Is it possible to buy a 17" wheel for my R1100RT?

[Ian]

I have short legs and even with my built-up BMW boots I can barely touch my heels on the ground. Ten years ago when I bought it I was quite confident but now at 63 I would prefer a lower seat. I already tried paring the seat foam but this was not successful as after a long ride the foam is so thin that my bones touch the hard plastic of the seat position notches. I then bought the lower "comfort seat" but it is still too high.

 

There are Ohnlin shocks that would lower it around 1/2"-1" but I understand that these are extremely expensive both to purchase and to have renovated.

 

Hence my thinking that a 17" wheel if available would lower the seat by 1/2". I recall someone here mentioning a wire wheel?

 

Ian

[cruisin]

I have a five-spoke K1200RS wheel for sale along with a Metzler ME880 that I had on my RT. I am asking $200 + shipping for the wheel and $75+ shipping for the tire (with 7582 miles on it).

 

Take a look at my ad by clicking on the link '98 BMW R1100RT (parting out), in my signature below.

 

I had my RT configured this way for the past 8 years and really liked the results of using the Ohlins, smaller rear wheel, thick soled boots and a custom seat.

[upflying]

The 17" rear wheel is a popular switch. The one from the K1200 (I think) bolts on. I could be wrong on the model so someone let else will chime in to confirm. The switch is usually motivated by finding more popular tires sizes, not for the purposes of lowering the bike.

[Paul Mihalka]

The 17" rear wheel from a K1200 is a popular choice expanding your choice of tires. The 17" wheel will not make the bike any lower. Going by size numbers the stock 160/60x18 is 325mm tall. Popular 17" tire choices are the Metzeler ME880 originally made for the K1200LT, 160/70x17 bias/belted for high mileage, or any 170/60x17 radial sporttouring tire. The 160/70x17 is 328mm tall (taller than stock) and the 170/60x17 is 318mm tall, about 1/4 inch lower.

[Boffin]

I have short legs and even with my built-up BMW boots I can barely touch my heels on the ground. Ten years ago when I bought it I was quite confident but now at 63 I would prefer a lower seat. I already tried paring the seat foam but this was not successful as after a long ride the foam is so thin that my bones touch the hard plastic of the seat position notches. I then bought the lower "comfort seat" but it is still too high.

 

There are Ohnlin shocks that would lower it around 1/2"-1" but I understand that these are extremely expensive both to purchase and to have renovated.

 

Hence my thinking that a 17" wheel if available would lower the seat by 1/2". I recall someone here mentioning a wire wheel?

 

Ian

 

Ian, a (slightly) cheaper option for shorter shocks is Hagon - a custom rate spring, lower length (up to 50mm in 5mm steps) and remote preload comes in at £470 - the same as the standard shock. Hagon, like Ohlins, do not *have* to be renovated, they just *can* be renovated instead of replaced like the standard BMW shock has to be when it reaches end of life. Hagon re-build cost is currently just over £100. It is a way of saving money.

 

Andy

[Ian]

Andy.

 

Many thanks for this information. I will check the Hagon out.

 

Ian

[Eckhard Grohe]

If you choose to use a K 1200 wheel you also need to use the bolts from the K1200 as the RT will be too long and bottom out.

 

 

[Clive Liddell]

Hi Eckhard,

I have had no problem getting 18" tyres for my R1100RT up to now. However, looking to the future, I want to start "planning" for a 17" K1200 wheel. Do you have a K rim fitted and, if so, any problems?

 

Our 1100 wheels are 4.5" so I presume the K rim we need to look at is the 5" (a 5.5" is also listed).

 

Thanks for the warning re bolts - I note that the K bolts are 5mm shorter than the R bolts.

 

[scout6]

We are parting out Susan's RT due to a low side and body work damage. She has a set of lowered Wilbers on it. They were lowered for her 5'2" body. She does have a 29 inch inseam, but really liked the lowered bike. She also had the seat made with a lowered seat area scooped out and the nose narrowed. All together it was much shorter and easier to ride. The shocks are set for her weight, but they can be reset to fit other riders. Let me know if interested in a PM.

[Eckhard Grohe]

Clive:

 

I have had no problems with the K1200 wheel. I used Paul as my mentor in this deed. He had done the same on his 1100RT.

 

I was lucky enough to get a new wheel and tire from a bike being converted to a trike.

 

If I remember correctly it is a 5" rim. A 5.5 won't fit if I remember correctly.

 

I have to admit that I have done very little riding in the last couple of years so there hasn't been much chance for problems to manifest themselves.

[Clive Liddell]

Hi Eckhard,

Thanks. It seems the new price for a rim, 4 bolts etc will be around $1000 so I think it's time to start looking for a used rim here as well!!

 

When I mentioned problems I had in mind possible handling problems but that seems "all well".

 

 

[Eckhard Grohe]

Paul would be a better reference for any handling related things for this modification. Send him a PM. I'm sure he'll reply.

 

I personally saw no difference but I am a sedate sort of rider.

[randy]

i have done this, (used Paul as my guidline) really only three

issues

 

as noted above get the 5.0 rim (NOT 5.5)

 

by rim from K1200RS or LT 1999 - 2002 I think is the correct years. Lots of used rims around just post a WTB add here and at IBMWR.org

 

by K1200rs bolts. they are slightly shorter than the RT OEM bolts and you need to use those bolts.

 

 

after that you just mount the rim and ride.