Greetings

[BexarWolf]

I just finished a two-up, 4k mile trip on a K75 that included several over 10k foot passes.  The K75 will be down on power at the higher altitudes and does not have the power of the four-banger to begin with.  But, it is quite capable of doing just about anything.

For my money, I'd take the K75, if for no other reason, than the one pictured has C bars.  I have a K100RS and I much prefer the riding position of my K75RT.  More riding, less stopping.

"C" bars? Educate an ignert man here. One of the REALLY nice things I see in the pictures is the seat. That flip up backrest on the Corbin intrigues me.  :drool:

I'm a chunky boy but my wife is a petite (I keep trying to convince her). Combined passenger weight would be about 400# if that makes any difference. Again, the chances of me taking any long two-up trips will be few and far between any time soon.

You've been given much good advice from several points of view. 

The C bars will be higher and wider than the S bars were on the K75 pictured.  You will sit up much straighter with that bike than the 1100 (pictured).  I don't know if that is a concern for you or not. 

My son and I together are prolly 400 lbs too.  The K75 is not a powerhouse, there were definitely times when I could not pass (on our recent trip) due to limited distance and loss of power due to high altitude (and not wanting to kill my son).  But, I'm old enough and have been riding K75's long enough that I live w/o the additional power and get by just fine.

The 1100 will sound much better than the 750 too, that may be important to you as well.

Oh, seats are relatively easy to come by and replace.

Tom

I couldn't agree more that the information given has been extremely valuable and I appreciate it very, very much.

Until I get a chance to sit on both bikes and see them in person, my decision will be "pending" status. Tomorrow I get to see the K75 and next week I get to check out the K11. As for the sound of the bike.......extremely unimportant to me. I'm currently riding a bike that sounds like George Jetson's car.  :giggles I'm 50 years old and subscribe to function over form theory. I'm not going to be the one you read about ripping through traffic, popping wheelies and splitting lanes (not legal in Texas).

I'm still researching and any opinions here are taken with respect and appreciation. More updates to come as I get to spend more time hands-on with each bike.  :2thumbup:

[BexarWolf]

I got to check out the K75S today. Mechanically, I'd give it a 10. The guy has done TONS of work on this bike. He bought it after it had been sitting for "quite a while". Relined the tank, pulled every electrical connection and cleaned them, adding some dielectric grease to each connection, checked the splines..........just tons of work. Cosmetically, I'd give it an 8. The seat is pretty worn, fairing has some damage......again, I'm about function over farkles so it would definitely be a good bike. However, it looks like he's going to reject me before I can reject him (story of my life during high school).  :laugh

He has some concerns with a slight surging my bike has. The single spark FI F650gs has been known to have issues with S&S (Surging and Stalling) and it's been well documented. Some bikes respond to different fixes, some don't. Some have the issues, some don't. Some have both issues, some only one. I've been blessed with one that has the surging between 3500 rpm and 4000 rpm. He's going to shop around and we'll get together next week to see if either of us are ready to trade.

I'm visiting with the owner of the K11 next week so I'm hoping that meeting will work out for both of us. Stay tuned.  :yes

[BBKME]

Hello.  Can't go wrong with either I would say.  Quite the bonus to find one to trade for.  Those deals aren't the easiest to come by I know.  I used to ride a '94 K11RS and it was super smooth and so much fun.  It would eat up highway miles like nothing.  However, that machine was so hot to ride.  I mean really hot, man.  I felt like a rotisserie chicken on the hot days.  That was the main reason I got rid of it.  Currently riding a K75 and really love it.  I just got it this past spring and I have yet to feel that it's underpowered in any way.  Two up might be a different story, though.  Good luck in your search.     

[BexarWolf]

Yeah, I feel very fortunate to have the opportunity for either bike. Both of them are strong contenders in their own way. I'm also fortunate to have found this forum which has provided me with oodles of information. The gent with the K75 has changed his mind and is now  interested in trading. I go see the K11 on Monday and hope to be one one of the two big blue bikes by mid-week.

[argent brick]

More than one person has made a comment about the K11 and heat problems. Is this something that you should be concerned about because of where you live?

You know, it took me over twenty years to finally get a flying brick and I am very pleased with the bike. You will be happy with the 75 or the 1100. Like I said before, they are both fine machines.

[BexarWolf]

More than one person has made a comment about the K11 and heat problems. Is this something that you should be concerned about because of where you live?

You know, it took me over twenty years to finally get a flying brick and I am very pleased with the bike. You will be happy with the 75 or the 1100. Like I said before, they are both fine machines.

I've read tons about the heat and some of the solutions to alleviate or at least reduce it. If I go with the K11, I'll try the options posted. I'm not TOO concerned about the heat. As things stand right now, the vast majority of my riding will be to and from work which is 30 miles on way. Plus, I work night shift when it's "coolest". I also plan on talking to the current owner to see if he's done anything about the heat, his opinion (he's in North Texas so he gets the heat, too), etc. My F650gs put out a fair amount of heat on the right side of the tank when the fan's running so I'm a little bit acclimated to it.

The only time I'll get out in full heat is once a week or so for meetings, etc. Plus, I have a vehicle with a/c and if it's TOO hot, I'm not too proud to park the bike when it's dangerously hot. I've had a taste of the heat exhaustion and used to work in a warehouse with no a/c in the middle of Texas summer so I know what my level of tolerance is.  :2thumbup:

[argent brick]

I know about heat issues. After years of being an army medic and nagging the troops to push fluids and take care of themselves, I finally started suffering from heat problems myself.  Not very much. Just a little. At least, it was not till it was time for me to leave the service.
With my background, there is no reason to suffer from heat problems. You think I would know better.

FYI, My bike is a k75 standard with the 3 spoke wheels. I wanted a simple machine that I did not have to pull off a bunch of junk to service the bike. If I had to do it again, I would seriously consider a "S" bike. To me, it seems to be the best trade off. The full fairings hit my knees, so they are out of the running for me.  In a way, I envy you because  you get to choose between two great looking blue beemers. All of their modern bikes look good in the color blue. I have to admit, you have me sitting on the edge of my seat waiting to find out what you end up with. I really have to get a life LOL. Well, time to finish installing a new battery in my silver brick and give it a test ride, plus some TLC:)

[BexarWolf]

Personally, I wish I were choosing between a K75/K11 or a KLR 650. The choice would be a lot easier.  :laugh

The #1 reason I'm leaning towards the K11 is the additional power and 2-up ability. Like I said, my wife may decide she doesn't want to tag along with me but I'd like to have that option if she decides she does. Plus, coming off the F650gs, I'm ready for something with more power for highway riding. I have 3 days a week off (compressed weekend shift) and with the K11, I can see me taking off for an overnight ride even if the wife doesn't want to tag along.

The two bikes are comparable in mechanical shape based on the info I've got from the 2 owners. Both have had extensive work done to them, bringing them up to 100%. The K75 has some cosmetic issues that can be fixed but will cost me some money. The Corbin seat is pretty worn in several places and the fairing has some pretty good scuffs. The K11 (based on pictures only at this point), has a Corbin seat that appears to be in perfect condition but the fairings have some very minor nicks/scratches.

Here are a few more pictures of the K11.










If you think you're on the edge of your seat waiting, I'm going nuts waiting. LoL

[frankenduck]

K1100RS for sure:

* MUCH better front brakes - especially important riding two up
* 25 more hp - especially important riding 2-up
* radial tires - MUCH better handling 1-up or 2-up

[mystic red]

K1100RS for sure:

* MUCH better front brakes - especially important riding two up
* 25 more hp - especially important riding 2-up
* radial tires - MUCH better handling 1-up or 2-up

Could not agree more. :2thumbup:

[BexarWolf]

Fingers crossed. I'm meeting the owner of the K11 Monday afternoon and if the bike is what I believe it is, it'll be coming home with me Monday afternoon.  :drool:

[BexarWolf]

Quick (and possibly ignert) question..........can the side cases be removed on the K11?  :hmm:

[frankenduck]

Quick (and possibly ignert) question..........can the side cases be removed on the K11?  :hmm:

Getting side cases on and off               

[BexarWolf]

I knew it had to be there somewhere...........just couldn't figure out the right search terms.  :2thumbup: Thanks!

[BexarWolf]

We have a winner!!!!!

[Rick G]

hmmmmm veeeerry nice and my favourite color too.

[argent brick]

NICE!!!  :drool: :drool: :drool:
Now it is official, you are Brickhead just like everyone else here.
It is even the right color.
Blue is what I wanted when I picked up mine.

Did it come with any goodies?

[frankenduck]

Whoever tied that bike down like that should be drawn and quartered.

[robleyd]

Whoever tied that bike down like that should be drawn and quartered.

What, not hung first?

I was waiting for some such comment on the method of fastening it to the trailer :eek2: Looks like the handlebars are pulled down most viciously.

In future, it would be better to tie down from the bottom clamps on the headstem.

[frankenduck]

Nah, tie it down at the fork brace and let the bike ride on it's own suspension,

[BexarWolf]

I stand guilty as charged, folks. The PO had it in the back of his pickup with the Canyon Dancer strap when he dropped it off. My trailer isn't set up for street bikes and the tie-off points at the bottom were outside the frame rails. I'd already lost one strap to chaffing on the way down and didn't want to risk breaking another strap with this bike.  :dunno2: Forgive me for I have sinned.

However, it's safely tucked in my garage now, insurance has been switched and I plan on putting it through its paces today.

[frankenduck]

You are forgiven. Give it a once over and then take it out and ride it like you stole it. :mbird

[BexarWolf]

You are forgiven. Give it a once over and then take it out and ride it like you stole it. :mbird

 :2thumbup:

I'll get a couple more pics posted this afternoon...........IF I can stop grinning long enough.  :yes

[BexarWolf]

Took it out for a test ride today. Total of about 65 miles on everything from toll road to residential and city streets and parking lots. All I can say is........wow! Triple digits are extremely stable even with some cross winds. I've read about clunky shifting but this one must have butter in the transmission because it was smooth as silk. I noticed some of the reported heat from my shins down to my feet but it wasn't unbearable. I will have to get some better gloves as I had some issues with my fingers starting to tingle. And vibration? Unnoticeable since I'm coming off a single thumper.  :2thumbup:

[frankenduck]

Your hands are probably tingly because you're putting too much weight on them.

Read the Master Yoda Riding Position.