K11 Owners Group

552255

Just got a RS front rim for my LT...and measured the diameter difference as best i could (estimate). Looks like about the full inch loss, 18" to 17" etc., (both have rubber, one mounted on bike of course)

Recall seeing someone had an accurate size comparison for the rear wheels (a negligible dia. difference)...i'm a bit concerned about ground clearance/peg height with the switch. (I've lowered my footpegs a good 1-3/8" and never really scraped them, come close tho')...maybe i should'nt switch front rims to the 17"?

any thoughts appreciated-
Eric

-- I have already got a RS rear rim on, like it lots!
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1997 K1100LT-SE
1996 K1100RS-SE
"Black & Silver Duo"
Lincoln, NE

SugarHillCTD · Posted: Wed Oct 12, 2011 6:02 am Post subject:

Eric,

Keep in mind that the the loss is actually 1/2" (ground to center of the axle) at the front wheel.

Also if the rear is unchanged, the loss at the footpegs that you are concerned with will be even less- here's why....

When the front axle is lowered, the effect is greatly lessened as you approach the rear wheel. Example- take a 2x4- 8' long. Lift one end up by 1/2". Halfway along the length the lift is only 1/4"

and your pegs are closer to the rear wheel than the front, further lessening the effect.

Did I make sense? (I think my reasoning is correct?)

Others should add to this or tell me I'm nuts Laughing

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.

Phil Marvin · Posted: Wed Oct 12, 2011 8:20 am Post subject:

552255 · Posted: Wed Oct 12, 2011 10:53 am Post subject:

Absotively, it should'nt be that much difference, although tire dimension differences could have an effect?...i'm running PR2's now...suppose its again negligible. Thanks!
_________________
1997 K1100LT-SE
1996 K1100RS-SE
"Black & Silver Duo"
Lincoln, NE

mtnroads · Posted: Thu Oct 13, 2011 12:01 am Post subject:

When you do that it will steepen the fork rake, reducing trail and having some effect on front wheel caster. This will create slightly quicker steering and could conceivably even lead to some of the bar wobble seen in bikes like the ST1100 and ST1300 due to their steep rake. What happens there is if you take your hands off the bars when decelerating down through roughly 40-50mph the handlebars will actually start to oscillate rapidly like a shopping cart wheel. Ask me how I know.

I run the wider RS rear wheel on my LT but think dropping a half inch off the radius of the front wheel is a bit much - it might work fine but you are messing with the original engineering geometries at that point. That said, it's just my opinion and I know some have done it.
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2012 R1200RT Midnight Blue
95 K1100LT Graphit (sold)
01 R1100RT Black (sold)

BobZ(IL) · Posted: Thu Oct 13, 2011 9:43 pm Post subject:

I understand why owners have changed the rear wheel when converting to radials, but I've never heard of anyone changing the front wheel

A recent copy of Consumer Motorcycle News explained trail and rake changes and their effects. You may want to take a look.
_________________
'93 K1100LT
'78 R100S
'05 R1200GS
BMWMOA, CRBMWOA, ABC, K11OG #997

Live well, do good work, enjoy the ride.

gladstone · Posted: Sat Oct 15, 2011 3:46 pm Post subject:

I've run both RS wheels on my LT and it transforms the bike. Only downside is that the smaller sized front and slightly smaller rear makes a big difference getting it onto the main stand. However, the sidestand lean is much more reasonable!

The improvement in handling massively outweighs the hernia-inducing centre-stand issue...

Cheers
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1993 K1100LT (x2!)
1998 R1100R - gone
1994 R1100GS - gone
1990 K100RS 16V - gone

robert85 · Joined: 25 Oct 2011 Posts: 22

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Number 6 · Posted: Thu Oct 27, 2011 11:54 am Post subject:

PHIL1601UK · Posted: Mon Nov 07, 2011 3:56 pm Post subject:

Out of interest I swapped both wheels on my LT for the RS wheels and the net effect as already stated is that the front is effectively lowered by half an inch which causes the bike to want to turn in a bit more, but it's manageable. No issues getting the bike on the centrestand but the bonus is that the bike is much more stable at speed (100mph +) - no unsteadiness. Thee is a bit of noise from the front radial but I did 1800 miles on them through France and into Spain and the handling has been transformed.

I also recalibrated the speedo - 80mph on the clock is 82mph - that's about as close as I can get it.
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1996 Aspen Silver K1100LTSE - acquired 23/03/07