K11 Owners Group

scotwing · Joined: 30 Aug 2005 Posts: 3

I realise you are all dye in the wool BMW people, however have any of you considered buying the more modern ST1300 as a modern replacement for your ageing K1100LT and 1100rs. I,m expecting to get flamed here as I own an 05 st (Honda), but for years I lusted after a K1100Ltse. I never actually got to own one, but as the years rolled on the bike started to look a bit dated and that,s why I opted for the pan european after trading in my GL1500 (also starting to look a bit dated.). I lurk on this site quite a bit and was surprised at the number of comments on "vibration" and ABS problems. The ST1300 is a superb machine and smooth as silk. No clunky transmissions, and supremely comfortable after changing the original seat. I find the ST as visually stimulating as I once found the LT, so I would not be surprised if some of you had already considered a move to the Honda on looks alone. I,m not looking to stir things up here, just looking for honest opinions from a BMW perspective on a subject we all share "Sport Touring". Anything I can help with regards to questions on the ST1300, just ask.

Regards to all
Joe Very Happy

owrstrich · Posted: Sun Jul 13, 2008 4:51 pm Post subject:

the honda st and the similar yamaha fjr amongst many others are fine mototouring motoscooters...

the k1150 is one of bmws finest efforts... in my opinion the k1150rs is one of the better mototouring motoscooters ever built...

im going to ride it till it wont move... then im gonna leave it by the side of the road and get another one just like it...

i am all hifalutin and all... and i can regularly be seen hinosing riders of other brands and models... generally because they are an inferior subspecies to me and my motobrick brethren...

so there you go scotwing... you can stick with what got you here... i am going to stick to the k1150 motobrick...

...j ...o ...
_________________
yeeeeeehaaaaaaa...

Mystic Red · Posted: Sun Jul 13, 2008 5:06 pm Post subject:

I don't think you will find flames here because you own a Honda. I have Trail 110, in fact. Very Happy

I really can't tell you what the allure is and this is my first BMW so I'm not a "dyed in the wool" BMW guy.
First, you read of problems, I think, because most of us work on our own bikes to save expenses, because we can work on these bikes and we enjoy it. But we're not BMW techs so we have to ask and someone on this site will usually have an answer.
Second, I have ABS 11 and have had no issues other than the one I created myself by over adjusting my rear brake. I hear ABS 1 has more issues but that is older technology.
Third, vibration in not an issue with me although some complain about it. It is usually throttle bodies out of sync or some other simple fix. We are talking about 10 to 15 year old bikes!
Fourth, the brick engine is designed to run hard and fast for many thousands of miles, you just have to keep the rest of the bike in repair. It's not as hard as this forum makes it sound sometimes.
Fifth, the torque is really nice. In fifth, if you want, you can take the K bikes all the way down to 2000 rpms, roll on the throttle and it won't miss a beat.
Sixth, these are killer bikes for the money. Got mine about 4 years ago for 55 hundred with 37K on the clock. It's pushing 70k now and still runs just as strong. We have members with over 200K on their bikes.
Honda make a good product, just not for me. Except the 110. Have you rode a K bike? Jump on a K1100 or a K1200GT and tell us what you think. Wink

Seventh, you CAN get parts for almost every BMW ever created. Try that with a 20 year old Honda.
And last but certainly not least is this awesome site with people whom I consider friends that I have yet to meet. Cool

_________________
Scott Hespelt, '94 K11LT
K11 OG #466

DaveVoorhis · Posted: Sun Jul 13, 2008 6:20 pm Post subject:

I've owned two Gold Wings and a CB900. All fine bikes, but a bit dull and commonplace. I went with a K1100RS because it's unusual, spares remain available for old BMWs (unlike Honda, whose parts change to unobtanium after a while), and it's got more character in one old rusty bolt than ten whole new Honda bikes.

Hondas aren't perfect, either. My GL1200 Gold Wing, for example, was a model notorious for burning out its stator (part of the charging system), which requires removing the engine to replace.
_________________
'93 K1100RS
Dave #3

Off the grid · Posted: Sun Jul 13, 2008 6:39 pm Post subject:

ST1300? The one with the documented, unexplainable high speed wobble that has resulted in numerous crashes?

ST1300? The one with the homogeneous, uninspiring ride?

ST1300? The one that every 4th person owns?

No thanks, I'll stick with the brick. (although the diagonal-cut exhaust pipes on the ST are hella-cool)
_________________
Bane of your existence since July 2006
2007 Triumph Tiger ABS. "Sabertooth"
2009 Husqvarna TE610. "The dirty Italian mistress"

Flying Duck · Posted: Sun Jul 13, 2008 7:07 pm Post subject:

Maybe I should ban him. Helluva a way to introduce yourself to a motorcycle forum. Rolling Eyes

Just kidding. Laughing

Everybody picks their own ride for their own reasons. I like my Ks and I hope you're enjoying your ST.
_________________
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

Mystic Red · Posted: Sun Jul 13, 2008 7:38 pm Post subject:

Well he asked. I have a question for Joe, though. Why do you lurk on a K1100 website? I'm not being a smart ass, just curious.
_________________
Scott Hespelt, '94 K11LT
K11 OG #466

mnb · Posted: Sun Jul 13, 2008 7:57 pm Post subject:

SugarHillCTD · Posted: Sun Jul 13, 2008 8:42 pm Post subject:

Wow, an actual troll.

Well, I'll bite.

I can't imagine how little a 15 year old Honda is worth. Hey they stamp out lots of those.

My 15 year old K1100RS might have its (hot) quirks, but I have been offered more than I bought it for last year.

EVER hear that from a Honda owner???

Hey scotwing, if you have never ridden a really great bike, don't ride a BMW- you won't go back to a disposo bike.

BlackHoof · Posted: Sun Jul 13, 2008 8:45 pm Post subject:

Not all Trolls live under bridges...

Welcome poster...
_________________
Kent

'93 K1100LT- Blurple Colored
Lucky # 887
'27 Bugatti Replica/Kit Car-Dark Purple
'05 Suzuki Brugman/Russell Seat...

drmalacarne · Posted: Sun Jul 13, 2008 9:00 pm Post subject:

You can't compare a K11 with sn ST!
The K11 has a personality and caracter that makes it unique in the motorcycle circle.
Its elegance, smooth purr while doing 100mph and bulletproof machanics (except that damn front fork seals....).
The destiny of the STs is serve as parts bikes, and the K11 is record mileage breakers!
Guilherme.
_________________
1994 K1100LT SE n° 0267
1998 HD Heritage Springer 95th anniversary
Yes, a Hog and a Beemer can live together!

CheapJapCopy · Posted: Mon Jul 14, 2008 9:21 am Post subject:

As I work on my bike fixing and replacing things, the value goes up more or less in proportion to the work done. Major work on any part lasts for 50k or more, clutch being a good example, and the motor is "set and forget" apart from oil changes. No rusty swingarms or anything like that either.

The vibration is no worse than other bikes to be honest. If it were much smoother I wouldn't like it as much. I rode an XJ600 last year and was so bored I almost forgot I was riding a bike - utterly utilitarian, too smooth.

So we all like our bricks, but maybe not for the reasons people expect.
_________________
1992 K1100RS - Red and gold.

abreeze · Posted: Mon Jul 14, 2008 12:33 pm Post subject:

I have a buddy with an ST1100 and he has 230K+ miles on it, I dont think its a bad bike its just a HONDA. It looks like every other bike and car they make, but it surves a purpose. My buddy's main reason for the ST was price, the K was just out of his price range.

The fact of it is, the K series was doing what the ST does some 11 years before the ST was. And the K1100 is still far more advanced than most
"Modern" sport tourers for a lot less money than a New ride.

Glad to have you here.

Flying Duck · Posted: Mon Jul 14, 2008 1:11 pm Post subject:

He probably wants us all to sell our K1100s, driving the market price down, so he can buy one. Laughing

_________________
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

rover759 · Posted: Mon Jul 14, 2008 3:54 pm Post subject:

well after dropping mine on my leg this week I'm open to offers....of a nice lady rubbing it better!!! Very Happy

I still remember picking up my K75S and leaving my mate on his ducati for dust.....

How about you try a C1 instead of your honda?? Laughing

scotwing · Joined: 30 Aug 2005 Posts: 3

wooooah! hold on there guys.
i,m not intending to step on anyones toes, however i can feel the hostility...or should that be hospitality ha ha. some really strong answers coming back there and some very good points. to answer mystic red: i love sport touring motorcycles, not sportsbikes, not offroad bikes but good old sports tourers. there are some butt ugly sports tourers out there, but to me the st13 and k1100lt are two of the best looking bikes out there in my opinion. i loved my gl1500 goldwing for eight years and in the early days of ownership i used to think about trading for a k11 to give me something sportier. i found the st1100 very bland looking and much preffered the look of the k1100lt, however when the st1300 arrived i fell in love immediately. i even compared the two side by side in a bmw bike shop. i have always had a soft spot for the k1100 and if the st1300 had not arrived at that time i might well have bought the bmw. i am happy with what i have as i honestly believe it to be more of what i want in my bikes, great engine ,smooth and vibration free and virtually maintenance free (the valve adjustments very rarely go out of spec) .no bike is perfect and the honda has it,s faults although very minor (high speed weave!...yes, if you drive your bike at 125 mph all the time, however correct suspension adjustments and air pressures in tyres make a world of difference. anyway who drives their bike at that speed. honda,s reliability is at least the equal or greater than the "older bmw,s" the k1100lt included as i beleive the newer bikes have some quality issues. my opinion is that both these bikes are "elegant and stately" the honda is more modern in my humble opinion. when i meet a k1100lt rider on the road i always make a point of chatting to them about their bikes. so that is why i lurk on this site , because i have a soft spot for these bikes, although i may never own one. we all share the same enthusiasm for sports touring and that is no bad thing.
regards to all
joe

Off the grid · Posted: Mon Jul 14, 2008 7:05 pm Post subject:

By no means take the friendly jabs as hostility.

We just love to dogpile on the new guy is all and are pretty ferociously protective of our beloved K11s.
_________________
Bane of your existence since July 2006
2007 Triumph Tiger ABS. "Sabertooth"
2009 Husqvarna TE610. "The dirty Italian mistress"

Mystic Red · Posted: Mon Jul 14, 2008 8:27 pm Post subject:

I guess, Joe, I could sum up the reason I stick with the Brick instead of the windy explanation I gave previously with one word. Character. But that is in the eye of the beholder also as my Harley buddies don't think anything that sounds like a "sewing machine" has character.
I think the K1200GT is the closest thing to a K1100 in the BMW line but like Duck says, you can't even see the fuel tank. Rolling Eyes

O.K. guys, recommence piling on! Very Happy

_________________
Scott Hespelt, '94 K11LT
K11 OG #466

DaveVoorhis · Posted: Mon Jul 14, 2008 8:47 pm Post subject: Re: come into the modern world

abreeze · Posted: Mon Jul 14, 2008 9:07 pm Post subject:

In '05 when it came time to replace my '87 KRS. I did'nt......I bought a R1100S Boxer Cup.....At 21 years old, the Motorsport is still Sexy and Fast.....