Talk me out of it

[faffi]

I just read the long term test of the K75, dating back to 1986. After 42k km (26k mi) of pretty hard riding (like flat out on das Autobahn for hours on end), the bike was completely dismantled. Inside, most of the engine was like new, apart from one mysterious fault; the fourth main bearing on the crank was absolutely shot. No other damage was found, the oil filter was clean, and the crank itself could be reused after lightly polishing the crank journal. A freak occurrence that nobody could explain. The only other issues was a clutch out of line with the output shaft by 0.22 mm, causing the splines to strip after about half the total test distance, a fork that sprung a leak at the seals, and a shock that wore out and lost most of its damping.

I also have a 100k km / 62k mi long term test of the K100RT that I plan to read someday.

[DoubleGuzzi]

My K100 was a bit of a wreck with the benefit of hindsight.
Good points..
Plenty of room to move around on, so 100+ mile runs were a pleasure (most of the time).
Seriously low down grunt - could pull up a 30mph pretty steep hill in top gear.
Decent fuel economy.
Got us home when a coil connector came loose (provoked by a tipover), 2-up along undulating and twisty terrain, for half of the 50 miles or thereabouts.
Accessories are well thought out. A tail rack came with a fitting template and the underside of the tailpiece has pre-formed areas for bolts to go through. Likewise for the small factory windscreen.

Kinda Bad points..
Make me hanker for a Luftmeister turbo kit - yippee!
Made me hanker for a K100RS 16V - pearlescent paint one.
I used to scrape the rocker cover when keeping up with my buddies on their sporty machines - reputedly quite a sight of little me on big bike.

Bad points..
Got banned for 6 months for doing 128mph on a clear 70mph dual carriageway.  I had got pissed off being stuck behind some old git for miles, on a peachy twisty road in the glens, with nowhere safe to pass. 
The throttle cable overheated in a tourist town in the Highlands and stuck open - that was a fun few moments!
I got stranded one evening on my way home, due to the internal fuel pump hose popping off. Yeah, I now know that it's not that rare a thing to happen. 
The back wheel buckled after enduring the pot holes of Glasgow city centre. Seemingly a known issue with some BMW wheels of that era and I sent it down to England to a specialist, for straightening. The Glasgow pot holes haven't really improved since then, seemingly.
The delightfully thought of lifting handle (to help onto the centrestand) had a great habit of separating from the rubber handle, leaving me holding this item, with the bike laying on its side, like some pushed over cow (that's a 'murican thang, I'm told).
Mine failed an MOT for out of alignment wheels - I tried to explain the deliberate offset due to single-side swingarm and shaft drive. Went to a lot of trouble and expense (for me) to try to rectify with a 'straightened' frame, as well a really poor useless BMW dealer supposed diagnosis. It handled worse after this but passed an MOT test. Go figure. I re-covered the seat, resprayed the bike (in different colours) and traded it in to the dealer that had failed it, who didn't recognise it. 

I'm sure that there were other features, stories, events etc.

Get yerself a Triumph 955i Sprint ST 2001/2 model onwards (mine was a 1st gen. 1999). Characterful, strong engine and 55+ MPG Imperial. 208kg "dry". (Too large & heavy for me now, otherwise I'd have kept it for another 20 years, if I live that long).
 

[DoubleGuzzi]

I test rode a relatively clean K75 and quite enjoyed it. The rubber band type of sound from the engine was amusing. I quite fancied a K75S or the one with the low seat option (K75C?). Shortly after, I test rode a 900 Trident and the difference was immense - no contest and still my favourite bike of all, though a bit top heavy for me now. They did a Sprint version with top fairing.

[TN Mark]

Talk you out of it? Ok.

Do you agree to dress like a ‘Power Ranger’ each and everytime you ride your premium BMW motorcycle?

Will you adhere to and conform to the ‘BMW Dress Code’ and their never wave policy?

Are you devoted to the BMW Engineering Program Policy of never showing emotion and only talking in ‘technical and/or ‘engineering’ terms no matter what?

Are you devoid of a ‘normal human personality’ and will you adhere to the BMW riders unified preprogrammed robotic speech and reply pattern.

Will you agree to make fun of every rider and their motorcycle behind the backs of anyone that doesn’t ride a BMW?

Do you solemnly swear to uphold the BMW superior attitude anytime a motorcycle or a motorcyclist is within earshot?

Do you swear your clothing allegiance to Shuberth for helmets and Kim or BMW logo apparel?
If not, get out now.!

Will you agree that the only good saddlebag and trunk systems are BMW supplied aluminum cases?

As a BMW owner/rider will you swear your total devotion, allegiance and adherence to the rules as set forth by the BMW Motorsports Owners Group.

Will you agree to ride standing on your pegs to allow blood flow to your buttocks? Again, if not, get out now.

Do you solemnly swear to never, ever, no not ever once utter the phrase: Loud Pipes Saves Lives? If you said it out loud reading this, get out, just get out!

Do you agree to always have at least one black ink pen and a sharpened #2 pencil in a pocket protector and on your person at all times? On and off your premier BMW motorcycle?

Do you solemnly swear to never get or allow a current tattoo, a piercing, or any other body modification (not even one related to BMW) to show while you’re in your ‘BMW Approved Riding Apparel’?

Failure to comply 100% to any of the above stated BMW Approved Behavior Patterns means you agree to stay away from your BMW for no less than 120 consecutive days and nights.

[faffi]

I test rode a relatively clean K75 and quite enjoyed it. The rubber band type of sound from the engine was amusing. I quite fancied a K75S or the one with the low seat option (K75C?). Shortly after, I test rode a 900 Trident and the difference was immense - no contest and still my favourite bike of all, though a bit top heavy for me now. They did a Sprint version with top fairing.

Thank you for the report on the K100 above also!

I used to own a Sprint 900 until I had a head-on encounter with a Volvo 240 trying to pass a car around a blind corner, completely blocking my way. To me, the Sprint was not unlike the way I see the K-series from BMW; very good tool, but not exciting. 20 years ago, that was a bad thing. Now I consider it a good thing. Perhaps I should start drinking and sort myself

I also mixed a Thunderbird 900 and a Daytona 900 into a Daybird. My brother has also owned several 900s, among them a late version Trophy. That was really difficult to work on due to the way the fairing was made and mounted. Apart from my Sprint and the Daybird, all the 900s I have tried vibrated too much, rapidly numbing my fingers. Same with the 955 Sprint I tested, which was even worse. Strangely, the vibrations hardly changed from idle onwards, they were omnipresent.

[faffi]

Talk you out of it? Ok.

Do you agree to dress like a ‘Power Ranger’ each and everytime you ride your premium BMW motorcycle?

Will you adhere to and conform to the ‘BMW Dress Code’ and their never wave policy?

Are you devoted to the BMW Engineering Program Policy of never showing emotion and only talking in ‘technical and/or ‘engineering’ terms no matter what?

Are you devoid of a ‘normal human personality’ and will you adhere to the BNW riders unified preprogrammed robotic speech and reply pattern.

Will you agree to make fun of every rider and their motorcycle behind the backs of anyone that doesn’t ride a BMW?

Do you solemnly swear to uphold the BMW superior attitude anytime a motorcycle or a motorcyclist is within earshot?

Do you swear your clothing allegiance to Shuberth for helmets and Kim or BMW logo apparel?
If not, get out now.!

Will you agree that the only good saddlebag and trunk systems are BMW supplied aluminum cases?

As a BMW owner/rider will you swear your total devotion, allegiance and adherence to the rules as set forth by the BMW Motorsports Owners Group.

Will you agree to ride standing on your pegs to allow blood flow to your buttocks? Again, if not, get out now.

Do you solemnly swear to never, ever, no not ever once utter the phrase: Loud Pipes Saves Lives? If you said it out loud reading this, get out, just get out!

Do you agree to always have at least one black ink pen and a sharpened #2 pencil in a pocket protector and on your person at all times? On and off your premier BMW motorcycle?

Do you solemnly swear to never get or allow a current tattoo, a piercing, or any other body modification (not even one related to BMW) to show while you’re in your ‘BMW Approved Riding Apparel’?

Failure to comply 100% to any of the above stated BMW Approved Behavior Patterns means you agree to stay away from your BMW for no less than 120 consecutive days and nights.

If you managed to come up with all that on your own, then

My cousin, who rides KTMs and participate on offroad rallies, have told stories of BMW GS riders that comply with your points. Those I have met out on the roads? Not so much, thankfully

[turboguzzi]

@TN, I own a 1986 BMW G/S, totally avoid contact with the moronic attitudes of other BMW (or worse 1st gen G/S Queens ) owners.  And they will look down on a K100 owner as a penniless BMW wannabe any way.

I just ride my G/S and enjoy it, not there to socialize with the "B" folks.

That said, i find the K100 an abomination, on so many levels.

"light weight"? if 240 kg is light, what is heavy then? :)

Id go with a K75 and ride this fun oddball bike with pride.

Or make the jump to the first across the frame fours, the K1200S/R/etc.
Same weight but they have a nuclear power-station instead of an engine..... acceleration is simply atomic and are very sporty too.
Totally underrated and underpriced. 

[faffi]

I am reading up on all those old K75 tests I have in my archive that I did not bother to read when the bike was new - I tend to agree with you, turboguzzi, in that it is the preferred version

I also agree that 250 kg / 550 lbs, give or take, is not light as such, but for a touring bike it is. My Deauville 650 was 250 kg wet with a claimed 56PS, and the 700 version with ABS was 257 kg wet with a claimed 65PS. Both had the same top speed when tested by MOTORRAD at 185 kph / 115 mph, which is more than fast enough. But there is no grunt - the 700 Deauville is the only bike to get 0 points when measuring acceleration 2-up in 2nd gear up an 11% incline. While the K75RT is no rocket, its roll-on performance is much stronger.

A friend of mine has a K1300S. It is definitely fast, but a pig on the sort of roads I enjoy, hampered by a massive wheelbase and too sporty riding position. I could go faster on these rural roads on my Deauville than on his K1300S, and have more fun as well. And I do not need 175 hp on our roads, it will only get me into trouble

[Moparnut72]

When I moved in 1997 to the town I now live in I soon learned the the NorCal BMW group held an annual rally at the fairgrounds. Since I rode a R90/6 I was anxious to attend the next one, which I did. I was never more bored at a rally than I was at that one. Nothing like the Top of the Rockies Rally I used to attend when I lived in Colo. Since my office was in the fairgrounds building I got to see many more with no apparent improvements. When I decided to sell the R90 I put it outside the back door with a for sale sign with a give away price on it I didn't get a single bite. I guess old Airheads were beneath them at the time, not so much now.
kk

[TN Mark]

faffi, have you considered a Honda Pacific Coast?

I’ve never owned or ridden one but they’re blantantly boring annd odd that I think about one from time to time. As exciting as a $10 toaster or plain white copy paper.

Then I shake myself back to reality and quickly get over  the thought.

[PJPR01]

Maybe a modern BMW is the answer....look at this beauty in Lava Orange!

[Moparnut72]

An Idaho Utuber wanted to buy one of these when they first came out. He searched every dealer within several hundred miles with no luck. Not that many imported and the ones that were, had already been spoken for. A good looking bikes but I think the V7 850s are nicer not that I own one.
kk

[turboguzzi]

well faffi, one thing you didnt say is whats the budget....

K75s can be had for a song or almost

K1000s have a new strange problem,  so many have been turned into stupid or less stupid "specials", .... its getting not easy to find nice stock ones.... everyone with an angle grinder thinks he can make a master piece and that its worth X 3 the std price

https://www.autoscout24.com/lst-moto/bmw/k-75?atype=B&damaged_listing=exclude&desc=0&powertype=kw&search_id=20oohh6luhw&sort=standard&source=homepage_search-mask&ustate=N%2CU

https://www.autoscout24.com/lst-moto/bmw/k-75-s?atype=B&damaged_listing=exclude&desc=0&powertype=kw&search_id=2bgy0pw30zc&sort=standard&source=homepage_search-mask&ustate=N%2CU

https://www.autoscout24.com/lst-moto/bmw/k-100?atype=B&damaged_listing=exclude&desc=0&powertype=kw&search_id=a7yyn1hnih&sort=standard&source=homepage_search-mask&ustate=N%2CU

[faffi]

faffi, have you considered a Honda Pacific Coast?

There was a time, maybe 35 years ago, that I did. But it is a very peculiar bike, somewhere between a motorcycle and a scooter that is not all that functional. But I am impressed you remembered it and brought it up

[faffi]

Maybe a modern BMW is the answer....look at this beauty in Lava Orange!

Very pretty, but not much weather protection, unfortunately.

[faffi]

turboguzzi, there are not a lot of hacked up bikes in Norway due to strict regulations for what you are allowed to do without getting an official approval and the changes registered in the papers. Changing the seat, changing the exhaust, changing wheel sizes, changing brakes or changing suspension must all be approved by an official. Many take their chances and modify anyway (like me), but if it is very obvious, you do risk losing your plate by the roadside, where you must leave your bike and arrange for pickup if the officer consider the changes too dramatic to allow further travel. You also risk having the vehicle condemned from further road use permanently.

Budget is not really comparable between USA and Norway. For instance, my 2017 Roamer is worth about 7,500 USD, a new R12 G/S will set you back USD 30,000. There is a 1991 K100RS that need some work for sale at USD 2,200. My budget limit is USD 12,000.

[PJPR01]

How about a Triumph Trophy?  Just in between a twin and an inline 4...full wind protection, solid 3 cyclinder smooth engine, plenty of spare parts I'm sure.  I looked at a Trophy before getting the Norge...there were some nice versions in Norwegian Blue and British Racing Green.

[faffi]

How about a Triumph Trophy?  Just in between a twin and an inline 4...full wind protection, solid 3 cyclinder smooth engine, plenty of spare parts I'm sure.  I looked at a Trophy before getting the Norge...there were some nice versions in Norwegian Blue and British Racing Green.

See reply #69, but it is a relevant suggestion.

[SIR REAL ED]

If you managed to come up with all that on your own, then

My cousin, who rides KTMs and participate on offroad rallies, have told stories of BMW GS riders that comply with your points. Those I have met out on the roads? Not so much, thankfully

Shirley, your cousin knows that Austrians are the ultimate Germans! Just ask him!

[Stretch]

"Are you devoid of a ‘normal human personality?"

THA ONE I have - in spades! 

                                    -Stretch

[SIR REAL ED]

The description of BMW riders as snobs, reminded me of a great column from the 1970's, Cycle magazine, and authored by Phil Schilling or Cook Neilson IIRC.

The author had parked his brand new Beemer near the huge front window of a high class restaurant, and after breakfast, he decided to put on a show of how a Master Motorcyclist preps for a ride.  The pre-flight check list included inspecting both tires, switch gear, checking the headlight, brake light, and turn signals.  He demonstrated proper warmup by starting the bike and feeling the cylinder heads to verify temperature.  Of course, putting on all the proper safety gear also required a demonstration ritual.

Getting on the bike, he looks in the rearview mirrors and adjusts them properly.

Putting the bike in gear, he flips up the side stand, catches his boot lace on the shifter or foot peg and proceeds to fall over.

From my personal files:

A new acquaintance (with decades of riding experience) borrowed a Beemer from an old friend he had known for decades.  As we pull up to the restaurant for breakfast, he forgets to put down the side stand and falls over.

Since we are both in our 60's, we laugh hysterically!  Life is grand!!

When we get back to the farm, and tell the owner of the Beemer what happened, all three of us laugh again.

These are the great memories that we will relate at each other's funerals!

As one of my favorite authors says "Never tempt the goddess Nemesis!"

[DaGootz]

As an owner of a 2002 K1200RS BMW for the last 20+ years, the flat four is no comparison to the inline fours from Japan. They were the best engine BMW ever produced and I was very sad the stopped making them, in fact that's why I still have my old RS, don't like the new engine. So long as the K100 was NOT built for the US market you're good. Here in the states BMW had to de-tune the engine to meet environMENTAL emission standards, so in effect the K75 (3-cyl) 750 had more HP than the K100 here because any 750cc engine was less restricted. I can't talk you out of a K100 is I tried. If you get it keep in mind a company called KPartsHolland, good people.

[Moparnut72]

I remember that tale in Cycle. I believe I laughed out loud. I had a shoelace get caught just the other day. After a bazillion years of riding I can identify the problem immediately and take corrective action. I must not have tied my boots properly that morning to not have any loops hanging down. Just a few months ago I was in deep thought when riding into the shop. I didn't put my feet down so the V7 decided to take a nap. Fortunately I can lift the V7 so I didn't have to fetch my wife to help and suffer the "look." Just one more reason we are all bike riders, what else would we have to talk about?
kk

[Moparnut72]

I rode a friend's when they first came out. He was going to buy a Suzuki, I told him to try a K100 which he immediately bought. It was a bit buzzy but get the rpm up and it smoothed out. Later models were better.
kk

[Mayor_of_BBQ]

I love the way electric cars operate, being able to do everything with just one pedal - stopping as well as accelerating. The charging is still a PITA, though, with not enough range and long time required to charge up relatively speaking compared to fuel. My Skoda Octavia with a 150hp turbo petrol engine will deliver 50 mpg on long drives and safely go 600 miles on a tank, and it only takes a couple of minutes to "charge it" for another 600 miles.

I plug my car into a standard US wall outlet (level one charging). It adds about 20% charge overnight- 50% if I leave it for a full day. My range says 220mi at 90% charge (man'f recco 'daily' or normal ceiling) and 240mi at 100% charge (should only charge fully occasionally or for planned road trips).

I intended to add a level 2 home charger outlet (240v/48A) but I procrastinated the first couple month and my range anxiety eased as I saw I basically never needed anything beyond level 1 - so I saved myself about $1,500 bucks due to lazyness.

I've driven my car for a year and a half and I think it has been on a Level3/paid/public/fast charger a grand total of 4 times....  On road trips I stop every 160-200 miles and charge for about 15mins. My car could charge 10%-80% on a fast charger in about 25mins.  Just enough time to park, plug, go take a leak, maybe buy a coffee....  If it needs more time when I get back, I will sit in the passenger seat and watch YouTube videos for 10 min or walk around the charge location and puff a J in the woods for a couple mins...

[Motormike]

If you managed to come up with all that on your own, then

My cousin, who rides KTMs and participate on offroad rallies, have told stories of BMW GS riders that comply with your points. Those I have met out on the roads? Not so much, thankfully

Indeed.  Hard to tell if he was just being facetious.  If not, BMW is definitely living inside his head! 

[faffi]

The description of BMW riders as snobs, reminded me of a great column from the 1970's, Cycle magazine, and authored by Phil Schilling or Cook Neilson IIRC.

The author had parked his brand new Beemer near the huge front window of a high class restaurant, and after breakfast, he decided to put on a show of how a Master Motorcyclist preps for a ride.  The pre-flight check list included inspecting both tires, switch gear, checking the headlight, brake light, and turn signals.  He demonstrated proper warmup by starting the bike and feeling the cylinder heads to verify temperature.  Of course, putting on all the proper safety gear also required a demonstration ritual.

Getting on the bike, he looks in the rearview mirrors and adjusts them properly.

Putting the bike in gear, he flips up the side stand, catches his boot lace on the shifter or foot peg and proceeds to fall over.

From my personal files:

A new acquaintance (with decades of riding experience) borrowed a Beemer from an old fiend he had known for decades.  As we pull up to the restaurant for breakfast, he forgets to put down the side stand and falls over.

Since we are both in our 60's, we laugh hysterically!  Life is grand!!

When we get back to the farm, and tell the owner of the Beemer what happened, all three of us laugh again.

These are the great memories that we will relate at each other's funerals!

As one of my favorite authors says "Never tempt the goddess Nemesis!"

I had forgotten all about the article, thank you for reminding me 

[faffi]

Mercedes have a new model with a range of over 500 miles - in the summer. Range drop substantially in freezing temps. Not sure about charging time, probably about one hour. Some do not mind. I do. When I drive cross-country, I usually drive 7 hours non-stop. Stopping to charge, which is needed for the majority of electric cars, really annoy me. I drove our company electric van the same route. It has a range of just under 150 miles, and it takes 55 minutes to get it to 90% range. The 7-hour drive took more than 10 hours, also because I had to cruise at 50 mph to not waste range. I will continue with my petrol car for now.

[faffi]

As an owner of a 2002 K1200RS BMW for the last 20+ years, the flat four is no comparison to the inline fours from Japan. They were the best engine BMW ever produced and I was very sad the stopped making them, in fact that's why I still have my old RS, don't like the new engine. So long as the K100 was NOT built for the US market you're good. Here in the states BMW had to de-tune the engine to meet environMENTAL emission standards, so in effect the K75 (3-cyl) 750 had more HP than the K100 here because any 750cc engine was less restricted. I can't talk you out of a K100 is I tried. If you get it keep in mind a company called KPartsHolland, good people.

The more of the old test reports I read, the more it seems like the 75 is the best choice. Even those lost power from 1989-on here in Europe. Despite the same 75PS claim from BMW, actual power usually was in the 69-70 PS at the crank. Surprisingly, the 1990 ABS version of the K75RT had a top speed 7 mph lower than that of the 56PS Deauville 650 as well as the 65PS Deauville 700. Acceleration was also similar, with the BMW offering stronger roll-on performance. With ABS and bags, the K75RT came in at a heavy 586 lbs wet. The fairing and fuel tank of the 1990 75RT was lifted directly off the K1100LT.

[faffi]

I had a shoelace get caught just the other day. After a bazillion years of riding I can identify the problem immediately and take corrective action. I must not have tied my boots properly that morning to not have any loops hanging down. Just a few months ago I was in deep thought when riding into the shop. I didn't put my feet down so the V7 decided to take a nap. Fortunately I can lift the V7 so I didn't have to fetch my wife to help and suffer the "look." Just one more reason we are all bike riders, what else would we have to talk about?
kk

I cannot say with absolute certainty that I have never ridden with shoes wearing shoelaces, but I cannot recall any such ride. It is not an active plan, it just never occurred to me that it was an option due to the obvious inconvenience.

However, I did forget to put the stand down on my CBF1000 when adjusting the headlight after getting off the umpteenth time. While the bike was not particularly heavy at about 565 lbs, it had a very high CoG, and I could not prevent it from going down, I could only slow the speed. It is the only bike that I have had to lift up where I could not just grab the bars and raise it. Instead, I had to grab the handle bar and the grab rail and REALLY lift to get it back up. But first I had a look around to check if anybody had seen me dropping the bike