K11 Owners Group

[rgscomp]

So, the second part of the review following a trip to Edinburgh and back (125 miles each way).

Some background...

I know the road pretty well - been travelling this route on average once a week for the past 8 months.

Familiar with my LT - averaging about 30000miles a year for the past 3 and a half years, all year round in all weathers.

The A1 from Newcastle to Edinburgh is a fairly fast (limits permitting ) road with a good mix of road type. Long fast corners, roundabouts with lots of braking up to fairly tight left/right/left turns for the roundabout itself and then lots of acceleration out. Hills and dips and some poor road surfaces. More open and flowing than tight and twisty.

I'm at the "sports" end of sports-touring even though I have an LT not an RS. Prior to this LT, I ran Ducati ST4/ST4S for about 3 years doing about 20000 miles per year.

In the past (mid to late 70's) I raced Bonnevilles and Seeley Nortons so am comfortable with my abilities and limits. Did track days on the ST's.

I have the K1100RS wheels fitted with BT023s.

The two words to describe the bike with the RAM shock and springs is "more precise". I felt that over the whole journey the bike was going where I wanted it to with much less persuasion....

Given the more aggresive style to my riding, I particularily notice that the reduced dive on the brakes makes the transition from "late-braking to off-the-brakes to turn-in" massively better. The more controlled rear shock helps to manage all the weight transfer in this situation too. The overall result is more confidence (and more grins)

Long fast bends are negotiated with no wallowing action. I've been able to tune that out with the rear shock damping - the effect of adding or removing single clicks of damping can be noticed immediately.

Overall, my LT now holds a much tighter line in all bend types on this route and also maintains a given line without drifting out so much.

The uprated suspension means you do feel more of the road through the bars, etc. but in no way would I describe it as harsh - just less insulated.
I've still got a hugely competent and comfortable long-distance tourer, but it just handles better.

I went the RAM route because I felt if a company has gone to the trouble of developing high quality suspension components for a narrow market and a bike that is probably 10 years out of production then they deserve my support. That and the many positive comments on the forum from others who have fitted the shock.

For me, it's money well spent....

[Flying Duck]

I've been pretty happy with the RAM on my K75 and I haven't really even messed with the settings.

I"m interested also in what you think of the BT023s. Please write up a review of those when you have the time. I've seen good reviews on other bikes. Interested in how well they ride on a K.

(I bought a front of those to put o my K75 that has a K11LT front end.
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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
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86 custom K100
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IBA #17739 (SS1K, BBG, 50CC)
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