Our K100RT was purchased as a European delivery and I spent nine weeks touring there with my wife as pillion.  Optional BOGE self-levelling rear suspension was fitted and the bike cruised effortlessly with the two of us and all our gear at autobahn speeds.  We had previously been to Europe in 1981 to collect a R100RT which was a good introduction to the marque (and Europe).
 
In 1987 we rode the K100RT right around Australia in four weeks and it ran flawlessly.  We always used it for long haul runs and tried to avoid using it around town if we could.  The years went by and various friends asked me why I hadn't upgraded, but I couldn't justify switching bikes when I was completely happy with the one I already had.
 
Just after the 26th year of ownership and 176,448km, I had a bit of a spill which challenged the relationship and now I am the owner of a R1200RT SE.  I wonder if I will hold on to this one for the next 26 years.....
 

Welcome to the site from Europe. Maybe you will be back to see us some time.

You must qualify for having the longest ownership of a K bike.....

Interesting K1 behind too......Trapper over here in Ireland has one in the same livery.......

Nice looking machine. Welcome to the forum.

Al

Welcome to the forum Westeng, sounds like you are going to the FarCairn rally at Tottenham this weekend.

I only found out about the rally last weekend, which was a bit late.  I am sure there will be more.

welcome  to the forum,
wow , to think that you have owned that bike for 26 years, the World needs more people to think " why get rid of something that Works, just because it is more than 2 years old",good luck with the new bike

Welcome Westeng , similar story to me , my 87 KRS is a Europe delivery , I did 7 months touring on mine before shipping her home , still going strong after 26.5 years ( she was handed to me on the 11th of March 1987 in Munich ) , just completed the 255k major service , no issues noted

JR

So who on the site has the longest K ownership period? 26 years and counting says it all.....

If it was a Kawasaki forum I'd blow you all away. I have had my Z1300 since (1979) before Ks were invented.
My present Ks for 3 years and riding 2 and previous K100 5 years, seems like no time at all.

Sorry Westeng, thread hijack.

I have had my RT for 17 years and the /2 for 0.75 years

Welcome aboard Westeng - good to have you with us

Well hello Mr G.Westen!
Looks like you've found us.

As a long-term owner of a K you'll have valuable wisdom to impart to this forum.

Welcome Westeng!

I can't compete but my '91 K75S is also Euro delivery.  Spent three months over there and it is still 22 years young.  I suppose I should get him registered on the electoral roll before I get fined. 

Hang on!  He's old enough to do it himself.

Very good looking bike. Thanks for the pics, and welcome mate.

k-rider wrote:welcome  to the forum,
wow , to think that you have owned that bike for 26 years, the World needs more people to think " why get rid of something that Works, just because it is more than 2 years old",good luck with the new bike

We are often seduced by new things, but they rarely do the job in a manner so much better than the items they potentially replace to warrant a large sum of money being spent.  Modern bikes may well have more toys than Ks, but there are few of them that are more comfortable places to be for a whole day.  For me, the riding position on my K100LT is just about perfect and the fairing provides superb protection.  The K is not so heavy that I require a reverse gear.  I could go on about its qualities, but I liken a new motorcycle to a new TV: yes, there might be some 'improvements' over the old model, but the programmes will be exactly the same.  A new bike is only capable of riding over the same roads as the old one, and the essence of riding will still be identical. 

In a world that has finite resources, there is a sense of satisfaction in keeping an older bike on the road and finding reasons to keep it, rather than being tempted by new stuff.  Well done for having resisted temptation for over a quarter of a century.

Hi Westeng,
Welcome to the forum, nice to hear of another long term owner, K's certainly are addictive.

Well, I've had my solo K for 27 years, the outfit for a mere 25, so does that make 52 years?  

Nothing to the Vin though, 46 years so far, even had the Montesa for 41 years.

Why change things that you like? (Did you say 'can't teach old dogs new tricks'?)  :geek: 

Paul.

Welcome Westeng.
Great love story, long lasting.
I bet you liked riding it as much in the end as at the beginning.
A 26 years affair, and your wife knew about it all along.