Does this look like a decent deal?

http://killeen.craigslist.org/mcy/4552069168.html

$1900

At first glance, yes, but there's always actual condition vs. pics on CL. I doubt you could take it home for less than $1500 even if it needs a chain, tires, etc.

Err, if that needs a chain you have a real problem.

That said, the K75 is a really nice bike in K75S form, in K75 RT form, not so much because it's underpowered for that big sail you're pushing around. I don't see any mention of the mileage, these things can go mega-miles with appropriate servicing (like, a couple of hundred thousand) but you'll end up with a lot of wear and tear with a high mileage one. I used a K75S as a winter hack in the UK for a winter, it was a great bike but in pretty rough shape with 104k on it.

It also appears to be missing the hard cases, so you have to factor those into the price. Buying a BMW tourer without them is a little pointless IMHO.

EDIT: Make sure the ABS works and doesn't have a flashing light (ABS light should come on when you start the bike and go out after a few tens of yards depending on your speed). The ABS on them is pretty good for an old bike like that, but can get pretty spendy when it's broken.

Would this be a better bet at $2800? http://killeen.craigslist.org/mcy/4509203694.html

I'd prefer the blue k75 over the last one posted.

In reply to nicksta43:

Linkee no workee...?

Linky not worky for the second one.

That siad, it doesn't look like a good example of an airhead to me, is missing the luggage again and there is something weird going on with the seat and tank.

Fixed it.

I liked the K75 when I was shopping for a bike. And then I became educated on "final drive spline lubricating". Ugh. Crossed those off my list.

I have a romanticized view of BMW's but I am open to any other suggestions.

What I am looking for is a comfortable mount that will happily run at 75mph for 8-10 hours a day without beating the ever loving E36 M3 out of me. The roads are straight and boring out here and it's about 200 miles to the closest fun roads. I don't like big bikes. I don't like boring bikes. I like bikes that have character and presence. I'm not looking for a Honda accord here, I'd rather deal with frequent service intervals or quirky engineering than be on something soulless. I know it's a subjective thing but most of the Japanese bikes leave me cold. However I'm not completely opposed to them.

If I could buy a new bike right now I'm pretty sure I'd go with thisBMW F800GT

Completely fictional budget of $3500 max for bike and repairs/mods. What should I be searching for?

Older Goldwings. Otherwise, sell harley, buy FJR1300.

In reply to yamaha:

I will never sell the Harley. The Goldwing and the FJR are too big. Well not so sure about the FJR and as much as I love naked Goldwings I just have no interest in a bike that size.

The final drive spline lube (and the input shaft spline lube) aren't as big a deal on the K100/K1100 as the Interwebz make it to be. Yes, you have to do it occasionally but it's not like you're doing this at similar intervals to chain lubrication. And yes, I know the whole bike is hung off the gearbox.

If I were you I'd look at BMW K100RTs or K1100LTs, with a preference for the latter. The 1100LT is very reasonably sized for a long distance tourer and tends to be comfy for long distances. Just make sure you find a good one, which should be just about possible in your budget.

R80, R100RT are other options, but good ones tend to be above your budget. They also do tend to need more looking after compared to the Ks.

Another option if you don't want/need massive fairings or windshields is the humble R1100R/R1150R - my BMW mechanic in the UK had an R1150R as a loaner bike, and everybody loved it. Well, until you needed lots of weather protection because it started raining hard...

The ZRX 1200 I use as a commuter might work for you if you can get a better seat - I get numb bum after about an hour on it and the touring seats that are being offered by the aftermarket are too low for me. If they work for you, that bike might be an option and available well within your budget.

nicksta43 wrote: I like bikes that have character and presence. I'm not looking for a Honda accord here, I'd rather deal with frequent service intervals or quirky engineering than be on something soulless.

Then set your budget and simply shop the papers and craigslist and such, and see what shows up. An odd Guzzi, old BMW, maybe a BSA. Who knows. And even the jap bikes had the occassional odd and interesting machine, like the Honda Pacific Coast or the CX, a Suzuki waterbuffalo, who knows! Just watch and window shop.