K11 Owners Group

Grunter · Posted: Wed Jul 05, 2023 4:19 pm Post subject: K1100LT seat

I am not exactly a shorty (5'11") but the seat I have on my K11 is the standard, badly named 'comfort' seat where the passenger part is about four and half inches taller than the riders seat. (Incidentally find it anything but comfortable!.)

I can place both feet on the ground when the bike is stationary, but when riding, I start off at the back of the riders position where the higher part starts, but with natural movement with the bike running I gradually slide forward towards the tank. This has a dangerous point, especially when I am wearing my bike riding trousers with knee protection, my knees finish up stuck behind the lip of the fairing on both sides.

On occasion when I have had to get my foot/feet down in a hurry when stopping, I have nearly come to grief and only just managed to get my feet down in time to stop falling off sideways.

Now, I know Germans (I assume the bike seat was originally modelled on the Teutonic males) and a lot of others who will be taller than myself. I was wondering if others had the same problem and how they got around to rectifying the problem.

Before anyone asks, I did think about a K100LT or RS Seat because they are a better profile, but about 2 inches too short in length, although the set hinges are in the right place

I thought about trying to find a used K1100RS seat which is the ideal answer but good ones are rarer to find than an honest politician! So I am now considering having the seat re-profiled and the riders section raised by about 1" and the rear part reduced in height by around 3". That will work out around £145 (180$) including a new bespoke cover which will be cheaper than a used KRS seat, but before I do this has anyone else any thoughts?
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1997 K1100LT
1994 R1100RS

Sonu · Posted: Thu Jul 06, 2023 12:46 pm Post subject:

Hi Grunter

I'm only 5' 9" but manage to flat foot my K1100LT on each stop.

Like you I went down the "seat" route when I first got the LT in 2000.

I ended up with a much simpler solution.... Corbin leather boots with a 1" heel Smile

Also it really helps to scoot all the way forward to the tank.

PM me if you need pics of my boots & or stopping stance.

Sanjiv
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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

Grunter · Posted: Sat Jul 08, 2023 1:53 am Post subject:

Scott_Anderson · Posted: Sat Jul 08, 2023 8:14 am Post subject:

If the shipping wouldn't be a bank breaker anymore, I have a Corbin I'm no longer using since I have a Russell.
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Ride safe.

1995 K1100LT 0302044
1997 R1100RT ZC62149
2017 FLHTK Ultra Limited
Garmin StreetPilot 2820
Garmin Zumo 550
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"One who does not ask questions is ashamed to learn" Danish proverb
1997 K1100LT 0302488(R.I.P.)

Flying Duck · Posted: Sat Jul 08, 2023 5:00 pm Post subject:

Motorcycle boots generally do not have heels because the front edge of a heel can snag on pavement cracks.

That said, I have a pair of black elephant skin ropers that I sometimes wear riding locally. (For those who don't know what a roper boot is they are cowboy boots that are a little shorter than regular cowboy boots with a rounder toe and shorter heel.)
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93 LT (x2)
94 RS
86-97 K75F(K75/100/1100 Frankenbrick)
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forester · Joined: 27 Jan 2019 Posts: 7 Location: Hammammet Tunisia

Hi Gunter
Have you considered contacting Motorworks who will probably have a seat to suit your requirements. Failing that they may have one than could be altered to suit, saving you having the bike off the road during the summer season

Regards
John

Grunter · Posted: Mon Jul 10, 2023 1:24 pm Post subject:

jers97lt · Posted: Sun Jul 16, 2023 2:58 pm Post subject:

I had the same happen to me. I installed foot pegs to the engine guards. That helps while moving along, but I did still find myself riding with my knees outside the fairing. I went with a used Corbin seat. No more issues.

HTH,
Jer
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1999 K1200LT Champaign
1997 K1100LT Night Black/Arctic Silver Metallic (special edition)

Sonu · Posted: Mon Jul 17, 2023 12:36 pm Post subject:

Grunter · Posted: Mon Jul 17, 2023 4:12 pm Post subject: Modified LT seat cover.

Changing my motorcycle foot wear is completely and utterly out of the question!!!

I collected the modified seat this afternoon and what a superb job the company has made of it. getting onto the bike has improved as well. Although the seat is still high(ish), at least my boots do not scuff the seat cover.

I can sit further back without the risking sliding forward. The new cover has a slightly rough texture so I do not slip on the seat as I ride and apply the brakes.

My knees are at least 3" clear of the fairing now, but how the comfort has been improved or not will have to be tested with a long run, It could not have been any worse. I only rode it for around 12 miles just to check. Not only that I can get both feet on the ground what I am at a standstill as well.
It Cost me £5 (6$) more than quoted because the covering material was more expensive, but well worth it.
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1997 K1100LT
1994 R1100RS

Mike d · Posted: Wed Jul 19, 2023 6:35 am Post subject:

Hi John,

Which upholsterer did you use?

Mike

Grunter · Posted: Wed Jul 19, 2023 1:03 pm Post subject:

Mike d · Posted: Thu Jul 20, 2023 4:16 am Post subject:

Hi John,

Thanks. I've heard of them and good reviews.

Mike

Grunter · Posted: Sat Aug 05, 2023 1:44 pm Post subject:

My 1st chance to get a long ride took place yesterday. Shall I say rain stopped play). Frome home to home, a distance of 200-220 miles was perfect no saddle sores or heart stopping moments where my knees got caught up behind the fairing.

The real test will come at the end of the month and into September when I am off to Europe and I will have the 1st 3 days, each with a journey of around 300 miles Finishing up hopefully in the German province of Bavaria and 5 days later, the same in reverse back home, with an additional calling point to visit my family in Holland
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1997 K1100LT
1994 R1100RS

jers97lt · Posted: Fri Oct 06, 2023 6:03 pm Post subject:

Grunter · Posted: Sat Oct 07, 2023 7:56 am Post subject:

No sadly I had to call it off, I have damaged my right hip and am waiting to get on the list for a replacement.

Before I was due to go I knew I had a problem, so I decided to try to see how far I could ride, knowing the distance I had to cover in 1st three days when I would be away were 300 miles, 275 miles, and 280, miles respectively. Then the local riding when I was in Bavaria followed by similar distances on the way back.

To try it out I filled the tank with fuel and set of with no particular destination in mind to see how I got on with riding ability. With a full tank |I normally can ride about 220 mjles. Disappointingly I only managed 45 miles after which the discomfort became too bad and had to go home.

I managed to get all the money back I had spent on ferries and hotels so it wasn't all bad. I will know better this coming Tuesday how things may progress is so I am tentatively making plans for late (September) next year.

Hip operations are now almost routine, with friends who have had them done are walking and riding again in a month or so after the operation. One is even skydiving!

Fingers crossed.
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1997 K1100LT
1994 R1100RS

jers97lt · Posted: Sun Oct 08, 2023 1:47 pm Post subject:

Grunter · Posted: Wed Oct 11, 2023 6:32 pm Post subject:

Grunter · Posted: Sat Mar 09, 2024 2:56 pm Post subject:

Move forward 5 months and I am still not back on 2 wheels. The repair to the thigh muscles is taking far longer than I expected but the Doctor does not seem to be worried.
I am off pain killers at night now and the main discomfort is first thing in the morning, more like stiffness rather than strained muscle. I can also get on the bike without too much problem, but the getting off bit is still awkward so it will be a few months yet. My other bike the R1100RS is a different ball game being 2" lower in the seat height, so I think I will be on that sooner than the LT
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1997 K1100LT
1994 R1100RS