K11 Owners Group

552255

New owner of 1997 K1100LT-SE, 18K orig. Rebuilt the leaking front brake calipers-new pads, 'patched' cracks/holes in airbox tube to cylinder, radio only AM works? (thats weird). Changed fluids, brakelines, etc.

Bike runs really good...just got some issues i guess, wow, it gets hot fast, fan kicks on quick when going slow/stopped!. (heat is hard on all the rubber hoses/fittings i bet) I had the seat "hump" cut/pushed back and recovered...big improvement.

this bike is not the most comfortable for me (i'm 5-11, 210lbs 41 yrs.), i love riding it so far tho, the foot position seems high up, esp. for a 'road' distance bike...can those pegs be lowered? it looks like exhaust/rear brake pedal position, etc. may preclude this from being done.

Any info greatly appreciated, been looking thru a great many posts, and all the info off of internet i can find about this bike. I want to love it, but were still in a 'dating' mode. Had a Honda Nighthawk S, streetbike years ago and all i did was ride it and change the oil....this German lass seems to need much more attention, but she has a torque where it counts.

Thanks for any input,

Eric
Lincoln, NE

mtnroads · Posted: Thu Aug 26, 2010 12:17 am Post subject:

Welcome. Nice bike you have now. You pose an interesting question - I feel the K-LT already comes with a very good distance to the pegs. At least for me at 5'10" and 30" inseam. Compared to the R1100RT's I owned and especially the R1150R (roadster) that I had as a loaner for a week, the K-LT has huge legroom, in fact it almost felt funny when I got back on my bike after that Roadster, where the pegs are really high up and cramped my knees badly.

That said - not sure where you would get a lowering kit - the K1200RS and GT had them available, but again - they really had high pegs and forced a pretty severe bend into the knee. I would probably suggest trying to get used to it if possible.
_________________
2012 R1200RT Midnight Blue
95 K1100LT Graphit (sold)
01 R1100RT Black (sold)

552255 · Posted: Thu Aug 26, 2010 9:01 am Post subject:

Yep, i'm sold on the getting used to it, just was curious about if there was a 'lowering kit' etc. So the R bikes sit up even more aggressive?, i had even thought about a 'trade up' in the future, but the K may be it for awhile. The bike only having 18k was the big selling point, it does seem to run sweet. This winter i suppose i'll tackle the 'lubing the splines' event, with help from these post!? Try to get her to 100%

thanks for the reply-
Good Riding
Eric

2wheeltroy · Posted: Thu Aug 26, 2010 10:09 pm Post subject:

Hi Eric,

By your location and bike details I recognize your bike from its Craigslist ad.

I would encourage having some lowering pegs custom made by a machinist - take a look at the designs of the lower kits for foot pegs avail for other bmw models and see if a machinist might be able to rig something up for you.

Have you found some system cases (factory saddlebags) for your bike yet?

Good to see another local "K"onvert Laughing

Troy
Fremont, NE
_________________
94 bmw K1100LT
95 bmw R1100GS
44 HD 45 c.i.
68 HD Servicar - Metermaid

Sonu

Flying Duck · Posted: Sat Aug 28, 2010 11:50 pm Post subject:

With only 18k I wouldn't worry about lubing the splines unless you are/start experiencing sticky downshifts. OK, I got my LT with only 14k but I already knew how to do a spline lube so I figured what the hell. I got my RS with 31k on it and no records of a spline lube. It now has 50k and will be getting one this winter though - whether it needs it or not.

As for peg lowering, I agree that it's not a good idea as it will reduce cornering clearance. Another option would be to find/have customized a seat where you're sitting back a bit further. You can always rotate the handlebars down a bit if reach is an issue.
_________________
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

hfxrzw · Mad Brick Rider Joined: 30 Jan 2009 Posts: 78

Or get the seat fitted with an extra layer of foam to bring it up an inch or so. Probably the cheapest solution. Laughing

_________________
Cheers, Rene

Greetings from Florida.

BMW K100 '85

E T · Posted: Mon Aug 30, 2010 10:57 am Post subject:

Wow!!! I cant see any reason for lowering the pegs, I am 6'5", 300lbs and have the stock Corbin seat on it, This is the most comfortable bike I've ever had, either short or long trips.. The best long trip so far was 747 miles in 14.5 hrs and was off the bike visiting my son for 3.5 hrs..

The one thing that i did have to do for my vertically challenged girlfriend was to raise the passenger pegs up four inches so she could be comfortable as the pegs were too low, (she's 5'1") and it made it much more comfortable for her, especially on the stops. Shocked

_________________
1993 K1100LT
2005 Honda VTX 1300c---Passed

Gomedic · Posted: Fri Sep 03, 2010 11:15 pm Post subject:

First of all, Welcome to the "club"! I have pretty much the same bike and I am 6' 210lbs. Personally, I suggest riding her like this for a season. I have the Highway pegs on mine that help out a lot. Scaping the pegs is an annoying issue at times and I think would be even worse if you lowered yours. I have a Corbin Dual Canyon and a CeeBailey's. The Corbin puts me a little bit further back and makes the ride more comfortable. With the Cee Bailey, I am "pushed" forward a bit and feel cramped. I would also suggest a saddle switch first. Do you have the stock seat?

ET, you're 6'5" and she's 5'1"? You must make an adorable couple!!!! lol
_________________
1997 K1100LT Mine...ALL MINE!

Ted · Posted: Sat Sep 04, 2010 11:06 am Post subject:

I see a lot of folks with the engine bars with highway pegs attached, seems to me that is a great solution for longer rides where legs get cramped.

Personally I find the butt to peg distance on my K75RT a bit on the shorter side as well, but I have a method where on highways I kick my legs out one at a time to stretch them and rotate my ankles every time I go under a bridge (and stretch my hands and rotate my wrists every time I go over a bridge) - I do it without even thinking about it now and it makes long highway legs quite bearable.
_________________

Ted

KOG#1

Off the grid · Posted: Sat Sep 04, 2010 2:57 pm Post subject:

Highway pegs are a must. The ability to vary your leg position is crucial for me on long rides.
_________________
Bane of your existence since July 2006
2007 Triumph Tiger ABS. "Sabertooth"
2009 Husqvarna TE610. "The dirty Italian mistress"

552255 · Posted: Mon Sep 06, 2010 9:23 pm Post subject: long ride footpeg report.

Had the seat 'hump' cut back 2" or so and recovered, that helped. Should've had the hump completly removed to allow more movement.

rode 650 miles 2 days, and experienced severe knee and hip discomfort.

had to make frequent stops at times, standing up, of course on the back roads, helped, etc. Looked at highway pegs up front, but with the fairing, i don't think i can even really reach them....am trying to think of modifications so i can keep this bike, it ran great. (fork seals showed some leakage tho)

will look into machining some lowering brackets, or cutting the peg, welding a plate/drop piece and then the rest of peg. Has to be a thinner peice of aluminum or else the peg will go 'out'

thanks for all the input
Eric