Picked up my new (to me) K1100 RS tonight

[lhead]

It's my first BMW ever. I've ridden three different bikes in 35 years - Suzuki GS 400, Honda CX500, Yamaha XS850.

Saw it on Craigslist Monday and it's sitting in my garage tonight. It's a '93 with 73k miles. Cheesy purple respray. Barbacks. Screw in bar end throttle lock. PIAA driving lights.
The good:
Nice throttle response.
Comfortable Corbin seat.
Good riding position.
Great brakes.

The bad:
HEAT!
Worn Metzler tires. The back is center flatted from too much straight line riding. There's a pronounced step from the flat to the outer portion of the tire. Makes for interesting cornering. The front is cupped in the center.
The right side cover fell off on the way home.  I recovered it though. I need to investigate how it's held on. Yeah, I know - not very well.
The ABS light is blinking all the time.

Anyway, everything works and I'm happy. Not bad for $1700.

Questions:
1. What grade of gas to use?
2. What's the general opinion on tire pressure? I'm running 36 front and 40 rear.
3. How would loose steering head bearings manifest themselves in handling? I'm thinking they might be.
4. What should be done maintenance wise to help this K live a long life?

Thanks Brothers



 

[argent brick]

You are now officially a Brickhead. Welcome aboard.

One of the  members of Motobrick.com  Board of Directors (Frankenduck) has done a wonderful job of compiling everything that you need to know.
Read all of the post that are marked "read only" and you will be off to a good start. He also has a section for people new to Flying Bricks.
Read that too. I have had my K75 less than a year and I found study of those section very helpful:)

[tsbt]

Welcome Charlie, there's no turning back once you have a brick! Sweet deal. Get a Carbtune and balance the throttle bodies, works wonders on a K.

[WoahGold]

Welcome, you'll grow to love the brick's. We'd like to see some pictures too.

I've wondered the same thing about fuel, from the people I've talked to the concencus seems to be at LEAST the mid-grade 89 octane or so. I run 93 in my K100, but thats only because Costco doesn't have a mid. Those tire pressures sound pretty much dead on.

In terms of maintainence, for K's it's pretty much the same for any other bike. Keep the fluids fresh, keep things clean, the usual. The only things K specific that I can think of off the top of my head are keep an eye on the shaft drive maintainence and keep the cluster dry. I also agree with tsbt, it couldn't hurt to go through and give it a general tune up including the throttle bodies.

[Scott_]

Greetings lhead, before I would worry too much about the steering head bearings, I'd start with a new set of tires, then see how the handling is after that.
Go with Radials, you won't be disappointed.
Here's another link of good advise for new K-bike owners.
http://www.verrill.com/moto/newkbike.shtml