Do I really Want A K?

[rcrowder]

Love my LT

My 02 LT feels planted at any speed, and is in its' zone at 85. There is no engine heat at any speed, as the heat is directed away from the rider. The bike is a blast on any road other than gravel. Currently this is my only vehicle and is used as a: commuter, all day rider, and plaything. Every passenger has had nothing but praise for the comfort. I highly recommend test riding the 1200LT.

 

[74eldo]

My airhead just isn't the long distance machine I hoped for. The bike wanders on the freeway rain grooves, feels unsteadyat 85MPH, has moderate wind protection, and the engine is unispiring. I am hoping to find something that feels "planted" at 85 MPH, keeps me out of the breeze, and doesn't blast me with engine heat. I can tolerate an RS forward lean, but I need lots of leg room. I can do my own general maintenance. I mostly use the bike for long day trips or overnight touring in California. What kind of K bike would suit me?

The real question is, while it doesn't even live in the same dimension as an Oilhead or K bike, what are you gonna do with that R80ST??

I want 1st dibs, alright?

 

[2002redrider]

Do I really want a K bike?

In one word, yes. At least from my perspective. I would second Paul Glaves recomendation of the K1200RS. Big but very nimble and fast, rock solid with a very strong engine that just keeps on winding. Also they are a very good deal at this time with early models in good shape under $7000, some way under.

 

[rkasal]

1995 K75 with 4,500 miles

Just bought one tonight and can't wait to ride 'er home tomorrow. A 1,000 miles or so, and maybe I can give my opinion as to whether your should get a K. So far, it looks great!

Regards,


Randy Kasal

 

[brrider]

I have a 02 RT. I debated the same decision. I got the RT for 10 months now and I must say in total confidence that my decision was right on. I had my best ride 1570 miles in 22 hrs. I started out in Denver Colorado at 3:30am rode straght through to Fresno Ca. Only stopping for gas every 250 miles. I have been riding for 34 years and I must say this bike is a precision machine that will do what you want when you want it. If you want more HP go for a K bike, but remember with that HP comes alot more complex motor and maintence. Oh in 10 months I clocked up 12,000 miles. I ride a R1200c when it is really hot here in Cali, and give the RT a rest.

 

[rkasal]

Yes, you want one

I just picked up today a '95 K75 with 4,815 miles. Rode it home 120 miles to Des Moines in the rain and now, I understand why people love these things.

Still want an airhead, preferably old and black, but loving my K!

Regards,


Randy Kasal

 

[osbornk]

I just picked up today a '95 K75 with 4,815 miles. Rode it home 120 miles to Des Moines in the rain and now, I understand why people love these things.

Still want an airhead, preferably old and black, but loving my K!

Regards,


Randy Kasal

You may end up doing what I did. About 10 years ago, I bought a 92 K75RT and sold my K100RT because the K75 was the smoothest BMW they made. It is a great bike but I also wanted a black airhead. I found a black 86 R80RT a couple of years later and bought it as it is the smoothest airhead made. A couple of years ago, a retired friend in his early 70s wanted a BMW and I decided to sell him one of mine. I thought long and hard but decided to sell him the K75 even though it does everything better than the R80. I kept the R80 because I had wanted a black airhead since 1970 when I was in college and the R80 has more personality (to me).

Last winter, I ran across a steal in a 03 R1200CLC that I really enjoy. However, the R80RT is special to me and I plan on it sitting in my garage for many years.

 

[rkasal]

1995 K75/2

The biggest problem is finding one for sale! There is an interesting phenomenom. It will most likely outlive the rider. .

You are so right. I saw one at the dealership while there buying winter gloves (250 mile roundtrip). Within ten minutes of seeing it, I wrote out a check. It's a '95 K75 and had 4,815 original miles!

Within five minutes of buying it, a fellow came in to buy it who saw it earlier. I like it a lot but wish it had ABS which I've gotten used to on my other.

Will still buy an old black airhead though. This K75, I intend to reach at least the 250k mile club.

Regards,


Randy Kasal

 

[willhawks]

K bikes-excellent choices

I have had 2 K75's, one K1100LT and now own a K1100RS. It gets down to several factors:
1. What is your budget? Older K bikes that are worth having can be had for as little as $2000 with a ton of them in the $3000-$5000 range. Probably the best of the breed is the K75 ("the maytag motorcycle" thusly named because they have an aversion to breaking). Good overall performance, good handling and reliable as a pet rock. I have no experience with the 2 valve K100 and will not comment on same. On the same line, the 4 valve K1000's and K1100's are in my humble opinion undervalued and it is not uncommon to be able to find a good one from $4000-$6000. The K1100LT is an excellent tourer and very reliable as long as your legs from hip to knee don't rub on the fairing. It was for that reason and that reason only, that I sold my KLT. The 4 valve K1000's and K1100RS's are one of the greatest kept secrets in the motorcycle world. They are in fact GT bikes and "speedwagons". One of the hardest things about riding my 94 K1100 RS is keeping the damn thing under 90mph. They are "sneaky fast" in that with the Bullet-Train Autobahn Stability, you often find yourself running much faster than you thought without realizing it. I have not owned the 1200's-(lay-down fours) nor the new transverse K's and you would do well to consult those riders, though I hope to find to find one of the (lay-down four) K 1200 GT's in the future.

Regards,

Will

 

[zoridog]

I bought an 85 K100RT this past summer. It was a once in a lifetime bargain that I could not pass up. As a confirmed airhead, I thought K bikes had no character. In my mind they were ugly bricks and I never understood why BMW kept them in production for so long.

I sold the airhead. I still love them but the K bike is reliable, comfortable and fast. The K bike is like my Toyota .... change the oil annually, gas up and ride.

If you can get one that just needs new fluids and filters for $2500 .... buy it!

 

[beemer01]

85 K100rs

Bought and restored mine - Now I understand why BMW owners talk about 500 miles jaunts as nothing.

Point me at the next time zone. 90 MPH all day effortlessly.

Bought with < 30,000 miles for less than 2500USD. Runs with the big dogs.

 

[gregfeeler]

Look at the K1200RS - big - steady - road eater!

For more relaxed "touring" the K1100LT is a good candidate.

My favorite: K75 standard with the "International Shield".

I have a K1200RS, two K75's (standard and "S"), a K1, and a '72 R75/5, and have had a collection of airheads through '86 models. They have all been good bikes, but the K's have give you a feeling that they will be running into the next century.

The K75's are just a sweet bike: smooth, competent, and with the right tires and suspension work very light and agile handling. The K1200RS is the best all-round touring/sport bike I've ever ridden. It is dead stable at any speed (well into tipple digits) and under virtually any conditions (rain, wind, rain+wind, etc). The word "Invincible" comes to mind.

Ride some good examples of these bikes then buy one to see how you like it. The good news is that if you buy well you can sell it a year later for the same money if you want and try another.

 

[st3ryder]

...My favorite: K75 standard with the "International Shield".

I have a r100rs fairing grafted on my 87 k75c. It works very well, but is a bit top heavy. The bars are from a k1000rs. Sorry, cannot up load pics yet.

 

[ultracyclist]

This is a great thread! It has answered many questions that I had about K's.

I think the perfect solution for me is to obtain a K12GT for the road and an F650 for the city.

I have two concerns about K's I would like to hear more about is the "top heavy" sensation.
It seems that bikes of this type (K12GT, Kawa Concours, etc) with larger fuel tanks have that characteristic. I am wondering if the R11-12gsADV's have that same sensation.

One of my friends has both an '01 Concours and an '03 Triumph Sprint. He mentioned to me that the Kawa is a bit top heavy for city use. The kawa is his commuter.-he would be a "rounder" and he likes the dependability of the bike. The Sprint is his touring bike.

Secondly, I seriously doubt that I would use (if at all) all that power in 6th gear.

I do not want to "over buy". But after test riding a K12R, I am turning to the dark side for that smoooooooth power delivery. It is addicting.

I ride 60% highway/arterial and 40% city.

 

[zoridog]

The top heavy feeling is a subtle one. When I rode the airhead then the K, it was a feature that "stood out". After I sold the airhead, I didn't think about it again until I read this thread.

The top heavy feel is a major issue if you have short legs. I have a 30" inseam and weigh 190lbs. I can (almost) go flat footed when at a stop.

The guy who sold it to me was about 5' 5" and 150 lbs. He was on his tippy toes. When his calves got tired, the bike would lean and he couldn't stop the momentum....