. Kinda looks like one and you can do amazing things on them, but a knowledgable and experienced rider, like " Sugar hill " Shogani " or her SO " Steverio " will just flat out spank anyone out riding on the roads of Virgina. And you don't even want to try and follow " Audi " or " Rydor ". Well maybe ya do and they are fun to watch for a while, but they all really know how to ride.
Best regards, maybe we'll see you down the road!
_________________
1993 K1100RS that I'd rather be riding FAST!
2014 Moto Guzzi Norge

[Number 6]

I'd go with an ABS2 bike, it is more reliable.
All RS have the same rear drive, if you want longer gears you can switch the rear drive with a K1 one (they are more difficult to find though).

Be aware that K100RS (8 valves) and K100RS/1 (16 valves) are very different, the K100RS/1 is closer to a K1100RS but has much less torque and ABS1.
_________________
I am not a number, I am a free man.

94 K1100LT

[Tim (Midland Section)]

[SugarHillCTD]

[MtnManCO]

Hello again,

One aspect I should clarify: I have a 30" inseam. Could this be a problem with the OEM seat on a K1100RS or a K100RS?

I have a pretty good balance, had no issues with my 1200GS.

Thank you,
Armin

[Scott_Anderson]

[drikko]

As others have said above yes it revs a bit at speed but it likes it. A mate of mine borrowed my K a while ago and reported back that it was the best thing he'd ridden for a long time! Reckons he was revving it to the rev line all the time on the back roads until he realised he was looking at the speedo not the tacho which gave him a fright as it was sitting on 220kph!!
_________________
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

[Flying Duck]

I'd go for the 93. Here's why:

1) 20k less miles.

2) All K1100RSs came with a 50A alternator so that's a non-issue. Only the 93 and earlier LTs had the 32A alternator.

3) Although the ABS II control units have a lower failure rate, I prefer ABS I because it:

a) works better than ABS II. I get far more "false positives" (ABS kicking in when it shouldn't and taking away your brakes when you need them) with ABS II than on my ABS I bikes. Because of this, despite the higher control unit failure rate, I feel much safer riding my ABS I bikes.

b) makes spline maintenance easier
_________________
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

[Jeff DiCarlo]

I have to disagree with the previous posting about all K11's having the 50 amp alternator. The 50 amps came in with the higher demands of the ABSII system, which didn't hit the K1100Ss until 1994. The 93s had ABSI and the lower output alternators.
I have personally seen more failures with ABSI and with II. Also the cycling rate of ABSI is frustratingly slow, making the systems only marginally useful. And I is heavier. I'd take II over I anyday. And I've owned K11RSs of every model year.
That said, most of the other issues have been covered by the other posters. These K bikes suffer with age from drying seals. Look for leaks at both master cylinders and the fork seals. Also check underneath for leaking water/oil pumps and rear main seals. Both have their own weep holes.
As for a sixth gear, fagetaboutit. You'll never wear out the engine from highway revs, and it already gets better fuel mileage than my sixth-equipped K1200RS.
So buy either, or both. The K1100RS is IMHO, one of the best bikes BMW has ever produced.

[MtnManCO]

Thank you all for your input!

It's harder to find a K1100RS in good condition than I thought. The '96 model was from another state and sold before I could get there and the '93 model, which I wanted to test ride yesterday had seized brakes! Nothing is easy!

I test rode a 1987 K100RS yesterday. It was in very good shape and had decent power but I did not feel quite at home on it.

Lots of K1200RS's and K75's here for sale but K1100RS owners seem to keep their bikes.

Greetings from Colorado,
Armin

[Jeff DiCarlo]

I hear the "can't find a good K11" story often. I don't remember what the actual sales numbers looked like, but I'd bet on lack of good K11s on market being due, at least in part, to their low sales numbers.
Keep in mind that the K11 was really just an evolution of the K100, which had already been on the market for a decade. And while BMW finally got around to addressing many of the K's shortcomings with the K11, for some it was too little, too late.
Also remember that in 1993 we all knew the new Boxer was coming. So many shoppers passed on the evolved K and instead waited to buy the revolutionary new R.
With the eventual intro of the K1200RS, K bikers again had a reason to buy new, since it was seen as much different from the K100/1100s. I suspect that sales spurt is why you see so many of them now on the market.
K75s? I never got that bike. I know guys who love them, and they do run forever. But they always struck me as painfully slow.
If you decide you want a K11, just keep looking. Or try posting an ad saying you are looking.
I know it's no where near you, but there was just a nice-sounding 96 K11RS with 6000 miles on it for sale in CT. No bags, but he was asking $3600.

[MtnManCO]

Thanks, Jeff, for putting things in perspective.

I posted local "Want To Buy" ads on Craigslist and check eBay regularly so sooner or later I will find what I am looking for!

Armin

[DLBass]

If you can find one, the red 93 RS's with Gold wheels are the fastest ones
_________________
There is only now, yesterday is gone and is unchangeable, tomorrow is uncertain. Live in the moment.

[SugarHillCTD]

[Jeff DiCarlo]

Sounds like you owned a K11 and 4V K100 back-to-back. How would you compare them?
I found the K100s to be prettier, the reduce tupperware made service easier, and they throw off less heat, but the K11s seemed to much more powerful and easy to ride due to their increased torque.
Your opinion?