1 My First (early) K Bike. A Retrospective. Sat Dec 30, 2023 9:48 pm
Two Wheels Better
Moderator
Some years ago I rode a K75C. I had owned a black '02 K1200RS earlier, but this was my first 'original' Brick. I only had it for a summer, but what a long, hot, enjoyable summer it was. We rode all over Washington state together, with nary a problem, not even a velocity award from the coppers. It was a sweet-running machine, as smooth as you need, a tourer, sportsbike, and offroad companion. These photos recently popped up to me on the website known as Shutterfly. I had forgotten I was a member there. There's a motherlode of photos contained there from my other rides on various Beemers over the years in Australia, the UK, and in North America, which includes Mexico. A pictorial of memories.
K75C along Highway 12 near White Pass, Western Washington.
The classic view of snow-covered Mt Rainier (Tahoma) from Highway 12, east of Packwood, WA.
A coupla miles of unimproved gravel, off Highway 12 near Bear Canyon and the junction of 12/410. I came upon a park ranger in his 4WD out there who stopped to enquire if I was lost. "Yep", I told him. "Just as I intended."
Americana. Near Naches, WA.
Dog Lake, east of White Pass, on Highway 12.
Near Chinook Pass, Highway 410, Mt Rainier National Park.
Clear Creek Falls, off Highway 12, east of White Pass.
Snow in summer, Highway 12.
Almost glacial, Skate Creek swim. I'll spare you the nuddies.
Bear Canyon, off Highway 12.
Man-made Rimrock Lake, Highway 12.
Rimrock Lake curves, Highway 12.
Chinook Pass, glacially scoured valley, Highway 410.
The classic Mt Rainier National Park entrance, near Crystal Mountain turn off, Highway 410.
The rider in his younger daze.
I might have to get me another K75 one day. Pop in a rack of three, 38mm K12 throttle bodies, a sweet-sounding slip-on exhaust, a paralever final drive & compatible gearbox, Marzocchi K11 forks, later wheels for running radial tyres, and four piston Brembos over larger diametre discs. Ah, a smooth, modern classic.
K75C along Highway 12 near White Pass, Western Washington.
The classic view of snow-covered Mt Rainier (Tahoma) from Highway 12, east of Packwood, WA.
A coupla miles of unimproved gravel, off Highway 12 near Bear Canyon and the junction of 12/410. I came upon a park ranger in his 4WD out there who stopped to enquire if I was lost. "Yep", I told him. "Just as I intended."
Americana. Near Naches, WA.
Dog Lake, east of White Pass, on Highway 12.
Near Chinook Pass, Highway 410, Mt Rainier National Park.
Clear Creek Falls, off Highway 12, east of White Pass.
Snow in summer, Highway 12.
Almost glacial, Skate Creek swim. I'll spare you the nuddies.
Bear Canyon, off Highway 12.
Man-made Rimrock Lake, Highway 12.
Rimrock Lake curves, Highway 12.
Chinook Pass, glacially scoured valley, Highway 410.
The classic Mt Rainier National Park entrance, near Crystal Mountain turn off, Highway 410.
The rider in his younger daze.
I might have to get me another K75 one day. Pop in a rack of three, 38mm K12 throttle bodies, a sweet-sounding slip-on exhaust, a paralever final drive & compatible gearbox, Marzocchi K11 forks, later wheels for running radial tyres, and four piston Brembos over larger diametre discs. Ah, a smooth, modern classic.
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"A long ride is the answer to a question you will soon forget!" ~ Anonymous
1977 R75/7-100, '93 K11/K12 Big Block, '93 K1100RS, '95 R100 Mystic, '96 K1100RS, 2 x '98 K1200RS, '06 K1200R & '09 K1300GT