K1100lt or k100lt

[brhartw]

Howdy,
Iam considering either a K100 or K1100 as my next motorcycle. I am pesently riding a K75S which is my first full sized motorcycle. I use it alot for a 20 mile commute to work. Hiway at 60 rarely the freeway. I have taken it cross country to Oregon and back, 2090 miles. Great ride. Outstanding time.
The only thing I don't like about the k75 is lack of wind protection, all else is great.
I'm a little concerned about the bump in physical size to the K1100, again a regular 20 mile commute. The K100 seems to offer the LT model without the size of the 1100.
Any help is greatly apreciated.

Thanks, Brad
1987 K75S 89928 miles

[roy]

Brad,
how mechanically inclined are you? I may stand corrected but I think the K1100 is a 4 valve engine and changing the valve buckets requires far more work than the 2-valve K100.

I have no experience with the 1100LT but do know the K100RT has some minor buzzing at certain RPM's. They also are known to keep riders warm especially if riding in town from engine heat.

I use my K100 as the daily commuter and for me it works great.

good luck on your choice.

Roy

[wmubrown]

I've ridden K75's, owned 2 K100's and currently own 2 K1100LT's. I didn't really notice any size difference between the K100's and K1100's and hardly a difference between the K75 and K100. The additional power of the K1100 is QUITE noticeable. I don't think you'll have any trouble going from a K75 to K1100.

Both the K100 and K1100 are a little more buzzy than a K75 from all the feedback I've heard.

Yes, adjusting the 4 valve engine is a little more complicated than the 2 valve, but its typically only done every 75,000 to 100,000 miles, so its not a big deal. Clymers and Haynes has a real good write-up on the process for both engines.

[lostboy]

The K1100T is smoother, faster and handles better than the K100RT. It also offers more leg room-important if you are over 6 feet tall. On the other hand, it will have ABS, which is very expensive to repair if it fails. Maintenance is more difficult on the K1100. They are both hot to ride in the summer. I'd personally prefer the K1100, but they are both quite wonderful motorcycles.

[DarkCloud]

K100 & K1100LT Pics and Pans

gas mileage, the 1100 wins 35 vs 45 mpg

tires, the 100 is better, tons of tires that fit the K100, 18K on the K100, where you will get at very best 12000 on the 1100

The K1100LT has an odd sized front tire, hard to find.

Handling, the 1100 will handle almost as good as your K75, the K100 has some jack shafting problems

Brakes, the 1100 has the early ABS brakes

Do your own maintenance? I'd say anything other than oil and plugs stay with the K100. Stuff is really packed in tight on the 1100.

Comfort, if you are tall the stock seat will force your knees into the fairing on the 1100. Most bikes have an after market saddle on them. The 100 with the BMW low and high windscreen works real good for summer, cool weather protection.

The 85 K100RT is a quicker bike than the newer K100's, and some parts won't interchange with the newer K75/100/1100's

The 93, and 94 K1100LT's are thought by some to be a better bike than the later years.

All the K1100's require attention to the steering head bearing.

I'd test ride an R11XXRT if I were you, much better wind protection and easier to service. It's not a big framed bike like the K100 or K1100. You might want to try a K75RT on for size. Whatever you do your next bike will be a GS.

[TourDawg]

Brad & Roy,
Is there anything in particular you want to know about the K1100LT? I had a K75 some years ago and eventually moved up to my 97 K1100LT. The difference between these m/c (s) with the "skin" off is slight. The 1100 will run away from the 750 triple in a heart beat and (will gently dust the K1200LT). Is the size difference possibly the amount of skin or tupperware on the 1100? The wheel base length of the K1100LT is 61. 6". Your K75 (59.5") and I think the K100 is also (59.5").
Regardless, I cannot pass by my "Mystic Red" K1100LT without admiring those beautiful "Maserati" lines.
Once you check your valves and if needed, go on to adjust a valve or 2 you'll find it is only about an hour more in time. Once adjusted they go thousands of miles and barely move and checking valve clearances is the same amount of work between both bikes your considering.
Probably not any argument the K1100LT (and the K75) is/are the most reliable motorcycles BMW has ever built.
I have ECC (Electronic Cruise Control) on my 1100 and have all the bells and whistles to match my K1200LT. However one big difference is my "Final Drive Warning Light System" that I have on the K1200LT....................... because I feel it is necessary! Not needed on the bullet proof K1100LT. :thumb
Check K11og web site too.

[brhartw]

Great input from everybody. Thank you.
For me, the size difference is the amount of fairing on the bike. I'm sure its just a matter of visual adjustment as to the difference in size. Did some one comment on gas mileage for the K11?

I do the easy fluid changes and maintenance items myself. However, I have a great mechanic that grew up in Germany working for BMW factory. I trust his work and use him to pick up maintenance/wear items that I may be unaware of.

Thanks for all responses.

Brad

Good comment on leg room. I am 6'2"

[58058D]

In all the discussion about the 100 vs 1100, there is a big jump from the 75s to the RT or LT. Don't forget to check out the 'tweener there, the 100 or 1100 RS, or for that matter the 1200RS. My 1200RS is silky smooth compared to the 1100RS which was much smoother than the 85 100RS. Each version (and leter years within versions) got smoother, more powerful, and more comfortable it seems. Though for legroom, the 1100RS is better than the 1200RS. All of them are essentially the same as their respective RT/LT counterparts only with less bodywork. Would suit your 'feel' better coming from the 75S, and larger shields are available for any and all - which at 6'2" you will need on any of them RS or RT/LT.

[brhartw]

Good point Jim. I have looked at 1100RS at Irv Seaver down here in Orange. It looks like the 75S on steroids! Beefier. I notice the wind screen is similar to the K75. Does it deflect the air any different than 75? How about these laminar Lips that I see? Does anybody have much experience or insight on them? His shop is about 3 miles from my house.

Thanks, Brad

[LSkrabut]

I put on a Laminar Lip on my '88 LT. It help a lot, but still wasn't what "I" was after.

For the wind screen I had on it, and I think it was a stock 21" BMW screen, the lip was too narrow across the width of it. Also the width curvature was more then the screen I had.

This was my issue per say. I was warned by the company this lip I ordered might not be just right. I would of had to show up with my setup to be sure. Way too many miles at the time I was looking to take a trip to there place. :)

Just got a Clearview 24" screen. No report as of yet, been too cold and wet for me to take the bike out of winter hiatus. But I can say this, the CV is wider and thicker than whatever screen that was on the bike! Lot less flex! Time will tell if I like the CV better or not, I am sure within 10 miles of highway riding I will be able to report back whether or not it suits my riding style and desires of wind block, buffeting and noise.

Others mention heat, Oh YEA there is engine heat on this K100LT. But, riding with leathers pants or over pants and boots, I did not really notice it as if I rode with jeans and tennis shoes, which I do not do often now. I am still looking for the K-Guard from any source to help with this factor. I will say this, under 90 outside, even in stop and go traffic, I did not mind the heat. For me it was only really noticeable when the outside temps crawled above 95 and in slow traffic. When moving on the road at highway speeds, not an issue for me. I have rode at outside temps a lot above 100. Even in stop and go, hot yes, killer no.

I do like the fact of, so far everything maintenance wise, I have been able to perform in my own garage with very little special tools needed. I only had the pleasure to put on 13,000 miles in 5 months so far, Hoping this year I rectified this major shortage of mileage under my seat. :D

Good luck with your decision.

[tourunigo]

Brad & Roy,
Is there anything in particular you want to know about the K1100LT? I had a K75 some years ago and eventually moved up to my 97 K1100LT. The difference between these m/c (s) with the "skin" off is slight. The 1100 will run away from the 750 triple in a heart beat and (will gently dust the K1200LT). Is the size difference possibly the amount of skin or tupperware on the 1100? The wheel base length of the K1100LT is 61. 6". Your K75 (59.5") and I think the K100 is also (59.5").
Regardless, I cannot pass by my "Mystic Red" K1100LT without admiring those beautiful "Maserati" lines.
Once you check your valves and if needed, go on to adjust a valve or 2 you'll find it is only about an hour more in time. Once adjusted they go thousands of miles and barely move and checking valve clearances is the same amount of work between both bikes your considering.
Probably not any argument the K1100LT (and the K75) is/are the most reliable motorcycles BMW has ever built.
I have ECC (Electronic Cruise Control) on my 1100 and have all the bells and whistles to match my K1200LT. However one big difference is my "Final Drive Warning Light System" that I have on the K1200LT....................... because I feel it is necessary! Not needed on the bullet proof K1100LT. :thumb
Check K11og web site too.

Excellent endorsement. Our K1100LT (the last great touring motorcycle that BMW ever made :whistle ) is the most reliable, affordable, bullet-proof, spirited mount for anything we want to do (and I don't mean just around town). That ECC is of interest..... I will look into that one. Being a bit of a Luddite, I am slow to 'upgrade'. In fact, after some of our after-market work, I cannot see any reason to look at a new bike :scratch - Bob (who also loves his /5 for the same reasons)

[58058D]

Brad,
For the wind protection you indicate you are looking for, you would need to go after market with something like an Aeroflow. I had one for my 1100 RS and it worked really well, was easy to remove (industrial hook and loop) for when you did not need or want that. You would need a Tall version. I am not familiar with a laminar lip for the RS. If it mounted to the stock shield, I can't see that it would do what you want - at least the Lip addons I have seen would not. For a later model K12RS, there are many options. I use my stock screen in the summer but a tall clear Aeroflow for long commutes/tours and cool weather. Friend of mine uses the Parabellum, I know there are many others out there. You do not get the protection on your legs from any of the RSs as you do on the RT/LT models and the posture is much closer to your S than it is to the RT/LT upright. 100 and 1100RSs have full size bags both sides, the 1200 we got one regulare and one skinny one for the pipe. I did have to replace my final drive on my 1100, but that was because the shaft had been installed out of balance/phase, and when it went, it really did a number on the final drive housing, so, I agree with the 1100LT comment about the final drive.

Hope that helps.

[osbornk]

I had a 85 K100RT and it was buzzy at exactly 60 and I sold it and bought a K75RT because of that. It was as smooth as silk at 80 and over. Where I lived at the time, I had to ride 60 almost everywhere. It drove me nuts. It is exactly the K75RT except for one cylinder and it didn't have ABS.

The problem with both of them was room for the legs. They tend to hit the fairing (and I'm short).