Compare K1100 LT to K1200 LT

[R1100RT]

I want to become a two BMW motorcycle owner and would welcome some K bike opinions. I currently own 1998 R1100RT and would like to add a K bike for passenger riding comfort and another type of ride. I haven't rode a K1100 LT yet, so I will need to ride one before forming my own opinion. I may not fit behind the fairing of a K1100 LT, so I may just be gathering good information. I am 6'4" with a 34-35" inseam. I just don't know if I want to remodel my shed door to fit a 42.5" opening necessary for the K1200 LT.

Please give me your comparisons and opinions of the K1100 LT and the K1200 LT.
I will try to put my wife on for more miles. So does the K1200 LT get the nod and I just need to pay the price for the new LT and widen the door? I am not looking at the GT because the power and speed would just get me into trouble. I also like the 40mpg plus gas mileage since I commute and travel nearly 15,000 miles per riding season.

Thanks for your miles of wisdom.

Dean Kohlmeyer
Garner, IA

[lostboy]

I'm 6'2" with a 33" inseam. The K1100LT is comfortable, but another inch or two might make the seat/fairing interface too tight. If you rework the seat for more legroom, your passenger will be cramped unless she's small. Legroom is worse on the K1200 because the seat is so low. Lowering the footpegs results in them dragging in every turn. You'll just have to try them both on for size. One other item: engine heat (for the riders) is far better controlled on the K1200. I think the R1100/1150RT is better for two-up work than either K. I don't have any of these bikes although I have seat time on both; I have an '03 K1200RS, which by the way, my girlfriend loves.

[dzimbric]

A clean K1100LT <$6500.00
new K1200LT >$20,000.00

They have not changed the 1200 for a couple of years.

I just bought a clean K1100LT and have several other K bikes. I like my K1100LT, it is a little bigger than my K100LT and gives me more legroom. I wear a 34 inseam. We test rode a K1200 and I got cramps in my hips from my legs being scrunched up. The 1100 runs like hell and has more than enough power to gt me into trouble. I also like that it does not look as plasticy as the 1200. It is probally a little warm from all of the fairings but I just ride the GS when it gets really hot out.:bikes

[roy]

NOTE: I have only sat on an K1100LT in a show room so have no actual riding time comparison.

First impressions K1100LT:
is lighter and a little less top heavy
Driver sits a little higher so longer reach to the ground.
Passenger has less room and can not see over around driver real well. NOTE: This depends on stature of rider and passenger.
Does not have history of final drive failures.



K1200LT: Only have around 12K miles of experience on mine
Very little issue with heat management.
Top heavy at slow speeds. They require full attention when going slow.
Excellant handling once speed is above a crawl.
Excellant passenger comfort, at least for my wife.
Grabby noisy (squealling) brakes. Suspect caused by integrated braking system.
Smooth power delivery and respectable mileage. Mid upper 40's
estimated 4% of final drive fail on 99 - 03 model years. 02 seems to be the most prone to this failure.
Stock seat does not work for most people.
Head lights are marginal at best. Maybe good for 45 - 50 MPH
Clutch slave cylinders failure can cause clutch failure also.

NOTE: Most of these problems can be repaired if you are mechanically inclined.

05 and newer
These where redesigned to give better slow speed handling
The stock seats on these are reported to be terrible by most owners
have 15 HP increase in power
Head lights where improved but not sure exactly which model year.
Have power center stand

All "K" bikes the engine is pretty much bullet proof.

If you limited in mechanical ability and don't have a good local dealer the K1100LT may be a better choice since routine maintenance is probably a little easier.

Not trashing the K1200LT just doing my best to give a prospective new owner an idea of the good and the bad.

Roy

[tourunigo]

Although our K1100 is a '92, we think it a great bike which gives us no cause to pay all that money for a new one. With Russell seat and a few gadgets, it is perfect for us and, as previously stated, somewhat bullet proof. Heat? ya, that can be a bit off-putting but that's it. Only thing I had to do in the way of modification was to put another peg on the left side. At 4'11" Mary takes two steps up and down.

I just replaced the steering head bearings at 100,000 miles and that was a tad more challenging than my /5 but it's back on the road with only three pieces left over that I just could not place :p -Bob

1992 K1100LT and Uni-go at Meat Cove, Nova Scotia (note the Cruiser Peg just behind my leg... that's the second step of Mary's trip up the left side)

http://i221.photobucket.com/albums/dd244/tourunigo/salty%20fog/bikeatmeatcove.jpg