A Birthday Present
Every year for the past 15 years when my wife asked me what I want for my birthday I would reply, “A motorcycle.” This year she said, “Okay.” I’m now riding a BMW K75 motorcycle.
The machine will join my beloved Vespa as partners in exploration, adventure and joy as I prowl the landscape of central Pennsylvania. I’m excited to investigate how these two nearly polar opposite vehicles will affect my experience on the road. I know how it will affect the physical aspects of riding, but it’s the mental and psychological effects that are of interest. Will the same serenity I find on the Vespa occur with the BMW?
This post will be short because I don’t have a lot to say.
Yet.
But here are a few ideas and revelations that led to the decision to ACTUALLY buy a motorcycle when I am so happy with the scooter.
As I’ve thought about motorcycles I rejected the idea of big and powerful to instead find something small and nimble. Like the Vespa. But then it occurred to me rather recently I was just trying to duplicate the Vespa experience on a motorcycle. So when it came time to actually buy something, it seemed more experientially interesting to acquire something that was the polar opposite of the scooter — big, heavy, powerful and not so nimble.
So now I will be riding a BMW K75 motorcycle. A 1992 BMW K75 motorcycle is pristine condition with 16K miles on the clock. I’ve only put 100 miles on it so far and won’t be doing a lot of riding until I have Kissell Motorsports do the Pennsylvania Safety Inspection along with a few other service needs in early August.
And then I start sharing the road with my Vespa. I’ll be riding a BMW K75 motorcycle and hopefully have something interesting to share from that experience. Scooter and motorcycle.
New adventures ahead.
Excited for you Steve, different but the same. Enjoy a lot of safe exploring!
Thanks Coop. I’m looking forward to seeing how the motorcycle affects my riding and reactions to the world.
Steve, of course your view on the machines may be different but my experience, possibly because I’m so used to it now hasn’t changed. I leave the driveway on a true variety of rides, they’re part of the trip but certainly not the whole. French or American fries for me, not a great deal of impact on the meal. My hope is that you can switch between them as seamlessly as I seem to.
I hope I can switch seamlessly between the two machines. This morning I had planned to ride the Vespa into town but thunder and rain had me choose the car. As things progress I’ll find out how I act with the new bike.
That sounds pretty cool. Congrats on the new bike. I didn’t realize you were in central PA. I’m not far in MD. Will be headed up that way in a couple weeks for the TMI Meltdown rally!
I ride down into Maryland from time to time. Some beautiful riding in the mountains. I’ll have to check when the TMI rally occurs. Maybe I can swing by.
https://harrisburg.craigslist.org/mcy/d/camp-hill-scooter-and-moped-rally/6932214069.html
Three Mile Island. I remember when the accident was underway how panicked everyone was 90 miles away in State College.
Sounds like a cool rally. Not far off now.
Good choice. The K75 was really the best of the Flying Brick series. Everyone raved about it at the time and I always thought it was a mistake for BMW to move away from it. Good rides await you.
So far the K75 has exceeded my expectations. It’s far easier to handle than I imagined after reading countless reviews that seem to always include, “The K75 is a heavy, heavy motorcycle. And top heavy too.” I’ve not found it to feel heavy or tall.
Looking forward to some good rides.
Congrats young man. Enjoy the experience
Between the two of us we’ll take up all the parking spaces at the library!
Congrats Steve on your new acquisition. I would not be surprised if Shirley piped in as she enjoyed several years aboard a K75. I too, will be interested in how your moto/scooter dynamic progresses as I have recently added a BV250 to the garage. Just how might I use what on the surface, appears to be very different animals. I am so looking forward to exploring the possibilities 👍
Oh yes … And a Happy BDay too!
Thank you!
I think your observation of a Moto/scooter dynamic underway is spot on. There will be something interesting happening. I’m not sure what but I feel every machine has its own unique character and that it will affect the rider. I’m excited to find out what it does to me!
Congrats! Looks awsome. Really curious about your experiences and comparison to Vespa. Wonder if you’ll still pullover just as often? After all of my adult life spent with manual transmissions, i am moving to automatics. Just find it easier to slow down, pull over, stop, get going again. And smoother. Am I lazy? 🙂 Although I do wonder how brand new stick feels.
Oh, and happy birthday!
Thank you!
I can already tell pulling over is more work. And because of the weight of the motorcycle I can’t as easily muscle it around on the berm of the road. I’ll have to develop a specialized radar to identify appropriate spots to pull over!
Riding the scooter has definitely made me a bit lazy. Not so much about shifting but because of the light weight I do things that would border on disaster with a heavy motorcycle. I’ll need to train myself to the needs of the BMW.
Wow – that’s great – looking forward to hearing all about your experiences and comparisons.
Once I have the bike fully serviced I’ll start doing some riding to evaluate the differences between scooter and motorcycle.
Excellent!
Though I am sure you know this, it’s the same color but newer version of Jack Riepe’s ’86 “Blueballs” K75! His had a fairing on it but they’re basically the same motorcycle I believe. As a rider of one of the magnificently iconic “R” Beemers; acknowledged as such by Jack Riepe, I welcome you into the Beemer fold and look forward to pics and writings involving it.
Jack: “No one will deny that any of BMW’s “R” bikes are anything shy of sheer mechanical perfection. But I will never own one as the ability to shift gears and shovel coal is beyond me. “
Mr. Riepe and I have been on the phone discussing the potential purchase and afterwards he explained some of the quirks that were puzzling. I’ve swallowed the flying brick Kool-Aid!
I looked at a lot of motorcycles before settling on the K75. It was the most pleasing to me visually, something important for pictures, and they are so rarely seen around here that it felt right to stand out a bit. I’m glad to join the Beemer fold and will be sharing pictures and stories of my personal transformation. Riepe says something will happen. And I am glad to not be shoveling coal…
It is!
Happy Birthday Steve! When I bought my Burgman I also looked hard at a K75 LT. I Kim is defiantly a keeper.
Kim is a keeper. Not sure why she puts up with me but I’m glad she does.
They are smooth as silk!! I have an 85 K100RS in the garage. It’s overdue for an inspection and fluid changes, but I’m working on it. Maybe I’ll see you on the road.
You won’t see many K75 motorcycles in this part of Pennsylvania so if you see a blue one it will probably be me. It’s really smooth riding and with new tires I’ll bet it’s even smoother. Looking forward to the adventure.
Or me. 🙂 I ride a blue K75s around town. Yours looks in better shape. I absolutely love it, but miss the ease of the scoot. I also love reading your posts.
I’ll keep my eye out for you Matt. Perhaps we can get together sometime at the Pump Station of something so I can pick your brain about the K75!
I was surprised at how many K-bikes are around. I know of 6 within a 5 mile radius of here. Of course there are more that I’m not aware of.
Maybe that’s the case here too. I’ll have to tune my eyes to flying bricks!
How fun, and so exciting! I look forward to reading your philosophical explorations of the world from a new perspective 🙂
I’m anxious to see how long term use of the BMW affects my outlook and perception of the world. The Vespa made things simple, slow and clear. What magic might the K75 impart?
Whoa!!! Big news from the sticks!
_ O _
\ /
It’s definitely a shift in things. The Vespa will still play a prominent role in the work I post. The BMW will offer another perspective.
Handlebars shifted with “post comment.”
I just thought you were leaning!
Happy birthday Steve, owning a BMW 1200 gs and a Vespa which I do my daily commute on will be looking forward to your stories. Must say your new gift is a beauty. Winter our part of the world so riding a pleasure. Take car on you new machine. Danny South Africa.
You have the mix of big motorcycle and Vespa that I’m now pursuing. I’m curious to learn how such different machines affect my perceptions of the road and world.
I find myself going out to the garage just to look at the motorcycle. It is a beautiful motorcycle.
Happy Birthday Steve! And congratulations!!! I just 2 days ago did the exact opposite: Traded off 200 pounds of weight and half the claimed HP for something smaller and more easily handled. In the end my PA friend, whatever gets us out on two wheels and brings us that same, amazing feeling – works.
Thank you!
I suspect some day I’ll be trading off pounds but for now, I just wanted to experience the bigger, heavier motorcycle while I’m still physically able. Like you say, what ever gets us out of the house and on to the road. Forward!
OH yes! I loved my 1990 K75S! It was my only “brand new bike”, after my first bike, a ’77 BMW 60/7. My riding attitude changed between even these 2 bikes! The K75S “sport touring” position created a little more temptation to play a bit harder in the twisties, passing was on a totally different level with more power. The K was a bit heavier, but more nimble, better brakes. However the centre of gravity is lower on the airhead, and the K’s narrow sport bars made tight slow turns a bit wider and gravel less attractive. The standard touring position of the airhead, and of your K75 is maybe a better choice for gravel and a more mellow outlook. My K75S never gave me a minute of concern, ran beautifully, with great reliability. We enjoyed about 35,000 miles together. I did then revert to another boxer, the BMW R 100 mystic. I preferred the more relaxed touring position and the lower centre of gravity, but the most significant factor was the meditative mind set that encouraged meandering. I imagine you may have the best of both of these worlds, with your touring riding position and the lovely motor of the K75!! Happy birthday! May this be the beginning of another, different riding relationship as filled with pleasure and temptation as your beloved scooter continues to offer. It will be interesting to hear which bike calls to you for the ride, and how they differ in your heart.
Yes, SteverinoB, I did pipe in.
I’m glad you “piped in” as SteverinoB predicted. It’s helpful to hear your direct accounts of riding the K75S. I do like the more upright and relaxed riding position on the K75. My back and hips don’t appreciate any sort of sport position anymore. The ravages of age.
I took the BMW through some loose gravel and I can attest to the unattractiveness of that. But on the normal dirt and gravel roads that have been packed down it’s not an issue. That said, I doubt I’ll be much interested in dirt or gravel.
“…the meditative mindset that encouraged meandering.” Yes. That’s it. Those two things have fueled 15 years on the Vespa and I can already see how it will continue on the BMW. The difference? I suspect it’s ability to get on the interstate to get to some farther flung location will have me meandering farther away. Time will tell.
I hope this gift is the beginning of something new. I’m anxious to find out.
Thank you for taking the time to comment. I do appreciate it.
Hello Steve,
Excellent choix; La BMW K75 est souple, fiable et confortable. De plus, son moteur 3 cylindres permet de flâner.
J’en ai possédé une pendant de années.
Bonne route avec cette motocyclette.
Hello Steve,
Excellent choice; The BMW K75 is flexible, reliable and comfortable. In addition, its 3-cylinder engine allows you to stroll.
I owned one for years.
Have a good ride with this motorcycle.
Laurent.
I agree, so far the BMW K75 is flexible, reliable and comfortable. Looking forward to riding it a lot more.
Je conviens que jusqu’à présent, la BMW K75 est flexible, fiable et confortable. Au plaisir de rouler beaucoup plus.
Good for you, Steve. Go on keep exploreing some more, I am sure you’ll find a different kind of serenity on this one. Congrats, enjoy and keep us in the loop. Cheers from the Black Forest, SonjaM
I never equated a motorcycle with serenity. Not sure why because I’ve ridden them enough to know that it’s true. Could be some scooterist elitism at work in my head. Regardless, I’ll explore the experience now on scooter and motorcycle and report in from time to time on what I discover.
Best,
Steve
My friend Ed Thomas (also one of your readers) has a 1987 K75. I can almost guarantee you many, many long years of joy and faithful service.
I look forward to riding it for a long time. As most of those who read the things I post have by now surmised, I don’t change a lot of what I do. I’ve been riding the same scooter for 12 years or so, and will likely ride the BMW for a long time too. Don’t feel much need to switch things up very often.
It will be a couple weeks before the motorcycle is serviced and ready to do any serious riding. For now just little jaunts around home.
Great bike, Steve !
I know a K75 with more than 550.000kms on the odometer. There is plenty of life on yours, i am sure.
Ride safe.
Cheers,
Vasco
Wow. That would be a lot of riding to hit that mark. Nice to know that I have a machine that’s durable though.
David: Steve and I have already met over on the motobrick forum (although I think I’ve posted here before)
Steve: Speaking of consistency I’m still riding the scoot (’61 Puch DS60), my Dad bought for us 2 kids when I was 15yo, 51 years later. After a while you won’t notice switching from scoot to brick. I also will ride the snow but don’t ride the K75 in the *no*.
I rode the Vespa today after a few days on the motorcycle. I could feel the difference in the two machines but didn’t really have any struggles making a choice. There’s definitely a novelty factor at work right now but I suspect that will wear off once I have enough trips under my belt.
That’s great news. I often daydream about riding a Kawasaki Z400 (the 70’s one, not the recent reissue) or a Royal Enfield 500, though day by day I feel the link between me and my little Chuggabug becoming stronger and stronger. I repeated myself so many times that I’d get a motorcycle in the unexpected event of an unrecoverable crash or major fault, that I often find myself concocting about it. Then my mind turns towards my little Vespa and I actually hope I will never need a bike.
Though, I know it can’t live forever, just like people and pets. But we all like to think they will.
I’ve thought about various motorcycles for a long time even though content with my Vespa GTS. But the thoughts lingered. And then last month I bought the K75. I’ve only ridden about 500 miles on it so far but it’s interesting the differences between the scooter and motorcycle. Each helps me appreciate the other I think. Time will tell.
The GTS is 13 years old and has 41K miles on it. Could go on for years or die tomorrow. I’ve had so many wonderful experiences on the scooter that is will be a sad day when I can no longer keep it running.
Be safe on the Chuggabug!