What Other Non K Bikes Do You Ride?

[AndreP]

The Versys 650 is the modern counterpart to the K75 only without its Teutonic cachet and spooky whine. 

The selling point for me was the maintenance free shaft drive 

[AndreP]

The selling point for me was the maintenance free shaft drive 

Also the versys I found very twitchy especially for two up. People say it 'hides its weight', what that really means is you have a heavy bike without the benefit of having a heavy bike. That thing blew around on the highway more than any 500 lb machine should.

The whole idea was to sell the versys and buy two bikes to replace it: a scooter for commuting and a 80s-90s sport touring bike. I also looked at a Kawi ZG1000 and a Honda ST1100, but ultimately decieded I didn't want four carburetors in my life.

Additionally, after I finish restoring my K75 RT, I'm starting on a free 80s Honda XL600R.

Before all this I had a 2005 KLR 650, my first street bike. Before that I had a klx300, crf150r big wheel, cr125, and a xr250r with a 285 big bore kit. I used to ride those when I was teenager back up in Wilmingotn VT on the VAST trails.

[Laitch]

The selling point for me was the maintenance free shaft drive 

That was why I bought mine, believe it or not. I live on seven miles of gravel road—half of it uphill—and much of my traveling is on Class 3 gravel. It has worked out okay. Lubing the clutch hub/transmission input splines is a half-day job but I've only needed to do it twice in 60,000 miles to stay on schedule. I had to replace the driveshaft when its socket splines became worn like those on your Brick. I found a low mileage rear drive offered with its driveshaft for replacement.

Even with its relatively short stroke suspension, the Brick has done alright over pothole fields and ruts created by heavy rain here and hasn't been rattled to pieces. Longer suspension like with a KLR, Honda XL650, Suzuki DR650 would be more comfortable, but riding the Brick over those rough roads keeps the quadriceps and glutes in good condition so there's that.  It's been great on the highway—mpg is 48–53 depending upon speed and/or wind direction—so I'm satisfied in total.

[Che75]

1995 1100GS.  Puts a smile on my face but ultimately too big for me.  Will likely part with it this Spring in favor of a dual sport (or another K75).

[mophead]

Its a sickness:

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[grosbeak]

My other bike is also a paragon of durability - a '99 Suzuki Bandit 1200. Carbs and air cooling make it a simple beast. It's easy to work on and tons of fun to ride.

[natalena]

Also the versys I found very twitchy especially for two.

I hear you, albeit a lower ride height. Extra loads on the back really effect trail braking, but the tailgater's are very much held at a safe distance.

[caveman]

natalena,
Good to hear from you!
So you got yourself a 24 KLR650. How is that working out for you?
Are you thinking about the Chief Joseph Rally?

[natalena]

Thanks Caveman, good to be back. I'll look into the CJR get together, as we go to the Beartooth Rendevous every year. The KLR is the 2 wheel equivalent of our ARGO 8x8 .. best thought of as agricultural use. Super comfy ride, and can do figure 8's easily for a tall bike, and handles the dirt roads well. I hope all's super for you! Cheers

[TriSpark]

Always changing the bikes in my collection it seems, but while others come and go this one (and the K75) is a keeper. It's a 2001 Kawasaki W650.

[Laitch]

Beautiful. 

[Filmcamera]

About two years ago I got a 2022 Triumph Tiger 900 Rally Pro.  I have been learning off road techniques and getting to see bits of Costa Rica I could never get to on the brick.

[natalena]

Very cool to see the eclectic diversity of what we ride, with bricks being the common bond.

[natalena]

K 'lossus'
Not a K brick, but still a K, with the uber reliable 454 without the Jetson whine. Draws just as much attention at the gas station too 😀

[Laitch]

K 'lossus'

Bearable!

[estrada42]

When I'm not exploring my new-to-me K75S, I'm riding around on my 2024 Royal Enfield Super Meteor 650 in Celestial Blue. It's the reliable hammer that I commute on while the K75S is me dipping my toe back into sport touring after heart surgery a few years back. The BMW replaces my old 82 V45 Magna.

[xcaret]

I bought my first bike in 1970 . it was in pieces, and I brought piece after piece home on the city bus over the next 6 months. What a mess I created. Fortunately I insured it before riding it. It  was a 1956 Harley FL .  A friend  came along and while I was inside he kicked it and it started ,but it was in gear. It fell over and the gas caught fire. The insurance gave me the $600 I had paid , and I traded the burnt bike and $400 for one the same guy  hadn't dismantled yet . I took it all apart ,and re painted it plus got a bigger tank and rode it to San Francisco and back about 2000 round trip the way I went..

So much for my first bike. I now have the 1991 BMW K 75 RT I'm riding. Also parked in my garage is my 1991 Harley Springer which I bought after it was written off from being in a shop fire. That was in 1995 I bought it and rode it up until 3 years ago ( when I met my fat girlfriend) Oh My GF and I are having a kinda lovers spat and she moved back to her house,  so with her gone I'm riding my bikes again.   .A year later ( now 1996 )  while my springer parts were still out getting chromed ,I bought a  brand new 1995 Harley RoadKing. It had been left over from the year before. But a week later with it still at the dealers my springer parts arrived. I was much more interested in building it than I was in riding a bike that anyone could buy. I had the dealer store it for a couple of years ,then had them deliver it to me. I put it in my living room and there it sits to this day, 30 years in my living room with 14 kilometers e on the speedo ( about 8 miles) when I removed the battery . I have never started that bike.
Next is my half built 1959 Harley FLH ,all back to original . It's in my man cave downstairs here.
Up until last year I had my 1978 BMW R100RS parked in my garage since 1996  . I stopped riding it when I got my springer built to my liking.. And that what I have now 3 Harleys and one BMW .

[milq]

Someone mentioned that it's a sickness...

A friend stumbled onto a pristine 1998 VFR last Friday and let me know about it. Deal was way too good to pass up!