I Have just bought a 1988 K100RT, first impressions are I like it.
I drove Buses in London so the bike is a great escape.

Welkome Stumpy. I'm sure you will enjoy the K and you will enjoy the forum even more if you are able to get together with some of the inmates in your part of the world. I have had the pleasure of meeting some of the Irish lot and BAE who is a little west of you.

Cheers from down under!

welcome aboard stumpy

have fun on the k bike

Welcome Stumpy,

We all need an escape and you have found a good way to make yours.

Driving buses and riding a K100 in London...not too dissimilar. Both require careful handling but have a strong street presence. At least with a K100, you don't have people stopping you all the time to get on and off.

A common comment from big city bikers is that the K is too heavy for slow manoeuvring on the city streets - in truth the bikes are as comfortable and capable around town as they are on the open road - it's all a matter of finding your balance and not getting caught out (in the early days) by the top weight. I have ridden into the heart of the London several times (last time was to meet up with Stan during his brief visit from way down under.  It is so much quicker than a car (and free to park too).

You might want to consider fitting a manual fan override switch (plenty of posts on how to do this). During that brief warm bit we lovingly call "summer", you may find that the ability to switch the fan on is a good benefit when in heavy traffic. It should, of course switch on and off automatically, but the controlling sensors can fail and the first you know (I don't think the RT has a temp gauge) is when you're enveloped in a cloud of steam as the radiator boils over and vents hot coolant up under the seat!  Been there, done that...in London - and fitted an override switch as soon as could when I got home.

Enjoy

Welcome to the forum.

I probably travelled on one of your buses at some point.......

So how does the RT compare to a Routemaster??

Don't be afraid to ask questions. It's the ones you don't ask that can catch you out. Maybe a little travel is in order.....

RT would trundle down to France very nicely but even better is make your way up to Donington Park for 12/13 May to the K Fest and meet a few brickheads. It's only a little way up the road from you.

Thanks for the welcome, I have asked one question in the electrical section.
I have found the bike heavy, but I am coming up from a Burgman. I am already enjoying the bike, I have always wanted one. Over the winter I am going to fit a few extras and check it over for piece of mind, it is 30 years old after all.