K75S Range and Non ABS Brakes

[kentuvman]

The K75 reserve light comes on @ 160 miles - can I go 200 miles w/out exhausting fuel supply? This assumes a no wind or light wind ride.

There is one light that comes on for low fuel - does the other panel to the left of the light ever come on or is just a light for something I don't have installed on the bike?

Gotta watch that non abs rear brake - while slowing down quickly yesterday to enter a turn, it didn't take much to lock it up and start fishtailing.

A very nice ride, though - just some getting used to.

Happy riding!

Ken

[PHMarvin]

160 is reasonable for a K75. I have gone as much as 190+ before the light comes on, but that was taking it VERY easy. Once the light comes on, you have about a gallon, maybe slightly more, left in the tank. 200 miles is doable, but cutting it a bit close in my book. BTW, I have gotten as little as 33mpg (West Texas, 80mph speed limit, headwind) and 50+ (TN and VA backroads, taking it easy and enjoying the scenery). These mpg figures are with a loaded bike, including bags and topcase, and are similar for both my K75RT amd K75A/3. Your Mileage May Vary!

[dbrick]

There is one light that comes on for low fuel - does the other panel to the left of the light ever come on or is just a light for something I don't have installed on the bike?

The early K100 machines used two low fuel lights, one showing 7 liters (I think) remaining and the other showing 4 liters. The system was changed for 1986, and bikes after that time (including the K75 models) had only one low-fuel light. BMW kept using the same instrument clusters, however, so all bikes after the change still had the second, non-functional light position.

[nh7robmw]

Ken, the other light is the Choke Light which won't ever come on unless you have installed the optional cable or connecter that installs underneath the gas tank. Costs around $20 from BMW, FWIW.

[98lee]

Ken, the other light is the Choke Light which won't ever come on unless you have installed the optional cable or connecter that installs underneath the gas tank. Costs around $20 from BMW, FWIW.

The "choke" (fast idle) light is on the tach not the speedo. It is on all K75s. Orange lower left on tach. Lower left on speedo is not used on non-abs K75s.

As far as trying to run to the limit of your tank, that is not a good idea. The fuel pump picks up on the left side of the tank about 1/2"-3/4" off the bottom. When the light comes on there is enough slosh during hard acceleration or hard long left handers to sometimes cause a stumble. That can be very disconcerting when you are pulling out to pass a long line of cars or are pushing it hard through a long left hander.

As a rule of thumb, it's best to plan on fueling up every 150 miles and if the light comes on get gas at the very next opportunity. That way you don't have to worry if you find yourself on a road 30miles from any gas.


:dance :dance :dance

[41077]

Your braking issues may be due to improper technique, in 86 and 87 when the K's were new there was a rash of complaints about K Bike hop. The problem was hard braking without pulling in the clutch. The only time I have ever experienced fish tailing on any of my 3 K75's was due to low tire pressure.
Keep riding you will get used to it and start throwing rocks at those other bikes that used to tempt you.

[breyfogle]

....Gotta watch that non abs rear brake - while slowing down quickly yesterday to enter a turn, it didn't take much to lock it up and start fishtailing. ....

At any speed above "parking lot" speed, it's best to just forget about the rear brake all together. ALL your stopping power is in the front.

[Gilly]

In regards to the fuel light, the rod that the float (for the level sensor) attaches to can be adjusted. A heavy hand when servicing the tank "guts" (filter, pump, whatever) can cause the rod to unintentionally get bent, causing an early or late light. Most would just get used to when the light comes on.
You can find a small gas container and carry it with you when you want to experience the onset of fuel exhaustion (when it "really" is low on fuel), just make sure you aren't too far from fuel when it happens (close enough so your "reserve tank" in the saddle bag will get you to town).OH and don't get nervous when it cuts out on you, and forget what mileage it happened at!
Early exhaustion can be caused by the fuel pump being set in the wrong position in the tank (too high in the rubber damper). Either that or your mileage generally sucks for some diagnoseable reason.
Gilly

[Gilly]

At any speed above "parking lot" speed, it's best to just forget about the rear brake all together. ALL your stopping power is in the front.

Right, unless there is something else to consider such as lousy traction (onset of rain after a long dry period, or gravel or heaven forbid SNOW) where you might want to take it easy up front so you don't lock the FRONT wheel instead.
Best to be in the habit of using BOTH brakes, the front brake is 70%, why throw away 30% of your brakes?

Gilly

[35634]

If I can throw in my 2 cents, if my low light has been on a while, I'll whack open the
throttle in 1st or second,,,,if the bike stumbles, find gas NOW! If not, I'm OK for a
while. Sort of like a low low warning.

[GregFeeler]

At any speed above "parking lot" speed, it's best to just forget about the rear brake all together. ALL your stopping power is in the front.

Not sure I would agree with that. The physics of a typical bike with conventional front forks leaves about 20to 25% of your stopping power with the rear brake. As a test to verify this for yourself, try a quick stop from 50 mph with only the front brakes, and then a second time with both. I suspect you'll notice a big improvement when using both brakes.

[kentuvman]

As always, your replies appreciated.

If I was riding a Harley I'm almost sure I'd want to stop a lot more frequently than on the K75.

Honestly, I've never owned a bike that is as smooth as this one is. Stopping at 160 miles for gas is a little annoying but I'll get over it! I know it is good safety to take breaks, stay hydrated and keep fuel in the tank.

Appreciated the comments on brake technique - I was coming into the turn a bit fast and now realize the rear brake is touchy - I'd expect the fishtailing with drum brakes but mine is a disc - but non ABS. Just have to ease up on foot pressure and slow down.

Events like that, for me, are good reasons why I don't listen to music or talk on a headset while riding - there is way too much stuff to pay attention to - like staying upright and arriving safe.

KT

[rdalland]

Stopping at 160 miles for gas is a little annoying but I'll get over it!

When gas stations are plentiful, I go 190 to 200 miles between fill ups on my K75RT. I average 43 mpg, tank holds 5.2 gallons.

[PHMarvin]

Hi, Kentuvman,
If the bike has had a "flapperectomy", you can fit about another half gallon into the tank, thus increasing your range. If you don't know what this means, pm me and I'll tell you about it.

[dpryan]

If the bike has had a "flapperectomy", you can fit about another half gallon into the tank, thus increasing your range.

I just got around to doing this (with some help from Phil and Paul...thanks guys! :thumb ). Looking forward to my next tankfull to see the difference in range.

My light seems to come on earlier, but knowing the capacity and mileage (which is a pretty consistent 43 mpg) makes it no big deal. I find I almost always have about a gallon left at fillups.

As for braking, I'm definitely grabbing more front than rear when decelerating from any sort of decent speed......with much of the weight of the bike & me shifting forward (and the rear getting lighter), the last thing I want to do is apply a bunch of rear brake. As an MSF instructor once told us, "that's why they put TWO of those discs up front".