First Bike/Dream Bike (K75?)

[Hawkinsjm]

I'm a brand new motorcycle rider starting at the tender age of 44 and I've let my work colleagues/friends (extremely experienced BMW lovers/nuts) influence my direction in searching for the first bike. Knowing almost nothing about bikes, I'm steadily drawn to the aesthetics and I've been looking at the R1100R, R1150RT, etc.

My friends keep repeating one bike in all of our conversations....K75. However, I haven't really been interested in the styling until....this issue of the Owners News. An article titled "Dream Bike" featured a K75 that really got my attention. It's a 1986 with something called a Sprint fairing.

Can anyone tell me about this fairing? Was it a special model feature or is it an aftermarket item that can be purchased for a standard K75? I'd love to find a bike just like the one in the story. I really like the looks and my buddies say that the K75 was one of BMW's jewels. Any clues? Any help?

[knary]

For a first bike, IF you're not a big guy, I'd recommend any budget smaller japanese bike. They're cheap. You can drop them and then sell them for not much less than you paid.

IF you're convinced that a Beemer is for you (I'm partial to them), I'd second your first instinct - an R11R or R1150R. While they are more powerful, they're easier to ride. The K's are top heavy and somewhat cumbersome. MHO.

[Kayseventyfive]

Don't make a decision without riding a K75 with C bars. Mine came with the wheelbarrow bars, and was cumbersome, indeed. Depending on your torso and arm length, either S or C bars allow the bike to realize its lightness and responsiveness. Short-legged people feel a little top heavy on the standard seat, so if you are, try a low seat version with the bars mentioned.

[SheRidesABeemer]

Nothing wrong with a K75 as a first bike, if you are willing to replace a mirror or turn signal here and there.
Fill out your profile a bit so we know where you live, maybe someone can help you out with a test ride.

[tessler]

Definitely give a K75 a ride before you make a decision (and don't listen to Knary: he was in a bad relationship with his ex-K75 and it got custody and the house and he's not been the same about them since. I think there's even an order of protection :ha).

My '92 was and still is my first bike. I rode it around the seller's barn and knew it was going to be mine. A joy to ride and I've never regretted it.

[98lee]

Yeah, what they said! (especially Tessler)

A sprint fairinged K75 will be extremely hard to find. It was an aftermarket fairing that is not produced anymore.

Have a look at a K75 S with the engine fairing. (I'm a little partial) They have a little more sporty styling than the Basic, C or RT. (and be sure to get Marakesh Red as they are the fastest!)
13509

:dance :dance :dance

[Becky973]

My first BMW was a K100RS 1987. I love this bike.:blush :heart It was not my first bike but I wish it was. It has power, when needed. Handles great. And great brakes for its time. I have a few more bikes in the garage now but it is still my first love.

Becky

[mXarad]

It is a bike you grow IN TO, not OUT OF.
mXa

[monkeywork]

WOOO I'm a published author!

:)

I'm 5'6" tall with a 31" inseam... (14 stone...)

The K75 fits me like a glove, I have a soft set of bags that I toss on it for trips. We're planning on a scoot up to Quebec the week of June 23rd.

It's not a race bike, it's a distance runner. I've found that I can get on it, and several hours later still smile at it. No cursing at the seat or crying about my wrists.

Complaints? Well first off, it is a 1986 so I suppose the speedometer needing repair isn't outrageous. And then there's the whole "Smokey" thing. The K75 as well as the K100 lean over to the left, cylinder side, when parked. Oil drips into the cylinder to create a smokey start. There are two cures for this, one is park the bike on the center stand, which works for most situations but isn't as stable as the side stand. The other, is to sit on the bike for 15 seconds or so with it leaned to the right as you take off your helmet and gloves.

If anything happened to this machine, I would replace it again in a heartbeat. And I do still love the color.

[GrafikFeat]

...and I've let my work colleagues/friends (extremely experienced BMW lovers/nuts) influence my direction in searching for the first bike. Knowing almost nothing about bikes, I'm steadily drawn to the aesthetics and I've been looking at the R1100R, R1150RT, etc.


IMHO-allowing others make decisions for us can be quite dangerous. 'Specially w/ motorcycles... If they were that "experienced" they'd say start small. Mr. Knary is correct... Get a small Japanese bike (or an F650) to get the controls familiarized with. You'll most likely keep it and use it for a commuter after realizing some get upwards of 70+ miles per gallon.
After learning the nuances of road riding, and there are many... Work your way up to your "Dream Bike".
While a K75 is mentioned, and it is a nice machine as I've had a 85 K100; I still think oil and water don't mix.
Having the joy of riding/own almost every brand over 40 years... I have 2 dream bikes... A 1973 R75/5 and my current dream a 2002 R1200c of which is on the cover and graces the pages of May's "ON". I also have a hack, but that's a whole different thing.
I won't get into the power misnomer about the "C"... But after owning 2 R90/6's and 2 R75/5's and a 85 K100 - The R1200c is my Dream. Damn, what a power band...

[xp8103]

I'm 42 and on my 7th bike since the Honda Express moped I owned in HS back in the early 80's. Honda's, Yamaha's, cruiser, standard, twins, 3's, 4's. Shaft. Chain. The K bike is far and away my absolute favorite. Before, I'd ride once in a while but didn't have a burning DESIRE to ride. Now, if the weather even looks moderately good, I'll take it to work. I come up with excuses to ride it. It's top heavy. Yes. And I'm 5'6" with a 29" inseam and the low seat just about does it. Optimum? No. But I've learned to be VERY careful how and where I put my feet down. I have also stopped almost completely doing a Massachusettes Crawl at intersections because of footing. Now, I shift down as I approach, looking fairly straight ahead and slow until I come to a stop before I then look left and right. It allows me to stop comfortably, get into first gear and plant my left foot. A much safer method I think.
I love riding it. Love it love it love it. Could it be someone's first bike? As a new rider, if I were a shade taller or had a longer inseam, there would be NOTHING about the bike that would prevent it from being a good solid first bike. And the fact is, you might find you like it enough for it to be a first and long time bike.

:bikes

[Hawkinsjm]

Thank you all. I didn't expect so many comments so soon and all very good advice barring the differences in personal preferences.

[osbornk]

Over the last many years, I have had over a dozen bikes and the last four have been BMWs. With my 29" inseam, both the K100RT and K75RT were difficult for me. I don't think I could have handled them as a first bike. They are tall, top heavy and the light flywheel (engine easy to kill for a new rider). I find my R80Rt and R1200CLC much easier to ride.

I would suggest a smaller Japanese biker as a learner. You will tip it over a few times and a cheap bike with a few bruises on it already doesn't hurt as much. Once you get the hang of it, you can buy the BMW of your choice.

[monkeywork]

what's cool is if you get a light Japanese bike, say a Ninja 250 or something. Don't get rid of it once you get your Dream BMW.

Then think "Track day" and take that little machine racing. And have a blast.

[Paul_F]

No. But I've learned to be VERY careful how and where I put my feet down. Now, I shift down as I approach, looking fairly straight ahead and slow until I come to a stop before I then look left and right. It allows me to stop comfortably, get into first gear and plant my left foot. A much safer method I think.
I love riding it. Love it love it love it. Could it be someone's first bike? As a new rider, if I were a shade taller or had a longer inseam, there would be NOTHING about the bike that would prevent it from being a good solid first bike. And the fact is, you might find you like it enough for it to be a first and long time bike. :bikes

The above post could have been written by me. Stopping technique is identical.

At 57, 5'7.5" & a 29" inseam, my 87 K100RT became my first bike four years ago. (OK, the Honda moped was 33 years earlier.) I have replaced the mirrors that came with it. They did get messed up a little in parking lots. (Have since learned to use rear brake when travelling that slowly in parking lots.) Recently I have lowered the front and rear by 1/2 inch. It is doable as a first bike, but with hindsight, I should have gone with my instinct to get a small bike "to learn on".

[eaganj346]

Paul_F,
Did you modify, (cut down) the centerstand and side stand after you lowered your K100?
Do you have a low seat as well.
I have a K75C with a low seat and might want to get a little lower.

Thanks,
John

[AnnapolisAirhead]

I found myself in the same position 2 years ago after taking the Harley Rider's Edge course (and after a 20 year hiatus from just a few riding experiences).

After the course, I stepped back and thought about the kind of riding I thought I'd like to do. Being a bit of a loner, I decided local to mid distance touring is what I wanted. That cured my itch for a Road Kind Classic rumble and vibration (great lookign though)...and I started looking at the Goldwings. I am 6-1, 225 and 44 (at the time)...but the Goldwing still seemed too big. I back down to look at the ST1300, nice bikes. Then my neighbor showed me his airheads. Another his Triumph...but I kept coming back to BMW. Finally, I visited my local dealer and fell in love with the feel of sitting on an R1200RT. Love the Hondas and the R1200RT, but I didn't want to litter the roads with pretty new plastic from the mirrors, etc. And I'd not ridden in years...so, I bought a 1981 Honda CB750K with low mileage and crash bars from ebay--best $1200 bucks I ever spent. Threw a plexifairing on it and rode all winter, built up confidence/awareness and had a set of 50-100 mile loops. I got comfortable with the bike's weight, how it sounded and probably could have kept riding another year...but I found a good deal.

I stumbled across a good deal on a pair of old airhead. Sold the Honda for $2400 in a single day, bought the pair of airheads. I have spent the past 4 weeks understanding, rebuilding and refreshing the airheads which are in good shape, but sat in a garage for 8 years. So I've learn about tired, wheels, bearings, fluids, carbs, synch'ing, tuning, timing, and learning from experience over accidental success which a HUGE amount of help from this forum. I've since sold one of the bikes and kept the newer one, it has better storage and a hitch with a nice sized trailer for camping, etc. I'm not ready to pull it, but when I am, its all cleaned and ready to go.

I have a 32" inseam and looked at a K100 but it felt top heavy to me. I would love to have a K75 as a spare bike...I like the liquid cooling for days like today...but airheads seem to be what intrigues me.

Bottom line, take you time. Take advice as advice. Engage your mind, heart and comfort then get something and enjoy. Airheads are unique to me in that the rider can pretty well fix anything with good old fashion mechanical inclination. The newer ones are nice, but the toolkit is an 800 number--besides, too spendy for my wallet right now.

Good luck. Its a GREAT affliction. Now I sit a work, trying to program and fight the urge to absorb this forum advice! :type

:twirl

[Paul_F]

Paul_F,
Did you modify, (cut down) the centerstand and side stand after you lowered your K100?
Do you have a low seat as well.
I have a K75C with a low seat and might want to get a little lower.

Thanks,
John

No stand alterations. The sidestand works the same as before. The centre stand is bit of a grunt to use when empty and when loaded, unless parked uphill at the gas station, very, very difficult to use.

Before leaving the garage, I slide a 1x4 piece of wood onto the floor for my return for the rear tire. Once home, I raise the garage door, walk the bike into the garage, front wheel over the 1x4 and then brake when the rear tire is on the board. Next I bring the centre stand down and presto, with no effort the bike is sitting on the centre stand. I do expect that on trips, I will be using mostly the side stand. Actually, even when loaded, using the centre stand is not really too difficult unless I put anything into the 50 litre Givi top box. I have to return to using the top box for storing either my helmet or riding suit when I stop.

I have a Corbin seat which is not lowered. However, I must be 1.5" taller when wearing the boots; had extra soles added. The adjusted position of the shifter makes shifting easy.

I hope that this answers your questions.

[MTSweger]

what's cool is if you get a light Japanese bike, say a Ninja 250 or something. Don't get rid of it once you get your Dream BMW.

Then think "Track day" and take that little machine racing. And have a blast.

Excellent advice! In fact, now you've gone and done it, monkeywork... You've got me trying to figure out a way to justify getting another "first bike" like a Ninja 250 or some other small UJM. Something like that would be a real hoot for track days and for scooting around on the tight twisties, or even commuting to work (and taking the long way home, of course). Hmmm, I wonder if my wife would appreciate it if I got one for "her" to use for errands, commuting, etc. You know, in the interest of saving precious gasoline... reducing our carbon footprint and all that other trendy green stuff. ;)

My point? Oh yeah, I'm supposed to make a point here... Um, well, yeah... here it is: I suppose your idea would also work if stood on its head. A small bike would be loads of fun even for experienced riders. Why not go back and rediscover how much fun a small, lightweight machine can be? Love my K1, but a track day bike it ain't. Choices, choices... Shall I get that new K12GT that I've had my eye on, or maybe buy a small UJM and the F800 next year instead? Would my wife kick me out of the house if I did that? What if I bought all three? Would living alone in a storage unit with the motorcycles be worth it? Would I live to tell the tale? :dunno

So many decisions; so little garage space... :scratch

-MTS

P.S. - In related news, my bro-in-law recently bought a Piaggio MP3 for his wife. He's "tested" it out real good too... to the tune of 600+ miles already! She can't keep him, off the damn thing. And this is a guy who typically rides only track days with his hopped up GXSR. :lol