K11 Owners Group

[ThomasJ2352]

Gentlemen,
Thanks for the forum to ask questions of the group. I have owned my 1150GS for about 1.5 years now and put about 16k miles on it, almost a whopping 200 have been off pavement, which is somewhat leading me to look at trading for something more sport touring oriented. I have thought about a K1200RS and K1200GT(too pricey for me though) but I have also seen many K1100RS's available and was wondering what you guys think the are the pluses and minuses between the two (I have read old articles when the 1200 first came out and they talk about how much smoother/faster/heavier the 1200s are but I don't think I would notice the buzz, as the GS has plenty of that, and speed...I don't expect to be doing triple digits). I guess what's important to me is: reliability (commuting daily), more snap than my GS, decent ergonomics (I'm 6'3" and don't want to be leaning too much forward....the K1200RS is too much lean without real bar-backs added), and comfort for my wife on weekend trips.
I have seen a showroom clean 93' with 43k mi that looks fabulous but at 17 years old I'm thinking it may be a bit old and technologically out dated for a safe/reliable daily rider. (I would have to have ABS like my GS...I'm probably overly paranoid about safety issues). Also, I do all my own maintenance on the GS...how conducive are the K1100 bikes for that?

Your patience with these noob question and any thoughts would be greatly appreciated.

Thanks,
Tom

[Che sera sera]

I'm new to k1100rs ownership, and this site but my experiences are probably relevant having just moved on from an r1100rs. I have a '96 with 43,000 on it, and was also looking for a reliable year round daily commuter with abs.

My first subjective impressions:
I really like it. Similar riding position to the r twin (which will be more leant forward than a GS). Probably slightly heavier than my r1100rs, but not that you'd really notice. Overall it feels a lot classier that the r twins.

Engine is generally smoother than the r twins, but any buzzing is more high pitched ('cos it's a 4?). To start with it felt like I was doing 6000 rpm when in fact it was only 3000, for example. I can pull off and change up to top gear without any throttle - something I couldn't do on the r twin and can pull smoothly from 15mph in top gear (not that I normaly ride like this). Fairing does a good job, but does seem to throw more heat backwards (good in winter I guess, but hot legs in this weather). Performance-wise, it feels on a par with my last bike at slower speeds, but pulls harder from 40mph upwards. 1 up no luggage, it feels under-geared. Indicated 70 = indicated 4200rpm ish
Gentle (max 70mph) 25 mile each way commuting has given 56mpg on a whole tank - I'd say this would be best achieveable. Tank range seems to be 220 miles max at that rate. Home maintenance - I changed engine, gearbox and rear drive oil (plus filter) in same time it took to do the r. Biggest difference for standard servicing will be adjusting tappets - r I could do both cylinders in 1 hour from start to finish - on the k1100 it's a cams out job to get to the buckets (hopefully infrequently). Some bits are common between my K and my r - wheels/tyres, abs, switch gear, rear drive layout - not sure the technology is really outdated (hope not since I'm looking for many years/miles out of mine!)

Hope this helps.
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'96 K1100rs
'93 r1100rs (probably on the way out)

[miKeinWIs]

Welcome to the site. Where are you located??
Lots of info for you to peruse. I have an LT but the RS guys will chime I'm sure. LT is a little less racer riding position.
'93 w/43K is not bad. "Not broke in yet". Look for maintenance records. On the time line for a spline lube...probly no different than R bike.
These things do throw heat but lots of info to mitigate the effects rather cheaply. Search "Johnny blanket". Most of the maintenance can be done with your skills / knowledge.
I believe "93 was the start of the final (thru 97) K1100 iteration w/50amp alternator and maybe ABS II (?), but someone will know for sure.
Buzziness is not bad if tuned properly-at least worse than some other makes. RPM's a up there but the K was nade to rev so not a huge issue.
Good luck-there are a bunch available at reasonable prices.
Mike
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'97 K1100LT
Bought 6/30/09 w/26,750 miles

[ThomasJ2352]

Thanks for your quick and helpful replies...
location...Penn Valley, CA...just northeast from Sacramento.
Wish you all a great weekend.
Tom

[Phil Marvin]

'94 K11 bikes had the 50 amp (700 watt) alternator and ABSII. '93 had the 32 amp (460 watt) alternator and ABSI. Both are good, but I'd rather have the bigger alternator and ABSII, although doing the clutch spline lube is easier with ABSI. In '96 the windshield adjusting switch was integrated into the left handlebar switch (previously it was a rocker switch in the dash pad) and in '97 the least expensive model came with black (not color matched) bags, no radio and no heated grips.
_________________
Ride Safe,
Phil Marvin in El Paso, TX
'94 K75A/3
'95 K75RTP

[Flying Duck]

93 K1100RSs came with the 50A alternator. The LTs and K75s didn't have them until 94.

I'm 6-2 and am comfortable for long days on the RS.

Keeping the throttlebodies synched will minimize buzz.

The factory handlebars are mounted in rubber and mushy. Two washers and 10 minutes will get the mush out and make them virtually solid.

(I rode through Linda on Friday.)
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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

[Moondog]

Good solid bike. I have 106k on my 1996 K1100RS. My only issue is the heat. They kick out alot of heat. I am in Savannah, Ga where temps have been 95-100 for the past month. If you are in a more temperate area it is a good bike. It is a heavy bike and slightly top heavy but the bike is built like a tank. Engine is nearly indestructable and everything is easy to work on. I bought mine with 82k on the ticket and didn't flinch. From my research and then my experiences it's a good bike. Good luck.
_________________
"Badges? We don't need no stinking badges"!

I like the social aspect of riding. Rally's, socializing, drinking beer, fartin' and carrying on.

2004 R1150RS
1996 K1100RS (moved on to new home)

[supercat1]

93 was the best year to get a k11rs. both of the ones in my family (mine and my brother's) performed impeccably on our 2200mi trip to and from virginia. the abs can be a bit aggressive, but at least you know it is working!
_________________
(formerly) 1993 k1100rs

[Flying Duck]

[Scott_Anderson]

I might suggest the term 'sensitive'?
_________________
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)

[ThomasJ2352]

Hello and thanks for your helpful comments earlier. As I may have mentioned earlier up the thread, I may be trading my R1150GS for a K11RS or K12RS. I currently do all my own maintenance...spent too many years wrenching on old air cooled vw engines not too! One thing that occurred to me was how the maintenance costs might compare between the K11 and K12. I just read a K12 thread on the topic and they said that repair costs on the K12's were extremely high. I understand that repair costs and maintenance costs are usually two different things but how would you gentlemen compare:
1) The ease and cost of maintenance and
2) cost of repair?

Thanks again for your help,
Tom
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2001 R1150GS

[ljjohns]

I owned a K11LT for five years and then, as a retirement present to myself, "upgraded" to a K12LT before I became aware of all the information about both bikes on the Internet: that to be found here on the K11 and on the BMWLT site for the K12.

I'm an older guy who has had to wait until I partially retired (I was doing double duty as a college professor and an Army Reserve general) to invest fully in my bikes. I'm not an intense rider: I do one or two multi-day rides and otherwise commute. My friends laugh at me when I tell them that, for all practical purposes, I "walked" the K12 down from the top of Beartooth.

If I had it to do over, I'd probably keep my 96 K11. There are many small features of the K12 that are nice but not necessary: I think the ABS system is superior (mine's a 2003 with Integral ABS) but if I have to replace the control unit (and that's what my dealer says I may have to do) that's a $3K experience. The K11 ABS system nicely handled encounters with deer in Washington state; I haven't really had the chance to test the K12 system in similar circumstances.I don't use the CD player, and I regret that I can't take the bags off the K12 as I could with the K11. And while the brakes are "better" on the K12, they've also caused (along with the extra 250 pounds of dead weight) me to drop the bike repeatedly at low speeds.

I'm getting ready to leave tomorrow towards an eight-day ride in the Canadian Rockies (once I finish towing both my K12 and my K75 up to Wenatchee) but I think I'd enjoy the ride just as much on a K11 as my K12.
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1993 K1100LT (Washington)
1995 K1100LTSE
1996 K1100LTSE (parts)
2003 K1200LTC
1991 K75RT

[ljjohns]

Maitenance cost comparison between K11 and K12LT:
The K12 series has more sophisticated systems and more elaborate bodywork. Getting inside a K12 is a lot more work than what a K11 would require; parts (e.g. ABS controller) are more expensive. The basic engine is a brick; getting to the engine to do what needs to be done is a PITA. I just spent $45 for screws and nuts to replace those missing when I took the "tupperware" off.

There are serious K12 riders who tour intensely and find great satisfaction from the bike, and the BMWLTC site can give you some sense of what they value in that model--and what problems they have.
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1993 K1100LT (Washington)
1995 K1100LTSE
1996 K1100LTSE (parts)
2003 K1200LTC
1991 K75RT

[ThomasJ2352]

Thanks again for the helpful information on the K1100's. Was wondering if there was a handy K11 buyers guide here on the site so those of us who haven't owned one (yet) will know what to look for when shopping.
Thanks
Tom
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2001 R1150GS

[robleyd]

Try Ted's guide to buying a used BMW - http://www.verrill.com/moto/kbikebuyingguide.shtml
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David, owner of:
1996 K1100 LT

[supercat1]

by aggressive i meant kicked in probably earlier than necessary. at least that is my experience with my bike. so i guess, your mileage may vary.
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(formerly) 1993 k1100rs