From: datasbld@bnr.ca (Datasbuild)
Subject: Re: Questions for K100RS owners
Organization: BNR Europe Ltd, Maidenhead, UK
X-Newsreader: Tin 1.1 PL4
Date: Wed, 29 Jul 1992 11:41:01 GMT

clayb@county.lmt.mn.org (Clay Babcock) writes:
: Greetings:
: 
: I am thinking of selling my beloved Seca Turbo and buying a K100RS.
: It will have to be a used bike because my wife (the Minister of Finance)
: will not approve of a loan of a mere?!?!? motorcycle.  Two years appeal 
: to me more than others.
: 
: 1985, and the 1988(9) Special mit ABS.
: 
: Would owners of these bikes (or any other year K100RS) post or mail me
: their like/gripes/flames regarding their bikes?
: 
: Thanks in advance,
: 
: Clay Babcock
: clayb@county.lmt.mn.org


Can't Email so will post here...

Had my K100RS for 3 years now, put 50K on it.  It was an 86 model with 7777 on
the clock when I bought it for L4000.  It is now probably worth L2000.  It had
the later BMW panniers on it.  I have extended the screen with bits from two
add-on fairing extenders and it now directs air at about eye height which is
annoying but liveable with.  I added the sidestand-clutch lever link and also
the hazards.  I have had to replace the shaft-drive bevel gear at 40K miles,
as the teeth fell off.   I think this was down to me pulling wheelies and 
using the bike as a tractor.  It has a towbar and I have a trailer which I 
always over-load.  I have also tow-started cars with it, including the 
ex-wife's volvo estate.  I have also replaced the clutch (last month) and the 
external oil seals/gaskets, as the bike was leaking a little bit of oil from 
all the engine seams.  Also, oil was getting onto the clutch.  At 40K, I also
had to change the fork oil seals which were in a very bad way.  I also changed
the BMW badges which had gone yellow and were cracking (such wonderful quality)
And I have changed the frontbrake switch twice.  It still doesn't work and the
big red warning light on the dash is always on because of it.  I am used to it
now though.  At 20K miles, the centrestand broke, causing the bike to fall 
against a wall and damage the fairing and mirror.  BMW replaced everything, 
free of charge, except my confidence.  The LCD digits in the gearchange 
indicator, blur/bleed at times, I think it is due to the sun or excess 
humidity.  The panniers are OK, but you need to learn the nack of opening them
which is always a sign of bad engineering.  Also, they leak water, probably due
to being misshaped by me forcing too much stuff in them.  Rear tyres get used
up anywhere from between 4 and 8K miles, but then that is probably due to me
treating the bike harshly.  Front brakes are OKish, sort of like a 70s JAP bike
would have.  The forks are too soft, put at least 10 weight oil in them and
get gaiters if you can.  Also, I'm told, a fork brace really helps.  Services
here in yUK and in The Netherlands are expensive, about L350 for my last one.
BMW car dealers that also deal in bikes are to be avoided like the plague (in
my experience).  They are sloppy, don't care, and very expensive.  My frame is
rusty in places, particularly under the seat and towards the rear.  The bars
are rusty and also the metal plates by the bars, inside the fairing.  After
the engine is hot and you leave it on the sidestand, oil seeps through into
the head.  When you next start up, dense clouds of white smoke are formed,
thankfully hiding your embarassment!  I'm told that this can be fixed by new
oil rings but I think that would be quite expensive.  I'm still using the
original battery, the garage is amazed at that so I reckon it will die fairly
soon now.

I have ridden the bike on some long journeys, and it is very comfortable.  I
have done 900 miles in a day and lots of 300, 400 and 500 mile journeys.  It
is more comfortable than my Jaguar was, for long journeys.  When you finally
stop, you are not fatigued and can still walk (unlike my XJ900).  A big problem
is the 120 mile range of the tank.  This is very very annoying but I don't see
what I can do about this, apart from riding slower.   :)

Acceleration is OK, it will pull wheelies in 1st and 2nd, so it's good for 
posing with.  Top whack is an indicated 148 but as to what this really is, I
have no idea.  A passenger tends to slow it down a tad, and I have been told 
that the rear seat isn't very comfortable.  The BMW comfort seat will fit and
people tell me that that cures the problem.  The tail fairing cubbyhole holds a
useful amount of stuff.


Nick               DoD 1069

42 ?

"Just another brick (flying) in the wall"
Newsgroups: rec.motorcycles