K11 Owners Group

candleman · Joined: 03 Aug 2014 Posts: 5

Hi All
Andy's the name, from the UK.
I've been riding all my adult life, and whilst I know my way around BMW twins, I'm new to the K's and so seek some advice.
I recently bought a VMAX which as it turns out, is not the greatest two person long distance tourer.
I want to keep it, but also run something alongside it for the long haul trips.
I always liked the older K's, and so this is what I've decided to look for.
My heart is telling me K1100RS, but my head says K1100RT.
So it's all the usual questions.
What can go wrong, what should I look out for that is unique to these bikes.
ETC.
Hope I'm not being a bore, and I really would appreciate some guidance.

Scott_Anderson · Posted: Tue Aug 05, 2014 7:50 pm Post subject:

Greetings and welcome.

I've not done a lot of riding on an RS, and what I have done was 2up.

For me(and my back) I like the more upright riding position of the LT, especially on long rides.
You will find with the LT, the fairing is a bit larger for more air flow(and rain)protection, along with the adjustable screen for upper air flow adjustment.

No matter what bike you end up with, you will find them a hot ride in the summer time. There are threads here that discuss the heat issue and what they have done to try and mitigate it, but 1 "must do" option is a manual fan switch for heat control.
_________________
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)

Flying Duck · Posted: Tue Aug 05, 2014 8:08 pm Post subject:

I only ride solo BUT:

If I were trying to decide whether to go RS or LT then what I'd do is take a test on each riding two-up and let passenger comfort be a major deciding factor.

I have both and can do very long days on either.

My comparison:

The RS has what feels like a much lower center of gravity. The forward riding position is very good for aggressive riding. And I think it's the best looking of the "classic" K bikes.

The LT is taller and has higher center of gravity. The upright riding position is not as conducive to aggressive riding but once you have some experience riding one you can still flog it around pretty well. One thing your passenger might not like so much is that the top case is on a plastic rack so it bounces around alot and can be annoying to a passenger. (My brother mentioned this to me after I took him for a 2-up ride once.)

The LT fairing provides pretty good protection from the elements but in hot weather that translates into cooking your thighs. (The RS heats up too but not as much.)

JMHO but the LT fairing is butt ugly. (Especially in Pine Green like mine but it only had 13K on it when I bought it.)

The main reason I intend to keep my LT is that it's an awesome bike for riding at speed without a helmet. (I learned to ride without a helmet and prefer it on the LT - despite the greater inherent risk.) Whenever I head east or southeast to states without helmet always I take the LT.
_________________
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

BMGraeme · Posted: Wed Aug 06, 2014 2:46 am Post subject:

I have an RS and have never ridden an LT so am not going to compare, but as far as the heat issue is concerned, here in the UK on an RS, I can say there's only a few days a year when its a bad thing. The rest of the time its usually a benefit.
_________________
1980 CB900FA
1994 K1100RS
2008 R1200GSA

bikesnbones · Big Brick Rider Joined: 03 Aug 2014 Posts: 74

Well today I went to see a stunning K1100RS.
Well priced, full luggage, two owners and low mileage.
The owner explained to me that because of problems with the ABS, the owner before him had it completely decommissioned and the abs pump bypassed, rather than fork out for a new system.
I'm not sure if this is a deal breaker or not.
It doesn't bother me, but out of interested I contacted my insurer, who told me this.
When a vehicle was fitted with ABS, it must be working.
If it is not, then the brakes are classed as defective.
It makes no difference that the brakes pass the annual road worthiness test.
If the vehicle was involved in an accident, and the loss adjuster found a modification that removed the abs function from the brakes, then the policy is voided.
There is no grey area.
So it seems that in the UK at least, if your you're riding around on a bike with non functioning abs, then you're taking quite a big risk.
I'm weighing up if it's worth it.
As a footnote.
My insurer told me of one case where a rider just removed the abs warning light bulbs from the display because it was warning of failure.
It was discovered and his insurers declined a claim.
Now that more and more bikes are routinely being fitted with abs, it's become routine for the system to be fully checked over in more serious incidents.
In a very serious collision involving injury or death, then the Police get to check your vehicle over, and they'll go through it with a fine tooth comb.
I'm beginning to see now why so many people don't want abs

Flying Duck · Posted: Wed Aug 06, 2014 11:41 pm Post subject:

And then there's the fact that ABS may keep you from being involved in an accident in the first place.
_________________
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

Al. · Posted: Mon Aug 11, 2014 5:52 pm Post subject:

what can go wrong - browse the Tech page.
Not an awful lot that's major/frequent as far as I can see.

I have once since July 2003 and have done little to it.
Fork seals. front master cylinder and the rere!
Uses a fair bit of oil.

Good on journeys - just did 1500 miles Ireland to Scotland (and back!!)
But it was WARM in Scotland in July this year. In a week one
day of rain on the way home.

hosehoundfr86 · Posted: Thu Aug 14, 2014 8:22 pm Post subject:

This is my second year with a Brick RS, 83k kms showing, and I'm with Al,,it needed a few things, new fuel filter last year,fork seals and a battery this spring, going to need to replace brake pads and a tired rear shock for next year, there are a few days that it is hot on thighs but nice on cooler days, the stock seat was uncomfortable but a Corbin touring seat fixed that and it does like it's oil,but all systems function on it and it will go 150 mph on a good stretch of road on a cool day,,,,,,,I like it,a lot

hockeyshifter · Posted: Sun Aug 17, 2014 4:21 pm Post subject:

NO one has talked about the size of the rider..

i am 5' 11' and have a shirt sleeve length of about 24 " which makes me really LEAN into the handle bars. after about an 2 hours of riding i have to dismount and rest..

with that idea out and about you must take into account your overall size ON the BIKE.
i have K1100rs and for me it needs about a 3 inch BAR BACK adjustment but the foward leaning riding postion dose have its advantages.. the center of YOUR gravity is forward and lower over the tank (not behind and higher) which dose improve the handleing and your input and response that the bike reacts to. second overall body position on the bike makes the body in tune with what the cycle is doing. i find that LT is some what disconnected and you are being ridden by the bike instead of RIDING the bike.
_________________
fix the problem not the blame ; fix what is messed up ; NO one is to blame.

bikesnbones · Big Brick Rider Joined: 03 Aug 2014 Posts: 74

SugarHillCTD · Posted: Mon Aug 18, 2014 9:23 am Post subject:

atlantaboblutz@live.com · Posted: Fri Aug 22, 2014 3:18 pm Post subject: choosing

Agree with Mr. Duck! ride both.

I've put about 30K miles on my LT since getting it back on the road and have no problem challenging anyone in the twisties after these things... 1) new fork seals and heavier weight fork oil; 2) new good quality and adjustable rear shock; 3) radial tires; 4) handlebar firming (can find how on this forum); 5) getting used to it and comfortable on it.

I ride year around and particularly enjoy winter riding. I have no qualms riding in the rain, etc. so the full fairing works better for my personal style.

My bike came from FL which is killer on electronics, so that has been my #1 snafu... and a costly one.

The engines and drive trains are as solid as you will find. With familiarity comes confidence... and at that point you can really enjoy.

I don't live in the UK so can't speak to the regs there. My ABS works thankfully.
_________________
Thanks,
Bob
Atlanta GA

'94 K1100 LT
'76 R75/6