Thoughts on 1995 K1100LT

[Road Warrior]

I am considering purchasing a 1995 K1100LT for $4500. It has 46,000 miles and is said to be in good running order. Any thoughts on whether this is a good deal, too old a bike, etc. Thanks.

[JPSpen]

And see what you think.. I think 4500 maybe is a little too much, But it's low miles... If you ride it then you can get a better feel for it's actual condition and any repairs that might be needed in the near future.. Then you might be able to talk the current owner down a little in price.....Or a lot !!

Good Luck...

Spence

[Road Warrior]

I am also wondering if the technology has changed dramatically to the point that it makes sense to get a later model.

[bob_menton]

The K11LT was known for 2 hiccups: buzzy vibration, and it dumped heat into your lap. Neither of these may bother you, but both were addressed in the K12LT: the engine was vibration-isolated from the frame (the K11LT is hard mounted to the frame), and engine heat was ducted away from the rider.

- Bob

[bobaltic]

I had a 93 K11LT and put 146,000 on it. Buzz was on a problem in a narrow rpm band. You definately had to grease the splines every 36,000 miles. Torque curve must have been 45 degrees, you twist the throttle and it went, found the flat spot approaching 120. In a lot of ways, I preferred the K11 over the K12 on long distance trips. It just sort of fit better. The K12 is one sweet bike, but the K11 will go down as one of the most bullet proof, fun bikes I have owned. Just one opinion, though...I would think that $3000 would be more like the price unless it is in excellent shape...Best, Bob

[jwp767]

I had a 94 K1100LT until I got one of the first K1200LT's that hit the shore in April 1999....and I still have it today with 45,000 miles or so.

I had about 43,000 on it when I sold it for $7000 in 1999....so I'm surprised the depreciation didn't slow down a bit after that!

Overall I liked the bike a lot but the biggest negative for me was that my knees always hurt after long rides from being jammed into the fairing....the K12 fixed that altogether with the new design.

Acceleration wise....the K11 will run circles around the K12...it's just a lot lighter bike with the same horsepower, until 2005's K12.

$3000 would seem like a real deal to me......$4500 didn't seem bad either.

[belga1976]

Last time i looked at cycletrader.com I saw K11LT's for around 5K with 50K + on them about a week ago. I used to have a 94 LT Fjord Grey Special Edition that I sold with 19K miles on it (Poser bike) $5000.00 including fog lights and all the inner bags. It was a great bike, regretting to have sold it because it was in excellent condition but money was an issue at the time... It's a lot lighter than the K12LT, little less HP.

[Road Warrior]

I am going to try to get the bike for between $3000 and $3500. What's the maintenance like on it? Is there a lot I can do myself? Any thoughts as to whether using that $3000-3500 for a more recent model is a better use of my money?

[jwp767]

K1100LTs are definitely easier to work on since there's not a lot of tupperware covering things up.

$3000-3500 is so cheap I don't see how you can lose....ride the hell out of it and still get your money back when you sell it.....

[SoberBiker]

I own a '97 K1100LT and I recently owned a '05 K1200LT (Long story). I had always admired the look of the K1100LT but was unable to acquire one (Another long story). I purchased the one I own now for $6K and don't regret it a bit. It had some issues with the fairing which were not disclosed to me at the time of the sale, but all in all, I am very happy with the bike. Even the stock seat works!

I don't think you will regret purchasing an older model like the one you have in question, especially if money is an issue. It is much lighter than the K12's and much easier to maneuver around town. I haven't been able to really get it out on an extended trip yet, but the ride from Pittsburg (480 miles) was enjoyable as nearly possible as from the '05 K12. Of course the '05 had many more amenities, but the actual ride was not a problem in comparison.

Do a search on NADA to see what they say about pricing, you might be surprised.