K11 Owners Group

AndrewD

OK, I ride quickly but not like an idiot. Here in the UK we have bends.........lots of them.......all over the place Shocked

I ride in a convoy of BMW bikes, a K1100LT and K1 (near as damn it a 1100). I have identical tyres to the the K1 and much better than the LT, but my bike does not like to 'drop' into a corner you need to force it there and that makes it run wide.

The K1 drops in fine and the LT is good too, others have ridden my RS and said the same. Bike is straight, tyres are good, headstock is free.

It is worth fitting wider bars or is it a common 'feature' of the RS? I was shocked that the RS bars are considerably narrower than the K1!

Andrew
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AndrewD

1994 K1100RS in Black
www.Gabfesterst.com for all BMW riders

RobWheatley · Posted: Tue Oct 28, 2008 5:53 pm Post subject:

My RS was like that when i first got it, she had a set of BT21's on her, the front had worn with a flat in the middle i guess from under inflation.
I had the front replaced after about a month as it was near the wear limits and that cure the problem, handled like a dream.
From what i have heard the BT21's are prone to wearing like that due to the different compounds.
Don't know if you have them on yours but might be one reason.
Rob
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1999 K1100LTIC Smooth and Quiet Smile

Cruise, BFD & HID
1996 K1100RS. dead but not forgotten.

BMGraeme · Posted: Tue Oct 28, 2008 7:20 pm Post subject:

Tyres will make a difference - when I switched to Z6's they made a huge difference with the RS tipping into corners a treat. The KRS is a big bike though and you need to be assertive on the cornering. Have you tried counter steering - for me it works well.
_________________
1980 CB900FA
1994 K1100RS
2008 R1200GSA

Shoganai · Posted: Tue Oct 28, 2008 8:53 pm Post subject:

Did you lower the triple clamp?
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1993 K1100RS aka The Shop Whore
1994 K1100RS aka Blue Streak

The long road is a rainbow and the pot of gold lies there.
So slip the chain and I'm off again,
You'll find me everywhere. I'm a Rover. - JT

Nana korobi ya oki

fnord · Posted: Tue Oct 28, 2008 9:32 pm Post subject:

My first ride on the brick was a short test ride through some backroads near the dealership, and I wasn't too pleased with the way this thing refused to tip. I was thinking, "wow, this thing *forces* you to countersteer."

Back at the dealership, they noticed that both tires were really low. It made a massive difference.

Back in the day I used to ride a GL500 Silverwing (my first "legal, adult" bike), and I got used to putting pressure down on the fotpeg to lean the bike. That technique seems to fit the K as well.o
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1993 K1100RS
1999 Jeep Wrangler

BobZ(IL) · Posted: Tue Oct 28, 2008 10:10 pm Post subject:

Riding technique is always important (countersteer, weight shift, etc) however, I'm a bit of a former car racer and quick "turn-in" usually happens as a result of tire tuning.
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'93 K1100LT
'78 R100S
'05 R1200GS
BMWMOA, CRBMWOA, ABC, K11OG #997

Live well, do good work, enjoy the ride.

jpberens1994K1100RS · Posted: Tue Oct 28, 2008 11:09 pm Post subject: turn in

Tire pressure is HUGE on the modern MC radial tire.
I was amazed after a flat earlier this year on how thin the tread area is on a Michelin PR2 compared to the side wall thickness. So not amazing after that when I notice yeah, bike is turning in kinda slow. Yup, down on air volume by abot 10%.
Put the front back to 39PSI and 38 in the rear. All is good again even with temps at 32 this morning.
Low pressure really affects the tire profile and hoe the bike handles.
I can usually tell by feel if the tires are down a tad, but I think I better be a good rider & check them more often, easy enough to do.
Course, I guess that's why some like the tire pressure monitors, and I can
see that now. Power up, check teh display, go with confidence.
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1993 K1100RS that I'd rather be riding FAST!
2014 Moto Guzzi Norge

AndrewD · Posted: Wed Oct 29, 2008 5:19 am Post subject:

Thank you all! Cool

The tyres are Bridgestone BT020, both are almost new with about 1000 miles on them. I think I need to up the presure as they have been run a little low (32psi).

Also I have dropped the triple clamp if that is lowering the front on the forks by about 3/8" or 10mm

Funnny thing is that it loves having the panniers on, handles VERY well at full camping kit! Shocked

Andrew
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AndrewD

1994 K1100RS in Black
www.Gabfesterst.com for all BMW riders

Off the grid · Posted: Wed Oct 29, 2008 5:57 am Post subject:

SugarHillCTD · Posted: Wed Oct 29, 2008 6:20 am Post subject:

The independent (but BMW certified) mechanic that turns the wrenches on "Hades" has me up to 42 psi front and 44 rear. Tire wear is better and corners feel better.

But as others have indicated- these Ks need countersteering more than any other bikes that I have ridden.

John
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John & Cathy

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

Euripides · Posted: Wed Oct 29, 2008 10:43 am Post subject:

Andrew: What did you expect to achieve by changing the BMW factory setting for the tripple tree clamp? I suggest to put it back to factory specs. Also, go to the MS Group Motorcycle Safety Web Site and read the articles written by Mr. James Davis that explain countersteering. -Euripides

DetroitDan · Posted: Wed Oct 29, 2008 2:52 pm Post subject:

I use BT-020's , also.

Taking the pressure up to near sidewall made a tremendous difference.

But, no one will ever accuse the RS of being "twitchy"!

Funny you should mention about handling with extra weight. My 12-year old son LOVES when the peg scrape and fold;and, it actually seems much easier to lean hard into a turn with him on the back.

(Maybe it's just some latent homicidal feelings toward my offspring appearing.)
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1973 CB350F / 1977 R100/7 / 1991 DR650S / 1995 K1100RS

"No man in the wrong can stand up against a fellow that’s in the right and keeps on a-comin’” Capt. Bill McDonald (1852-1918)

AndrewD · Posted: Wed Oct 29, 2008 5:28 pm Post subject:

Shoganai · Posted: Wed Oct 29, 2008 9:03 pm Post subject:

Shoganai · Posted: Wed Oct 29, 2008 9:22 pm Post subject:

SugarHillCTD · Posted: Wed Oct 29, 2008 9:34 pm Post subject:

AndrewD · Posted: Thu Oct 30, 2008 9:43 am Post subject:

I'm pretty chilled on the bike (well it's non optional at freezing at the moment Shocked

). I am happy with speed, lane changing and make good progress in heavy traffic.

As I approach a tight-ish bend at speed like a motorway junction it's hard to be relaxed when the bike has a habit of running wide! I have to use counter steer and am probably not light enough as I'm anticipating an argument with the bike Twisted Evil

I will lift the triple clamp up to stock (odd as everyone else has been happy when they dropped it). As for weighting the outside peg, I have done that before, but found it made my line wander when the surface of the road changed mid turn.

My plan of action is to lift the clamp and run higher PSi in the tyres, I'm about 15 stone so it needs all the help! Embarassed

Thanks again for all the help, it's great to get model specific help so quickly! We setup a forum in the UK to relpace the motobins forum that failed, more as a meeting/chat place than technical. That is what highlighted the issue as we ride in convoy and I feel like I'm riding my nuts off when an LT with skinny tyres looks happy as a pig in poo! Rolling Eyes

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AndrewD

1994 K1100RS in Black
www.Gabfesterst.com for all BMW riders

Euripides · Posted: Thu Oct 30, 2008 2:47 pm Post subject:

Andrew: Please put your K100RS back to factory specifications before something bad happens. The best will be to simply lose as much weight as you can. This has the big advantage of not costing anything, i.e. free! Just don't eat anything containing sugar, grease, cheese, bread and alcohol. (not much left to eat?) You will feel and look better in a short time and live longer! Your k100 will get better gas and tire (tyre) milage, your food expenses will be less; you will get wealthy, beautiful women will throw themselves at you! - Euripides

AndrewD · Posted: Thu Oct 30, 2008 3:04 pm Post subject: