Revelation K vs R

[GasStation]

Had a moment of revelation today as I road tested a 1995 R100R Mystic Red with 32,000km on the odometer. Owner is selling the bike $5500 CAD but unfortunately the beemer is not up to par on upkeep and maintenance.

Regardless, it was nice to ride to washing machine for a few kilometres. It is when I returned to my K75S that I was shocked at the smoothness of this darn K-bike. It was my first time back on a R-bike since my 2008 R1200RT and the first few kilometres back home on the K were extremely surprising.  :hmm:

If you are feeling blasé with your K75, then I highly recommend riding a comparative year and model R and you'll understand what I am talking about. 

[wmax351]

I've got a '71 R75/5 in toaster trim I share with my dad. I actually like riding in more. Just doesn't have the power or stability or brakes as the K bike.

The R1200 is not really an R bike. The same applies to all oilheads. They're great bikes, no doubt about it, but they really aren't the same as old Airheads.

[Lawrence]

I am in complete agreement with this idea.  There something very special about the old airhead BMWs.  I find that a tour on one of them can become a transcendent experience.  Sure, they have been left in the dust by the technological march forward. They are not powerful engines, the handling is nothing to write home about (despite what some of the wackier babbling of the editor of Airmail would have you believe). But they are a classic example of being more than the sum of their parts; they are very satisfying to ride and to maintain.