K11 Owners Group

[Stoked Steve]

I've now owned my K1100RS for 7 years and (only) about 15k miles.

I've pretty well sorted out the issues, upgraded what I didn't like and feel like there isn't a whole lot else to do.., well.., there's always a list, but nothing that HAS to be done.

I've gotten kind of bored with it lately and with a truck soon to be paid off, I've had dreams of a new motorcycle, because I've never had a new one and surely they must be more advanced than my old K.

So, I've been looking and dreaming and thinking I'd like to head in the "Adventure Bike" direction. More upright seating, less fragile (bodywork) and could go off on some fire and gravel roads with less concern.

The Triumph Tiger 800XC has really caught my eye and all the good reviews and comparisons have really got my interest up. It seems like a good mix of the bigger bikes like BMW GS and the smaller ones, like the Vstrom and 650GS. I've been stopping by my local Triumph dealer for months asking when they might get one in.

So last week they got in a new Tiger 800 (non XC - the street version, but very similar to the XC) and, get this, it's a DEMO! Yehaw!. So today I rode the K up there to give it a spin. I don't get to ride many other bikes,... like none at all. So I don't have much to compare it to. After the reading the reviews about how smooth the engine was and all the other great things about it, maybe my expectations were a bit high.

It was a very nice bike and it functioned well, but it certainly was not any smoother an engine than my K, had a lot less wind protection and seemed a lot more clunky. I think "agricultural" is the word often applied to BMW's, but I felt like I was riding a big turbine tractor. I realize it will loosen up a bit with some miles, it only had 55!

That engine does have a sweet "whine" to it, that is rather turbine like. It certainly felt lighter and more flickable. And there is a lot less body work to damage or have to remove to work on it. Those wide handlebars were fun, almost like a dirtbike.

Now I realize comparing the K to a Triumph Tiger is a bit of an apples to oranges comparison and I have no other experience on ADV bikes, but I suddenly realized how smooth, composed, and solid the K really is. And how excellent the wind protection is, especially to the lower body.

I realized as I was heading home and wicked up to 80+ in the HOV lanes (with barely a twist on the throttle), while feeling a serene sense of calm and competence..., that for an almost 20 year old bike, she's got some qualities that will be hard to replace....very hard indeed...




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Steve
Virginia Beach, VA
93 K1100RS Mystic Red SOLD
12 Suzuki DL650A VStrom

[SugarHillCTD]

Steve,

We have got to get you out more often

While riding some other bikes can make you appreciate the K, it can also show how relatively slow it can be- with a soft power delivery.

This year I got to ride a Yamaha FZ-8, a BMW K1300S, and an Aprilia Tuono. That 1300S is a RIP!

John
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John & Cathy

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

[RAL88]

Hey Steve,

I have my K of course and I have a 95 r1100gs. When I first got the GS I felt like I was riding high in a pickup truck and the sitting and handlebar positions were very different than the K. The power and the acceleration is better than my K and the bike started to grow on me. After a full week of just riding the GS I rode the K. I got back on the K and it was like I never left. It fit me like a glove and I then realized that I am never getting rid of it. It's all paid for and costs just pennies to maintain.
I am also keeping the GS. They are very different bikes and both are fun to ride. If I had to get rid of one or just wanted to get a different bike the GS would be the one to go but not the K.
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Rich

"If it ain't broke, take it apart and make it work better"
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'96' K1100LT-SE
'97' R850GS-R