Any K bike riders out there?

[Tall_Canuck]

I would like to get a GS Adventure eventually but until then I have been riding an 87 K100RT since last spring.

It is not the most glamourous of bikes but so far I have enjoyed its power and reliability. It definitely throws a lot of heat in the summer though.

This spring I may take it off the pavement a bit to try some gravel roads with it.

Anyone else own a brick and enjoying it and care to share their experiences?

Thanks guys.
TC

[RocketJohn]

I rode this for about two years... smoothest engine ever... like riding a jet engine that couldn't turn very nimbly in the tights... solid build quality... even rode it to Sturgis... will test ride the K1200S this spring to see if that's the sport touring machine I want next...

[rydor]

I'm new to ADV as well, and ride a 1994 K1100RS. Long live the brick!

[Duck_Pilot]

Originally Posted by RocketJohn

I rode this for about two years...

Hey there, John! I thought that view looked familiar, eh?

Here's a shot of the two Ladies in my life, from Evergreen. Both are classy, sexy, and have a mean-streak when they get wound-up a bit.

The Lady Selena, and 'Lil Miss Duckie....

[RocketJohn]

Originally Posted by Duck_Pilot

Hey there, John! I thought that view looked familiar, eh?

Here's a shot of the two Ladies in my life, from Evergreen. Both are classy, sexy, and have a mean-streak when they get wound-up a bit.

The Lady Selena, and 'Lil Miss Duckie....

beautiful ladies!

I think I met you while you were on that Duc when you over at SuperTune a few months ago...

Small world, eh?

[Solo Gato]

[Anorak]

Hell yeah I ride a K. Highway 70, the Feather River Canyon and up in Quincy.
[

[Off the grid]

I will add many other bikes to my stable, but I will never part with the brick.

Ever.

There's just something about it that sets it apart. And it constantly gets accused of being a newer model BMW. (I am fanatical about detailing and maintenance though)

[sfarson]

RJ... I remember that KRS Evergreen image. Nice! And Duck Pilot... remember that "lady" pic as well. How do you like that SportClassic?

RJ... Let me know what you think of the KS.

[FlagRS]

Originally Posted by RocketJohn

Rocket,
What kind of seat bag is that? Is it this Marsee http://marseeproducts.homestead.com/...r%20Zipp%20Bag

I know that's a BMW bag on the rack. I'm looking for a big seat bag that straps securely to the seat.
FlagRS

[ducfer2112]

I have a '03 K12GT in the stable. I find it fairly comfortable on long rides. The bike has good power and is very stable (thoug heavy and slow-turning) in the corners. I plan on keeping it.......... but have been tempted to add a Ducati ST3 for the "sport" half of the sport-touring equation.

[NJjeff]

Tall
To answer your gravel road (or worse) question.

It's fun and it will do fine. Just some pointers I learned along the way.

I have an 85' RS. It's been on things not called a road.
I even ended up on a hiking path once, by accident. The hikers way down the trail were not happy with me.

On rough stuff I find you should keep up the pace. Bike is too heavy to paddle it around. Stay off the seat and take some of the movement up with your knees. You'll find the soft suspension + big weight can = trouble.

Gravel roads you can haul on. The heft keeps things smooth just watch out for deep tire tracks. Front tire will follow..."ouch" is next.

Trouble I find.
*As with any road bike If your tires load with mud, things get ugly.

*Watch going over large rocks and logs. There's no skid plate down there!

*The front fender causes the mud to churn around and it will pack up the brake rotor holes. Than you have no brakes and it gouges the hell out of them. (don't ask how I know)

*The front wheel will not take huge hits. (don't ask how I know) Watch for sharp edged holes. Wheel can be fixed.

*If your taking saddle bags, the sand/mud and water will get into the latches and hanger points. It grinds things up. It's ok just things will be looser in the future. I have an aluminum brace at the back of the bags just below the tag plate. Keeps everyting tight.

*I put foam between the switch pad and the instrument pod. Bounces too much for me.

*I extended the rear drives vent line way up on the frame and topped it with a filter.
Orginally it comes with an un filtered black plastic cap. You'll see it at the top of the housing. When I blew the rear drive a few years ago I noticed on the inside around the vent cap hole there was lots of dirt. That crud was in the oil (along with some water and yes I change it yearly) and may have contributed to my bearing problems. So I used part of the crank case breather hose (the first elbow part) and than connected it with tubing. The tubing follows the speeodometer cable and up the frame to a filter.
Ahhh much better.

[Kbike]

I was going to sell the K after I bought a R1100RT but sold the RT, bought and sold a R1150GS, then bought a FJR 1300 and a KTM990. The K is still too much fun to sell. I've done 40 miles of dirt roads, 2 up, when the pavement ran out and I didn't want to turn around.

[RideOn2]

I just bought a 1994 K75. My last street bike was in the early 70's a 1971 Kawasaki 500 H1.

Riding the K75 makes me feel like I just woke up from a time warp.

[RocketJohn]

Originally Posted by FlagRS

Rocket,
What kind of seat bag is that? Is it this Marsee http://marseeproducts.homestead.com/...r%20Zipp%20Bag

I know that's a BMW bag on the rack. I'm looking for a big seat bag that straps securely to the seat.
FlagRS

FlagRS,

It's actually not that one... its this one http://marseeproducts.homestead.com/...0Mr.%20Pockets

Great all purpose strap anywhere bag...