Has my K ruined me?

[pdg]

In the past:

I've had faster bikes.
I've had shinier bikes.
I've had better handling bikes.
I've had smaller bikes.
I've had bigger bikes.

They were mainly Jap machines, with a few Brit bikes thrown in. As well as my 75, I currently have a GPZ500s (EX500 to most of you probably). According to the specs it's faster, quicker, lighter (reviews also say it handles better) but I have no interest in fixing it - 'fixing' entails 1 new tyre and cleaning the front brake cyl.

I do also have as projects 2 early 70's Honda CB250's and an XL250k - one day I might get round to finishing them but I'm seriously considering chucking them on ebay......

Thing is I can't see anything replacing the K, apart from another K (or possibly a boxer, but that would be additional, not replacement).





What the hell has BMW done to me????

[orforester]

Me too. Traded a XT550 Yamaha to get a k bike that needs LOTS of TLC, been on the Coast way too long, so now I am the best customer of MAX BMW!!!!

[Chaos]

Funny thing about the K75, it doesn't do anything "best in class" but it does everything very well. And it has enough idiosyncrasies to be interesting. 

[DangerD1967]

Funny thing about the K75, it doesn't do anything "best in class" but it does everything very well. And it has enough idiosyncrasies to be interesting.

So in other words once you find your K, you are married, you will look at the eye candy, test the bond by "riding dirty", scream some days about how hard it is to love it, but on most sunny days on some sexy set of twisties, you will know you picked the right one...

[ICBMW]

My '96 K1100LT's ruined me as well. Even the latest bloated Big Beamers as well as the Concours, STs, etc, all seem like too much too much while my 11LT has oomph, ABS, heated grips, plenty of storage, good looks, and is 200 lbs lighter than some Wings and GTs. For me, the K1100 gets it right. For me.

[Chaos]

After dancing happily with my K75s since 1986 I admit I have strayed, lured by the rustic charms of BMW's bastard cousin from the motherland. The Ural is slow, agricultural, comes with a warning sticker that says turning may kill you, gas hog, ergonomic  disaster, and technologically right up there with a 1964 VW bug.  But I ride it 90% of the time now.  Am I a bad K owner? :nono :dunno2: :riding:

[ICBMW]

The Ural is too badass to matter.

[Elipten]

My impression was that one fixes the Ural more than one rides it.  Have they improved?

[Chaos]

Urals after about 2007 are much improved, and they are outsourcing more and more parts (Hertzog gears, Keihen carbs, now FI for 2014, Ducati timing and switchgear, jap alternator etc) They are high maintenance but simple machines, mine's been very dependable now with about 19k on it.

[Photog]

Last week I was in the dealer where I  bought mine for its annual inspection.
While I was waiting, I was knocking around the showroom and the sales guy (who is a former K75 owner) asked me if there was anything he could help me with.
I told him no, the K75 he sold me was too good.
He just laughed and said "you're right, we won't be selling you any more bikes".
 :riding:

[jacksdad1963]

After just a few months on my K1100LT, I am now truly hooked!
I had initial doubts, everybody said it will feel too big and weighty after a lifetime on jap bikes, plus a couple of modern Triumphs.
"they are top heavy, don't handle, old mans ride" etc.
Well I'm 51 now so the last one means nothing...and the other comments are just myths  :clap:
My LT handles like a bike half its size and weight, it very easy to throw around: look how low the K engine sits! more than makes up for the big fairing....another reason why I love mine, never had a bike with such amazing weatherproofing!
I'm already thinking about getting another newer, better condition K...but I love my first one too much, maybe I'm going to give it a full restoration this winter
Its true what they say...you never forget the first time  :riding:

[branandfox]

I am 23 and started riding when I was 20. my K100RS was and is my first bike. At first she was a little big to me but after about two weeks on her and getting adapted to riding I felt right at home. while riding my friends wedding present home one night on the interstate I constantly thought it was a blast to ride that little screaming thing but nothing like my lady. there is just something about a K bike....

I will keep her until she literally cant scoot no moe.

[F14CRAZY]

If I can't figure out this vibration I'm gonna start regretting not spending my money on a Concours instead...

[johnny]

greetings chaos...

whats the last decade you saw your chin...

j o

[johnny]

greetings f14whack...

when you wanna trade in the vibrator for a souless concourse lemme know...

i will meet you half way... on the ferry... between milwaukee and muskegon...

j o

[DangerD1967]

 :2thumbup:
So My 94 K75s has ruined me and I find myself in an odd space...My wife as predicted has outgrown her 200cc scooter and is ready to try learning the clutch again. We looked a little at bikes for her, and then my buddy mentioned why not teach her on your bike, put "sliders" on it to protect the paint and go get yourself the fresh wheels. I resisted saying I didn't want to say goodbye to "Shannon" and he hits me with: "She will still her scooter (71 mpg, low hassle) scooter for her everyday rider and you and Shannon can keep your love affair going; but the fresh wheels will be your ride when you go on long trips. (Side note, did get 56mpg while riding with the Bluetooth governor on a 250 mile ride) So now my question of what should it be...list in no particular order.

R1150 GS, R or RS
K100
F800 ST
K1200

I like the GS with the idea of some dirt road fun and it seems like it would look sexy without the bags on.
The K100 would keep me in my wheelhouse of repair and maintenance
The F800 just looks fun and different- Cautious about belt drive
K1200 with the idea of if I am going for a long, long ride, why not have all the bells and whistles and let my wife ride pillion

Back to riding, I will take any other suggestions....

[Motorhobo]

If you already have a K75, go with the k100 -- many parts interchangeable, same technology, same design.

As a buddy of mine used to say while chiding me for riding a 'girls bike' --

There's nothing wrong with the k75 that another cylinder won't fix!

Btw women seem to like the F series more than the K. Maybe she should ride one of the two cylinder Fs before stealing your K.