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K11 Owners Group
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Klinker
Flying Brick Rider
Joined: 28 Aug 2006
Posts: 876
Location: SD I-90
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 Posted: Mon Jul 14, 2008 9:19 pm Post subject: Re: Come into the modern world |
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| scotwing wrote: | | I realise you are all dye in the wool BMW people... |
Not all of us.
| scotwing wrote: | | ...have any of you considered buying the more modern ST1300 as a modern replacement for your ageing...1100rs. |
Yes.
| scotwing wrote: | | I,m expecting to get flamed here... |
Turned out to be a somewhat accurate prediction. Sorry about that. While I acknowlege valuing honesty over politeness, some folks just have ill manners. 
| scotwing wrote: | | ...was surprised at the number of comments on "vibration"... |
Well, there's that buzz at 3500-3700 RPM...
| scotwing wrote: | | The ST1300 is...smooth as silk. |
I have ridden an ST1300. This is not a bad thing.
| scotwing wrote: | | I find the ST as visually stimulating as I once found the LT, so I would not be surprised if some of you had already considered a move to the Honda on looks alone. |
Well, I would never move on looks alone, but the ST does have some nice lines. Some that I'm not as keen on as well. Like the wide mouse-eared look of the fairing. But this could be overlooked. And the excessive tin-foil in the headlight bezel. I have to believe that there is a way to crack open that assembly and paint the non-reflective surfaces--sort of like the FJR. I've seen it done on a Gold Wing.
| scotwing wrote: | | just looking for honest opinions from a BMW perspective on a subject we all share "Sport Touring". |
That's my trigger. Honesty > Politeness. Here goes...
I bought my K1100RS two and a half years ago after twelve years on two ST1100's. At the time, I wanted something with ABS, decent weather protection and shaft drive. I considered a newer ST1100 with ABS, but I was ready for a change. I also looked at the ST1300's, but I had heard that they had some heat issues on the early models. I didn't care for the '04 and '05 colors. I kept checking on a low-mile '94 K1100RS in Seattle that was listed on Cycle Trader for about a month. After I determined that I could get an Aeroflow windscreen and could likely swap the handle bars for a higher version, I pulled the trigger.
For the most part, I've been happy with my purchase. The K1100 is a well-engineered machine that was advanced for its time. It is lighter and quicker than the ST1100's, which I appreciate on mountain roads. But...
The K-bikes are higher-maintenance ladies. Yes, when well-maintained they can run forever. But the ST's have a reputation for accumulating tons of miles even when neglected (I know of a 150,000 mile+ ST1100 that has never had a valve adjustment).
Most of us K riders have had to deal with little things - spline lubes, failed final drive seals, leaky fork seals, cracked headers, wacky fuel gauges, tranny oil changes, final drive oil changes - that are not typically necessary with the ST's.
And there's that fuel tank capacity. When I ride with my 'bro (who has an ST1100), I'm always the one who has to look for gas after 150 miles or so. I've ridden over 300 miles on a tank with my ST.
So while I expect to keep my K11RS for a while, I'm sure there will be a day I'll need to look for a replacement (I plan to remain a one-bike owner). And as a dude looking at the big five-oh before too long, speed and handling aren't quite as high on the list of priorities as they used to be. (And while I currently carry my golf clubs, I've been eyeing those pull-carts.  )
I've come to realize that in order to maintain my moto-habit, I also need to attend to this career thing (keeps getting in the way of my fun), which leaves me little time for wrenchin'. Wrenchin' is OK, but I'd rather be riding. I expect an ST1300 would provide a greater peace of mind that I could keep that ratio in favor of riding.
I hope to ride to Alaska in the not too distant future, and I'm not sure what bike that will be on, but I know it won't be on my fourteen+ year-old K-bike. I would love to have a GS for that ride so that I would be more confident continuing up the Haul Road to Prudhoe Bay. But I wouldn't want the GS for my only bike.
I've looked at the FJR1300, Concours 14, and K1200GT. I could pass on the first two for a number of reasons, and the GT just because of it's outrageous sticker price. But my leanings toward the ST1300 ABS were reinforced last year when rider magazine picked it as the favorite in a comparison between the four bikes.
May be my turn to get flamed...
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tlp
1994 K1100RS
Only the Reasonists. They believe in an evidence-based world, something called Rationalism. But it's a tiny group, not so influential.
- Page Griffin |
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scotwing
Joined: 30 Aug 2005
Posts: 3
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| Posted: Tue Jul 15, 2008 1:03 pm Post subject: Come into the modern world |
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Honest reply Tip....no need for anyone to get flamed. At least you have tried the K11...which is more than I have. You touched on a point that led to my decision to get the ST1300....and that was the age of the BMW. I tour Europe every year over a two week period, covering approximately 5k miles and I need a bike with as low a maintenance cost as possible, whereby I just load up and check the tyre pressures every once in a while....the ST1300 fits the bill perfectly....not even a drop of oil used. Sometimes I hear people talk about their bike having "character" and I sometimes wonder if that word is a substitute for "less than acceptable in some areas". The ST13 is described as bland and uninspiring, and too Vanilla even in certain magazine reviews, although they generally end up by saying the ST is very good at everything". How can you write that when a bike does everything well, without vibration or any troublesome problems?. On my European tours there are literally hundreds if not more K11,s running around in very neat condition, so there is a lot to say about that particular design and it is certainly popular on European roads. I believe they still use them for the "Tour de France", so that also says something about them. I really must ride one sometime to compare, maybe I,ll be pleasantly surprised. Hey I,m enjoying this conversation!
Joe |
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Flying Duck
PsyKotic Waterfowl
Joined: 27 Jan 2005
Posts: 10102
Location: Bumf***, WA
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| Posted: Tue Jul 15, 2008 2:02 pm Post subject: Re: Come into the modern world |
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| Klinker wrote: | | I hope to ride to Alaska in the not too distant future, and I'm not sure what bike that will be on, but I know it won't be on my fourteen+ year-old K-bike. I would love to have a GS for that ride so that I would be more confident continuing up the Haul Road to Prudhoe Bay. But I wouldn't want the GS for my only bike. |
I rode up to Alaska and bacc on a 14 year old K75RT. The only reason I wouldn't take my now 15 year old K bike is if I were planning to go to Prudhue Bay because K bikes don't like gravel much.
_________________
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)
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DaveVoorhis
Flying Brick Rider
Joined: 22 Mar 2006
Posts: 223
Location: Derbyshire, UK
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| Posted: Tue Jul 15, 2008 2:31 pm Post subject: Re: Come into the modern world |
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| scotwing wrote: | | Sometimes I hear people talk about their bike having "character" and I sometimes wonder if that word is a substitute for "less than acceptable in some areas". |
No, "character" is that intangible quality that puts a grin on your face every time you ride. Other than a flaky electrical connector when I first bought my RS (probably why the previous owner sold it), it's been 100% problem-free, except for normal wear items. It's only through sheer abuse on the not-remotely-smooth local roads that I've popped a fork seal and wore out the steering head bearings. I repeatedly wore out the same items on my Gold Wings, too.
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'93 K1100RS
Dave #3 |
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CheapJapCopy
Mad Brick Rider
Joined: 17 Dec 2007
Posts: 137
Location: Berlin, Germany
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| Posted: Tue Jul 15, 2008 4:35 pm Post subject: |
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Ok, I'm going to post a theory here -
Most K bikes now are bought with 50k or so on the clock.. There weren't that many made, ESPECIALLY the K1100RS, very low volume..
At 50k, things need sorting out, like the clutch, especially on the RS, as that bike just BEGS to be ridden hard. So we have initial "Teething troubles" and then, we go quiet and don't post any more, because the bike again becomes a stone, and reliable as.
I speak from personal experience here- now I've had everything sorted (£500 give or take), the bike feels like a dream come true.
YMMV
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1992 K1100RS - Red and gold. |
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Klinker
Flying Brick Rider
Joined: 28 Aug 2006
Posts: 876
Location: SD I-90
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| Posted: Tue Jul 15, 2008 7:01 pm Post subject: Re: Come into the modern world |
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| Flying Duck wrote: | | The only reason I wouldn't take my now 15 year old K bike is if I were planning to go to Prudhue Bay because K bikes don't like gravel much. |
Especially when the wet, gritty cake of the Haul Road is accumulating on your radiator. Although a fenda' extenda' may help with that.
| CheapJapCopy wrote: | | There weren't that many made, ESPECIALLY the K1100RS, very low volume.. |
Absolutely. According to our own (Ted's) info:
http://www.k11og.org/reference/K1100RS_SpecSheet.shtml
it looks like only around 534 '93's and 301 '94's were made. I'd be interested to know how many '95's and '96's. At those numbers, our RS tupperware must be like unobtainium.
Don't drop your RS.
_________________
tlp
1994 K1100RS
Only the Reasonists. They believe in an evidence-based world, something called Rationalism. But it's a tiny group, not so influential.
- Page Griffin |
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abreeze
Flying Brick Rider
Joined: 17 Jun 2006
Posts: 671
Location: atlanta
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| Posted: Wed Jul 16, 2008 12:04 am Post subject: |
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| Quote: | | There weren't that many made, ESPECIALLY the K1100RS, very low volume.. |
| Quote: | | it looks like only around 534 '93's and 301 '94's were made. I'd be interested to know how many '95's and '96's. At those numbers, our RS tupperware must be like unobtainium |
Those are the US numbers made......worldwide the K11rs=12,179. The K11lt=22,757. The K1=6,900. The K100RS4V=12,600. Almost 54,000 or so....Not bad!! If you add the K100RS 2v 32,000 units. Then add all other K100 2v(rt,lt,naked) add another 45,000.
130,000 thousand units from 1984 to 1996..........
1.3-1.5 Billion in sales. |
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hirschhs
Flying Brick Rider
Joined: 28 Dec 2006
Posts: 343
Location: Bucks, UK
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| Posted: Wed Jul 16, 2008 3:11 am Post subject: |
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Hi Joe
interesting thread.. before I bought my K11, I considered the ST but it was a matter of chance the K came up first. I have no comparison to make as I have never ridden the ST and I have to say I'm very happy with the K but I'd be happy to swap for a run out 
BTW, where are you?
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Cheers, Steve H _______________________________________
K-less in Bucks
2001 ST1100A
1994 Yamaha 600 Diversion 'Hers'
2006 Kawasaki Z750s 'Hers'
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rover759
Big Brick Rider
Joined: 30 Jul 2007
Posts: 68
Location: Houghton Regis,UK
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| Posted: Thu Jul 17, 2008 4:06 am Post subject: |
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Well as those that have read my threads will know I am rebuilding a write off so finding the cause of the accident and replacing all the broken bits and tweaking all the bodges have been keeping me busy......I think the reason why it crashed was 10 year old fork oil and not too much of it left!!
And you can't blame the manufacturer for someone pulling wires out of the switches and soldering them so badly they melt the switch 
The thing that points to excellent build quality is the fact that second hand parts need no fettling and painted parts all match!
As we say on here we are all keen home techs so when we need to do a tricky job its always good to ask!!
In many senses comparing honda and BMW is more about nuances than finding one product which is fundamentally flawed.However for me the goldwing is just way too gawdy.......
Now if you had said you had bought a ducati tourer and said it had done 100k miles without problems we would know you were fibbing!  |
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CheapJapCopy
Mad Brick Rider
Joined: 17 Dec 2007
Posts: 137
Location: Berlin, Germany
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| Posted: Thu Jul 17, 2008 1:39 pm Post subject: |
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| abreeze wrote: |
..Those are the US numbers made......worldwide the K11rs=12,179.. |
Right, really low in comparison to other machines in the same class, like the ST. As someone else on here, I forget who, said: "A bike you don't see all the time". Another reason to cherish that RS.
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1992 K1100RS - Red and gold. |
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abreeze
Flying Brick Rider
Joined: 17 Jun 2006
Posts: 671
Location: atlanta
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| Posted: Thu Jul 17, 2008 5:11 pm Post subject: |
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| Quote: | abreeze wrote:
..Those are the US numbers made......worldwide the K11rs=12,179..
Right, really low in comparison to other machines in the same class, like the ST. As someone else on here, I forget who, said: "A bike you don't see all the time". Another reason to cherish that RS. |
Remember, BMW was really pushing the NEW R1100 starting in '93. With the K11LT being the Touring Flagship. The KRS was really just a carry over till the next generation telelever K12(brick).
I beleive BMW intended on fazing out the Brick in the 90's. But as the Boxer(1100) motor peaked at about 100bHP, they needed the K1200 as a high power sport tourer.
For the reletivly low numbers of K11RS sold, you sure see a lot of them still on the road. In proportion to the ST's made, I see very few. Ive also found its getting hard to find a K11 with less than 25K miles on it. |
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