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MOTOBRICK.COM => The MBdotCOM Community Center => Topic started by: Mdubbinit on March 30, 2016, 01:45:22 AM
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Hey folks, gearing up to take my old K75 across the US and Canada west to east in August, and having never taken a trip of this size I'm looking for some advice from those who have. To be honest I'm torn between my love for this bike and knowing I will probably want something bigger. Has anyone lived a month on the road on a 750 brick? Ready for the good and the bad-
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Paging Tim Tyler...;-)
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I see you have a C model. I rode my RT to Colorado from New York last spring and rode an S from Texas to New York in October a total of about 7,000 miles.
Once you get used to doing 5-6,000 rpm there is no problem doing 500+ miles per day on the slab(I've done over 700). The bike is as comfortable as any I've been on, and has no trouble running forever. The magazine writers might say it's underpowered, but hey, don't they say that about anything that has less than 200hp? I have never had a problem rolling on some throttle to go from 80 to 95 when I want to pass something, and did once did about 30 miles at 100 in West Kansas.
Only thing I would caution is that you want a good seat. I would avoid the stock bench seat or a Sargent. Had those and had to get rid of them in favor of the BMW comfort seat or better yet a Russell. They're way too hard on the tailbones. Otherwise the K75 is a great mile muncher. Heck, I'm taking mine out West in June and July to run the Rockies, and hope to do a couple shorter trips to New England and North Carolina this year.
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You'll get a lot of information and opinions on this. Camping or motteling? Take a few shorter trips before your long one and learn what works and what doesn't. If your K75 is in good shape, it should be fine.
Tom
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Ludwig went the other way around last year ...
Howdy Brickers!
This will be a work in progress as I have a lot of photos and they are slow to load.
My trip took me from NYC to Niagara Falls, through Toronto, Thunder Bay, west across the Canadian Plains to Banff/Jasper, down to Glacier National Park, few days in Yellowstone, through the Grand Tetons, on to Bryce Canyon, Zion, and North Rim of the Grand Canyon, then back east to Monument Valley, Four Corners, and my final western sunset at 10000 feet in Mesa Verde before racing back east.
It was a pleasure to get to meet a couple Brickers in person and I'm eternally grateful for their help in keeping me on the road!
Big shout out to
Bocutter Ed
The mighty Gyphon
RBM
Kris
Cheers
Ludig
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If anyone doubts the power of a K75 remind them that they have more hp than ANY stock airhead
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I just did back-to-back 400 mile days last week - round trip to Phoenix for work. I have the Corbin seat, which I think is the BMW comfort seat, made by Corbin. It was about 50% fun roads and 50% slab. I was not at all tired or sore.
It delivered all the power I needed - even passing at high speeds into strong headwinds. While it didn't have the brute-force roll-on power of some other bikes, a quick downshift generally delivered enough punch to get the job done.
With that long of a trip, you'll probably want to pre-arrange a service with a dealer.
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Look up Tim Tyler's posts of his trip from Washington to NY and back last summer........excellent pics.
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It'll be a great experience. Taking shakedowncruises—like motodude suggests—is a good strategy. If you've neglected regular maintenance, you should consider doing a "refresh" like Marshall has documented here (http://www.motobrick.com/index.php/topic,7810.0.html). Regardless, bring with you a relaxed attitude towards uncertainty. A debit card in working order can help with that. So can meditation but the card is more effective in purchasing coffee immediately.
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Yeah, a spline lube including the clutch and complete fluid change including brakes is good foreplay for this kind of trip.
Laitch is right about a laid back approach. Motobrick touring is kinda like cruising a sailboat. At the end of the day you are where you are...
...that may not be where you wanna be, but it is where you are. You just relax and enjoy it. Several rolls of 20's stashed in the tail cowl can go a long way toward making uncomfortable situations more bearable.
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Several rolls of 20's stashed in the tail cowl can go a long way toward making uncomfortable situations more bearable.
You can use them to pad the seat until you build up calluses.
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Several rolls of 20's stashed in the tail cowl can go a long way toward making uncomfortable situations more bearable.
You can use them to pad the seat until you build up calluses.
or buy a Russell
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Don't worry a K 75 can cruise all day at 80 mph.
Make sure you have a good battery & tires.
Change all fluids & check fuel lines, coolant hoses, clutch & throttle cables.
I would also change the fuel filter & check the rubber fuel pump holder. They deteriorate with the new gas.
Heat in the summer on a K 75 is my only problem.
Have plenty of water with you for the trip.
Doing some pre trips is a great idea.
You will get a idea how the bike will feel loaded up.
You live in Calif. take a couple weekend trips before you go.
Bernie in So. Cal.
87 k 75c
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For a couple years I worked contract work in CA for the summer. Rode out form Ohio in April then took a month or so coming back in September. Solo the K75 is all I needed. Take some day trips to figure out seat-windshield-wind noise issues. Good pack-able rainsuit, tank bag, don't try to pack everything, there are laundry mats and Walmarts everywhere. Can of fix-a-flat and a bottle of bourbon should get you out of any jam. Bike will love it!
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Best thing on a epic ride is a Camel back hydration pack and a comfortable seat. In hot weather I used to freeze my Camel back and also freeze a couple of of 1.25 Lt bottles. By only 2/3 filling the pack you could then top it up with water, it had the added advantage of keeping you cool. When you ran out of water, split the frozen bottle with a knife and slip it into the camel back and re top with water at a service station. Uncomfortable seats can be made better with the addition of an Air hawk or a Gel seat pad. A 75 will cruise anywhere, I would have no problem circumnavigating OZ with mine.
Regards Martin.
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I've done WA to RI and back once a year for the last four years on my K75. First time was as an RT then the rest were naked bike with a small windscreen. Sometimes super-slab, sometimes old US highways.
I recommend you spend a few days on the bike first. Ride a loop somewhere, like maybe north up the PCH, out to Petrolia & Capetown, then over the mountains on route 36 and south back home again. Take your time, camp a night or two, motel it a couple of nights. See how you like it.
Have enough money on your credit card that you can rent a car with a U-haul motorcycle trailer to get home if you need to.
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uhaul... whaaaaaaaaaaaaat... say it aints so...
(http://i236.photobucket.com/albums/ff192/owrstrich/2012/12-05-25%20Memorial/181.jpg)
(http://i236.photobucket.com/albums/ff192/owrstrich/2012/12-05-25%20Memorial/173.jpg)
(http://i236.photobucket.com/albums/ff192/owrstrich/2012/12-05-25%20Memorial/184.jpg)
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WHAT??????! Is the Take-Back Man gettin' that close?
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...then over the mountains on route 36...
Oh man... I had to look at a map. That road looks fantastic. I will get there one day...
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Wait a damn minute! That bike was nose in, and then he's gonna ride it out? Hell of a trick, JO, to pick that K up and turn it around.
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this is ca36...
(http://i236.photobucket.com/albums/ff192/owrstrich/2012/12-06-03%20Quad%20Cities/888c8791.jpg)
the sign in redd bluff...
(http://i236.photobucket.com/albums/ff192/owrstrich/2012/12-05-25%20Memorial/016.jpg)
mad river...
(http://i1174.photobucket.com/albums/r605/MBofE/2012/12-09-01%20coast/60615ced.jpg) (http://s1174.photobucket.com/user/MBofE/media/2012/12-09-01%20coast/60615ced.jpg.html)
(http://i1174.photobucket.com/albums/r605/MBofE/2012/12-09-01%20coast/66a18762.jpg) (http://s1174.photobucket.com/user/MBofE/media/2012/12-09-01%20coast/66a18762.jpg.html)
100% yeeeehaaaaa...
j o
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My '87 K75C performed flawlessly from Ottawa to Vancouver and back in 2014 -- 11,000 km all in. Riding alone, I had planned to camp whenever possible using the $39 tent for two lashed to my tail bracket. The tent also kept the dry bag holding my sleeping bag, ground sheet, inflatable mattress and pillow from drooping over the tail light. See photo. In the event, I did not use the camping gear even once. After a long run you need a mom and pop motel near a place that dispenses food and cold draught beer. Wifi, shower, and maybe TV are also desirable. Time spent setting up and taking down is better spent on the road. Also, campgrounds are not usually free and might require a reservation. Henceforth, the camping gear stays at home. One caution, it's hard to find accommodation near a family attraction (ex. within 200 miles of Glacier Park in summer).
After Sioux Ste. Marie, heading west, I stayed on US 2 (originally Portland Maine to Portland Oregon) until cutting into BC after Glacier Park. Great road. I slabbed homeward across I-80 most of the way. Nearly froze crossing Wyoming.
The K75 gave not a hint of trouble going or coming. Next trip, without camping equipment to unload, and load will be even better.
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I can't wait to take a long trip on mine. Get it in shape for the journey and have fun. New tires and a spare clutch cable would put my mind at ease.
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A mate used to give Hell about the fact that I carry spares, and tools, sun cream, insect repellent etc. But has now stopped, after using it on his bike multiple times. I've only ever had to use the tyre repair kit twice in 17 years.
Regards Martin.
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A tire repair kit is a must, along with something to inflate the tire. Also a test light and/or meter, and 1/2 pint of your favorite snake bite remedy.
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+1 on the snake bite remedy
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The most I've ridden on the k75 was about 450 miles. Great day. Didnt have a single problem with the bike. And this was in 90 degree weather in stop and go traffic for 45 minutes in st louis. I love my k75. Its an RT so lots of wind protection and luggage. I plan on making a few longer trips this year and a few camping trips. Good luck on yours! If you're in Illinois with some time to kill hit me up.