Greetings

[BexarWolf]

I haven't even gotten a brick yet but wanted to say thank you for the wealth of information here. I'm contemplating a trade of my '01 F650gs to a fella who has a '94 K1100RS with 38k miles on it. The pictures he's sent show a VERY nice bike with a Corbin seat, Throttlemeister cruise control, recently powder coated wheels. He's replaced the front wheel bearings, had a full service done at 36k miles, replaced the tach (it was acting erratic), new EBC pads front and back and Michelin Pilot Road 3 tires.

From what I'm reading here..........I don't think I'll be able to pass up the deal. I'll let you know when/if the deal happens.

I look forward to HOURS of reading so I'll know my K-bike better.

[BrickFlyer]

In case you haven't come across this one -here's a good article for anyone contemplating a used K bike. http://www.verrill.com/moto/kbikebuyingguide.shtml
 

[BexarWolf]

Ahhhh, one of the websites I missed. Thank you much. Now if I can just get through it without the boss catching me. Oh wait, I'm the boss today.  :2thumbup:

[BexarWolf]

So, it looks like I may have 2 choices. I'm leaning more towards the K11RS. Bigger motor means faster, right?  :eek:

1) 1994 BMW K1100RS with 38,000 miles





2) 1992 K75S with 32,000 miles

[argent brick]

Welcome to K bike land.
I know that you are not asking, but I vote for the K75 unless you plan to ride two up. Frankenduck would be a good person to contact if you need help making the choice.

So, Brickheads, what do you think, the 1100 or 75?

[Rick G]

Buy the 1100.

[BexarWolf]

Welcome to K bike land.
I know that you are not asking, but I vote for the K75 unless you plan to ride two up. Frankenduck would be a good person to contact if you need help making the choice.

So, Brickheads, what do you think, the 1100 or 75?

Ohhhh, I'm definitely asking. My HOPES are to get my wife back into riding with me but the chances of doing any long distance riding are extremely slim unless the pillion seat is like a pillow.

What are your reasons for recommending the K75? I've delved deep into this forum for info on the K11 but haven't had a chance to check a lot into the K75.

Here are the details as received from the current owners of both bikes. I haven't actually laid eyes on either of them yet.

K1100RS:

It's in stock condition with the exception of a Corbin seat and a Throttlemeister cruise control. There was a BMW alarm system that was previously installed but removed. I've got all the stock take-off parts as well as a spare set of mirror/turn signal units and a Clymer manual. The bike had a full service at 36,000 miles along with having the tachometer replaced since it was becoming erratic. The bike is mechanically sound an I have service notes from the previous owner going back to 2000 and 17,000 miles that you can look over. It did have  a major service at 24,000 miles and the rear splines lubed around 26,000 miles.

In the last 500 miles I powder coated the wheels after sending them to Woody's Wheel Works to check for straightness after I found a small flat spot on the front wheel. While doing that I used new bearings in the front wheel and installed EBC brake pads front and rear and put on Michelin Pilot Road 3 tires. I also put some reflective material on the back of the saddlebags. It looks clear on the daylight but at night as soon as the headlights hit it it really gets the attention on the drivers behind you. There's some light scratches and scuffs in the bodywork but for an 18 year old bike it's in very nice condition

K75S

Service and maintenance performed includes:

Brake Fluid
-Oil + Filter
-Replace Belly Pan Screws
-Replace Fuel Filter
-Replace Fuses
-Replace Final Drive Oil
-Repair Headlight Switch
-Replace Transmission Oil
-Replace Air Filter
-Replace Spark Plugs
-Rear Drive Splines Lubed
-Coolant System Flush
-Replace Vacuum Port Caps and Hose
-Replace Fuel Lines
-Relocated Fuel Pressure Regulator
-Replace Fuel Pump Boot
-Replace Internal Fuel Lines
-Replace Internal Vent Hose
-Replace Fuel Filter
-Replace Radiator Fan
-Replace Fuel Pump Filter
-Replace Taillight Bulb
-Seal Gas Tank Internally
-New Tires - Bridgestone Spitfires
-Fork Boots Installed
-Clean and Inspect all electrical connections


Bike also has some very nice touring upgrades
Dual Aftermarket horns - much louder and safer
K75 "C" handlebars - slightly more ergonomic and comfortable
Heated Grips
Flashing LED Brake Light System
Bike Com
Passenger Back Rest on Corbin Seat
Hazard Lights
Road Cases
Luggage Rack

Also comes with original owners manual, service records, and original tool kit.

TEXAS TITLE in hand, and in MY name.

[Rick G]

If you plan on 2 up touring then most definately the K1100.  Its not that the K75 is a bummer, they are a very good bike but the k1100 has a heap more grunt.  2 up on a K75 well I have done it and on a K1100 and I am much happier on a K1100. On a K75 you are always working it, not that the bike is unhappy with that but I am not happy I would much rather not be thinking which gear for overtaking etc. I am more at ease on a K1100.

[BexarWolf]

Yeah, the K11 was the first one I found and fell in love after researching. I'm coming off a 650 Thumper so more power = more smiles. I just don't want to discount the K75 because its a local bike and I'm more likely able to make an even trade. The K11 is about 4 hours away and the current owner is apparently a stickler for perfection and although my Thumper isn't a trash bike, it ain't a garage queen. The owner of the K11 even told me how one of the bulbs in the instrument cluster isn't the right color (when they changed the tach) and he has the replacement, correct bulb on hand. That's something I wouldn't have even looked twice at!  :laugh

I'm a guy more about function than form. I don't need the purtiest farkle to make me smile. I just want reliability.  :2thumbup:

[argent brick]

Take note that I said unless you plan to ride two up.
If you were buying this as your wife's bike, the baby brick still wins. 
Many people feel that the K75 is the best bike BMW has ever produced. Period. (I would take a monoshock R80 over it)
The 75 is a super smooth ride and requires little in the way of maintenance.
For a single rider, it is hard to beat. However because you want to take your wife, I think the K1100 should win out.
People are telling me that the 1100 has better brakes and there is no question that it has more power.  I think the suspension is a cut above the smaller K.  If the seat is a concern, look at the pictures. Do you want to have your wife sitting on back of the K75 seat? Once again the bigger brick wins out.

They are both great machines. Maybe let your wife pick?

[BexarWolf]

Take note that I said unless you plan to ride two up.
If you were buying this as your wife's bike, the baby brick still wins. 
Many people feel that the K75 is the best bike BMW has ever produced. Period. (I would take a monoshock R80 over it)
The 75 is a super smooth ride and requires little in the way of maintenance.
For a single rider, it is hard to beat. However because you want to take your wife, I think the K1100 should win out.
People are telling me that the 1100 has better brakes and there is no question that it has more power.  I think the suspension is a cut above the smaller K.  If the seat is a concern, look at the pictures. Do you want to have your wife sitting on back of the K75 seat? Once again the bigger brick wins out.

They are both great machines. Maybe let your wife pick?

Noooooooooooooooooooooo, the wife ain't riding her own. She'd be my pillion. She says there's too many things you have to do to ride a bike (pull in the clutch; left hand, put it in gear; left foot, twist the throttle but not too much; right hand, pick your feet up and you twist the throttle...........)  :yow

And this is a gal with a Master's Degree in Engineering.  :laugh  She's happy to leave the driving to me.

[Scott_]

Maybe the question should be, How Much 2up riding might you do.
If the bike is going to me a daily commuter and weekend 2up jaunts, then I think the 75 would be a good choice.
Yea it may be a little small for LONG 2up trips, but hey, these bikes like to run hard. Don't baby them.
You can always find a different seat that fits her better......

[BexarWolf]

That's kinda the open-ended question. She might climb on the back of the K11, hate it and never get back on Or should could get on the back of the K75 and be so comfortable she'll fall asleep. The reality is, we both work, I work weekends and our time for the moment is going to prevent any kind of "touring". AND, even if we were off weekends, "long" rides probably aren't going to happen.

In all honesty, 90% of it is going to be commuting and solo pleasure rides for me around Central Texas. There might be a 250 mile one-way run every now and then to visit family and such but long distance stuff just isn't in the near future. HOWEVER, if these bikes are as durable and long-lasting as I'm reading, I wouldn't mind having a bike that IS capable of two-up riding so that if I hit the lottery in the next 10 years, then we can two-up. I figure if I can get the K11 as a straight trade just like the K75, wouldn't being able to two-up and not need it be better than wanting to comfortably two-up and not being able to?  :hmm:

[motodude]

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.

Tom

[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.

Tom

"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.

[doctorchad]

The K75 had 3 versions of ergonomics.  The 75c bars are set back a bit from what the 75s bars were, and I believe, they were a bit wider.  They will be one of my winter purchases. 
FYI, I love my K75 for its versatility.  I commute daily, and the speeds vary from 80mph to stop and go traffic in Chicago.  It's a good size.  And my wife and I went on an overnight to WI last weekend with no issues now that I put a back rest on for her to relax a bit.

[BexarWolf]

That's good info and good to know. A backrest is imperative and something I'd have to add to the K11 but it has a Corbin seat and I believe I could find a backrest that plugs into a slot in the back........for about $200.  :yow

[argent brick]

Don't kid yourself. If you hit the lottery, you will buy a new bike.

How is your wife's attitude on motorcycles to begin with? Maybe you should not worry about her and get the bike that you want for yourself.
It sounds like you are trying to plan for something that may not happen. If she wants to come along, great. If not, well that's OK too. You may have to buy a different seat for her no matter what bike you purchase.

When I bought my k75, I was looking for features. If I had to do it again, I would look more at what bike fits me and what needs to be fixed.
As I was looking for my brick, I considered one with a fairing and regular seat. The bike was just a fraction too tall and my knees hit the fairing when I sat on it. That stopped me right there.  The 1100 has the fairing. Have you ever sat on a 1100?  A fairing is nice but I have been told there is a lot of heat build up with a full size fairing. The K75s would be a good compromise. You, yourself said the 75 would be an even trade for your current bike. It's local, go ride the K75. See what you think. Like I said before, lots of people feel the K75 is the best bike BMW has ever made. Many of those people think the "S" is the best of the best.
 
The more I read your feedback to our comments, the more I lean towards the K75s. Straight trade for your bike and it has a back rest if needed. Should make a great every day bike. Go try it.

[Duc750]

K1100 has marginally more modern handling abd certainly more modern tires. For trips out for me the k1100, for commuting the k75.

I have a k11lt and an r850r (which I'd gladly replace with a k75 if I could find a nice one)

[argent brick]

What is a r850r?  How about a picture? that is a R bike that is have never heard of.

[leecow]

The 1100 looks ridiculously clean.

[argent brick]

Agreed.

[BexarWolf]

My wife's been on many day trips with me back when I had a Virago so she knows the ins and outs of two up riding. I guess I AM planning for something that may not happen but I figured it was better to be ready in case it does. I haven't sat on either bike yet so all of this may be a moot point. I'm meeting the gent with the K75S tomorrow. I'm meeting the fella with the K11 next week.

Both bikes would be an even trade. I've made it clear to both current owners that I'm looking for an even, across the board title exchange. The final decision will be based on what fits me best. I guess more than anything I was looking to see what the opinion was on which bike would be the best deal.  cool shades

[mystic red]

I'm biased but the 1100 gets my vote if it fits. I've gone 2 up on a 750 or two and the 1100, hands down, wins that argument. The 75 may be smoother but the 1100 will be smoother than expected.

[motodude]

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