Total Motorcycle Community Forums

I've put about 1000 miles on my little honda CL360 after taking the MSF course early in the spring. I'd stick with it; however it is back home in Wisconsin and I'm permanently relocating to Montreal. I *could* ride it up theoretically, although the vibration and drum front brake leave something to be desired, and renting a U-Haul or a trailer would cost more than I paid for the thing in the first place. So I've been considering a new bike.

I really like the design philosophy and build quality of BMW's. I'd go for an old Airhead if I had the garage space to work on it (I'm not afraid of valve clearances, spline lubing, etc. if I have the space to leave it if I get stuck and have to go ask for help). So I'm leaning towards a K75. I know its a bit higher on the HP rating (about 65) and weight (claimed 500 lbs wet), but I think I can handle it. I'm not looking a roadracer or boulevard cruiser; I want something that can travel the 1000 miles between here and Wisconsin if need be without knocking my teeth fillings out. All this being said, what is your opinion on this as a second 1st bike? Is there anything else out there that would be reliable and long-distance able without being ginormous or a rocket? Thanks in advance for your feedback!

Having owned a few K75s in the past (now own a K1100LT and a K100RS), I would say that if you take your time to get used to the K75 that it would be a good bike for you. My recommendation would be that you get either a naked K75 or a K75C, maybe a K75S. K75RTs are a topheavy bike and you would probably find riding it very awkward - especially at low speed - so I wouldn't recommend it for someone with limited riding experience. (A K75RT is a GREAT bike though - I rode mine all around the country.) The other K75s are also a bit topheavy but not like the RTs.

My first K75 was a K75S which I purchased after being a casual infrequent rider of an 82 650 Nighthawk for a few years. It did take a little getting used to but wasn't all that bad. It did seem a little big for my experience level initially but I took my time and rode within my limits and, in the end, did not find it overwhleming.

All of this assumes that you are relatively fit and weigh more than 150 lbs. If you're small or weak, then it might be a little too much for you.

Although it has 75hp(not 65), it's a rather heavy bike with most of it's torque in the higher RPM range so if you ride "normally" and feel you've got your basics(i.e. clutch control) well-mastered, it's probably not going to get away from you like a lighter bike could. If you try to keep the RPMs low in lower gears until you're comfortable with it, then it won't be rocketing you around. Just take it easy until you're used to the bike.

At the same time, don't lug it though, try to run it between 2500 and 5000 rpms.

If it has anything over 30k, make sure that it's had it's splines lubed periodically(especially the clutch splines) and the the prior owner has maintenance records.

FYI: The driveshaft/final drive splines on a well-maintained K75 generally last in the neigborhood of 100k miles.

Check the weep hole under the bellhousing on the underside near the back of the bellhousing. There will be some normal road grime under there but if you find fresh motor oil, then it means that the rear seal O-ring is shot - which is a major PITA to replace yourself and $700ish to do at a dealer. The O-ring will fail if the bike has lots of miles or if it has sat for an extended period (2 years or more) during it's lifetime.

If you do buy a K75, be sure to sign up at Yahoo Group "kbmw" - lots of help and technical knowledge there.

If you live near a BMW dealer, stop by there and see if they'll let you take a used one for a test ride. They'll usually have a used one from a trade-in or whatever for sale. You might find the blinker system a bit strange at first so I wouldn't even distract myself by trying to use those on your initial ride.

The K75 is an awesome incredibly reliable and S-M-O-O-T-H bike. One of BMWs best products ever IMO.

Here's good buying guide for a K75:
http://www.verrill.com/moto/kbikebuyingguide.shtml

Man.

I don't even have to respond to this ... Mr. Duck knows his stuff!!

(Being an airhead fanatic, however, I must say that you don't need too much space to work on an airhead, in fact there's plenty of space in a typical living room. ... )

Get the k-bike, it will treat you right!

I've thought of the living room thing; the fiance wasn't all that keen, judging by the look on her face. Yet it is ok for her hobby to occupy our appartment (plants)... Ah well, gonna start looking for a K75 then, thanks a bunch guys!