K1100 v K100

[Cafe racer]

Considering buying a K1100LT 60km.
Are these better than the K100?

What are the main improvements, I see in the photo, that it has the torque arm on the driveshaft.

Any know issues that the K100 doesn't have?

Any comments much appreciated.

[rbm]

In my opinion, K1100 is an all 'round better choice than the K100.  Still as reliable as an appliance, just like the K100.

[Chaos]

4 valve instead of 2 valve, better brakes, newer FI, Paralever rear, more HP, 2nd gen ABS (after 1993) yeah, go for the 1100

[Cafe racer]

4 valve instead of 2 valve, better brakes, newer FI, Paralever rear, more HP, 2nd gen ABS (after 1993) yeah, go for the 1100

without knowing the year, can I tell if 2nd gen ABS visually

[Laitch]

On models with ABS 2 there is one pressure regulator that isn't easily visible so your photo is of a 1994 or later model.

If a K1100 has ABS 1 you'd see a cylindrical pressure modulator above the footpeg plate on each side—like the one in the photo below.

Approximate weights according to Phil Hawksley's BMBikes site:
1988 K100RS 249kg
K1100RS 268kg
K1100LT 290kg

[koapono]

not BETTER, just different!
I have an 85 K100RS and a 93 K1100LT, love them both but they each have their own personality.
The RS with short bars and "sort of" forward leaning riding position has that speed-racer feel to it. Requires a little more effort to turn and flow with the twisties although effort diminishes as speed increases. Tis the reason for a folder full of speeding tickets.
The LT is an all-day rider! Designed for the long haul. If you buy it, throw some radials on it and you'll swear you're riding a brand new bike as compared to the RS.
Keep both if you can but if you must choose I'd go with the LT only because I'm old and decrepit. I've become more a tourer than a peg dragger.
g'luck

[Cafe racer]

koapono, many thanks, I love the riding position the RS, previous bikes have been S1000RR and two S1000R's
Bike before the KRS was a R1150 Rockster, awesome riding position, but it was a hot bike in the 35degC plus weather.. and thirsty for the engine oil. So you can see my bikes are getting older, so am I (61)

[Skunky]

Cafe Racer. If (as your pseudonym suggests), you are intending to build a cafe racer the K1100 is a better choice. The 4 valve has a different fuelling system from the 2v which allows you to replace the air box with pods or cone filters etc. It's slightly more refined than the K100's and tends to sell for a little more money.  As for riding position you buy a bike and pick your own. Either way these are great bikes with unbreakable engines. I love mine

[Cafe racer]

Cafe Racer. If (as your pseudonym suggests), you are intending to build a cafe racer the K1100 is a better choice. The 4 valve has a different fuelling system from the 2v which allows you to replace the air box with pods or cone filters etc. It's slightly more refined than the K100's and tends to sell for a little more money.  As for riding position you buy a bike and pick your own. Either way these are great bikes with unbreakable engines. I love mine

Skunky, Not sure of my plans with the bike, will know more after this wednesday when I pick it up... my solo riding style is RS, but with my lady on the back maybe the LT.. if its made into a cafe racer... so be it..

[Cafe racer]

Thanks for the comments the bike turned out to be very rough, the clutch was slipping in all gears on the flat when accelerating. So I didn't buy it...

[Past-my-Prime]

What's a new clutch run for one of those? $350?  Plus you get to check the splines. . .

[K1300S]

clutches are easy on these bikes.  and, as mentioned, ya gotta do the splines anyway....and the clutch o-ring, and the rear main seal.   its all one afternoons worth of work.

[rbm]

Might just be an adjustment.

[Cafe racer]

thanks to all for comments

[warmshed]

The paralever makes the bike handle much better