K11 Owners Group

Adrian

I've got the vibration on the front wheel with the Avon Storm fitted down to an almost acceptable level, but with running the front tyre at 38psi and the rear at 42psi.

Now, it seems to me that this is really on the high side of high. Am I going to be asking for road holding problems running such a high pressure? Avon state 36psi on their website, it's just a long way above the BMW recommended 32psi! Shocked

As always, thoughts appreciated

Adrian
_________________
Adrian in Somerset, UK
K1100LT SE
145,000 miles and counting Smile

https://sites.google.com/site/worlestone/

Flying Duck · Posted: Sun Feb 24, 2008 8:15 am Post subject:

You should be OK. Ignore what the BMW manual says - that's for the tire technology of 15 years ago.
_________________
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

owrstrich · Posted: Sun Feb 24, 2008 11:29 am Post subject:

last year... when i had problems with the strorm front... the avon rep told me that 40 front 42 rear was good for both 1 up and 2 up...

he also said that 2 up we could bump to 42 front and 44 rear because contrary to popular belief... the pressure does not go up after getting hot.... the pressure actually goes down...

he said the tire itself expands from the heat which causes a drop in pressure... i always thought the air expanded causing an increase in pressure... he said absolutely not... its the other way...

i have read on other forums that some folks with the storm are running 44 front and 44 rear and getting more than 10k on them...

all i know is 2 sets of storms didnt work for me... total left side sculpting... rubbing the swing arm... wobble... no more... now we are running 40 front and 42 rear on pilot roads at approx 5k they still look and feel fabulous...

j o
_________________
yeeeeeehaaaaaaa...

mnb · Posted: Sun Feb 24, 2008 12:12 pm Post subject:

I thought the LT was only supposed to run bias ply on the stock rims?
_________________
M N B
1997 BMW K1100LT ABS Special Edition
2003 Husqvarna TE610e
2007 Harley Davidson Road King
2009 BMW F800GS
2011 Husqvarna TE310
2014 Ducati Multistrada Pikes Peak MNB Edition

Flying Duck · Posted: Sun Feb 24, 2008 12:18 pm Post subject:

Owner's manual says radial.

So does this:
http://www.bmbikes.co.uk/specpages/K1100LT.htm

My personal opinoin is that either is OK. Now running Azaros(radial) on the LT but my previous set was Michelen Mac 50s(bias ply) and those would get me all of the way over to peg scraping without incident.
_________________
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

mnb · Posted: Sun Feb 24, 2008 2:28 pm Post subject:

My dealers have always said it was bias ply. IIRC, the original tires were bias ply. Ted Porter at the Beemershop says the rims are too narrow for radials when I asked him about switching to radials so I could try something more sporty.

That UK site's specs are questionable. Anyone who has ever run out of gas in their LT knows that it does NOT have a 5.8 gallon tank as that site indicates.

The owner's manual covers the RS as well. Note that the wheel type indicates radials for both, but if you look at the tire spec, it has ZRs for the RS and V/VB for the LT. I've never understood the tire numbering all that much, but I believe ZR means Z rated for speed and radial and that VB is a lower V speed rating and B is for Bias ply.

Here is a screenshot of the owner's manual for reference:

You folks undoubtedbly know more about this stuff than me, but the B/R thing seems pretty straightforward. What confuses me is the front tire has neither.

The one thing I do know is the K1100LT has the rarest tire size of all the beemers. It and the R100 I think are the only bikes to use that size tire, so NO ONE stocks tires for my bike anymore. I always have to have them ordered. The Beemershop stocks bias plys for my bike - Avon Roadriders, which are newly available in K1100LT size.

I've tried about all the bias plys over the years, Dunlops, Metzelers, Michelins, Pirellis. I'd settled in as preferring the Macadams for handling/mileage. The pirellis were great but wore down really fast and were pricey. The Avon seem ok, but I don't like how the bike feels in poor traction with them. Feels like the tire is going to tuck under - very odd feeling.

I don't know what harm might come from running radials on a bike that isn't designed for it (if that's actually the case). I'm just trying to be careful and not screw up my baby. Smile

But I would like some more options for tires... I know people riding FZ1s that love the Storm/Azaros.
_________________
M N B
1997 BMW K1100LT ABS Special Edition
2003 Husqvarna TE610e
2007 Harley Davidson Road King
2009 BMW F800GS
2011 Husqvarna TE310
2014 Ducati Multistrada Pikes Peak MNB Edition

6899 · Posted: Sun Feb 24, 2008 2:46 pm Post subject:

You are correct in stating that the LT's have uncommon sizes; what I cannpot understand is why you'd put smaller tars on a touring bike!

I have a conspiracy theory:
1) the RS riders do burnouts so you never get high mileage from "Buza" wannabees
2) the touring gang is sensible Wink

....so the tars have to be made smaller to offset the long life.

Either way you go to the friendly dealer for new tars.....

I ride K491 Elite II.

Saw a guy put a car rim on a Honda Valkryie and he now gets 40K miles on one tire!

How hard is it to put K1100RS rims on the LT? Twisted Evil

Burn Baby Burn!
_________________
1996 K1100LT, 73K (bought at 61K on 2006)
1977 R100/7, bought new, rode 97K in 29 yrs before parting out
1970 R50/5, bought used, rode 40K & sold

BMWMOA #6899 since 1976
Indy BMW Club since 1975

owrstrich · Posted: Sun Feb 24, 2008 4:21 pm Post subject:

6899...

a fresno ca rider on pashnit is looking for a place to stay for motogp...

i will be coming home for the indy 500 but not for the motogp or he could stay at my place... any local riders gonna have a spare room available...

http://www.pashnit.com/forum/showthread.php?t=15755
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yeeeeeehaaaaaaa...

Flying Duck · Posted: Sun Feb 24, 2008 4:58 pm Post subject:

Here's the owners manual page that came with my 93 LT:

The first line seems to indicate radials for both. Note mine also only has the B for the LT rear. And, unlike yours, mine specifies Vs, not ZRs for the RS.

Frickin' weird. I'm not sure I'd call an aspect ratio of 80 "low profile" either.

Another question: If the tires are too narrow to be radials then why does Avon even make that size? That doesn't make sense to me.

All very confusing.....

But at least I know what to put on the RS. Very Happy

I've got the Azaro radials on the LT and they're still fairly new.(about 500 miles) If they start performing funny maybe I'll dump them and go back to BPs on that bike.
_________________
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

Flying Duck · Posted: Sun Feb 24, 2008 5:05 pm Post subject:

chopper_harris · Posted: Sun Feb 24, 2008 6:13 pm Post subject:

Bridgestone BT045 - I've just put a pair on the LT, and they are the best sport touring tyre available in the size.
I have them on the R100 RS Mono, and they are almost as good as the BT020 we all know and love.

My Bandit 12 came with Macadams, and personally I think they were the biggest pile of donkey poop I have ever encountered.
It now has BT010's. Evil or Very Mad

I'm sure you will all wish to shout at me Laughing

_________________
C1 200 (2001)
R100 RS (1990)
NSU Quickly N (1964)
Honda 400/4 F1 (1977)
MotoGuzzi 1000C (1978)
Suzuki TL 1000 R (1999)
Kawasaki KLV1000 (2005)
K12R Sport (2007) - Wifeys

mnb · Posted: Tue Feb 26, 2008 2:45 pm Post subject:

Adrian · Posted: Tue Feb 26, 2008 4:38 pm Post subject:

The Avons are OK with the LT, here's what the Avon technical guy emailed me about the Azaro/Storm combination as listed on their website, it was part of a longer email about my concern over the front end vibration:

'...I have been assured that the Storm front / Azaro rear has been successfully tested on a version of the K1100LT...'

Adrian
_________________
Adrian in Somerset, UK
K1100LT SE
145,000 miles and counting Smile

https://sites.google.com/site/worlestone/

Tim (Midland Section) · Posted: Tue Feb 26, 2008 9:25 pm Post subject:

I am on my third K1100 LT. Always had BT45's, front & rear, with one exception, when I was desperate & my dealer had run out, so I had a pilot road, excellent grip, but scrubbed it off in 2500 British miles.
As for the Bridgestones:-
How is the grip in dry? wet?
What about mileage? Do they last or wear out quick?
I understand they are a dual compound, does that cause any oddness in handling feel after say half the tire life?

Good & predictable wet or dry,
Typically 4-5000 miles, I do enjoy my acceleration.
Yes they are dual compound, NO oddness whatsoever, ideal for high motorway (freeway) mileages without going flat in the middle. Whilst still being able to bank almost to the edge of the tyre (tire) with confidence.
Best run a few PSI above BMW recommended pressures, see Bridgestone site.
HTH
_________________
Regards Tim,

Grey haired riders don't get that way by pure luck
1996 Guzzi Cali3 LAPD
1972 750 Commando
G6HRN
#485

Flying Duck · Posted: Tue Feb 26, 2008 10:56 pm Post subject:

How do you guys tell if a tire is bad in the wet? I'll spin up the rear in a straight line on wet panemet but I have no absolutely desire to find the turning limit on wet pavement.

I've run BT020s in the K100RS4V and those seemed to work great dry. I'm currently running a BT020 on the front and Azaro on the rear of my K1100RS. No complaints although the chikenstrips are bigger on the front for some reason.

And why is it that my fronts always outlast my rears? Very Happy

_________________
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

mnb · Posted: Wed Feb 27, 2008 5:03 pm Post subject:

Frank · Posted: Thu Feb 28, 2008 5:03 pm Post subject:

G'day Guys and Girls

I run Bridgestone BT45 dual compound on my LT. I have had 3-4 sets on now and find them to very good. Pressures of 38-40 front and 42-44 rear (second figure is two up and towing a trailer)

My rear reaches is use-by date at about 10,000km and the front get changed every second rear tyre. I used to run 70km to work and back every day (about 50km of concrete motorway which tends to wear the center of the tyre out).

Never had any problems with this combo even in the wet (had a couple of trips home from work when I thought I was a U-boat, the rain was that heavy).

But I must say that even though someone recommends a tyre combination, it is still up to the rider, he/she must feel confident in the choice of tyres. When I had my old Suzuki 650GS I used to run Dunlop K700/K701. Unforunately I had flat Front and couldn't get my K701 and put a Pirrelli on the front. 4 weeks latter I put the bike down (front end went out), lost all faith in the front and changed back to what I knew was good for me.

On my K100RT I had Metzlers, good choice that bike, worked well.

On the side, nice warm day so I will go for a ride later today.
_________________
Ride safe

Frank
Gold Coast Australia

BMW 1997 K1100LT - White

Ulysses Member 33144
StruggleTown Tourers

Flying Duck · Posted: Thu Feb 28, 2008 6:36 pm Post subject:

I ran some BT020's on my K100RS4V. Sold it bfore I wore them out.

I was looking at my RS today. The front is a BT020 (running a rear Azaro from my parts biek since it was mounted and near new.) The front BT020 now has maybe 3,500 on it has has TONS of tread left. And I rdiethat bike pretty hard.

I really like the BT020. I'm not a pro rider or anything but I ride pretty agrssively and have no complaints with the BT020s. In fact, I was a bit surprised at the amoutn of tread left as I was expecting to get 6,000 out of it and it looks like it'll go 8000 easily. Then again, when the pavement heats up in summer they may wear faster.

(No rain opinion since I ride like a granny on qualudes when it's wet.)
_________________
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

mnb · Posted: Fri Feb 29, 2008 1:47 am Post subject:

The BT020 isn't available in sizes for the K11LT. I can go with a Storm/Azaro combo, which I'm considering, or the BT45 (neither of which I've tried before).

There's a local AFM racer that I've ridden with a few times who has written a couple books on riding named Gary Jaehne. He just picked up a 2008 Ninja 250 (he goes small on the street to keep from killing himself) and it came with BT045s stock. He's relatively pleased with them, which sounds like a good endorsement to me, so I'll probably give those a shot first. I know a couple riders that are big Storm/Azaro fans as well, so I'll probably give those a shot after the BT45.

It's nice to have more options.
_________________
M N B
1997 BMW K1100LT ABS Special Edition
2003 Husqvarna TE610e
2007 Harley Davidson Road King
2009 BMW F800GS
2011 Husqvarna TE310
2014 Ducati Multistrada Pikes Peak MNB Edition

Adrian · Posted: Mon Jun 16, 2008 4:51 pm Post subject:

Right... all change!

Due to financial constraints and a fast wearing Avon Azaro I have refitted the Avon Storm to the LT. I've also stripped and rebuilt the forks. The vibration is now negligible and the bike handles really well. I'm really surprised at the change, maybe they are just sensitive to the fork set up? There was a lot of crud in the bottom of one of the forks, so maybe this?

Anyway, very please with them now, just got to get used to that feeling of the front radial again, feels more planted when the bike's cranked over that upright Wink

Ori/Adrian
_________________
Adrian in Somerset, UK
K1100LT SE
145,000 miles and counting Smile

https://sites.google.com/site/worlestone/