Potential new owner, some questions! (94 k75)

[honeybadger]

Howdy folks - looking at getting the girlfriend her first bike, and stopping by a local bike salvager that's pretty well respected in the area, I spotted an old, beat up k75 (just k7 on the back, so no idea the model. it has side bags but no fairings, top or bottom) for what seems like an absolute steal - $1400.

It's a '94, starts and runs great, 51k miles, really ugly (scrape on the right cover, hole in the seat) but the guys were told just a couple problems it has, and I have a couple other questions about it, not knowing much about these bricks beyond their legendary reliability.

The thermostat won't kick the fan on. Is the thermostat rough to replace, or particularly expensive?

The other problem is that it makes a small "growling" noise from what the guy describes as the diff, as it's ridden. it shifts fine and stops/steers properly. Is this grind similar to/a symptom the problem that the r1000's had with exploding gearboxes? Or is the gearbox different, and it's probably just a differential issue? And again, how hard/expensive is the diff to replace? Unfortunately, their insurance doesn't allow test rides for customers, but he's ridden it around the parking lot and I can't hear the noise, and down the road and it sounds/goes great.

I'm very mechanically inclined, with plenty of tools and garage space - are many special tools required for these bikes? I know my M Coupe was a bitch when it came to needing a special tool for every damned job.

I am pretty sure it's a non-ABS model (only switch on the "dash" is the hazard) and was curious, for my girlfriend's sake - is it possible/feasible to retrofit ABS to a non ABS bike? If it would cost me a few hundred bucks, I would be okay with that.

And lastly, how good are these bikes for first time riders? I like that it felt so light with all the weight so low, it honestly felt hardly heavier than a wide ninja 250. My girlfriend is 5'10 and an athlete, so the size shouldn't be a problem, and I like that it's already ugly for when the inevietable "first bike drop" happens. Is the throttle response/power not so out of this world that one mistake will get the nose up and throw her off? I'm hesitant on anything over a 500 twin for any first time rider, but I want her to have something reliable and reasonably chunky (part of her new school commute is across a very windy bridge, that blew my vtr250 around like crazy) that is comfortable and reliable enough for her to not have to worry about riding!

Thanks in advance :)

[Rick G]

The K75s are a good bike but from what you describe you could do a lot better.  A K75 is a good bike for a novice, not real quick and wont do anything unpredictable but not that one.
There are many good ones around that wont cost much more from what I have seen even from Australia.
A K75c with engine bars would be a good choice.
My wife has a K75RT and is a shortass and often has fallen with very little damage it usually just knocks the mirror off.
The guys there will know the places to look and I'm sure you will do much better than that K75.
If the fan wont come on and with the heat there this year has it cooked more than dinner. Sounds like it should become a donor bike.

[frankenduck]

A Ninja 250 is a much better learner bike.

[argent brick]

 The 75 is a top heavy bike. Get your gal something with a lower center of gravity to learn on. A small twin or a thumper would be good. If you want to stay with a BMW, look for something like a R60/6 or an R65. Very low center of grav. and super simple to work on. Top speed of about 90 mph.

Also, a small boxer will be easy to pick up if dropped.

[frankenduck]

The 75 is a top heavy bike. Get your gal something with a lower center of gravity to learn on. A small twin or a thumper would be good. If you want to stay with a BMW, look for something like a R60/6 or an R65. Very low center of grav. and super simple to work on. Top speed of about 90 mph.

Also, a small boxer will be easy to pick up if dropped.

I agree with this.  A K75 is not an ideal learner bike.  CAN you learn to ride on a K75? Yes.  But if you start her on a bike that's easier to learn on then she'll be able to develop her basic riding skills more easily and quickly.  It will also be less intimidating than trying to learn how to ride on a K75.

Find her a good learner bike, have her ride that for a year or so and then "upgrade" if she wants to.

[Chaos]

Not a good beginner bike.  Tall seat height and virtually same size as a K100.  Retrofitting anti lock would be really pricey, I'd go looking for 250-500 rice burner.

[argent brick]

Ideally, you should find a bike that is small enough for a beginner and yet large enough to keep for a lifetime. A little 250cc Jap bike would be great
to learn on, but you would end up selling it after a year or two. A 600cc rice rocket may be to fast for many beginners but would work there after. Look at how many new riders mess up on 600 cc bikes. They do not call them rice rockets for nothing.

The more I think about this, the more I am convinced that a small boxer is the best route to go. Parts are easy to come by, it's easy to control, handles like a dream, and works very well as a touring bike if you ride solo.  Plus it is a nice around town bike. It's not super fast, so you won't get yourself in over your head and yet it is large and quick enough to keep for a lifetime.  On top of all of that, they hold their value, so you should never loose any money. The small boxers are not that much money(yet), so you may even make some cash when or if you sell.

One more thing, do yourself and your gal a favor. Before you put any cash down on a bike for her, ENROLL HER IN A MSF COURSE. Have her complete the course and get her license.

[frankenduck]

That's crazy talk.  Remember, it's her first bike, not her last one.  One she's built skills on a good learner bike for, say, a year, then she'll be able to test out different larger bikes to see what works for her.  Trying to buy a first bike that you'll keep forever is ridiculous.

[argent brick]

That's crazy talk.  Remember, it's her first bike, not her last one.  One she's built skills on a good learner bike for, say, a year, then she'll be able to test out different larger bikes to see what works for her.  Trying to buy a first bike that you'll keep forever is ridiculous.

I would still be happy with my first bike as my only one and that was over 20 years ago. Maybe I was lucky.

I'm not saying just buy one bike and be done with it. That is crazy. Take the guy that buys a 1000cc bike straight off thinking that it is the only bike he will ever need to buy. Stupid move. Just a bad choice from the beginning.  I guess what I am saying is look a little farther ahead than six months to a year with your purchase. Pick a bike that you THINK you could live with after the first year learning curve, IF you decide to keep it. 
For example, a little freeway legal 175cc (at least it was when I was growing up) would be fine to learn basic skills on, but I would not want to take it on the freeway. It is just way to small. Something a little larger is in order because it offers more flexibility. Maybe a 500cc? One bike can't do everything for everyone  or else we would all be riding a Honda 750.

The important thing is that Honeybadger's girlfriend receives proper training and finds a bike that she is comfortable with. Can we at least agree on that?


 

[honeybadger]

I would still be happy with my first bike as my only one and that was over 20 years ago. Maybe I was lucky.

I'm not saying just buy one bike and be done with it. That is crazy. Take the guy that buys a 1000cc bike straight off thinking that it is the only bike he will ever need to buy. Stupid move. Just a bad choice from the beginning.  I guess what I am saying is look a little farther ahead than six months to a year with your purchase. Pick a bike that you THINK you could live with after the first year learning curve, IF you decide to keep it. 
For example, a little freeway legal 175cc (at least it was when I was growing up) would be fine to learn basic skills on, but I would not want to take it on the freeway. It is just way to small. Something a little larger is in order because it offers more flexibility. Maybe a 500cc? One bike can't do everything for everyone  or else we would all be riding a Honda 750.

The important thing is that Honeybadger's girlfriend receives proper training and finds a bike that she is comfortable with. Can we at least agree on that?

To be honest, as long as the horsepower is low and it's not going to complain about falling over a few times, she won't have a problem with any bike that you guys can handle, size wise. she's 5'10, has long legs and is very strong. She didn't have too much trouble standing up a rocket III, which weighs slightly more than the moon.

I was more concerned about the mechanical issues, and as long as the power isn't crazy, I don't want her accidentally cracking the throttle and having a wheelie on her hands. I learned on a virago 250, but my first real bike was an XJ750. it fell over quite a lot, but aside from being an unreliable old bitch, I'd never have sold it otherwise. Being responsible, knowing your limits, and going through the proper safety training/wearing gear is the most important part of bikes. I know lots of experienced riders that I sure as hell wouldn't let ride the 600-1000cc crotch rockets that proliferate the country.

The only concern I have with the 250's is the freeway stability. I love 250's, my VTR250 was the best bike I ever owned. But it sure didn't like cruising at 75 all day, wrung out at 9 of 14,500rpm. The littler bikes also need more regular valve work. I am still considering a ninja 500 as well as a magna v30 (500cc baby brother to the v45) but I do want her to feel safe and stable on the freeway. I was just curious in ths k75 because it's beat up, supposedly reliable and has enough stability and power to survive cruising and commuting.

But if you guys are dead-set that it wouldn't be a good beginner bike, you do know more than me about them, so I will listen!

[frankenduck]

JMHO but on a first bike don't concentrate on how fast it can go but how easily it allows her to develop riding skills. In the end she'll be better off.

[Rick G]

From what I see you have said I really don't think she will have any problems riding a K75.

[argent brick]

As stated before, the K75 is a tall, top heavy motorcycle. Because of this, it will not allow your girlfriend to easily and quickly develop her basic riding skills. The 75s balance and weight can make it awkward to maneuver around when you are dismounted.  Don't get me wrong, I think the K75 is a fantastic motorcycle, one of the worlds best. I just question if it is good starter bike because of the balance and overall weight. Will she be able to recover as well with it as a smaller bike? She should not have any wheelie problems. 

Here a bunch of us are fighting about what bike is best for her but no one has ask about what she wants.  Has your girl friend even sat on this bike yet?  Can she place her feet flat on the floor if it has the tall seat?  Will you need to change to the low seat for her?  Is she able to touch the ground easily when the bike is on it's center stand? Does she have problems putting the bike on the center stand? Can she reach the bars easily?  Does SHE feel like the K75 fits her?  If she is not comfortable with the bike, then it is not the right machine. She will have a better idea after some training. Taking the MSF course will help her with this. The last question of the night is this, Does she like the bike?  If she is like many gals, she wont ride much if she does not like it.

It would be good for her to be able ride any bike before you buy. Get her training and safety gear before you spend money on a bike.

[doctorchad]

"As stated before, the K75 is a tall, top heavy motorcycle."  QFT

I am an MSF instructor since 1984.  I have trained new riders on everything from a Yamaha 50 "Special" to 400cc bikes.  I would NEVER recommend anything over 500cc for a first bike, and it should be under 400 pounds.  Smaller bikes have multiple advantages for beginners, just PM me if you want to be bored by the list.
I don't care how tall and athletic anyone is.  Buying a K75 for a new rider is a bad idea.

Yes.  I know.  Your friend's sister's husband's mom got a Goldwing and took right off, now touring with a circus stunt act in a "Cage of Death!" show.  Those stories are the exception, not the rule.  For every tale you can tell of a successful new rider on a larger motorcycle, I have 10 about the rider who bought his/her spouse a Sportster/Ninja/Shadow, and, after a month, the spouse decided they'd rather be a passenger.  These bikes fill the pages of craigslist, usually having a "bit of a scrape on the right side of the tank".

AFTER she takes the course, then go shopping.  I like one carb bikes as starters.  They allow riders to get to know the basics of a bike's guts.  If she's like my wife, she'll want a cruiser. 

PS  My wife has taken the course two times, and both times from other instructors.  This is because I want to stay married to her.  She is riding a Buell Blast currently, and we just got back from a trip through southern Wisconsin.  She did fantastic, and I enjoyed the Harley Davidson Museum while she had a spa day.

[staffordworks]

the "growling" is just how bricks sound, bothered me at first too but from what I hear that's normal.  IMHO a 5'10" jock will have no problem with this bike in fact a little 250 might seems easy and nimble but as a taller rider myself that just comes out to 'unstable' think about what happens when you hit a racoon.  I just got a '95 K75 and handn't ridden in 18 years and when I did it was a honda for only 2 years, it took me about 3 days of riding to work to get my legs back and it was smooth sailing from there and I really appreciate being able to focus on riding and not having to baby it, I ride about 40miles every day of the week so that really adds up for me.  as for the dead fan, that really should cause a check for other damage, compression and whatnot, burnt oil? fresh oil to hide that it was burnt?  i'd say  if the oil comes out 'typical' you're probably just fine.

[frankenduck]

A dead fan isn't going to cause any other damage to a K. If the fan is dead then:

1) The overheat idiot light comes on.

2) If you ignore that then the radiator cap will blow - just like on a car.

Both before the engine gets hot enough to damage anything.

[frankenduck]

And there's a HUGE difference between returning to riding after X years and starting out as a nOOb.