BMW K100RS/RT Who's ridden/owned one?

[Gregor]

I know .........I've had a word with myself but I still want one.

So what are they like and what should I look out for?

[yamawreck]

I bought one fairly recently, they are pretty comfy to ride, fairly bombproof engine.

if it has been on the side stand for a while it will smoke when you start it, oil drains into cylinder from valves - this is normal.

You will hear the fuel pump whining in the tank - this is normal - took me ages to figure it out.

its heavy - the seat is wide, I have to stop enduro style with my arse cocked to one side sometimes.

a squared tyre at either end will make it handle like a canal boat - if it is tracking all over the place etc chuck some new rubber on and it will make a world of difference. ps. it likes bridgestones (020's from memory)

check for play in drive shaft - if it feels like a worn cush drive walk away.

front brake hose is vulnerable where it goes through the mudguard - check that the hose isn't being cut - mine was but earls at silverstone sorted me a new hose kit for £19

vibes on the 100 (4pot) can be bad if you get a friday afternoon bike - some vibrate, some dont, no explanation. I got the 750 (inline triple) and it is smooth as barry white in the playboy mansion.

fuel consumption is very good, almost 300 miles to a tank.

there is a warning light on the dash that does not go out until you have used both brakes - bulb test function - it confused me when I first got it.

try and get a non ABS version - less to go wrong and simpler to work on - plus I prefer to be in control so that may have swayed this point?

spares are readily accessible from motorworks

I am sure there is more but that should get you started.

[protoborg]

Check for cracked discs, they have a high failure rate, slotted holes are original and likely to crack, circular holes are on later models and rarely crack. You'll be lucky to get a decent new pair for under £300

[Gregor]

Cheers just the sort of info I was after.

If one was blowing oil out of its breather pipe, should I be wary.Is it a sign an internal seal is failing in the engine?

I was set on the 100 but the more I hear about the 75 the more I'm swayed.

Could do with the extra cylinder though as I'll be hauling a pillion about most of the time.

[protoborg]

Originally Posted by Gregor

Cheers just the sort of info I was after.

If one was blowing oil out of its breather pipe, should I be wary.Is it a sign an internal seal is failing in the engine?

I was set on the 100 but the more I hear about the 75 the more I'm swayed.

Could do with the extra cylinder though as I'll be hauling a pillion about most of the time.

75 has a big bucket of torque, I'm told it will hold a ton fully laden 2 up.

[Pirahna]

I think the old K's were possibly the best bikes BM ever made but they're getting old. While the engines will last for ever I'd expect electrical gremlins. The forks on mine, I had a K100 RS used to clonk every time they hit a bump and never could get them sorted properly. Bear mind you'll be cross ply tires with inner tubes, not modern tubeless. A later K1100 might be worth a look. There is preventative maintenance that needs to be done, greasing the drive shaft every so often comes to mind, but nothing too serious. The older type centre stand with the curver shape used to rot in the bottom an dump the bike on it's side but most will have been fitted with later type with feet.

Pop the mirrors off and fit a bit of knotted bungee cord between them and the bike, you'll end up losing them in traffic otherwise. Nothing more embarassing than stopping to pick up a mirror and then having an irate motorist ranting at you for clonking his car.

The K75 was mentioned. It's like riding an Austin Alegro only less interesting, please don't go there.

[Horse]

Originally Posted by protoborg

Check for cracked discs, they have a high failure rate, slotted holes are original and likely to crack, circular holes are on later models and rarely crack. You'll be lucky to get a decent new pair for under £300

I have a K100 (not 16V, but pres. K75 too) 'ABS rotor' disk, brand new in BMW packaging, and with a set of pads, for sale if needed

[markw]

had an '89 K100RS several years ago, bought as a damaged, repaired it & used it a bit. quite solid & well built. quite heavy, funny indicator switches, used to smoke for a minute if you parked it overnight on the sidestand. would be a great thing to blast up to scotland on. like a 2 wheeled car. that's about all i remember.

[Gregor]

and my other choice would be a Yamaha FJ1200.

Thanks to my dithering about I just missed out on a very nice one on Ebay for £900 this morning.

[yamawreck]

Originally Posted by Pirahna

I think the old K's were possibly the best bikes BM ever made but they're getting old. While the engines will last for ever I'd expect electrical gremlins. The forks on mine, I had a K100 RS used to clonk every time they hit a bump and never could get them sorted properly. Bear mind you'll be cross ply tires with inner tubes, not modern tubeless. A later K1100 might be worth a look. There is preventative maintenance that needs to be done, greasing the drive shaft every so often comes to mind, but nothing too serious. The older type centre stand with the curver shape used to rot in the bottom an dump the bike on it's side but most will have been fitted with later type with feet.

Pop the mirrors off and fit a bit of knotted bungee cord between them and the bike, you'll end up losing them in traffic otherwise. Nothing more embarassing than stopping to pick up a mirror and then having an irate motorist ranting at you for clonking his car.

The K75 was mentioned. It's like riding an Austin Alegro only less interesting, please don't go there.

I have radials - modern decent bridgestones.

K75 is fine - depends what you want the bike for, if it is to replace your blade / gsxr then it won't compare but as a comfy tourer is fits the bill perfectly.

someone mentioned torque - that is exactly why I like ridng it, it pulls in top gear from 25 - 115 mph

[Gregor]

The early ones run leaded, you need to add lead substitute to a tankful now and then is what I'm hearing.

Quite few have cropped up on ebay lately but none very local, some decent for around the £800 mark.

Most are well looked after by codgers but neglected by the previous eleventyeight owners.

Really good ones are creeping up to classic prices same as mint FJs

[Driver]

Gregor, If you are willing to travel there are a couple of nice ones up here.

Bmw Edinburgh used motorbikes / scooters for sale - Gumtree

[Gregor]

Originally Posted by Driver

Gregor, If you are willing to travel there are a couple of nice ones up here.

Bmw Edinburgh used motorbikes / scooters for sale - Gumtree

Cheers

You seem to have more than your fair share of them up there

Too far for me to travel though.


Just have to bide my time, something will turn up.

[protoborg]

Offer still stands depending on the weather

[God]

Originally Posted by Gregor

Cheers

You seem to have more than your fair share of them up there

Too far for me to travel though.


Just have to bide my time, something will turn up.

I think I know someone who has one for sale.

I'll bell him, hangon a minute...