Comparing K bikes.

[georgej]

How would you compare a mid 90's K1100 to the K100RS or even a K75S? I'm looking at a K75s,which would have all the power I would ever need.I've ridden a K100RS and like the bike. So how does the 1100RS compare?

[Beemer01]

My 85K100Rs is in being repainted, and I was loaned a naked K75 for a week or so. :dance

The K75 is is much lighter, the power - and the bike - are absolutely smoooooth. It handles better than my K100 - yet is a competent freeway bike. The fuel economy is better - a couple of refills point to 45-50 MPG.

It has less power then the K100 - but probably not really an issue unless you plan a lot of 2 up riding in the mountains.

I like 'em both. If I'm bombing around back roads, the K75 shines, if I need to cover 800 miles today, I'd pick the K100RS - partly because the fairing offers protection and partly because of the additional power.

[DRUDOLPH148006]

Before buying anything, look at and ride a well taken care of K75RT

[PHMarvin]

Before buying anything, look at and ride a well taken care of K75RT

Hi,
Where is George? I have 2 K75RT's and George is welcome to look at and ride one to see how he likes the K75RT. I'm in El Paso, TX. My bikes are not for sale.

[caper]

How would you compare a mid 90's K1100 to the K100RS or even a K75S? I'm looking at a K75s,which would have all the power I would ever need.I've ridden a K100RS and like the bike. So how does the 1100RS compare?


I think the K1100 RS is a bit more refined than the earlier K's

I've put many miles on both the K75S and the K100RS, I find the K75 lighter and more nimble but for sheer fun (read linear power) I prefer the K100RS, mine has a Stainintune exhaust, K&N air filter and a YSS rear shock......great machine but then, I'm biased :dance :D

[georgej]

Phil,
Thank you very much for the offer. I'm located in Upstate NY,so probably wouldn't go over too well with the wife,when I tell her I'm going to Texas to try out a bike. Is it the fairing and seating position that make the RT the better bike? I was really looking forward to finding a K75S.

[PHMarvin]

Hi, George,
A K75S is a nice bike, but not for me. I had my share of sport(y) bikes, starting in 1972 with a Dunstall-Norton 810 Mk. II through a '76 R90/6 with "S" bars and fairing, and ending with 2 '84 R100RS's. I liked them all - then! The last trip I took on the RS (El Paso to Nova Scotia and back) made me decide to get away from the lean-forward riding position to the sit-up-and-beg position. My back has thanked me ever since! It also doesn't help that I should lose 50 pounds.

Where are you in Upstate New York? I plan to be in the area the beginning of October, on one of the K75's, probably the '95 K75RTP.

[Mudbug]

How would you compare a mid 90's K1100 to the K100RS or even a K75S? I'm looking at a K75s,which would have all the power I would ever need.I've ridden a K100RS and like the bike. So how does the 1100RS compare?
The K1100RS is nicer than the K100RS. An acquaintance once said the engine in the K1100RS is the engine BMW should have put in the K100RS. The K1100RS is a good upgrade to the K100RS. Here is more information. K11OG.org (http://www.k11og.org/reference/reviews/MotorWorldOnline_K1100RSRoadTest.shtml)

[GregFeeler]

How would you compare a mid 90's K1100 to the K100RS or even a K75S? I'm looking at a K75s,which would have all the power I would ever need.I've ridden a K100RS and like the bike. So how does the 1100RS compare?

The K75 and K100 have the L-Jetronic fuel injection system which uses a Mass Airflow design to meter full flow in response to your throttle changes. This is basically a big plate on a pivot in the air stream to the engine which must move position due the the airflow change in order to change the fuel flow. The K1100's and 1200's have the Motronic design which uses a TPS (Throttle Position Sensor) to determine changes in throttle position. This is an electronic "gauge" on the end of the throttle plate shaft that directly reads throttle position changes. The TPS design is much more responsive, and generally a K1100 will deliver better fuel mileage than a K100.

The K1100's have the Paralever articulated rear suspension to eliminate rear wheel jacking under hard acceleration, and in return their wheelbase is almost 2 inches longer. They have four piston front brakes that are *much* stronger than the K100/75 two pot design, and they have semi-floating front brake rotors.

The K100/75 use shim-over-bucket valve lifters which are fairly easy to change because the cams can stay installed. The K1100 and 1200's use buckets only, which do require remove of the cams to change, but supposedly require adjustments even less often than the shim-over-bucket design. The K1100's are a 4-valve design vs the 2-valve of the K100/75 (but for a very small number of 4-valve K100's and the K1 built in the early 90's). The 4-valve engines rev faster and breath much better at higher RPMs - they don't run out of air at the top end as much as the 2-valve design. That's part of the reason for the 10 more HP of the 1100 motors over the 1000's.

The K1100's also have wider wheels front and rear which allows the use of radial tires, which in turn greatly improves the handling of the bike. The wheels are also "reversed" in diameter. The K100/75 have 18" front and 17" rear rims whereas the K1100's have 17" front and 18" rears like almost all other modern bikes. That change combined with the width increase gives you access to a *much* greater selection of top quality tires. Pickin's are slim in 17" rear tires.

A K1100 LT has better engine heat management than a K100/75 RT/LT (although both are too hot for my tastes).

Over all and IMHO, the K1100 is what someone else here said "more refined". It has a longer wheelbase, is more stable on the open road but not as flick-able in the corners, can run *much* better tires, has better brakes, and quicker throttle response. OTOH, put a top flight rear shock on a K75, and some Bridgestone BT45 tires (best for handling on a Klassic K IMHO), new EBC HH front brake pads, go through the front forks and get the right amount of maybe 10wt oil, and you will have a blast on it. Always sweet, always reliable, and a very rewarding bike under all conditions.

[dank11]

Hey!
I'm going to have a 1990 K75s for sale in a few weeks
I'm in Brockport ,NY if You are close to there at all !
You are welcome to come take a look
Thanks!

[georgej]

dank,
Can you email me with some pictures and all the info on the bike? geoj3@verizon.net
Thanks

[bikerfish1100]

GregF pretty much nailed it.
i've owned 2 K75s ('88 S and an '86 C, converted to an RS with a Pichler PK2 fairing), as well as a '94K11RS.
if you're going to be doing much 2-up riding, you'll want the power of the K11. for solo work, the K75 is a nimbler, lighter bike. all Ks have heat issues of varying severity unless you go to the K12RS and newer models. The S has the least amount of heat generation of the early series, primarily due to the least amount of plastic.
Phil's back prefers the sit-up-and-beg of an RT, my low back vastly prefers the lean forward of an S/RS style machine, and has for the last 30+ years of riding. You should try both designs before you decide (a minimum half hour ride, & more is better).

[chuck_donahue]

GregF pretty much nailed it.
i've owned 2 K75s ('88 S and an '86 C, converted to an RS with a Pichler PK2 fairing),

What do you mean "converted a k75C to an RS with a pichler fairing"
I have an 86 k75T (almost the same bike) with a pichler fairing. I would not consider it a RS. I do plan on putting a RS fairing on it, I have all the parts except one bracket I will have to make, and I think I still will need a gas tank off a k100 to make the knee pads work
Oh and I have everything I need to get rid of the drum brake and put disk on but I think I will wait until I use up some of the brand new tire I put on it :dunno

I also have an 85 k100RS (this is the bike I put 90% of my miles on) but riding two up is not getting any more comfortable as I get older. So I am building an LT out of parts I have in my garage, for 2 up riding. (I am polishing the side covers now) Its gonna be sweet when I get it done. Watch we will get lots of snow this winter; and I will be too busy snowmobiling to work on bikes. :scratch

Sorry I didn't mean to steal the thread,

I agree, you need to go ride a few bikes, see what feels good, and I also know it is hard to find a bike to test ride? If you come to Chicago, have a motorcycle license, you can ride my k75 pichler, and my k100rs.

chuck