K11 Owners Group

Sonu · Posted: Fri Sep 16, 2011 3:45 pm Post subject: Opinions on pickup trucks?

Friends,

I'm toying with the idea of buying a pickup truck and have never owned one before.

Looking at 2 to 3 yr old Toyota Tacoma or Tundra. Anyone out here have experiences/strong opinions about these?

I'm overwhelmed by the # of model variations that are out there. I'll likely get a 4 door 4x4. Undecided on long bed v. short bed, locking diff, manual v. auto transmission..... Any thoughts on these issues appreciated.

Intended uses:
1) Primary use: Hauling all of "fish doctor" gear for pond calls I make to help fellow Koi pond enthusiasts. I sometimes assist with pond upgrades and hauling PVC piping, filters, pumps in my car is getting to be a pain. I'll likely need a camper to have secure storage (I'm assuming campers come on & off easily)

2) Secondary use: Hauling bicycles for summer rides with my kids and winter ski trips

3) Distant third use: Hauling the LT (I cant imagine I'd ever need to but it would be good to have the capability). Perhaps hauling a dirt bike someday (never owned one yet)

Thanks,

Sanjiv
_________________
1997 K1100LT "Ziggy" _GarminGPS_Corbin saddle_K Guards _Hyperlights_Fog lights_Eastern Beaver Relays_Cee Bailey_4"speakers_Michelin PR4's_MoS2_Spiegler lines_TPMS_VDO

Stoked Steve · Posted: Fri Sep 16, 2011 4:27 pm Post subject:

I had a '97 and a '99 Tacoma that I traded in on my current '07 Chevy Silverado. (I needed a bigger truck for work) I had about 120k on the '99 and still got $5k for it as a trade in '07.

You can't go wrong with a Toyota, but I have to say the build seemed a bit cheaper than I would expect from Toyota. No major issues with mine, just leaking seals on the wheels and transmission. Had to replace a starter around 100k.

Get the V-6 if you can, it only gets one or two miles less per gallon, but is a lot more driveable. I had the 2.7 four cylinder and you had to wring the heck out of it to get up to speed, especially on the kind of highway driving you have in CA.

Keep in mind the 4 door only comes with a 5' bed (Taco or Tundra), which is very limiting. The extra cab can have a 6' bed on the Taco and the extra cab on the Tundra can have a 6' or an 8' long bed. The extra cab on the Taco has a very small back seat, only good for kids. The Tundra extra cab is pretty spacious and comfy for even adults.

If you're really not going to use it, don't get the 4x4, you'll just be pushing around all that equipment, dragging your gas mileage down. And it's just more stuff to go wrong. The tires are more expensive and wear more quickly. Do get auto locking hubs though if you get the 4X.

I have always had camper shells, but they do not come off easily and they are awkward to store, plan on keeping it on there, figure about $800-$1,000 for a basic one.

Get one as loaded as you can, I made the mistake of buying a reall basic 4x on the '97 and hated the lack of features, so I traded it in on a SR5 '99 that at least had power windows and locks. Get the automatic if you can, both of mine were sticks and now that I have an automatic, I'll never go back (unless it's a sports car...)

The TRD packages are nice, they add a stiffer spring set up, bigger wheels/tires, locking rear diff (that you would only use when extreme 4x ing). A friend just got a Tundra 4x extra cab with the TRD and it is very nice.

I would have almost bought a Tundra but in '07 they were still fairly new and no one made a camper shell for the 8' bed. Plus, they were practically giving away the older style Silverado's.

Good luck!

_________________
Steve
Virginia Beach, VA
93 K1100RS Mystic Red SOLD
12 Suzuki DL650A VStrom

mtnroads · Posted: Fri Sep 16, 2011 4:27 pm Post subject:

Can't beat Toyotas but they command high resale. The equivalent Nissan might be a bit more affordable and just as tough. I like the Nissan Frontier and either that or a Tacoma should do anything you want to do. Only reason to step up to fullsize is the need to tow a large trailer or carry a camper in the bed, and you will pay a significant mpg penalty. I have a fullsize GMC 3/4 ton 4x4 that will do anything but it is no stranger to gas pumps and commands a lot of turning/parking space. But we occasionally tow big things with it so I keep it around.
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2012 R1200RT Midnight Blue
95 K1100LT Graphit (sold)
01 R1100RT Black (sold)

Stoked Steve · Posted: Fri Sep 16, 2011 4:33 pm Post subject:

My Silverado with a 5.3L V8 (2wd) gets about 18 mpg, my Taco got the same mileage! Of course it was lifted, and was 4WD but it was only a 4cyl with stick!
_________________
Steve
Virginia Beach, VA
93 K1100RS Mystic Red SOLD
12 Suzuki DL650A VStrom

Sonu · Posted: Fri Sep 16, 2011 5:26 pm Post subject:

Guys,

Thanks! This is exactly the kind of feedback I need. Hopefully others will chime in as well.

I'm seeing 2011 Taco's with SR5 package at few hundred bucks below invoice... I'm assuming this is because the (new design) 2012's are now out. I'll go do some test drives this weekend.

I need the 4WD not so much for off-roading but for the winter ski trips. Putting chains on and off is getting old.

Cheers,

Sanjiv
_________________
1997 K1100LT "Ziggy" _GarminGPS_Corbin saddle_K Guards _Hyperlights_Fog lights_Eastern Beaver Relays_Cee Bailey_4"speakers_Michelin PR4's_MoS2_Spiegler lines_TPMS_VDO

Number 6 · Posted: Fri Sep 16, 2011 6:13 pm Post subject:

How about 2 K11 bikes assembled with a bed? Laughing

_________________
I am not a number, I am a free man.

94 K1100LT

Stoked Steve · Posted: Fri Sep 16, 2011 7:56 pm Post subject:

Hmm, what do the '12's look like?
_________________
Steve
Virginia Beach, VA
93 K1100RS Mystic Red SOLD
12 Suzuki DL650A VStrom

Sonu · Posted: Fri Sep 16, 2011 8:11 pm Post subject:

SugarHillCTD · Posted: Fri Sep 16, 2011 9:13 pm Post subject:

Sanjiv,

Just as a heads up, a K11 will not fit in a 6.5' bed with the tailgate closed.
Probably no big concern.

But something to consider is getting a K bike up into any pickup bed.

I have done it and it scared the crap outta' me. You really need GOOD ramps that are at least 8' long and WIDE. Unless you are Evel Knievel a 2x12 plank is a really bad idea.

Just something to keep in mind- hopefully you never have to do it.

Otherwise it sounds like you are going in the right direction and Steve had some good suggestions. For what you need, the Toyotas would be good, or at most a 1/2 ton American p.u.

Good luck.
John
_________________
John & Cathy

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

Sonu · Posted: Fri Sep 16, 2011 9:20 pm Post subject:

robleyd · Posted: Sat Sep 17, 2011 5:32 am Post subject:

You don't want one of those tiddly little Tojos - you want something with a bit of grunt, you do!

You want a Maloo ute - http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/HSV_Maloo

Cool

Eat your heart out Very Happy

_________________
David, owner of:
1996 K1100 LT

Number 6 · Posted: Sat Sep 17, 2011 6:29 am Post subject:

It looks like gas is still not expensive enough in your country Wink

But to each his own, don't mean to hurt you with this message. Smile

_________________
I am not a number, I am a free man.

94 K1100LT

SugarHillCTD · Posted: Sat Sep 17, 2011 7:15 am Post subject:

Tim (Midland Section) · Posted: Sat Sep 17, 2011 5:18 pm Post subject:

drikko · Posted: Sat Sep 17, 2011 6:19 pm Post subject:

Hey Rob, mate of mine has a Maloo with a ridiculously fast motor in it, A supercharged V8 I think. The best use for it is to make nice black tyre width lines on the road at pretty much any speed you want! Real scary in the rain with the traction control off Laughing

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K1100RS '97
Laverda RGS 1000 '84
Jim Young Trailer Sailer 5.7M WB

DISCLAIMER:- Anything I say may have been when I was drunk so please don't take it personally.

'Bigamy is having one wife/husband too many. Monogamy is the same.'
Oscar Wilde

robleyd · Posted: Mon Sep 19, 2011 6:11 am Post subject:

Ho-ly cow! I can't imagine how much horses a blown Maloo might poke out, especially if it is one of the Chevvy V8s with a standard output starting somewhat north of 400 large ponies Shocked

_________________
David, owner of:
1996 K1100 LT

robleyd · Posted: Mon Sep 19, 2011 6:27 am Post subject:

Number 6 · Posted: Mon Sep 19, 2011 7:28 am Post subject:

Ernie-NH · Posted: Mon Sep 19, 2011 8:32 am Post subject:

Hello "number6"...

Curious.... why is the German 'prototype' not street-legal in France ? Here in the US there are still not enough LPG stations to warrant a conversion to CNG or LPG. For example, the nearest public CNG station to me here in New Hampshire is 118 miles to the south in another state. There are no 'public' stations in NH, or in either Maine or Vermont or neighboring states. Despite that, I have often thought that a suitable 'high pressure' tank could be fitted and disguised to replace the traditional tank, in its normal location. Sorry to say but the other alternative, electric, is still not viable using todays technology, at least for the range of riding that we "K" riders typically do. So for us, CNG or LPG will have to wait until the infrastructure can support it.

Best regards........// Ernie in NH
_________________
AMA,, American Deaf Bikers
Airhead Beemers Club
'11 G650gs
'95 K1100LT
'76 R100/7

Number 6 · Posted: Mon Sep 19, 2011 11:58 am Post subject:

In France, a motorcycle cannot be legally converted to LPG, it's that simple (and stupid).
If the bike is legally registered in Germany, you can drive it in many countries including France, even if it has more than 100 hp (legal limit in France) but you cannot register it in France.
_________________
I am not a number, I am a free man.

94 K1100LT