Embracing an Older BMW K-Bike
After ten days of BMW K75 ownership I’ve learned a lot about the machine and what it will mean for me in the weeks, months and years ahead. The motorcycle is more complex than the Vespa and that complexity means more maintenance which translates directly into more expenses whether I do the work myself or take it to the dealer.
Before I delve too deeply into all the things that have to be done to the bike I wanted to share up front what it is like to ride. I took the K75 out this morning for a 50 mile jaunt at sunrise. It’s a joy to ride in every situation I encountered including some meandering gravel paths through farmlands managed by Penn State.
I can already tell I’ll enjoy the motorcycle as much as I do the Vespa.
Reading the Instructions
After discussing ownership of the BMW K75 with quite a few people it’s now in my head that if I’m smart I’ll do a lot of the maintenance myself.
Hence the Clymer shop manual.
I’ve been reading a lot about the motorcycle and spending time on the MotoBrick forum asking questions and exploring how much I’ll have to learn to do some of the wrenching.
But mostly I’m trying to determine what will need to be done now to get this 27 year old motorcycle on the road after a long pause in operation.
Refreshing Tires and More
When I looked at the motorcycle I was pleased with how clean and new everything appeared. All the important services had been completed and not many miles were put on the bike afterwards. All good news. But when I got the bike home along with all the service records I realized all that great work was done eight years ago.
Eight years is a long time in motorcycle time.
So the list began of the work that had to be done:
- Engine oil and filter change.
- Brake fluid flush.
- Coolant flush.
- Tire change.
- Pennsylvania State Motorcycle Inspection.
- Final drive oil change.
- Transmission oil change.
- Rear spline lubrication.
- Clutch spline lubrication.
- Swing arm boot replacement.
- Clutch cable replacement.
- And whatever else emerges during the maintenance.
With the exception of the clutch spline lubrication I could probably do all of the service. The bike would be back on the road by Christmas.
I’m not going to do it.
Easy Does It.
I worry that riding the motorcycle not knowing the condition of the spine lubrication may damage something. So I have been sneaking out on short rides without pushing the machine too hard.
The BMW is decidedly different than the Vespa. With more experience and thought I’ll be able to describe the difference. For now, I’m just happy to ride it.
It is bigger and heavier — 530 pounds wet. And despite reading many reviews that described the K75 as ponderous and top heavy I’ve found it surprisingly easy to handle and nimble in all sorts of low speed maneuvers that terrify a lot of big bike riders.
Once all the service is complete I do some more serious riding.
Commitment
Kissell Motorsports is going to do all the refresh work on this motorcycle. They’ve scheduled an entire day. Eight years of service is being packed in to a single day.
I’m stretching to ease my financial mind.
Bill Leuthold, Vespa rider extraordinaire and author of Rocket and Me, said to me once when discussing the costs and expenses of riding (I think it was Bill), that he didn’t ride to save money.
That’s how I feel about the K75. I didn’t get it to save money. It’s not an investment — at least not a financial one. But it may be an investment in some sort of expanded experience that delivers a little extra joy into life.
If that’s true, then whatever it will cost to service the motorcycle will be well worth the price.
So what’s this all have to do with commitment? I will likely commit to doing a lot of the future service myself.
Little Discoveries
The more I ride the more things I find to repair and others that I wonder if I should replace. Like brake lines. Clutch cable boots. Stuff like that.
The instrument cluster has a couple bulbs burnt out leaving the speedometer and tachometer only half illuminated.
I’ll replace those myself.
BMW K75 Luggage
I’ve removed the Reynolds rear rack from the motorcycle because it made mounting the side cases impossible. Getting the rack off was no easy chore either. While I was struggling I swear I could hear the Vespa chuckling.
I don’t care what anyone says, compared to the Vespa, the 1992 K75 motorcycle is a high maintenance proposition. All I can say it better run for 300 thousand miles like they say!
I mentioned the Motobrick.com forum as a place I’ve sought information and advice. With over 6000 K-bike rider members there is a lot of expertise and people willing to share it. It’s not unlike the ModernVespa.com forum of which I’ve received huge amounts of support over the years.
Here’s an example of how it provided support when I was struggling with the side cases.
Bumps in the Road
The cost of servicing this 1992 BMW K75 motorcycle this first time out is just a small bump in the road. Looking forward to riding without worrying about the tires, oil and splines.
Have to wait a few more weeks.
And I have to apologize for the slowness of posting. Summers are always slow but have been complicated by my computer exploding. It’s currently in the shop having a new hard drive and system installed.
Have a lot of ride reports and images from some recent scooter rides to share and the K75 as well.
Soon. Soon. Right now though I’m passing out.
Wow…quite the ride, but also quite the commitment. Looking forward to the post-service rides and impressions!
For a number of reasons, I have to be a one-bike guy, which is why the GTS made the cut after very careful consideration. It would’ve been cool to have a second machine around (as mentioned on Modern Vespa, that would likely be a Suzuki SV650), but Melody is taking me where I want and need to go, and maintenance is that much of a teeth-chattering issue. (She gets her 9k checkup Saturday: new belt, rollers, rear tire and exhaust, plus fluids & stuff.)
Most of that list is pretty straightforward. The one I would let the dealer take care is changing tires. And since they are pulling the rear tire, they may as well lubricate the rear spline on the final drive. If greasing the transmission input spline is anything like an airhead, the first time it takes hours. Subsequent times, it goes much faster. Taking it to Kissel is fine if the list seems daunting.
The list is daunting to someone like me who hasn’t done much wrenching since the 1970s. But in the future I can take care of some of these things as they come up one at a time.
Full speed ahead!
I’m looking forward to riding the K75. All I’m doing now is little jaunts. They’re fun but neither long enough or far enough to really start absorbing the experience. At least not enough to form any intelligent thoughts to write about.
Resistance was high for a long, long time about buying a motorcycle. In part because of costs, and in part because I wondered it I would ride it. Or stop riding the scooter. But I’ve already dismissed those concerns. I’ll ride both. And the rides will be different. Hoping I can share some perspective on the adventure.
Hope the 9K checkup goes well. That should be an uneventful one though perhaps a bit more expensive because of the belt change. I have to change the oil in the scooter. Have the oil, filters and associated “stuff” to do it. Just need to do it. And I plan to do the next belt change myself.
Beautiful motorcycle Steve! I just went down in size to a Suzuki GW250 with only 1,500 miles on the clock – but six years old. With some bargaining, the dealer put fresh tires on her, changed the fluids and put a new battery in. It’s not a very popular bike except for first-time riders but thus far is proving loads of fun for this old guy coming from large cruisers.
I agree: I didn’t trade my prior bike on this one to save money. I got it for a new riding experience. Being a “naked” bike my only expenditure post-trade has been a backpack, a new helmet and some chain wax. I’m not as handy as you mechanically but it appears I can change the oil, adjust the chain and put in new plugs.
Enjoy your “new” ride but give the Vespa some loving too!
I can see advantages to moving down in machine size, especially as we get older. I sort of jumped on the “big” motorcycle because I felt I had a few years left to manage it before having to downsize. I wanted the new riding experience.
Not sure how handy I am. I was in the distant past but now I am timid and do a lot of second guessing. My friend Paul said, “Just rip into it. If we get stuck we’ll put it on a trailer and take it to the repair shop.” Made sense to me!
The Vespa is still loved. Something weird has happened though. I find myself talking to it now, especially when I am taking the BMW out. What’s happened to me? Next I’ll be giving it a name!!!
I think I will have to start taking a grappa with my morning coffee when I see that the post it about the motorcycle just to calm the soul. When, at age 60, I decided to get back into two wheels, (the best decision I have made in retirement) motorcycles where immediately taken off the table as I have throttle creep disease. If you do not know it you will as you ride with that big piece of hot iron between your legs.
The original phrase is “we did not come here to save money”®. It was invented by Bill, registered trademark by me, and held by the OysterTours, jointly owned by Bill and myself. We will start selling t shirts at some point and Bill has assured me we will be billionaires in not time
Perhaps in the future I can add enough comparisons and experiences on the Vespa to soften the blow of a motorcycle post. Something like, “The windscreen on the Vespa GTS is sleeker looking than the Parabellum Sport Shield on the K75 but doesn’t do as good a job keeping the wind off the body.” How’s that?
I was tested before buying the BMW. I am negative for throttle creep disease. Never had it and can’t see myself ever acquiring it. I use protection. As a kid I drove some powerful autos. Didn’t come down with Heavy Accelerator Disease either. The professionals who examined me said I was a wuss.
Sorry I didn’t receive permission to hybridize your trademarked phrase. When you and Bill get the business rolling perhaps I can become a distributor for those Yankee lands north of the Mason-Dixon Line. Regardless, I hope you and Bill will not forget about us little people when you become billionaires!
BMW=Bring My Wallet. But it’s worth it! Enjoy!
I’ll bring my wallet. Already have the cost factored into the monthly budget. Who needs food anyway. Looking forward to the rides to come on the K75.
“That complexity means more maintenance which translates directly into more expenses whether I do the work myself or take it to the dealer.” That’s exactly why I got rid of my one and only BMW as fast as I could, after riding it to Alaska and back. Sold it to Kissells for whatever they would give me. I think my BMW G650GS/ Suzuki DR 650 Comparo is still on ADVrider. As you’ve heard me say, the Suzuki cost 1/2 as much, and as you know, took me 21,000 miles around the world. But enough BMW bashing. It’s more a matter of preferences than being a good or bad bike. As popular as the BMW brand is, it couldn’t be a bad bike. Dependability was never a question. I hope you get many happy miles out of yours, and I’m glad you got an older model, which is somewhat less complex.
We’ve talked about the Comparo a few years ago when I was looking at a BMW G650GS. I remember you bemoaning the aggravation of doing an oil change on the Beemer versus how simple it was on the Suzuki. But as you say, few riders are buying because of what makes sense in terms of service or cost. It’s a personal preference based on who knows what crazy ideas.
In the long run, the K75s have proven reliable and long lived. And as motorcycles go, surprisingly easy to work on. Mine particularly so since it doesn’t have ABS, computers or complex electronics. And since its a naked bike no fairing to deal with every time you have to work on the motorcycle.
I’m hoping for a lot of happy miles wandering through the sticks.
Thumbs up.
Also, it’s special because it was a gift.
I keep thanking Kim for the motorcycle. It was special in ways she can’t wrap her head around.
+1 on what RichardM said. I’ve no experience with K motorcycles, aka flying bricks….your comment re tires reminded me to check the ones on Brigitta, the airhead R80, they’re a bit over 5 years old, probably need to start thinking of replacement.
Yep, more complicated but beware of “fixing things” till they break also. Fluid changes are not difficult and yes, stick to published maintenance intervals. The bother with services, unless you’ve a motorcycle lift, is bending/kneeling and such on the ground to get at stuff.
BTW, pay attention to torque values re fasteners, the Germans meant it, unlike the Russians.
You know what they say: The cheapest thing on a BMW is the rider! 🙂
BTW, I’ve seen where K75 owners have attached a sidecar to their motorcycle…..food for thought.
I’m sure you’ll be up to the challenge, safe riding!
Five years is what all the tire sources told me as the limit. I looked at the DOT info on the tires and they were manufactured in May and June of 2011. Pretty old rubber for a motorcycle tire.
I have the big table lift for the motorcycle and scooter so I can get it up in the air to work on. I would not consider doing any work if I have to crawl around on the concrete floor. My body won’t accept that anymore.
And I bought three click style torque wrenches 1/4, 3/8 and 1/2 for exactly the reasons you offered. Everyone working on the K bikes told me to PAY ATTENTION TO THE TORQUE VALUES. I think they may have added “stupid” to the end of the sentence as well.
I’ll try and not be the cheapest thing on the BMW! That made me laugh.
Hope things are going well with you. Thanks for stopping by and sharing a comment. Can always use some BMW humor.
this post motivated me to finally replace the tires on the ’87 R80…..now Brigitta has new shoes.
It’s the prudent move.
I ordered new braided, stainless steel brake lines today from SpieglerUSA. Twenty-seven year old rubber lines seem like they’re asking for trouble.
This is great, Steve. Congrats on the new ride. I will be following along your posts as usual looking to glean inspiration as I have my dad’s 1968 Honda Trail 90 in the garage and aside from purchasing an old user’s manual have not done anything to get it road worthy.
I’m hoping my inner tinkerer/wrencher is rekindled with the bike. If Kissell does all the work though and I can just ride, well, who knows. For now I’ve started reorganizing the tool cabinet and bought some click type torque wrenches!
As my great friend Ken already confirmed, it was me who said “I don’t ride scooters to save money”
The saying started one time when I was on a trip with a friend. There was a choice between two purchases, one less expensive and less fun, the other more expensive and more fun.
So I said “We didn’t come here to save money.” It got a laugh, the same laugh it gets with friends on trips everywhere.
And it works because it is a real sentiment with real consequences.
If you can afford it, life is too short to worry about the little things.
Go out and have some fun!
Thanks for the quote. It made my day.
Bill
Being able to say something like, “We didn’t come here to save money.” is a gift. One not everyone has. I’m grateful to be able to say that in regard to the motorcycle. And you’re spot on in the observation that it is a real sentiment with real consequences. I’m not wealthy or anything and have to make decisions about money within the realm of my resources. I won’t borrow money to do things so I make choices in what I can pay for.
I’ve met people who seem to be battling to save money while at the same time borrowing money to have the thing they want to save on. Makes little sense to me. They seem unable or unwilling to scale back their “needs” to match what they can afford.
Holy shit, where did all that come from? Life is too short to worry about stuff like that.
Our short conversation stuck with me Bill. As I said before I wish you, Ken and I could have spent more time together.
I m careful to not use our little statement when I can’t afford to go the more expensive route.
But when it is between a few dollars up or down, I can comfortably to go for the better option.
It is one reason why I am still working.
Ken and I will be back, or you will visit Florida, or we will meet somewhere in the middle.
But we will be able to spend more time together in the future.
I look forward to it.
Bill
I agree. I’m careful with the statement and don’t use it to rationalize stupid behavior. Wish I would have acquired that skill when I was younger!
Looking forward as well to crossing paths with you and Ken wherever and however it comes to pass.
Well said and it works for me. Difficult too to put a price on the silly grin, adventures and peace of mind two wheels provide.
“But it may be an investment in some sort of expanded experience that delivers a little extra joy into life.”
I think a lot of people pay therapists and other professionals a lot of money in pursuit of the silly grin. I’m not discounting the value of therapy, but the silly grin results from some sort of action or activity. I’m glad I found scooters and motorcycles. The cost is incidental compared to the returns.
I will tell you two things. First, as somebody said on a Chinese scooter forum.”These are just chainsaw motors on wheels.” If you think about the shape of a scooter engine you will see it. Comparing a motorcycle, like a BMW, to a scooter is like comparing an abacus to a laptop.
Second, Bill Dog noted that the original K-100 was a Peugeot engine that BMW bought the design from. So it’s built to be reliable. Later K bikes have vertical cylinders for performance and, of course, BMW reliability.
The Germans are sticklers about maintenance schedules so their stuff lasts. Doing that list of maintenance items will keep that bike on the road long after you and I have departed this mortal plain.So don’t sweat riding it until you take it to Kissell. German metal comes straight off the aerospace lines unlike the metal others use.It will take abuse. Think R1250 Adventure bikes crashing through the desert.
Thanks for the thoughts on the BMW Jim. The previous owners seemed pretty good with maintenance. It was being parked for most of 8 years that threw a wrench into things. But I’ll get it back to spec and enjoy it. Until it goes in for service I’ll continue to ride it a bit. But the Vespa may see a bit more duty!
If I had two motorcycles I don’t know how I would decide which one to ride on which days.
I’m thinking of getting a wheel to spin. Or just flip a coin!
Very pretty bike! I especially like this version without the extra plastic body pieces of similar models.
All old vehicles start shedding their plastic and rubber (and un-protected metal) bits after 10 or so years. Just found a chain guide for my ’94 Yamaha had completely disintegrated into plastic dust. The backing plates (over $240 ea) for the emergency brakes on my ’03 Toyota Matrix completely rusted out – and they are pressed onto the rear hubs so I ended up trading it.
The DOT date code on tires and the 6YO limit is something that most riders (not even just newbies) are fairly ignorant of. I’ve seen far too many used (or new/old) tires being sold that are way past 6YO but still have “nubbins” or “good tread” left.
Since you are already scheduled for a brake fluid flush, I’d also have the rubber brake lines replaced with stainless mesh. Look at the Clymers for brake line replacement. My bike’s manuals say every 2 years (who really does this?). Stainless is once and done.
All the plastic bits and such on the bike are in excellent shape cosmetically. Nothing obviously disintegrating. I overly excited when I was looking at the bike and didn’t look closely at things like the age of the tires. Oh well, just means I probably could have saved some money on the deal.
I’m planning to buy some Spiegler stainless steel braided brake lines to replace the existing rubber ones. Can’t believe many replace their brake fluid let alone brake lines every two years.
By the end of August I should be doing some nice rides on the K75!
Seeing all the chatter that greeted this post, I feel bad adding to your workload.
Getting that maintenance out of the way will get you a machine you can trust with any challenge your imagination dreams up.
Breakfast in Sausalito? Why not! Northern Lights in Churchill Manitoba? What the heck, let’s go!
It’s clear that this is going to double your fun Steve.
My thoughts exactly regarding all the serve to the motorcycle. I want to ride and minimize concerns of continual tinkering.
The Northern Lights in Manitoba sounds perfect. I’ll just have to decide whether to ride the Vespa or the K75.
My fun has already doubled. Will probably triple by the end of the month!
Stop fussing about the money and pay Kissell to give you the confidence to enjoy the bike. You aren’t going to ride it enough to make a visit to the shop necessary more often than once a year maybe. Youa re a procrastinator and procrastinating maintenance leads to not riding. reality check
I’ve released the fuss and set the cash aside. Anxious now to get the work completed so I can enjoy the bike. You know me too well — a procrastinator I am. I still haven’t printed my daughter’s prom pictures. That was 20 years ago. Or put the trim back up in one of the upstairs bedroom after I remodeled 25 years ago.
There’s fog here this morning. Will be leaving on a ride in 30 minutes. Funny how the choice now is being made on which machine to ride. Seems as if I walk in the garage, stand there, and the choice becomes obvious. Today it’s the Vespa!
Something is changing with the arrival of the BMW. From owning one unnamed scooter I am now seriously considering naming both machines. Can this possibly be a symptom of old age?? Who names their machines??
I call my K100 “Ol’ Reliable”.
I’m expecting no less from my K75!
Better late than never, congrats on the ‘new to you’ BMW! And you can’t put a price on the smiles! 😁
It’s a great motorcycle. Have been enjoying my time with it. And it has enhanced the experience with the Vespa. Nice to shift from one to the other!
I must ask, What is the color name or color code of your K75? that color of blue is absolutely gorgeous
It’s the standard color for the 1992 K75C. I think it was called “Royal Blue.” It’s a great motorcycle. Smooth running and riding. It would have been perfect if I was able to get away often for tours and trips.
I have never owned but I have driven a BMW K75 a few thousand miles and I loved it. It was my friend’s back up/loaner bike which had been replaced in his heart by a Buell Odyssey. Go figure?
I have been riding motorcycles over 40 years and I do all my own service work and most of my own repairs.
Get yourself a BMW factory service and or repair manual. You might get one used online? Not only are they the ultimate go-to source for doing things the BMW way, it’ll help you in conversing with mechanics, technicians, the parts department and other owners. Join a BMW owner forum or two. The owners are generally very helpful and are your best bet for letting you know whether you should attempt a repair or not. Keep in mind that there are unpleasant people everywhere. The other owners will give you a clue as to who knows there stuff and who the pretenders are.
“Bob’s” K75 was painted a beautiful Ducati Red. He had hard luggage and a matching trunk which I removed each time I rode it. I felt the luggage adversely affected handling but if I was on a long trip I probably would have utilized it. Without the luggage it was a sweet handling bike that belied it’s 500 lb. weight. When Bob sold it I would have bought it if I wasn’t in financial straits at the time.
It’s been 5 years since your article was written and I hope your K75 has brought you happiness and great memories.
I smiled when I saw your comment. The BMW K75C provided many pleasurable rides. And I did much of what you suggested in terms of repair manuals and forums. But when I sold my lift table I decided to reduce considerably the amount of wrenching I would do. I was fortunate to have access to an independent mechanic with lots of K bike experience. He did the clutch spline lube for me along with a host of other things. The bike was great to ride and very smooth.
Eventually it began to feel heavier and tall for me. That combined with a desire to get something to ride off-road here in the mountains and I decided to sell the K75 and buy a Royal Enfield Himalayan. And eventually to replace the on road cruising aspects of the K75 I bought a 2001 Kawasaki W650. That is a sweet motorcycle to ride and look at.
I think about the K75 often. And if I were younger would have kept it. My 70th birthday is approaching and I am happy to say that the 5 machines in the garage have me well covered for all the kinds of riding I do now. If my wife asked me if I wanted a motorcycle for my birthday I’m not sure there is anything I want…
Thank you for taking the time to comment and share your thoughts and experience. I appreciate them.