K100LT who has one what do you think

[MIAirhead]

I looking at a K100LT, what are the owners opinions this beemer,

[deilenberger]

That's a rather broad question - deserving of a question in return:

What expectations do you want it to meet?

[barryg]

I've got a '87 K100RT. For all practical purposes it's the same as a '87 LT. These bikes have been riden thousands of miles by their owners. They are a coast to coast bike for some and a daily commuter for others. Drawbacks, they give off alot of heat due to the radiator and fan. I also am getting tired of banging my knees on the fairing lowers. I'm kinda tall at 6'2". These bikes have decent power at 90 hp and a good useable torque. Alot of these bike get used to pull trailers and popups. I'm keeping mine, but I'm in the process of turning it into K100T, adding a trailor hitch and trailer.

[zoridog]

Excellent bike until the weather turns hot. You will not want to ride if the temps are above about 85 degrees.

For the other 10 months per year you will have a hard time finding a better value.

[jobee58]

Having gotten one a couple of years ago after 5 years with a K75, I love the 100LT. Torque and powerband are far superior to the 75, and the little bit of extra vibration is not a significant issue for me. I think you'll find weather protection to be a real plus in Mich. Bike is heavier than many, but I'm very happy with handling and road manners. It's a lot more agile then the Japanese dressers.

[MIAirhead]

Anyone find a way to keep heat from melting you during a ride. Is it just in the city traffic, or does it effect you anytime when its 85+

[barryg]

Generally hot weather is the key and riding in stop and go traffic. Setting at a stop and the fan comes on and blows that hot radiator heat all over you from the waist down. There is no perfect solution, but I do have a line on some k-guard heat shields that help block alot of that heat.

[zoridog]

Heat is a universal problem for faired bikes. Check out the forums for the Yamaha FJR or Honda ST1300. "Heat issues" get as much discussion as oil threads. Those bikes have had many improvements over the years and some owners still complain about heat.

I finally bought a naked bike for hot days. That is THE solution. Unfortunately, most of my friends don't ride when temps are into the mid 90s or when humidity gets high. I think car air conditioning has spoiled us all.

[swbell]

I'm loving mine, just need to ride more!!! Yeah, heat is interresting, yet it hasn't bothered me. Even the other night I liked the heat once the sun was dipping. However, coming home last Wed in 30mph winds and it was 96degrees out, yeah that felt HOT, but I would of felt hot on any cycle that day. I was amazed how the LT handled the wind, every so often I needed to slow down b/c I felt uneasy, but overall I kept my speed up. For my purposes i love the back trunk. Great to throw in the helmet, jacket and pants. Two helmets fit in when ridding two up. I've even learned a bit how to maintain the cycle and this is the first cycle I've ever really worked on.

[cathdeac]

This bike ... the LT... is nothing like a Harley... you will be able to tell it's warm... you have a temp gauge... and there are fans which will come on to keep things "cool"..

The best recommendation for any machine.. even a car... is to not idle like that.. but to find a place for dinner :eat then wait out the crazy traffic..:gerg

[SugarHillCTD]

Great engine- nearly "bullet-proof". Good bike for long distances, solo or 2-up.

Without modifications faired K bikes are very hot to ride in the summer especially at slow speeds or stop and go. BMW has the Motronic set up to start the radiator fan only once the temps are way up there.

Wiring in a manual fan switch allows many of us K bike owners to turn the fan on BEFORE the temps start climbing. Huge difference. When I arrive in a town or see traffic ahead I flip it on and the temperature never gets a chance to head to the red zone.

Also a foil blanket over the frame/ under the fuel tank and seat directs engine heat out the rear and away from legs. This works very well for me and others.

Read up on others experience with the brick: http://k11og.org/forum/index.php

Good luck.
John

[MIAirhead]

I have a 84 airhead RT, It is has had many owners. I looking for something that is a little less maintenance. I really like the RT, but it seems I spend way too much time getting things correct. It fun, fast enough, and rides well.

I looking at a K100, two owner, about 30,000 miles early 90's. I read about the heat issues, I live in west Michigan, ride 35 miles to work, all rural. I plan on taking trips to Columbus, OH area where my kid has a KLR. We will stay on paved roads, not one for dirt. I added top case and tank bag to my RT, the LT has what I want and might be a little less to work on.

I ride April to November is the roads don't have ice. I going to sell a Ural I been working on for a long time, once I get the cops to check out for a title. I ride it around the dirt road by my house, but as yet a sidecar is not for me, YET. (maybe in ten years when I can not keep my Beemer up).

[Carguz]

Generally hot weather is the key and riding in stop and go traffic. Setting at a stop and the fan comes on and blows that hot radiator heat all over you from the waist down. There is no perfect solution, but I do have a line on some k-guard heat shields that help block alot of that heat.

Barry - do you have any pics/info on the heat guards?

Thanks.

[barryg]

A friend of mine makes them up. Tony Tabot. Bartlett, Tn. It's next to Memphis Tn..
Give him a call. 901 314 0143 If U ride up there, he'll install them for ya. Tell him Barry refered you to him. I'm the one who got him started making them. There is a site I've seen on the internet showing him installing them ,but I can't seem to find it.

[SugarHillCTD]

I have a 84 airhead RT, It is has had many owners. I looking for something that is a little less maintenance. I really like the RT, but it seems I spend way too much time getting things correct. It fun, fast enough, and rides well........

My personal experience with my '93 K is NOT "a little less maintenance". On the contrary, it is always needing something done to it. Nothing major (knock on wood), but in the two years of owning it I have:

-sealed leaks in the valve cover and timing cover

-had my share of ABS faults (don't all BMWs?)

-replaced the fork seals (now has boots)

-replaced clutch switch

-replaced front brake light switch

-replaced the alternator drive cushions

-had to bypass the sidestand switch

-replaced oil pressure switch

For next winter I am compiling a list of repair/replace/leak fix items that range from minor to less than minor.

Remember the age of these bikes.

[dzimbric]

...I also am getting tired of banging my knees on the fairing lowers. .

My '89 K100LT has 180,000 miles and still runs strong. I have 34 inch inseam and my only complaint is banging my knees on the fairing. I recently added a K1100LT to the garage because it has a longer frame which gives me more room for my knees and the electric windshield. If you change from an airhead to a K-bile you will really appreciate the increased torque. This bike will cruise all day at illegal speeds.
The K100LT will probally go up for sale due to space limitaitons once I complete overhauling the electric system.

[barryg]

I like my K100RT, enough to keep it. I'm accumulating the parts to turn it into a K100T. Just received the K standard windshield that comes on the K75T. I've got a line on the stock K75 headlight bucket and turnsignals. In some ways I feel bad about taking a nice RT and removing the fairing, but so be it. I've also got the Reynolds trailer hitch for the K100. I've owned the bike since '94 and I've made myself fit the bike now I'm going to make the bike fit me. I plan on acquiring the K spotlamp kit and the radiator grill and cover as soon as I can locate them. I know it will be easier to service the bike with the fairing out of the way.