GStwin.com GS500 Message Forum

Main Area => Odds n Ends => Topic started by: Rema1000 on May 10, 2009, 07:16:59 AM

Title: more "Picked up something for those longer rides"
Post by: Rema1000 on May 10, 2009, 07:16:59 AM
After seven years, I finally added myself to the list.    Shaft drive, fuel injection and water cooling, yay!

(http://gs500.specialgreen.com/img/k75andGS.jpg)
Title: Re: more "Picked up something for those longer rides"
Post by: jserio on May 10, 2009, 11:04:29 AM
clean looking bike. hope you enjoy it.  :thumb: what year is that?  i'm guessin it's an older model (80's) because all of the newer one's i've seen are much taller. i think bmw makes nice bikes but they seem to cater to the larger folk so short guys like me are a bit outta luck.
Title: Re: more "Picked up something for those longer rides"
Post by: Rema1000 on May 10, 2009, 11:51:13 AM
It's an '86 K75 (triple).  It has the fairing from the K75T (touring), but without the fog lamps or case guards.

+ Very smooth engine; reportedly smooth even as BMW engines go.
+ The rear monoshock soaks up bumps nicely. 
+ Comfy, butt-shaped seat.
+ 47 inches from peg-to-saddle-to-peg (versus 42 inches on the GS500), is easy on my knees
+ no chain to lube
+ came with hard luggage
+ Zoom!
+ air off the engine is warm on cold riding days
+ Big alternator makes lots of 12v power
+ great paint finish.  Bought from original owner, who seems to have only ridden on summer Sundays with no clouds.
+ Two front brake discs
- rear drum brake is useless for trail braking
- The handlebars seem to give me sore wrists, so I may need different bars.  These are the "touring" bars, but aren't doing it for me. 
- The fairing makes lots of "buffeting."  Hopefully it will be fixed by different handlebars, or by tilting the windscreen.
- air off the engine is hot on warm riding days
- The engine makes a whine noise like the Jetsons' aerocar.
- K-Bikes.com forum gets like 3 posts per day (and two of those are mine).  BMW MoA club forum gets many posts, but costs $40/year :cookoo:  This GS500 forum is the best.
Title: Re: more "Picked up something for those longer rides"
Post by: jserio on May 10, 2009, 12:03:25 PM
as a new rider, i never thought that the bars really made much of a difference. that is until yesterday. i sat on several bikes, all the same models but slightly different set-ups. the biggest difference was the bars. huge, difference in comfort.
Title: Re: more "Picked up something for those longer rides"
Post by: The Buddha on May 10, 2009, 03:50:48 PM
Wooo hooo rema1000 is back.
How you been ... I used to be ... sr*(ath ... now I become the buddha ... yea, lame.
Cool.
Buddha.
Title: Re: more "Picked up something for those longer rides"
Post by: scottpA_GS on May 10, 2009, 04:11:44 PM
 Very nice  :cheers: The wheels look cool as hell  :icon_mrgreen:
Title: Re: more "Picked up something for those longer rides"
Post by: bucks1605 on May 10, 2009, 06:00:34 PM
Nice, congrats on the new ride.
Title: Re: more "Picked up something for those longer rides"
Post by: gearman on May 11, 2009, 08:04:00 PM
Nice ride. It's hard to beat a BMW for ergonomics. From what I've heard, the brick motors have a good rep for longevity. Hey jserio, BMW has offered a low seat option on many of its models for 20+ years. They didn't forget motorcyclist come in all sizes.
Title: Re: more "Picked up something for those longer rides"
Post by: Rema1000 on May 11, 2009, 10:26:10 PM
Thanks, folks.  I've been pretty good.  I kept the shiny side up the whole time  :cheers: .  It may help that I also ride "like your grandma".    :cool:  I haven't had as much riding time the past few years, owing to having to drive kids to daycare.  But that ends in fall, so I'll be back to parking the car for months at a time (I killed my car's brake rotors twice that way several years ago). 

Until I get the right handlebars on the K75, I'll prefer the riding position on the GS500 better (except for the knees), just about anytime.  Although, the Beemer's roll-on acceleration at 55mph in 5th  gear came in handy tonight.