Hello all. Here is a humble introduction and I am happy to have found this forum. I haven't owned a bike for 30 years. I last owned a Yamaha xs 650. I had done some tours on a naked goldwing 1000 in the late 70s, Chicago to Florida, Chicago to Denver, etc. I suppose the darwin switch in my brain told me I wasn't mature enough to ride and remain living so I had given the whole concept up. Thats about the time I started to race sailboats instead... I still love to race sailboats. I had been toying with the idea of getting a KLR 650 just to putz around on, go up to the boat in Kenosha Wi on weekends etc. Momma hated the KLR said it looked ridiculous and was uncomfortable to ride two up for any distance on one. She was the one who was surprisingly open to a BMW. I had always admired the early Brick when it was launched. So I stumbled across a low mileage K100rs in Portage Indiana (not too far) just before Xmas (buy before holidays and sell first warm spring spell). We drove out to look at it, and Momma loved it (chaching). So we got it. It ran well, had some oil leaking at the pump area, left mirror had fallen out and tipover scratches. . Two sets of cases, top box, extra seat, cool centerstand lift, clutch sidestand lift. Alaska Blue.
I had read about bad speedos and doubted the mileage, but when checked out wear, maintenance and compression were showing original 12,900 miles to be true. Bought a Haynes and Clymer, Joined CRBMWOA . Bought my first dealer part a $70 mirror (wow, ow).
Found Fleabay and Craiglist parts. I picked up a good belly pan with bracket and screws for $125 Black (I don't think I will paint it). I am fiddling with the oil leak and waiting for my second oil/water seal and gaskets (I spun the first attempt).
One month later, I found a K75s down in Killeen TX, this bike didn't start but it had a verifiable 9400 miles on it, So I spent $400 in gas to pick it up. Paid $1600 for it. Took it home and got it started. Had leaking intake rubber, It needed some body work. Left rear signal, both side covers had the tabs ripped off ( I just received the two perfect colormatched side covers from a fellow MOA forum member with tabs for $15 each) Belly pan has a small crack, and a scuff here and there. Needed a battery (came with a 18 a/h that didn't fit the space.) Needed a new rear brack resevoir that was sun stroked. So we got very lucky getting these two great bikes. And I can't wait to get them both cleaned up and ready to ride.
Momma signed up for DMV lessons in June.
Anyway we are greatful for support and suggestions, we have to get reaccustomed to riding and we are looking forward to the experience and if anyone gets over to Kenosha this summer look us up. There is a great restaurant on the edge of the harbor run by Kenosha Yacht Club, open to anyone, welcoming to all. We will have our bikes up there and if you mention this forum, the first rootbeer is on me.
Great forum here, anyone from the midwest ??
. Jim.
