K11 Owners Group

[CincinnatiKid]

I didn’t get to ride at all in 2009. My lumbar spinal stenosis problem finally stopped me last winter. I had an operation in October, and things seem to be better now, although not doing anything physical for 18 months did put on some pounds. I can stand up for half an hour and walk a couple of hundred yards without too much problem.

In anticipation of better things this year, how can I set up the suspension (95 K1100LT, 26K) to be as soft as I can get it?


Tom in Cincinnati
_________________
Tom in Cincinnati

[Off the grid]

Hey Tom, glad to hear you are on the up and up.

Couple things.

1. The stock suspension on an LT is very basic and rudimentary. It will never be plush and I am not sure it can be considered soft. It is about as basic as suspension gets. Usually swapped out for a Works/Ohlins/RAM/etc shock by riders, especially if they do any type of 2-up riding.

2. The LT is a big, top-heavy pig as you well know. When that bike is moving in a direction (or tipping, for that matter) it does not like to stop or change motion. I am a big, burly bastard and have had to use all my leg strength at times to keep the bike upright. Given your condition I would worry about handling the bike at slow speed rather than the suspension. Also putting the bike on the center stand requires some strength as well.

Welcome to the OG. How about some pics of your LT?
_________________
Bane of your existence since July 2006
2007 Triumph Tiger ABS. "Sabertooth"
2009 Husqvarna TE610. "The dirty Italian mistress"

[CincinnatiKid]

Strength is not the problem. PAIN is the problem.

I'm going to 5 Wt in the forks, and adding a tocuh of PTFE greae to reduce seal static friction.

Any ideas for the rear?

Tom in Cincinnati
_________________
Tom in Cincinnati

[Scott_Anderson]

Welcome Tom.

You will also need a good seat, and the right kind of tires for softer ride.

Maybe even some gel lined shorts for some more cushion.
_________________
Ride safe.



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

[Beachcomber]

Tom,

most of the good quality aftermarket shox will have an ultra soft setting. It's striking the balance between that and bottoming out!

I can't speak for the others, but the RAM has been designed to have + - 10% across the whole range,

What that means in practical terms is - there are 12 fixed settings for dampening, adjutable by a knurled knob. With further adjustment the whole of the valving can be upgraded or downgraded by 10%. Effectively that means there is an "in between" setting.

As stated - ALL the good aftermarket shox will have a serious amount of adjustment AND YOU SHOULD BE ABLE to arrive at a setting that will ease your problem.

If you contact me - I will be quite happy to pose your personal requirements to the lab technicians at Realm to see if they can offer a solution - and you get a 10% club discount !!!!!!!!!
_________________
Beachcomber '93 K1100RS / '93 K1100LT and several K100's

[tibbe]

A kidney belt can help.
It prevents me from having pain after a day riding.
Doesn't matter if it's on tarmac or gravel.
Note Always ride with back protector and kiddeny belt, feel more comfortable and safer and makes more joy to riding.

[rkildu]

You might look into some sort of rider back rest. I cannot ride my airhead any distance without a kidney/back belt, but I can ride all day on my K11. I've got a Russell Daylong with their removable rider backrest. It sometimes makes getting on and off a little awkward, as I can't swing my leg high enough when it's on the sidestand, on the center stand I just step on the footpeg and mount kinda like a horse.


_________________
Rod Kilduff
97 K1100LT HighLine
82 R100Lufty

[RJTrucker]

I bought a Russell Daylong over the winter from this group but I might not be able to use it. It adds alot a few inches to the seat height compared to myK75 low seat converson. The low seat kills my Butt so I wanted to get the Russell but it is so tall I cant reach the ground. If I cant find a way to gain the footing it will be made avaliable. Russell is a great seat and very comfy on long trips.
_________________
Ron
1993 K11LT
1985 K100RS with over 100K on it
1985 K100RS Luftmiester Turbo Work in progress (any help is appreciated)
1974 R90/6

[rkildu]

My Russell is made as low as they could make it, but it is a bit wider.

There are other backrest solutions out there, I think Corbin had something although my Corbin experience is not good. I replaced a Corbin with that Russell.
_________________
Rod Kilduff
97 K1100LT HighLine
82 R100Lufty