92 K75S Under 20K miles

[drubery]

What's it worth, owner is asking far more than book. It is a single owner. Seems like a find, but it is a twenty year old bike. Feedback welcome.

Thanks in advance.

-Dennis

[PGlaves]

Not enough information. Are low miles due to just short, regular use? Or long term storage? If storage, how long ago, what has been done since, etc?

Book is largely irrelevant on a 20K mile K75, but storage conditions and current condition mean everything.

[98lee]

What's it worth?

-Dennis

Between $600 and $6000.

The three things that determine the value are:

1. Condition. High end would be a perfect 100pt. Concours quality example with meticulous maintenance and all options. Low end would be a trashed beater with road rash and mechanical issues. Most bikes fall somewhere in the middle ($2000- $4000).

2. Supply. They only imported 4600 K75Ss to the US over the 10 years of production.
Because of the low "book value" vs the "book cost" to repair any crash damage, they are being parted out at an alarming rate. I would bet there are considerably less than 3000 still on the road and getting fewer every year.

3. Demand. They are considered to be the best of the K75 line. When they were introduced, the motoring press had luke warm reaction to the other K75 models, but raved about the S. Several magazines considered it the best handling BMW up to that time. Others named it Sport Touring Bike of the Year a couple years running.

The K75 engine is one of the smoothest BMW engines ever made. Most people who have owned a K75S consider it one of the sweetest bikes they've owned and lots regret getting rid of it. It's not a GREAT bike. There are numerous bikes that do each element better, but it does everything pretty darn well. They are pretty easy to work on and will run forever (if properly maintained).




But don't believe me. I'm biased (I own 4 of them).

[kgadley01]

I sold a 1991 K75 low edition in perfect condition with 26,000 original miles for $3200.00 two years ago. It needed nothing!!!

[drubery]

Thanks guys for the feedback, trying to find out a bit more. At $7K I think it's high and out of my range (Not to mention the wife would kill me!) But I might consider the latter at the right price for the right bike.

[98lee]

$7k?????

I'll bet his wife told him to sell it, so he put a price of $7000 so he could tell his wife "I'm trying". He really doesn't want to sell it.

[jhgilbert]

He's dreaming. Drop by, look at the bike. Let him know you're interested, but you're going to have to replace most of the rubber pieces because they age and crack from ground level ozone. These are things like the rubber tubes under the throttle bodies, crankcase ventilation hose, brake lines and tires, probably lube the splines while you're at it. Offer him what you think it's worth, knowing that you're probably going to spend about $500-600 to do all that and put in a weekend or two. Then after you get it back together, something else will crop up, etc. Trust me, Bikes that have sat, should be looked at very carefully.

[ghyber]

I became a K-bike owner just last year after owning eight R-bikes. Mine was very nice. However, I think one should consider other aspects of the bike, not just maintenance and mileage. Options like ABS, belly pan, luggage, liners, topcase rack, topcase, tankbag, heated grips, hazard lights option, original BMW folding key(s), original tool kit, Owner's Manual, accessory socket, spare parts, fresh battery (BMW GEL ideally), and finally consider that the 20+ year hydraulic brake lines should be replaced, including tires, and probably the front springs and rear shock.

I also think a repainted K is not as interesting for me as an original. Finally, standby for the oil/water pump oil seal to eventually go when you start seriously riding the K-bike hard (happened to me and I had been warned).

I just enumerated essentially my personal 93K75S purchasing story.

[drubery]

I think JH had this guy pegged in his reply. Quoted below:

" i am riding now . i have no need to sell it..i love the bike and figured if i sold it fine i would update if not keep riding. the bike is my baby."

Thanks for all the other great advice. Rubber based items such as bushings and hoses were definitely on my mind.

Safe riding guys!

-Dennis

[osbornk]

I sold a 1991 K75 low edition in perfect condition with 26,000 original miles for $3200.00 two years ago. It needed nothing!!!

I sold my 92 K75RT for $3,200 almost 7 years ago. I paid $4,600 for it from a dealer in 1999.

I don't think low miles is as important on a K75 as much as many others because they seem to go forever. A motorcycle, RV and many other mechanical things go bad due to lack of use rather than use. Rubber and other things rot when not used.

[kmellzey]

7k for a 20 year old bike seems high to me, but haven't seen it.

I recently bought a 92 k75s with 48k miles for 2800. Extras were: Staintune exhaust (original exhaust included),Progressive rear suspension, all bags, grip protectors and a specific k75 original BMW tank bag.

I've been looking for a couple of years, primarily on Craigslist, but also in the flea market here and other MC sites. I found this one on CL and called to get the information.

I spoke with the owner a couple of times and decided to buy it sight unseen. Sometimes you can just tell... The bike was in Portland and I'm in Montana so I flew to Portland and rode that puppy back home.

I've been riding it around Montana and having a ball. So much so that I feel guilty that I'm not riding my 99 R1100RT much. Oh, I pull the RT out every once in a while to zoom down the slab to visit my girlfriend, but for the most part, I ride the very red brick!