BMW K100RS for pretty new rider?

[Buchenrad]

A bit of background information:

I got my first bike, a 650 V Star, 6 weeks ago after taking the MSF Class. I ride it pretty much every day at least to and from college and I feel pretty comfortable on it now. It is looking pretty promising that I will get a wicked awesome internship pretty soon which I will travel to twice a week, but its 80 miles each way. I rode my V Star up there the other day and between the wind and vibrations I decided if I will be making that trip regularly I want something that will ride nicely on the highway that has at least some sort of fairing and a lot less vibration.

I found a reasonable deal on a 1986 K100RS that I think would be great for me, but it is a bit more powerful than what I have now. The bulk of my riding will be 80mph on the highway and regular 5 minute trips around town. According to what I have read the K100 is significantly more powerful, only a tiny bit heavier, and has a higher riding position and center of gravity than my V Star. Is it a reasonable idea to sell my V Star and buy the BMW or is the BMW too much for me right now?

I just noticed this is a little long, but if there happens to be any information I didn't cover, please ask.
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2007 V Star 650

[Monkeypony]

[BTTD]

[bamt]

Add to that the Divvy 900 as a sensible choice.

There are two things that would worry me a little about the K100 (my brother had one for many years, so I know it a little).

One is reliability, including the electrics. If you are mechanically minded they are solid enough and you shouldn't have any major issues, but you are going to be adding a lot of miles and riding hours to something that is getting on in years; you can expect to have general niggles that need tinkering with rather than major issues (as long as you keep on top of routine maintenance).

The second is weight - they are a big, heavy bike to man handle around. As long as you are reasonably strong that shouldn't be an issue.

I'd not worry about the extra power; it is nice and progressive in delivery so shouldn't catch you out as long as you realise that the throttle actually has many positions in between ticking over and pegged.

As a fast mile munching motorway bike, well that's the job it was designed for and it does it well.

[Buchenrad]

Thank you all for the input.

I enjoy and am pretty experienced with working on cars so I dont imagine a bike would be too much different. From my experience so far everything is actually a bit easier to get to on a bike. It wont bother me if I have to do some wrenching on it.

While I do appreciate your suggestions and I think I would like the bikes a lot, since Im in America (I realized shortly after I originally posted that this is a UK based forum) some of the bikes are either rare or not available at all in the US and most are out of my price range, which may also have to do with market differences. I did come across a Yamaha Vision (XZ550) that might be a bit better for me (as well as cheaper).
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2007 V Star 650

[Robster]

I like the K100 bikes, nice retro 80s appeal about them and heard they are immensely reliable.

[jimbopea]

I have a k75, had it last march with only 32000 on the clock. My first big bike.
had to change the clutch after about 2 months, which wasn't easy.
It's now sat waiting till i can afford a new gearbox as thats eaten itself aswell.

I've read that if they have been standing the clutch usually needs replacing, which costs a fortune if you cant do it yourself. So be aware of that.

Although apart from the above mentioned problems it was a good bike, and i cant wait to get it back on the road. I doubt i'll ever sell it if i can help it.

[Rogerborg]

If you want it, have it. You're in control of your right hand.
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Biking is 1/20th as dangerous as horse riding.
GONE: HN125-8, LF-250B, GPz 305, GPZ 500S, Burgman 400 // RIDING: F650GS (800 twin), Royal Enfield Bullet Electra 500 AVL, Ninja 250R because racebike

[Robster]

and just how pretty are you? pics or GTFO...

[Marmaduke]

Loved my K75, flawless at 80k miles, no idea what the service history was though, I only done 5k on it before crashing....
So I suppose it wasn't flawless as the throttle got stuck wide open, don't know if it was due to fuelling or the cable.


Not the most comfy seat though but great 2 up, especially if it comes with panniers, they're real expensive to buy seperate.
You don't even know the engines running it's that smooth.

It did flood real easy if you didn't use the throttle when starting it, which without tools meant leaving it overnight before trying again..
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Current: '03 Tuono RSV1000, '05 Van Van, '91 Zephyr 550
Previous: Multistrada 620,Bandit 600,Kawsaki ER-5, BMW K-75

[Pete.]

I'm with Monkeypony, that's an old bike and it's going to come with all the associated wiring and rubber rot that old bikes have.
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a.k.a 'Geri'

132.9mph off and walked away. Gear is good, gear is good, gear is very very good

[wr6133]

Large screen and big footboards on your Vstar? Won't do much for the vibrations but should make things comfier. Maybe different bars as well.

I'd make sure your 6 week old purchase is definitely not worthy before buying another bike.

The Dragstar (what we call it) officially tops out at about 80 (big heavy shaft driven lump with I think 40 horses to use) so it will vibrate a bit around there, it's more meant to cruise between 60-70.

If you really want to replace it though I wouldn't do so with a 30 year old heap. No matter how good they were back then, odds are now it will be worn out, rotting and tired.