Printable View
Can't comment on the K series, but loved every bit of my R1150 GS. Great machine and so easy to ride.
Agree the heated grips were a big help. Found a local workshop that specialised in BMW servicing and service prices were'nt too bad after that.
Sold it to get the deposit to put on my Defender.
You obviously have not experienced the usual Canberra winter morning soggy wet fogs - on a K series there is no need for handle warmers etc - the problem is the moisture runs up the screen and dribbles off the top - either freezes (this is good) or doesn't freeze and dribbles down into your crotch area, cooling a certain bit of anatomy in the extreme.Quote:
Originally Posted by black betty
The winter we have just had has been warmer, drier and less foggy than normal.
However a K100 is a good commuting bike in cooler climates - the fairing keeps the heat in and to stop water dribbling over the top of the screen I just bolted on an extra piece of perspex that forced the water to be blown away at the side.
Garry
I commuted across Melbourne for 17 years on K series BMW's. The power is fantastic! The K 100 had 110,000 km's on it when I bought it, and I put an other 190,000 on top of that. It was blowing a bit of smoke when I finally traded it in. I did have to replace the drive shaft, and rear drive. It was the only time it let me down. The K 1200's that followed were absolutely brilliant. The first one was stolen, and the second was a GT. Better wind and rain protection. Excellent riding position, and oh the heated seat, and grips were heaven at 0500 in Melbourne! The anti lock brakes were what saved me serious injury when I got hit on that bike. The bike was totaled, and I walked away. Went to a R1200GSA and although it was a nice bike in it's own right, it was too big to be a dirt bike, and not quite right for a commuter across the city. I have now given up the road bikes, and play in the dirt, where there are no cars.
Good luck with your decision.
Ken
By the way, I did my own servicing on all my bikes. The K series are dead simple to work on. You might have a bit more plastic to remove to access some areas on the LT model. Oil, Radiator, Plugs straight forward to get to and replace. When I did have to replace the drive shaft, and final drive, I purchased a second hand one, as I figured it was an older bike, with lots of K's on it already. Plenty of wreckers around to supply those parts, especially overseas. Great mechanic in Cheltenham Melbourne (K & R motors) for any major servicing that you don't want to tackle.
Cheers,
Ken
Thanks Mudnut.
I was going to ask about servicing. I have 2 kids under 2 yrs old so I have zero time to play around.
Anyone know of a good BMW bike mechanic in Canberra?
I have vivid memories of my then 3 year old helping me service the K 1200 RS. He figured a plastic handled screw driver would fit nicely down the exhaust. It did!, It disappeared down the sloping exhaust. :o I had to remove the exhaust to get it out. He still loves motorbikes though, and has the enthusiasm for riding as only a 10 year old does.