K11 Owners Group

ken · Posted: Thu Jan 13, 2011 3:07 pm Post subject: Shopping

OK Folks after having ridden a 1997 K1100LT for the last few years that the paint was pealing, it has almost 123456 miles on it...not yet, but by gawd I will get it there!!!! lol

I have shopped, and reviewed, and listened, and priced, and have come to the conclusion that I am going to buy a new to me K1100 preferably with low miles, as we feel we haven't done due diligence if we don't get 10,000 miles per year.

This bike will replace the 97 K1100LT which is ridden 80% of the time two up.

Are the LT and RS just handlebars and maybe foot peg locations the difference?

I want the 100hp version, as we ride in the mountains and do occasionally get behind the RV plus 20 cars.

If I read the spec page on here correctly...the 4 valve engine began somewhere in the 1994 model year. Am I correct?

I have an Ohlin on my LT and I would like to move that to the new bike. No major changes in frame from 95-97, so the shock should work?

At the end of last year, I put a new battery, and new tires on the LT the wheels are the same on all of the K1100's?

I would love to just buy another 97, and know things are easy, but I haven't seen very many 97's or 96's there seems to be a lot of 94's and 95's out there.

I am in Denver, so if anyone see's one please share, as we aren't quite ready yet, but working to get there. I would like to keep the pickup trip to under 1500 miles if possible.

We do want to purchase before winter is over...as trying to find a deal.

then....we will take the LT and make it a naked bike for buddies who are visiting, allowing us to get the thing to 1234567.

Thanks all....Signed......Ken who doesn't want a 700lb monstrosity, but does want protected from the weather.
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Ken in Denver

Flying Duck · Posted: Thu Jan 13, 2011 3:31 pm Post subject:

About the only difference you'll find on the 94/95 LT is that the windscreen is controlled by a dash switch instead of the switch being integrated into the left combination switch like it is on a 97.

All K1100s are 4 valve and use the same 100 hp engine.

All years have the same wheels and tires.

The Ohlins can be swapped to 94 and later bikes. If the reservoir is attached to the body then it won't work on a 93 LT due to the location of the rear ABS modulator.

The RS has a different frame and rides lower than an LT. It also has wider wheels and tires. It's a very different bike from the LT.
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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

SugarHillCTD · Posted: Thu Jan 13, 2011 3:55 pm Post subject:

Ken,

+1 on what FD wrote. I've owned 3 K-RS and spent a few miles on Saltcreek's LT. For having the same engine, they are different bikes.

Also since you have an LT, you can compare various specs to that of an RS here: (thanks to Ted)

http://k11og.org/reference/K1100RS_SpecSheet.shtml

Good luck on your search.

John
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John & Cathy

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

whyoldbill · Posted: Thu Jan 13, 2011 4:08 pm Post subject:

At the risk of stating the obvious (to some people anyway),
the RS has an 18" rear wheel whereas the LT has a 17", IIRC.
Both have 18" front wheels.
The RS and LT fairings are drastically different. If you're looking for "weather protection", the LT has the larger, more protective fairing.
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'02 - GL1800

The desired effect is what you get when you improve your interplanetary funksmanship - George Clinton

ken · Posted: Thu Jan 13, 2011 4:22 pm Post subject:

Thanks guys. Then...Yes I am looking for an LT. It does what I need, I don't need to go super fast, and I rarely scrape the pegs.

We ride year round, and the other bike will be naked, so definetly want the adjustable barn door.

I want one that looks nice now, with low miles. Really didn't start having issues until it had 120,000 miles. The repairs haven't been expensive, just a pain in the butt taking off the fairing to fix things.
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Ken in Denver

SugarHillCTD · Posted: Thu Jan 13, 2011 4:43 pm Post subject:

whyoldbill · Posted: Sat Jan 15, 2011 10:52 pm Post subject:

SugarHillCTD · Posted: Sun Jan 16, 2011 7:59 am Post subject:

Kind of goofy sizing, huh?

That 18" rear wheel is the oddball size in our garage. The ZX6R and the Monster both adhere to the newer standard for road MC's- 17" F & R.

I suppose the 18" rear on an RS (but curiously NOT on an LT) is a "holdover" from the bikes of 20+ years ago. IIRC, my '82 Honda 900F and '77 Yamaha XS500 were 19" F and 18" R.

Go figure. 5-10 years from now we may be mounting 16.5" tires since that is what MotoGP bikes use now and there is always trickle-down. Or back to 18" F & R.????
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John & Cathy

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

Phil Marvin · Posted: Sun Jan 16, 2011 12:00 pm Post subject:

Hi, Ken,
As you have been told, there isn't much difference in the '94-'97 K1100LT bikes. The major change came in '96 when the windshield switch was incorporated in the left handlebar switch and moved from the center pad. As far as I recall (USA models), all except the '97 had matching color bags and topcase, radio, electric windshield, heated grips, power sockets on the dash and by the coils. The basic '97 bikes lacked some of these, as BMW was cleaning out its parts bins. The '93 had ABS I and had the space for the larger 25 (28?) amp/hr battery; the later bikes made do with the 20 a/h battery. The earlier bikes may also have the 52mm Bosch fuel pump whereas the later bikes have the 43mm Siemens one. Either will work fine with the correct filter screen and vibration damper.
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Ride Safe,
Phil Marvin in El Paso, TX
'94 K75A/3
'95 K75RTP

Jim · Posted: Sun Jan 16, 2011 6:31 pm Post subject:

Scott_Anderson · Posted: Sun Jan 16, 2011 6:49 pm Post subject:

Jim · Posted: Sun Jan 16, 2011 8:09 pm Post subject:

Thanks, Scott - maybe that's what I meant...
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Jim
1997 K1100LTSE 94,000 - still has gremlins!
1995 R100RT Classic 16,650 crashed - repaired!
1992 K75RTP 46,000

"We shall not all die, but we shall all be changed."

ken · Posted: Sun Jan 16, 2011 9:48 pm Post subject:

Mine has the handlebar windshield switch, but I could easily use one on the dash.

I have black luggage, and I am fine with that. I do have the big ones, and some of the painted ones seem to have a smaller trunk. I don't know, I haven't seen them yet.

Looks like I am shopping for a 94 to 97 LT. Of course I have a budget and have and idea what I want to spend, and they seem to be all over the board with pricing from $6500 to $2800. I bought the 97 with 92,000 miles, and it did fine until about 120,000. I am looking for LOW miles, and I can ride it for the next 10 years.....if I can still find tires for it. lol
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Ken in Denver

RJK · Joined: 17 Jan 2006 Posts: 8 Location: Robesonia, PA USA

Ken - You might be interested in my 1997 K1100LT. Less than 30,000 miles. Metzler Lasertecs, sealed battery, etc. Mechanically 9+, cosmetically 8.9, has a few scratches, etc.
Reason for Sale ... I have 1 bike to many (57 R69, 85 K100, 97 K1100 & 99 F650) need to part with one to have working room in my shop.
I'm in eastern PA & could be convinced to ride it out in the spring.
Let me know if you'd be interested.
PM or email to rjkuchar @ hotmail
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1957 R69
1985 K100 RT
1997 K1100 LT