Edit: Now the discussion on ABS and defective brakes.

[TheSmiler]

It's come time to upgrade and I'm looking at getting a BMW k75 found this one on EBAY any information I should know about them

https://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/221760818856?_trksid=p2060353.m1438.l2649&ssPageName=STRK%3AMEBIDX%3AIT

https://i.imgur.com/jbN4nh0.jpg
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CB125>CG125>GN125>ER5>K100RS>R1100RS>K100RS
A2 completed 23/07/15 Ready for the Golden Crisp Packet

[Oldie]

Looks reasonable enough, and it's had the clutch done. Maybe too many changes from original spec for me but try getting an insurance quote first just to check.

Price-wise, these bikes come in at less than a grand and if the engine sounds ok when cold then it's probably fine. Discs can warp but work outwith their tolerances and spares are plentiful if you really need them.

Personally, I'd go for something like this, even although it's a K100.

https://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/BMW-K100-/111655585462?pt=LH_DefaultDomain_3&hash=item19ff3106b6

But I could also go for this one

https://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/BMW-K75-RT-1992-47000-MILES-IN-DRY-STORE-FOR-LAST-19-YEARS-/181733335450?pt=LH_DefaultDomain_3&hash=item2a5026a19a

I'd always pay that bit extra for a K to get a good one - much easier to sell on.

[sickpup]

[Oldie]

I would only go for either of these bikes if I was on a budget. I'd rather pay more for a sorted one (maybe I should have been clearer in my final sentence).

The ABS could be faulty, or may just need re-setting. For under £700 I might take that chance.

Having said that, after owning two K100's, I'd think hard before I bought another one as I find the CX500's easier to live with. A bit lumpy compared to the smooth bricks, and oh so slow, but still decent value at under a grand.

[Vracktal]

Keep an eye on the ABS bikes, it was BMW's first attempt and many of the systems need a bit of tinkering at this stage in their lifespan. Usually the pump or computer goes a bit funny.

The 75 triple is a better engine than the 100 four too imho, much smoother.

Interestingly BMW managed to wrangle it so they could use three line number plates on their bikes, with the effect today that average speed cameras have trouble reading them properly.
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2007 BMW R1200R: On road
2009 BMW G650X Challenge: On road
1975 Norton Commando 850: Off road, awaiting recommissioning

[Moo.]

Another bike along these lines is the XJ900, the old or the newer diversion. Also shaft drive, can be found under a grand and really reliable. I love mine
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A2 Passed 18/6/10

[WD Forte]

Like Oldie I've had two K100s over the years and now just have
my old CX which can easily be kept running on a budget.
the K was a great motorway/touring bike but damned heavy for city riding
so when I had downsize the stable this made it top the list.
I can fling the CX about like a 250 in comparison and it suits me.

The K75s are good and the engines very smooth and can clock up high miles (100K+)
but be warned spares prices can be eye watering !
ABS faults are common and many guys disable it
A mate has a 94 K75 the rear shock has just failed on and the rear disc is looking shabby
and he's looking at hundreds of pounds to put it right.
He's still getting vague ABS faults on it too.

There is a lot of web/forum support for the home mechanic though should you pull the trigger
and buy one.

If I wanted an bigger older tourer again I'd go for a divvy 900
as it looks more practical/easier to live with
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bikers smell of wee

[TheSmiler]

Thank you for the replies people, I've considered the XJ900 however was more drawn to the old styling of the BMW's originally R1100RT but I don't really need an 1100 at the moment.

[sickpup]

[WD Forte]

[sickpup]

[Rogerborg]

Splines may have been greased, but 12,000 miles ago, but with what, and what condition are they in?

It's not got a year's MOT on it, the picture was taken 2,000 miles ago (why's it not sold?) and I'd fully expect that he's selling it because he knows something expensive is needing done to it.

He's also got that "I'm doing you a favour by even offering my awesome bike for sale" vibe going. Find someone who wants to sell.

Wouldn't touch it. £850 is the starting price, with 8 days to run. I expect you can find something better in that time.
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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

[TheSmiler]

After being advised by another member and some of the posts, I think I'll steer clear of this one. Might go down the XJ900 route early 90's are much more appealing to the eye than the later models. So I'll add them onto the cards.
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CB125>CG125>GN125>ER5>K100RS>R1100RS>K100RS
A2 completed 23/07/15 Ready for the Golden Crisp Packet

[Marmaduke]

Got my K75 for £600 delivered with 80k miles on it.

Faulty ABS but meh, passed MOT's with a sticker on the light.

AWESOME engine.

Just check that it doesn't jump out of 2nd under heavy acceleration or the splines are probably on their way out.
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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

[WD Forte]

I hope I haven't put you off K75s
They can be a damn good bike but as with any older bike
you have to go in with your eyes open.
the one you pointed out may have many miles left in it yet
for all we know.
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bikers smell of wee

[TheSmiler]

[Oldie]

You can pick up very decent Deauvilles and Diversions for that kind of money. The Divvy is probably more fun but the Deau is pretty decent too. Buy either one with less than, say, 35000 miles and you shouldn't lose much on re-sale.

Ok, so you might tire of it, but it's certainly worth trying one.

[sickpup]

Why I have recommended a Deauville to you.

Years ago some may remember a shop called Wheels International, there was a branch in Stockwell opposite where J&S are now. A friend of mine Kiwi Tim was the head salesman there and he used to say that as a salesman your job was to listen to what someone wanted and find the middle ground with what they needed. In your case you aren't buying a new BMW or have the money to so what we need to do is find what you can afford that does the job. When I say afford I don't just mean purchase price I mean servicing and ongoing running costs and unforeseen expenses.

What you want a bike for.

You want a bike for motorway running and Euro trips. It needs to have enough power to keep up, a large luggage capacity and a reasonable fuel capacity.

The bike need to be economical, easy to service, cheap to service and have easily available parts supply.

What you want

From what you have told me you want an 80's-90's unfaired bike with ape hangers.

Conclusion

Its time to grow up.

You don't bother with regular servicing, you wait for things to break.
You don't have decent tools yet as you think buying cheap is no different to buying quality.
Ape hangers on a motorway just doesn't work.
Big fairings on a motorway are nice, they help keep you warm and dry.

I suggest you stop arsing around and just buy one of the low mileage Deauville's from Ebay. You are day dreaming about what ifs when the simple fact is a Deauville does everything you need including affordability just not everything you want most of which clash with what you need.
You cannot afford to run an 80's-90's bike if it has any problems.

It really is time to grow up.

[TheSmiler]

[Pete.]

If you're hell-bent on a BMW then 90's R1100RS and RT's sell for about a grand on eBay.
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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

[Vracktal]

[Shaft]

[sickpup]

Just because something is MOT legal doesn't mean it is road legal which is why you have the CU points code. CU is Construction and Use regs.

Just remembered this thread.

[Shaft]

Presumably, that's why people remove it completely, if it's not fitted, it can't be said to be faulty?
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Things get better with age; I'm close to being magnificent........
20 RE Interceptor, 83 Z1100A3, 83 GS650 Katana
WooHoo, I'm a Man Point Millionaire! https://www.bikechatforums.com/viewtopic.php?t=234035

[Pete.]