Hello everybody and thank you for the add. My name is Petar. I consider myself a hardcore BMW enthusiast and recently got the moto itch more seriously than before. I started digging into BMW models and have decided on a earlier K series bike. Primarily because they're relatively inexpensive, fuel injected, have abs, aren't crazy fast, but most importantly it's got mom approval. Important for a 18yo living w/ parents. Especially since before I convinced them it was "if you get a bike you'll need to find a new place to live'" etc. Hoping to find a solid K through the forum as soon as I get my permit.

Welcome Petar!  Nice K bikes are out there and with a little patience you'll find one.  At 18, I would guess that your wrenching skills are somewhat limited, so you have found your best resource for keeping your bike in top shape.

If I were you, I would look for a K75S from about 89 or 90 and later.  It will have ABS and possibly the three spoke wheels that are a lot easier to keep clean.  It's also lighter and more nimble than the larger K100's and the K75RT which is really built for crossing the country on the interstate.  Naked K75's are out there, but are usually priced a lot higher and somewhat scarce.  Body parts for them are getting pretty hard to find as well, especially radiator fairings.

Welcome Petar

Hi and welcome Petar,18 yr old,a young soul to the K family,that's rare.

First i would avoid the ABS models as they are problematic to say the least,
(read the threads on this site before you buy the bike) 

Secondly, THE Ks go like the wind,its how you chose to ride them.
May i wish you a safe and long riding life,in May of this yr i will be 75yrs old 
and still riding my K, thats 66 yrs of riding all thing 2wheels.ENJOY your K.
good luck and god bless


                                  Regards
                                  
                                     JOHN HENRY

I'd lean slightly towards ABS. ABS or non-ABS wouldn't be a deal breaker for me if I found the right bike though.

Get 1990 or later as they have harder transmission input splines.

Get 1992 or later K75 and you  also get Showa forks.

What kind of weather do you plan to ride in? If you plan to be a fair weather rider then get a K75S. If you plan to commute or spend much time riding in the rain then get a K75RT.

Note that as a first bike Ks are topheavy, especially the K75RT.

Not to be a party poopper but if you don't have any riding experience a K bike would not be what I would call a "starter bike".

How much experience do you have?

"aren't crazy fast,"  so your mom's okay with 120 mph?  Very cool indeed!   


You've made a good choice in wanting a K bike.  ABS will likely get you out of some trouble.  Non ABS will teach you (hopefully) how to brake properly.  I'm still looking forward to riding my first ABS equipped bike.  It will likely also have a slipper clutch so I'm doubly excited!  These are great bikes and this is a great forum to learn motorcycling on.  


WelKome!  Woodie

Thank you all for the warm welcome!

As I'm shut in currently, I'll have a lot of time to go through the forum so I can make the most educated decision when the time to buy the bike come. I daily a '90 E30 so I'm at the very least used to "quirks" due to age. 

@duck I plan to avoid rain and snow as much as possible. Its just for my commute to school (~15mi in each direction taking +-40min) and to hop down to the store. After reading a bit more posts and help from you guys I have my eyes set on a K75 but hopefully a K75S.

@caveman I have almost no experience. Drove a mini dirtbike thing twice, and my friends Yamaha R1 down the street. Imo, cars/bike purchases are emotional decisions so my party cannot be pooped. Although I do understand that rationally I should be going with a more "starter bike."

@Woodie She didn't ask what the top speed was  All she really wanted to know, after I carefully explained the pros of owning a moto, was that it wasn't a sport bike. I.e. its not what shes seem fly by us at 150+ on the highway.

Just tell your mother that you are on a forum for these bikes where the members have children  older than she is.

Read this while you're shut in.


http://www.kbikeparts.com/classickbikes.com/ckb.tech/0.ckb.tech.files/fullcontrol/Full_Control.pdf

Excellent link Duck!

"Exercise 5
 Lane changes on multi lane roads. Next time you ride on a multi lane highway, you can practise steering technique while changing lanes. The precise steering technique gives you a precise change of direction. The goal is to achieve “straight lines” between the steering commands. This is very different from the sloppy “banana-curves” so often seen."

This will help me pass the time when I find myself on the slab, I have to admit I do some banana lane changing.


Important:
" Do you find it embarrassing to be seen practicing like this alone in a parking lot? Worried other riders may giggle and ridicule you? Well, rise above it – your goal is to become a good rider, isn’t it? Well, then you have to exercise."

I carry first aid supplies on my my bike for those that don't!

"for example a Honda CBR 600, it is quite natural to use only the front brake. If you ride a Harley-Davidson Soft-Tail, you will have to apply both front and rear for optimal retardation"

That just made me laugh!

MuDuRkKiO wrote:Thank you all for the warm welcome!

As I'm shut in currently, I'll have a lot of time to go through the forum so I can make the most educated decision when the time to buy the bike come. I daily a '90 E30 so I'm at the very least used to "quirks" due to age. 

@duck I plan to avoid rain and snow as much as possible. Its just for my commute to school (~15mi in each direction taking +-40min) and to hop down to the store. After reading a bit more posts and help from you guys I have my eyes set on a K75 but hopefully a K75S.

@caveman I have almost no experience. Drove a mini dirtbike thing twice, and my friends Yamaha R1 down the street. Imo, cars/bike purchases are emotional decisions so my party cannot be pooped. Although I do understand that rationally I should be going with a more "starter bike."

@Woodie She didn't ask what the top speed was  All she really wanted to know, after I carefully explained the pros of owning a moto, was that it wasn't a sport bike. I.e. its not what shes seem fly by us at 150+ on the highway.

Cars have steering wheels and you drive them. Bikes, you'll soon discover, are a bit different. You can't drive handlebars.
I reckon a clean, secondhand K is a perfectly acceptable starter bike, especially for a student. You get reliability, comfort, mileage (economy) & access to most spare parts even though it could be a 30-plus year old machine.
Welkome!