OH MY! I am trying to be objective about the 95 K1100T with EML GT2000 sidecar I saw today. In short, over 85,000 miles with a well maintained and well cared for history. I met with the second owner from 2010. She is an accomplished rider in her own right and we really had a good chat. Her hubby passed over couple years ago, she had major services done in 2022 and has rode it occasionally until recent foot surgery. Bike rode well, to this 3 wheel rookie, engine is strong, shifts well, and the electronics look good on first scan. This is a rarely well done setup from the day. I remember lusting for these bikes, (not the sidecar then but recognized the brand had a good rep,) and I am having a hard time talking myself out of committing to this Unicorn. I have fairly good skills and am not put off by the potential maintenance surprises and imaginative fixes I may have to come up with. The Steering felt heavy and odd, but as I said I'm new to side car. Pretty sure some riding time will help with the familiarity. My Question is this: If it looks like I am starting out with a well running rig with no obvious large issues, (Water pump, brakes, clutch, seals and much more done,) is about $8k worth the risk beyond the cosmetic and little issues all old bikes will inevitably have?
Asking $8500.00 OBO. Unique/classic BMW K1100 with 2 person EML side car! Turn heads when cruising on this super cool machine. It is in good condition for its age, tune up, brakes, tires, etc. in...
seattle.craigslist.org
There are other rigs near me in similar price ranges that may be nice, but the classic car guy in me is admittedly smitten.
Is the rear wheel from Stroker? if not, it looks nice and beefy. Leading links on the front will make it steer easier than any other modification. Floating calipers are a nice modification, too. The only real issues with the bike itself have likely been dealt with: output shaft spline lube and alignment, ABS (deleted?).
$8k is a pretty good price for all that's shown there. EML are nice chairs from all accounts.
Others will chime in soon, but I doubt you'll get anyone saying to run away from it.
Neil, I told you about this '95 BMW K1100LT Touring w/EML sidecar rig just 4 days ago, and at that time I had emailed with the lady that is selling it, so I knew the back story on it.
I say..... Buy It !
Most likely it has been sitting long enough, that the tires need to be checked for proper inflation, which may have caused the feeling of heavy steering, because typically a Leading Link front end makes steering feel lighter....not heavier. If the tires need to be replaced due to age, you might consider putting a motorcycle tire on that front wheel, rather than the flat tread tire that is there now, as the narrower footprint of the motorcycle tire will make the steering feel lighter.
That bike has a RDL seat on it, and I am the resident expert on RDL seats....Russell Day Long seats, as I have had 17 of them made for me personally.
My offer: Buy this rig, contact me, we will schedule a day for you to bring the rig to my ranch, in the foothills just outside Tenino, where you and I will put this on my car lift in my shop.....then carefully go over every metric centimeter of it, raised 6 feet in the air....and back down on the ground.
I do this for FREE, for sidecarists that are so poor they have to buy a 29 year old BMW brick, and can't afford a modern Honda w/DCT transmission.
I will be gone to Kansas for the Joyce Canfield's Sidecars in the Flint Hills Sidecar Rally, and will be back in Western Washington on September 12th, so we can check it out any day after that.
BUY.....IT....!
Two Million Mile Rider...All 7 Continents
Exploring the World in Comfort
I must admit, when you first pointed this bike out, I was worried about the age and miles and sort of pushed it to the back of my list. After going back to it to compare to the younger rigs with less miles and such, I started to realize this had a ton of cool going for it. Having had many classic sports cars and bikes, I went to look at it to talk myself out of getting into a probable "Project." Wifey just back home, earlier tonight, from a short business commitment and as we compared thoughts we realized this would be worth getting and keeping in good running order, spruce up as time and effort allow. Thanks for the kick in the aft, we already committed over an hour ago.
We had a EML GT2000 sidecar mated to a K100RT. It was an outstanding combination. We eventually sold it to a fellow sidecar enthusiast after Mrs. SwampFox acquired her own outfit and we just did not need three rigs.
My dog would've surely appreciated the nifty shade top on your sidecar.
Thanks for the kick in the aft, we already committed over an hour ago.
You probably saw the same things I did, that whilst this is 29 years old, it has a whole bunch of quality items on it, like the Leading Link front end, the RDL seat, the EML GT2000 sidecar, the bimini top for the sidecar, and....noted the front shocks "covers" on that Leading Link, which told me that the previous owner(s) had taken care to protect items. And...shock "covers" on the bike's rear shocks too.
Glad you have committed to it, and my offer stands. Once I return from the Sidecar Rally in Kansas (and yes, I am driving/riding my BattleWing Galactica sidecar rig out to, and back from Kansas)...then we can throw your new-to-you '95 K1100LT Touring w/EML GT2000 rig up in the air on my lift, and go over it with a fine toothed comb.
Okay, I know this is crazy....but it's actually a test to see how insane you really are....I am leaving early Sunday morning from Tenino, and heading to the Sidecar Rally in Kansas, so.....would you like to bring your new-to-you K1100LT rig along, and experience the wacky madness of a sidecar rally ???
It will be 4,000 miles roundtrip, and I will bring along a roll of bailing wire and safety wire pliers, so we can keep your ol' brick on the road.
Two Million Mile Rider...All 7 Continents
Exploring the World in Comfort
Right on! It is a definite beauty, and well optioned for longevity, comfort and durability. Congratulations on what will be an awesome rig.
My rig is a '95 BMW GS. At first I too was apprehensive, but the service history was a big plus. Put over 8,000 miles on it in the first year, and have had a blast. Getting ready to head out to the Rally that Miles is writing about. Following immediately with a trip on the Lewis & Clark Historic Trail from Omaha to the Oregon Coast. Should make a good 3K+ mile trip. These Beemers seem pretty ubiquitous as far as parts and repairs go.
Had a chance to drive a rig with leading link. It is a very different feeling from telescopic forks. Seemed very precise/immediate, and not as forgiving/compliant. I liked how precise it felt. Didn't take long to get used to it. Hope you find the same. 🍻
That should be an awesome rig it's a great combo I don't think you'll regret it. I just sold a K100/EML sort of regret it and I did take a few extra looks at this one. This one looks better set up to travel on, mine was not but a ton of fun in the twisties. This one you've got should be the best for all roads traveled. I found at first maintenance was a big PIA but with each turn of a wrench came knowledge, learning how to caress and tolerate these beasts
Thanks folks, your feedback is encouraging! FM I am nearly that insane except, I despise holiday weekend traffic and definitely want to mess about in some parking lots practicing idiot avoidance maneuvers before jumping into the mayhem on this. Also, we just recently moved so a lot of my bike gear is still in boxes, let alone finding all my camping gear. (I tend to "glamp" and this rig will encourage continuing in comfort.) I also want to check the tire pressures and look some things over. The headlight low beam needs replacing and that looks like some scratched hand advanced yoga fun getting access. May look at bringing it home Saturday or Sunday morning when there aren't as many anxious weekenders about.
In the book are exercises, and course layouts to do some basic practice. Went to the local dog supply store and picked up a bunch of cheap tennis balls, which were cut in half to make cones. Had a lot of fun practicing in a school parking lot when no teachers/students were around. Also provided plenty of entertainment for the school maintenance staff.
A few months back I had the "big brain" idea to do some high-ish speed avoidance practice. So my good buddy stood half way across the lot, and would put up his arm pointing to the direction of danger (like a deer, car, etc..). All this at a random time and direction. I had to move at least 6' from the path of travel as quick as possible. OMG! we've never laughed so hard. School maintenance guys did finally "suggest" we find a better place as i got really out of shape a few times. But they were laughing as hard as we were.
Have fun! Hope you'll post up your adventures and mis-adventures! Makes for fun reading. 😎
In the book are exercises, and course layouts to do some basic practice. Went to the local dog supply store and picked up a bunch of cheap tennis balls, which were cut in half to make cones. Had a lot of fun practicing in a school parking lot when no teachers/students were around. Also provided plenty of entertainment for the school maintenance staff.
A few months back I had the "big brain" idea to do some high-ish speed avoidance practice. So my good buddy stood half way across the lot, and would put up his arm pointing to the direction of danger (like a deer, car, etc..). All this at a random time and direction. I had to move at least 6' from the path of travel as quick as possible. OMG! we've never laughed so hard. School maintenance guys did finally "suggest" we find a better place as i got really out of shape a few times. But they were laughing as hard as we were.
Have fun! Hope you'll post up your adventures and mis-adventures! Makes for fun reading. 😎
OR....you can do just like I did....get on your very first sidecar rig, and drive it...period !
After 6 years, and 7 sidecar rigs, turns out I am the 3rd best sidecar pilot on Earth.
Two Million Mile Rider...All 7 Continents
Exploring the World in Comfort
I'll take a look once I pick it up Sunday. Is that a brand that will be stamped in the rim? They are beefy tires and nearly new. I hope to live as long as these tires should.. The rims seem to be painted and need cleaned up but all 3 match and that seems rare from what I've learned, so far.
In the book are exercises, and course layouts to do some basic practice.
Have fun! Hope you'll post up your adventures and mis-adventures! Makes for fun reading. 😎
OR....you can do just like I did....get on your very first sidecar rig, and drive it...period !
After 6 years, and 7 sidecar rigs, turns out I am the 3rd best sidecar pilot on Earth.
As a SCCA Street Survival skills instructor I will probably take ideas from all and modify to my tastes. I am a bit from the seat of the pants school. There was this early dicey incident on my friend's Hodaka and a big drainage ditch. Bike survived it better than this noob!
welcome aboard, looks like your off to a great start. Nice looking rig you just bought. Remember if you don't put up pictures after you get it home it didn't happen.