BMW K 1100 LT
| BMW | |
|---|---|
 BMW K 1100 LT SE |
|
| K 1100 LT | |
| Manufacturer | BMW |
| Sales description | K 1100 LT |
| Production period | 1991 to 1998 |
| class | motorcycle |
| design type | Tourer |
| Motor data | |
| In-line engine , four-cylinder engine | |
| Displacement (cm³) | 1092 |
| Power (kW / PS ) | 74 kW (101 hp) at 7500 min -1 |
| Torque ( N m ) | 107 Nm at 5500 min -1 |
| Top speed ( km / h) | 215 |
| transmission | 5 courses |
| drive | Cardan drive |
| Brakes | Ø 305 mm double disc brakes at the front, Ø 285 mm disc brake at the rear |
| Wheelbase (mm) | 1565 |
| Dimensions (L × W × H, mm): | 2250 × 915 × 1395 |
| Seat height (cm) | 81 |
| Empty weight (kg) | 290 |
| Previous model | BMW K 100 LT |
| successor | BMW K 1200 LT |
The BMW K 1100 LT is a motorcycle offered by BMW between 1991 and 1998 . The Tourer replaced the previous K 100 LT model , which was technically largely obsolete after five years of construction . The K 1100 LT was the first BMW motorcycle with the 4-valve in- line engine bored out from 987 cm³ to 1092 cm³ and installed lengthways and the Paralever rear suspension from the K100 sports versions and the K1 . When it was launched in 1991, it was the most expensive model in the BMW motorcycle range at a base price of DM 22,850, it was available for the first time with a regulated catalytic converter for a surcharge and, from 1993, was the first BMW model to have a second-generation anti-lock braking system . The sales name LT stands for L uxus- T ourer . The internal factory code is 89V2, the vehicle identification number 0526.
Model history and technology
The K 100 RT and K 100 LT tourers, with a total of more than 37,000 units sold, had sufficient success to continue the concept until 1991, but in the end, despite the facelift, they fell behind the advanced competition in terms of technology and performance. Above all, the sovereignty of the engine pull-through, which customers demanded from touring machines, even in higher gears and with a high load, could not be achieved with the 987 cm³ 2-valve engine used up to then. A basis was provided by the 4-valve engine with the same displacement from the K 1 sports car, which was built from 1988 and which was later also used in the K 100 RS 4V. This unit already offered better pulling power and became even more potent by drilling out to 1092 cm³ displacement. The cylinder bore was enlarged from 67 to 70.5 mm, with the stroke remaining identical. The nominally around 100 hp engine with a maximum torque of 107 Nm was throttled ex works to 72 kW (98 hp) for insurance benefits, but this made no measurable or noticeable difference when driving. In the K 1100 LT, this engine was controlled for the first time by the newly developed Bosch Motronic 2.2 with overrun cut-off . Of the two sports models, the Paralever swing arm with a lateral, multi-adjustable was gas - strut assumed that the Monolever replaced the previous model and now support the load change reactions of the shaft drive decreased greatly.
Comfort and equipment features
Externally, the K 1100 LT appears only slightly modified; the full fairing moved a little further forward, but was pulled further back around the engine. This should provide better wind protection with slightly increased legroom for the driver. The previously rigid windshield was replaced by a windshield that was electrically adjustable in height and inclination, and the flat topcase was replaced by a tall one with 35 liters of storage space, which was just as easy to remove as the two side cases. The extensive list of additional equipment at extra cost included a regulated catalytic converter, ABS I , heated or foam rubber grips , a radio cassette device with remote control on the handlebar, additional 12 volt sockets, side crash bars and an alarm system. When fully equipped, the weight of the machine was increased from the standard 290 kg to over 300 kg and the total price was increased to around DM 28,500 ex works in Berlin-Spandau in 1992 .
Special models
In 1993 and 1994 a numbered " Special Edition " ( SE ) was offered, which had some additional equipment that would otherwise be subject to a surcharge and for the first time had the further developed and more sensitive ABS II . In addition, the top case, which now weighs over 9 kg, has been equipped with a passenger backrest and two additional speakers for the stereo system that is standard here. In principle, a regulated catalytic converter was also standard, but the K 1100 LT SE could also be ordered without it. When fully equipped, there was a price advantage of around 500 DM compared to a fully equipped series model. In 1997 the model version " Highline " was introduced; For 29,600 DM it was equipped similarly to the SE four years earlier , but with additional optical features such as special colors and polished and chrome-plated engine and suspension parts.
Practicality
With the gross vehicle weight increased by 20 kg to 500 kg compared to the K 100 LT, the K 1100 LT was already one of the “super tourers” of its time, but did not give the impression of being particularly clumsy when driving with a full load. This was thanks to the relatively low center of gravity due to the engine mounting position and the relatively low caster of the conventional front-wheel telescopic fork , which made it easy to handle when cornering, but worsened straight-line stability at high speeds. In the manual supplied, BMW recommended not to drive faster than 130 km / h with the pannier fitted, as the motorcycle could otherwise become unstable. In practice, however - especially with the special models - the large and heavy top case was mainly responsible for the unsafe driving behavior; The side cases alone, due to their aerodynamic shape and low installation near the center of gravity, did not significantly affect the stability or the top speed.
What was noticeable, however, was the high weight and the center of gravity, which was shifted upwards by the cladding and the topcase, when maneuvering the vehicle while stationary. There was no reverse gear as in the successor model K 1200 LT . The relatively front-heavy weight distribution was also noticeable when cornering through slight understeer ; the radius actually driven often appeared larger than the planned one. When utilizing the permissible total weight, the more powerful engine also reached its limits; Motor journalists noticed the lower torque in comparative tests. Despite the shorter gear ratio compared to the sports version K 1100 RS, the torque in gears 4 and 5 was worse than in competing products. The noticeable, high-frequency vibrations of the horizontally installed in-line four-cylinder engine were also criticized , although BMW wanted to compensate for these with vibration- decoupled footrest plates and counterweights on the handlebar ends. The foam rubber handles available as additional equipment offered a slight improvement here. The water cooling system also revealed deficiencies. Despite the thermostat- controlled fan, the cooling water temperature could rise sharply during long periods of full load or frequent idling (e.g. in traffic jams and at high ambient temperatures). This could lead to a build-up of heat behind the full fairing above the engine, which was perceived as uncomfortable in the area of the driver's lower legs.
On the other hand, the long-distance comfort (even with two people), the load-dependent adjustable damping and preload of the strut, the storage space of around 100 liters, the long-distance 22-liter tank, the low maintenance requirement due to the cardan drive, the mechanical stability and durability were praised of the motorcycle. The K 1100 LT was therefore often used in a modified form for driving with a trailer . By the time the model was phased out in 1998 (partly in parallel with the successor K 1200 LT ), 22,757 units had been produced.
Competitive models were the tourers Kawasaki GTR 1000 , BMW R 1100 RT , Honda ST 1100 Pan European and Yamaha FJ 1200 .
Motorsport
The engine first installed in the K 1100 LT and later in the K 1100 RS was also the basic engine of Formula BMW for a number of years . In these monoposti the engine made up to 130 hp. From 1997, the 140 hp engine of the K 1200 RS was used.
Use in cycling
From the beginning and almost a decade after the model series was phased out, the K 1100 LT was and is often used as a live camera and reportage motorcycle in cycling ; such as the Tour de France or the Germany Tour . The relevant features here are the stability in two-person operation, the large range and the lower weight and greater maneuverability compared to the K 1200 LT.
Technical data (open version)
| engine | Inline 4-cylinder with injection, water-cooled, hydraulic valve control |
|---|---|
| Displacement | 1092 cc |
| power | 74 kW (101 hp) at 7500 min -1 |
| Max. Torque | 107 Nm at 5500 min -1 |
| Power transmission | Single-disc dry clutch, claw-shift five-speed gearbox, cardan drive |
| Top speed | about 215 km / h |
| Acceleration 0-100 km / h | 4.2 seconds |
| Pulling speed 60–140 km / h in 5th gear | 10.5 seconds |
| Fuel consumption, super unleaded (according to ISO 7118 brochure ) |
constant 90 km / h: 4.9 l / 100 km constant 120 km / h: 5.8 l / 100 km |
| Last list price | 29,600 DM ("Edition Highline ") |
Web links
- Tobias & Ralph Hollwedel: Driving report . In: bma-magazin , issue 03/2003.
- Peter Loreck: Overview of the K 1100 model series . In: flyingbrick.de .
- Ulf Böhringer: Touring machine with large reserves . In: Süddeutsche Zeitung . April 29, 1992.
Individual evidence
- ^ All Motorcycles. Production models since 1923 ( Memento from March 5, 2016 in the Internet Archive ). In: BMW Press Group . 2008.
- ↑ BMW K 1100 LT as a camera motorcycle in the Tour de France . In: letour.fr . July 2007.
