K11 Owners Group

Orkney · Joined: 08 Sep 2013 Posts: 2 Location: New York

Bought a fine 95 RS back in September. Thanks to several of you got charging sorted out - new Bosch 60amp, regulator, starter relay. All's swell there.

Learning to ride it, with help from the Full_Control.pdf, plus tips here on shifting. K11OG has made all the difference.

Sadly, with everyday 25+ mile commute I'm getting substantial pain at the base of my thumbs, from the knob near the wrist in the heel of both hands to the thumb's first joint leading out of the palm; also in lower arm's muscles/tendons leading to same. More than just developing a new set of muscles, I think.

Thought mastering riding position, especially keeping all weight off hands and on pegs when braking, would solve the issue, but it hasn't. Using more finger pressure on grips (and less from thumbs) helped but hasn't provided solution.

Now suspect either diameter of the grips or maybe the angle of the handlebar - rotated too low? I wear a large size glove . . .

Had a few Brit & Japanese bikes, never this problem. RS is the heaviest bike I've had, but likely not the issue: discomfort appears mostly on use of throttle, front brake, clutch.

Be great to ride this beauty the rest of my days, but need to solve this puzzle. Doubtless not the first with this issue - further advice much appreciated.
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noli timere

grant93 · Posted: Thu Nov 28, 2013 4:01 pm Post subject:

Gidday Fellas.

Sorry Orkney, the only remedy I can suggest is to catch the bus Wink

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Cheers Grant

1994 K1100RS
1981 R100RS
1978 R100RS
1928 Chevrolet tourer

www.montythe1928chevrolet.blogspot.com.au

Flying Duck · Posted: Thu Nov 28, 2013 4:03 pm Post subject:

Not sure if this will help but here goes:

I don't get the more finger pressure thing. You really shouldn't need a whole lot of finger pressure to control the bike and, within reason, your grip should be as relaxed as possible.

Your arms should not be supporting you, your back should. Your arms and elbows should be somewhat loose. Try occasionally flapping your elbows in and out to remind yourself to keep your arms relaxed.

It's pretty easy (and free) to experiment with different handlebar angles. All you need to do is take off the plastic dash pad and loosen the bolts on the tops of the clamps a bit.

Note that you can also experiment with different rotational positions of the clutch and throttle perches too:

The clamping bolt for the throttle side is under the right combination switch.

The clamping bolt for the clutch side is under the back of it as you look at it when seated. If you loosen the clutch side one then do not use he-man torque to tighten it back up, just enough so that it stays in position, If you tighten that one too much then it will break the clamping bar off and you'll have to replace the clutch perch.

Another option is "C" bars - from a K75C. These bars are higher and not angled down at the ends like the RS bars to give you a more relaxed, upright riding position. This is a pretty common mod.
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94 RS
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91 & 92 K75Ss
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SugarHillCTD · Posted: Fri Nov 29, 2013 9:04 am Post subject:

Orkney,

Where abouts in New York? The City? We relocated to N.H. from Long Island 20 years ago.

I have really large hands (I wear through the fingertips of gloves first) and have found the BMW grips too small in diameter. I feel like I am gripping a 3/4" dowel.

I have used Grip Puppies on the 3 BMWs I have owned. MUCH better.

Good luck.
John
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John & Cathy

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

blue95lt · Posted: Fri Nov 29, 2013 1:03 pm Post subject: Hand/finger pain

I have found Olympia brand gel filled in Palm area helps somewhat to relive
Hand pain. Keith
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1995 k1100lt daily ride(22953)when I got it
1982 cb650sc blue nighthawk (38000)(crashed)
1974 kz400(sold to get nighthawk)

jay k. · Posted: Mon Jan 06, 2014 8:31 pm Post subject:

I would roll the bars up or down. But go slow...in ergonomics small changes have big effects.
Also...on an RS the grips are behind the mirrors...out of the airstream.
You don't want to mess up that geometry.
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'20 R1250RS - The RS
'96 K1100RS/SE - The Bagger
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