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Just bought a nearly new RS. What are the essential mods?
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Nick H.



Joined: 06 Apr 2014
Posts: 20
Location: London, England

PostPosted: Tue Oct 08, 2019 4:43 pm    Post subject: Just bought a nearly new RS. What are the essential mods? Reply with quote

Hi everyone. Just bought a mint condition bog standard K11RS with only 2700 miles. The technician has it all week while he waits for new bars to arrive. (The bike didn't have heated grips.) I'm trying to think of no-brainer essential mods which the technician can do while he has the bike. I've had Ks before so my first thoughts were to remove the ABS and fit stainless brake hoses.Any other suggestions???

The bike will be used for a mix of stuff - urban, touring, whatever. I live in London and fancy a trip to Sweden. By UK standards I am probably a somewhat aggressive rider...ex-messenger, ex-racer.

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Flying Duck
PsyKotic Waterfowl


Joined: 27 Jan 2005
Posts: 10082
Location: Bumf***, WA

PostPosted: Tue Oct 08, 2019 5:24 pm    Post subject: Reply with quote

WelKome!

Did I read that odometer correctly? Only 2,700 miles? (or kms)

Follow this link: http://bit.ly/new2kbikes

First thing to do is get rid of the stock seat.
_________________
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
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Nick H.



Joined: 06 Apr 2014
Posts: 20
Location: London, England

PostPosted: Tue Oct 08, 2019 5:27 pm    Post subject: Reply with quote

Change the seat? Pfft. That's an American indulgence. We Brits prefer to suffer in silence.
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Flying Duck
PsyKotic Waterfowl


Joined: 27 Jan 2005
Posts: 10082
Location: Bumf***, WA

PostPosted: Tue Oct 08, 2019 5:30 pm    Post subject: Reply with quote

Nick H. wrote:
Change the seat? Pfft. That's an American indulgence. We Brits prefer to suffer in silence.


If you like to suffer then that seat will certainly fit the bill.

That's cool that you found such a young one.
_________________
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
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Scott_Anderson
Site Admin


Joined: 05 Sep 2006
Posts: 3117
Location: Central Iowa, USA

PostPosted: Tue Oct 08, 2019 6:21 pm    Post subject: Reply with quote

Before you get too far removing the ABS, do you have any MOT inspection requirements that would require you keep it?
Some locals do.... if it came on the bike from the factory, it has to stay and work properly..
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1995 K1100LT 0302044
1997 R1100RT ZC62149
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Nick H.



Joined: 06 Apr 2014
Posts: 20
Location: London, England

PostPosted: Tue Oct 08, 2019 6:26 pm    Post subject: Reply with quote

No, I've removed it from four BMWs before. It's not an issue for the MoT. The insurers don't care either. Perhaps they've heard how dangerous it is.

eta: I should probably elaborate on that. Under moderate or hard braking on a rippled surface the ABS on my K bikes (and my 1100 and 1150GS) would release the brakes. Maybe the frequency of the ripple effect is interpreted by the computer as something dangerous? I don't know, but it happened several times. On poorly maintained London roads the top layer of the surface is sometimes worn away on the last couple of feet at a stop/give way/yield sign, revealing a rippled concrete layer beneath. So instead of stopping at the line I found myself sailing along for another 5 or 6 feet, out of control, into the path of the traffic which I was trying to yield to! Once you've worked out what on earth has happened, you can't get rid of the ABS fast enough.

I think most people would concede that ABS 1 and 2 are primitive systems which you can outperform manually with training and practice. I made sure I got plenty of those. The training included three one week courses at the Nurburgring where we would deliberately induce front wheel slides in the rain. I also took some dirt riding courses, which helped a great deal. And I did two seasons of endurance racing. So I know I'm better than ABS 1 and ABS 2, unless I freeze up in terror. But I haven't done that for many years.

I want to own a bike with Pro ABS and I'm sure I could never outperform that...I might buy some flavour of R1250 in the coming months. Cornering ABS would be really something.


Last edited by Nick H. on Tue Oct 08, 2019 7:28 pm; edited 1 time in total
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Nick H.



Joined: 06 Apr 2014
Posts: 20
Location: London, England

PostPosted: Tue Oct 08, 2019 6:32 pm    Post subject: Reply with quote

Flying Duck wrote:
Nick H. wrote:
Change the seat? Pfft. That's an American indulgence. We Brits prefer to suffer in silence.


If you like to suffer then that seat will certainly fit the bill.

That's cool that you found such a young one.


I couldn't bear to ruin the bike's looks with the double bucket Corbin seat. I wonder if it's possible to improve the stock seat by reupholstering it with some modern padding material? Maybe it won't be an issue...I try to avoid long motorway stints.
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Flying Duck
PsyKotic Waterfowl


Joined: 27 Jan 2005
Posts: 10082
Location: Bumf***, WA

PostPosted: Tue Oct 08, 2019 7:57 pm    Post subject: Reply with quote

The phenomenon of the ABS engaging when it "shouldn't" is also known as a false positive in systems lingo.

Believe it not the ABS I systems (93 and earlier) are much better in that regard. I have three situations where my 94 ABS II has false positives and I've never had one on any of the numerous ABS I Ks that I've owned.

The three situations where it occurs on ABS II but not ABS I:

1) Lane splitting on wet road nipples. (This really makes lane splitting in San Francisco at rush hour very "exciting." Very Happy)

2) Lots of potholes, especially on a downhill grade.

3) Coming up over rise quickly with the brakes on and the rear end gets "light."

Because of that I much prefer riding the 93 and earlier ABS Ks.
_________________
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
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Nick H.



Joined: 06 Apr 2014
Posts: 20
Location: London, England

PostPosted: Tue Oct 08, 2019 8:45 pm    Post subject: Reply with quote

'False positive'...I'll have to remember that. Such a restrained way of saying 'my effing bike is trying to kill me!'
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Flying Duck
PsyKotic Waterfowl


Joined: 27 Jan 2005
Posts: 10082
Location: Bumf***, WA

PostPosted: Tue Oct 08, 2019 9:19 pm    Post subject: Reply with quote

A false positive is much better on a pregnancy test. Especially if you're single.
_________________
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
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Nick H.



Joined: 06 Apr 2014
Posts: 20
Location: London, England

PostPosted: Tue Oct 08, 2019 9:31 pm    Post subject: Reply with quote

Have you kitted out any of your Ks for track use with super-duper suspension?
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Flying Duck
PsyKotic Waterfowl


Joined: 27 Jan 2005
Posts: 10082
Location: Bumf***, WA

PostPosted: Tue Oct 08, 2019 9:45 pm    Post subject: Reply with quote

Nick H. wrote:
Have you kitted out any of your Ks for track use with super-duper suspension?


No, I bought a K1600GT instead.
_________________
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
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Nick H.



Joined: 06 Apr 2014
Posts: 20
Location: London, England

PostPosted: Tue Oct 08, 2019 9:52 pm    Post subject: Reply with quote

Is it a good track bike?
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Flying Duck
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Joined: 27 Jan 2005
Posts: 10082
Location: Bumf***, WA

PostPosted: Tue Oct 08, 2019 10:05 pm    Post subject: Reply with quote

No, but it sure hauls ass on the street.
_________________
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
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Nick H.



Joined: 06 Apr 2014
Posts: 20
Location: London, England

PostPosted: Tue Oct 08, 2019 10:09 pm    Post subject: Reply with quote

I must add that to my list of things to test ride. But I have a feeling it will remind me of why I sold my Hayabusa.
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flybd5
Flying Brick Rider


Joined: 01 Jul 2019
Posts: 371
Location: Massachusetts, USA

PostPosted: Wed Oct 09, 2019 4:57 am    Post subject: Reply with quote

Nick H. wrote:
Have you kitted out any of your Ks for track use with super-duper suspension?


What is "kitted out"?

Oh, wait, you're from the UK. Neverrrmindddd... Very Happy Very Happy Very Happy
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1995 K1100LT SE
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Flying Duck
PsyKotic Waterfowl


Joined: 27 Jan 2005
Posts: 10082
Location: Bumf***, WA

PostPosted: Wed Oct 09, 2019 4:58 am    Post subject: Reply with quote

Nick H. wrote:
I must add that to my list of things to test ride. But I have a feeling it will remind me of why I sold my Hayabusa.


I'd advise against it. As they say over at the K1600 forum, don't test ride one unless you plan to buy one.

I spent several months researching and came to the conclusion that I wanted to buy either an R1200RT or an FJR1300 as my next sport touring bike. Never even considered the K1600. Then when I was at the BMW dealer test riding an R1200 I asked if they had a K1600 that I could take for a spin - just for the hell of it. Without getting two blocks from the dealer all my plans went out the window and I was determined to buy a K1600. It's crack on two wheels.
_________________
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
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flybd5
Flying Brick Rider


Joined: 01 Jul 2019
Posts: 371
Location: Massachusetts, USA

PostPosted: Wed Oct 09, 2019 5:14 am    Post subject: Reply with quote

Are the bigger K's proportionally more top-heavy? Very Happy
_________________
To err once is human. To do so repeatedly is incompetence.
1995 K1100LT SE
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Flying Duck
PsyKotic Waterfowl


Joined: 27 Jan 2005
Posts: 10082
Location: Bumf***, WA

PostPosted: Wed Oct 09, 2019 5:21 am    Post subject: Reply with quote

Nick H. wrote:
I couldn't bear to ruin the bike's looks with the double bucket Corbin seat.


I don't think the Corbins look bad.



Or you could get a Corbin Gunfighter.



Here's a custom seat on a stock seat pan.


_________________
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
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Nick H.



Joined: 06 Apr 2014
Posts: 20
Location: London, England

PostPosted: Wed Oct 09, 2019 5:48 am    Post subject: Reply with quote

It's good to know there are seat options. But I won't decide until I get to the North Cape. I would rather spend money on the suspension or a vinyl wrap.
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