K11 Owners Group

Off the grid · Posted: Sat Jan 17, 2009 6:35 pm Post subject: Nickel and dimed to death.

I think tranny fail was the nail in the coffin for me.

This job looks to be shaping up to be another $1000+ job.

With the mileage that I ride I believe I need something newer.

Looking at a Bandit 1250 with ABS.

Touquey
ABS
Bulletproof

Or maybe a Yamaha FZ1

Either can be had for at or around 10k off the showroom floor.

Bottom line is that the love affair with the K is almost gone. As my mechanic says, "Yes, the engine can go 250+k miles, but everything else cannot".

Whats next to fail?

ABS?
Valves?
FD?
Some sort of weird electrical problem?

I've put enough money and time into this bike over the last 28 months to purchase a NEW bike.

And to put it plainly I need a bike that I don't have to worry about. After the latest episode I don't get that from the motobrick anymore. Maybe it's because it's approaching 100k, I don't know.

I do know that I am going to take a long, hard look at my options when I get it back, most likely 8-1000 dollars lighter.

Been a good ride, almost 3 years and 50,000+ miles, but it's time for a change. Motorcycling is much more than a hobby for me.
_________________
Bane of your existence since July 2006
2007 Triumph Tiger ABS. "Sabertooth"
2009 Husqvarna TE610. "The dirty Italian mistress"

Stoked Steve · Posted: Sat Jan 17, 2009 7:50 pm Post subject:

Hey OTG, sorry to hear about your waning affection for the 'ol K.

One thing that jumps to my mind, and I'm not passing judgment here, but from your past posts it sound like you ride the HELL out of your bike, all the time.

No machine can be ridden at the 90% thrash level and live long, especially a Japanese bike. It may too late for your LT, but you might want to think about taking it a bit easier on your next steed, and you might not have quite as many wear and tear issues.

Good luck with your next acquisition!
Smile

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

Flying Duck · Posted: Sat Jan 17, 2009 8:08 pm Post subject:

Scott_Anderson · Posted: Sat Jan 17, 2009 9:56 pm Post subject:

Well you could find another LT to ride and keep the old one for a parts bike.
If I have another mechanical failure with either bike that's what I plan to do, keep it for a parts bike and strip it down.

You need to do what YOU and your WIFE decide is best for your situation.
_________________
Ride safe.

1997 K1100LT 0302488
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
1995 K1100LT 0302044(R.I.P.)
1997 R1100RT ZC62149(sold)

Off the grid · Posted: Sat Jan 17, 2009 11:42 pm Post subject:

Unfortunately I am a one bike man till we buy a house. Promise I made to the wife.

I hear you guys.

But I'm thinking in terms of years.

A new bike, or an 07-08 will last (hopefully) 3-5 years, and still be relatively new alas with 50K+ miles.

I do ride at the top end of the tach, but I've never redlined the bike, hell never been over 8k RPMs.

Perhaps a bike with more power would alleviate the need the wring out the tired old bird.
_________________
Bane of your existence since July 2006
2007 Triumph Tiger ABS. "Sabertooth"
2009 Husqvarna TE610. "The dirty Italian mistress"

owrstrich · Posted: Sun Jan 18, 2009 12:18 am Post subject:

vstrom...

http://www.suzukicycles.com/Products/DL1000K9

j o
_________________
yeeeeeehaaaaaaa...

Flying Duck · Posted: Sun Jan 18, 2009 1:00 am Post subject:

If you're gonna beat the shit out of your bike, you're gonna break shit. That's life. And IVe sen the shit you ride on. I'm with JO, get a Wee. It'll take more abuse (within limits) and the parts are cheaper.
_________________
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

Saltcreek · Posted: Sun Jan 18, 2009 10:01 am Post subject:

Well Dave, nobody else is saying it yet but I know they're thinking it: As a relative newcomer here I'm selfishly wondering if abandoning your BMW would mean you're leaving this group as well. Even though when I have a question there are others that I hope to hear from first from a technical perspective, I always look forward to your take on a question. Hope you will continue to haunt these pages no matter what you ride.
_________________
Jim

1994 K1100LT Mystic Red, bfd, 37000 miles, sold Sad

2009 Wilderness Systems Zephyr 155 ST
2002 Litespeed titanium

SugarHillCTD · Posted: Sun Jan 18, 2009 3:22 pm Post subject: Re: Nickel and dimed to death.

Off the grid · Posted: Sun Jan 18, 2009 4:34 pm Post subject:

Thanks for the sentiments guys...rest assured no matter what I ride you guys will not get rid of me that easily....

Regarding the V-Stromm...it's too underpowered for me. Although through my Jim Thorpe trip it seems that I do a lot of off-roading on my K, it is simply not true. I did some fire roads but that's it. And there was an ST1300 on that ride too!

Thing is I use the bike for work too. I am a homecare RN and do visits with my bike. Not because I NEED too, but because I want to have the option. My other option is a 2000 Grand Cherokee with 180k on it. Shocked

(runs like a top though)

When there isn't ice on the ground I will ride my bike every day. I need it like an addict needs the needle. I will put in 120 miles for work daily then another 80 hitting some twisties to finish the day. I don't get tired of riding. I do get tired of not riding though.
_________________
Bane of your existence since July 2006
2007 Triumph Tiger ABS. "Sabertooth"
2009 Husqvarna TE610. "The dirty Italian mistress"

Klinker · Posted: Sun Jan 18, 2009 5:00 pm Post subject: Re: Nickel and dimed to death.

Flying Duck · Posted: Sun Jan 18, 2009 5:18 pm Post subject:

The Wee-1000 has 98hp vs. 100 for our bikes. And the Wee weighs quite a bit less with a 6-speed gearbox. I would think it's faster than our bikes.
_________________
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

Flying Duck · Posted: Sun Jan 18, 2009 5:28 pm Post subject:

I lookedd it up - the Wee-1000 does 0-60 in 3.9 vs. 4.3 for an LT. Maybe I'LL get one. I want to do some Forest Service riding this year.
_________________
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

abreeze · Posted: Sun Jan 18, 2009 6:39 pm Post subject:

Have you tried to buy a used one from beemerboneyard.. ? 450$ max

Seems a little premature for a failure. But try putting 100k on most of the jap rides without any failure. Not likely.

Off the grid · Posted: Sun Jan 18, 2009 6:45 pm Post subject:

I have one on order from Drake.

I'm not saying that 100k is not good for a bike, but for what I do with it I want a bike with fresher legs.
_________________
Bane of your existence since July 2006
2007 Triumph Tiger ABS. "Sabertooth"
2009 Husqvarna TE610. "The dirty Italian mistress"

abreeze · Posted: Sun Jan 18, 2009 7:15 pm Post subject:

OTG was just looking at you Second gear thread.....

Second gear is the most damage prone gear on any bike(because of the neutral gap) as well as the highest power transfer possible, and if your doing high RPM first-second shifts, your gonna break a lot of second gears over time on any bike.

drmalacarne · Posted: Sun Jan 18, 2009 7:42 pm Post subject:

Dave, as you already know, life is made of choices.....cars??womens??bikes???places to go????
But any bike you ride, you is a fixed and permanent part of the K11OG group!!
Even if you ride a Vespa or a Daelin....
If I can make a suggestion, take a look on a Kawasaki ZZR1200 or a Honda ST1300.
Guilherme.
_________________
1994 K1100LT SE n° 0267
1998 HD Heritage Springer 95th anniversary
Yes, a Hog and a Beemer can live together!

jpberens1994K1100RS · Posted: Sun Jan 18, 2009 11:01 pm Post subject: ride on, your way.

OTG.

Lots of good choices on rides, new & used out there. You do what your heart tells you to, make no apologies ever.

We'll always love ya brother !

I much agree with how you sum up the nickel & diming.If you can't do a lot of stuff your self on the bike, taking it in to a shop can really nick ya up.

Try something else, see how it goes. Enjoy the journey, share it with us so we can all grow.
_________________
1993 K1100RS that I'd rather be riding FAST!
2014 Moto Guzzi Norge

Off the grid · Posted: Sun Jan 18, 2009 11:59 pm Post subject:

jpberens1994K1100RS · Posted: Mon Jan 19, 2009 9:53 am Post subject: new ride

Doing your own work IS the best way to save, AND you get to really know your bike too.

Sorry, did not mean to infer you were not doing the maintainence or the stuff that is doable at home.

The K bikes, and many other BMW's DO have a lot of quirks, some call that " character ", others call it a bother.
When the scale of measurment on that factor slides too far to one side, well, then you know it's time to try something else.

I have a freind who bought a Kawi / Concours at the end of the year on close out, brand new 08 just sitting on the floor, he could not resist and got a great deal.
_________________
1993 K1100RS that I'd rather be riding FAST!
2014 Moto Guzzi Norge