the 80s K series BMWs broke ground. they shifted the paradigm and stirred up much dirt. no one believed it would last. it was the first big step away from BMWs long hold on the old technology. away from Airheads. there were haters. doubters. nay-sayers. but BMW had it right, and today, the K series not only perseveres, but stands strong. the K is fast, fun in the twisties, stable on the Interstates, a great tourer, solid commuter. all around great bikes. so let's see 'em. Show Us Your Vintage K Pix. here's mine, a 1988 K100RS with the Ohlins rear shock, Corbin seat, and Parabellum windscreen: it is painted an official BMW color, the Dark Graphite- tho this color wasn't offered on a K back then. the original color of the bike was that funky brown. then it was painted some off color of blue by another owner... then i had it painted the color it is now... i probably have more money in paint alone than the bike is worth.
Took mine out to Bonneville from Atlanta, GA and back. It was a 1985 k100 that a guy had pulled the engine from, put a new (4k miles) engine in, swapped all the controls for jap bike ones and sold to me for like $1200. I bought it, rode it for a couple weeks, changed the oil and headed out on a 5,000 mile trip without a SINGLE issue. Bike was ugly as sin, and took a looong time to bond with and get used to but I wish I could have afforded to keep it at the time. I'll have another one, some day.
They look like old school Craven bags. BTW, love some of the earlier K bikes. Been keeping n eye out for a K75S, or a mid 80's K100RS
The bags are Craven Golden Arrows ,they used to be mounted on my 1974 R75/6 until that became a Cafe bike. When i bought the K bike it didn't come with any bags.So being the good Vermont Yankee that I am I used what I had laying around . I would rather have the BMW bags that came on this bike but they aint cheap ,and I am hahahaha
my 88 gets REALLY hot under the tank, and it affects my ride in hot summer weather. apparently some year-models do this, some don't. from what i can gather, the K75 never did. research your year-model before the buy.
way to go! can you show us some pix of the mount job? also, i've never seen fairing vents like that- yours appear to be popped open? what's up with those? close-ups maybe? they open and close?
"also, i've never seen fairing vents like that- yours appear to be popped open? what's up with those? close-ups maybe? they open and close?" Yes they pop open to let in a little cold air ,helps a little . I don't know anything about them ,they were on the bike when I got it .Don't know if they were factory or aftermarket add on.The fit and finish are good enough to be factory ...but I have never seen them on any other K bike
Dear lord, K75 and 100s are vintage? The K75 is the new bike in the garage, it has fuel injection, computerized ignition, ABS and a charging system that, well pretty much, charges. As such, it is the wifes bike of course. Eric
I looked at a K100RS for a buddy who ended up buying it. I will probably end up with it some day next year as I feel he will grow tired of it like he does other things. I test rode it and really liked it. Of course I own two Airheads so it is easy to please me power wise!
well i guess there's a line there somewhere... the first Ks came out in like 85? mid 80s anyway. over 20 years ago. nobody booted this thread so... guess we're good here? i DID designate VINTAGE K Bikes.... and yeah, my 88 was by far the "newest" bike i owned until i bought my 93 RS. it is STILL the most modern bike i own.
I like to think we are a "big tent" here in old school. If you think you belong here, you probably do.
I had a K75 touring - One of the smoothest - non-issue motorcycles I ever owned - I sold it to a guy in Alaska - all the K bikes were good stuff - They are kind of like a GoldWing - they are so smooth their boring! tom