What a long strange trip it's been.

[willhawks]

Veteran BMW rider starting in 1995. My first BMW was a 78 R80/7 with the Luftmeister Fairing and Krauser saddlebags. The only thing necessary to make it the perfect bike was a new BMW. I paid $2000 for it with 78,000 miles and with the help of the Late, Great Keith Patchett and Hermy Baver Sr., I proceeded to rebuild the engine, the. carbs, the instrument panel, the charging system, much of the electrical system, the suspension and many parts of the lighting system. After about $6000 invested, I finally had t working as intended when the electrical system fried itself. I sold it for $1500 and bought a Gold wing which never let me down once. Great bike, that, but something was all wrong;It was not a BMW. I traded it for one of the best bikes I ever owned; a K75 and the sum total in repairs was a $19 microswitch for a rear stop light. I had always loved the R100RTs and I traded a perfect K75 for an RT which had issues to include unleaded valve seats and ruptured diaphragms in the carbs. Much tinkering and money spent and I could never get it to run right so I sold it and bought another K75. NEXT INSTALLATION COMING SOON.

 

[motorhead1977]

Interesting retrospective. I agree with you on the GL 1800. My 2010 GL (traded in on a new 1200 RT in 2018) was not only completely without any issues but was far and away the absolute best mile muncher for long distance touring. 600+ mile days had me relaxed and not the least bit tired at the end of the day. Even on the occasions when we headed out in sub 40* F morning temps. I'd still have it (or a new one) if it wasn't so damn heavy. Nearly 900 lbs without gear and riders became just too much for my aging body.

 

[willhawks]

I believe the factories need to do some rethinking; re: the weight issues. IMHO, the time is right for a touring bike that keeps the weight under 600 lbs. Still love the old R100 RTs.

 

[willhawks]

Both the K75s I owned were great bikes and all but unbreakable. Traded up for an R1100RS which eas probably the best mile eater I ever owned. Scranton PA to the Canadian Border in 6 hours with 2 stops. Traded for a K1100LT which was a great bike with bad ergos; The seat pushed my knees into the fairing and very uncomfortable. Put up with it for about a year and then said ENOUGH!! Given that the Germans are rather larger people, could not figure how this ergonomic idiocy got out of the factory. Went to Colorado to buy my Dream bike; an R100 RT with the intention to ride The Dragon. Crashed and totaled the bike in Jackson TN. The Curse of the R100 RT; though I still want one. More next time

 

[willhawks]

Picking up Sgt Shultz tomorrow. Got a $1000 credit from BMW due to Reverse gear issues. Hermys has a deal wherein they will pick up your bike, service it and return it with you only paying for the service during the winter (if w/in 100 miles of the dealership). Ordered Factory Crash Bars to be installed and they got the Reverse Gear Fix kit in SOOOOOOOOOOOO Time to rock and roll! Looking for advice for a front wheel holder that I don't need to bolt to the floor so I can stand the bike straight up when parked in the garage. Any ideas welcome. Many Good miles to all!!

 

[motorhead1977]

Try the Condor wheel chock. I have them on my trailer and they're awesome. The free standing version is supposed to be every bit as good.