Greetings Folks,

Looking to tap into the brain center of the biking world...

I'm planning a 3 month trip from Vancouver to Guatemala later in the year and am considering buying a mid 80's k100 with milage somewhere in the range of 70-80,000 kms.

So my questions are:

1) what sort of problems should I be looking for?

2) What kind of milage do people do on these bike before throwing them away?

3) 2-up to central america - any comments...

Any info about this bike greatly appreciated - I know little about this model.

Cheers folks

Limee

A well maintained K series will go on forever. I bought mine with the chassis on 173,000 miles and the engine on approx. 105 to 110,000 miles. I have several friends with such machines on over 100,000 miles. I change all the oils and filters and check the valve clearances every 4,000 miles and everything else as required.

One of the more common problems is down to neglecting the drive splines, quite an easy job, best done when fitting new tyres as the rear wheel's already out - all detailed in any manual. With the bike on the centre stand you can check for wear by putting it in gear and moving the wheel backwards and forwards. There will be some movement, I can't tell you how much is acceptable as I've not seen it for myself. Worth checking out, if it goes, the driveshaft and bevel box are scrap, leading to a big bill. Forks are soft, use at least 10weight oil and HD springs of some sort.

Electrics are good, worth getting a manual and familiarising yourself with the Fuel Injection set-up if you've never owned an EFI bike before.

I'm sure someone out there will be able to add to the above?

Good luck, Steve

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My photos: www.possu.smugmug.com

Hey Limee-

If you haven't already check out the Internet BMW Riders website at http://www.ibmwr.org/

They have tons of useful info on BMW bikes including a forum and a great tech section for K bikes including many common issues. I think they also have a specific article on buying a K100 as well.

I have a K75s and love it. No major problems except for my cooling fan going out, I just had to ride a bit faster going home!

The key with a K bike is to get one well maintained and serviced per the recommended schedule. They are designed to be low maintenance and predictable, but only with regular servicing.

I am probably going to take mine to Baja this year and back to San Francisco, about 3000 miles total...I have no doubts about the capability of this bike!

-Dave

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Dave McMillan
http://www.horizonsunlimited.com/tstories/mcmillan/

K-series go on forever if looked after. I bought my ex-Police/Courier K100 with 173,000 miles already clocked up. Easy to work, especially the 8-valve models.

Apparently you can check for play/wear in the transmission by putting in gear on the c/stand a rotating the rear wheel backwards & forwards ( found this out after buying mine..). There is an acceptable amount of movement but cannot tell you how much?

I change all the oils and filters every 4,000 miles, along with checking the valve clearances. Everything else is done as it needs it.

If going on a long journey where dealers are scarce, it may be worth overhauling the starter motor & alternator in advance. If unused to EFI bikes, get a manual & familiarise yourself with the fuel injection set-up. I have some photo-copied pages at home that may be useful, I can fax them if required? Also remember to grease the splines where the rear bevel/driver fits on to the swingarm. The splines can wear if you don't, taking out the driveshaft & bevel box - can be expensive to repair.

Try contacting Moto-Bins (UK) for a catalogue, it contains a useful tips section for all BMW's (0044-1775-680881) or www.james-sherlock.co.uk or www.motorworks.co.uk for worldwide parts shipping. All are UK based BMW specialist breakers.

Good luck, Steve

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My photos: www.possu.smugmug.com

Limeegreen;

So will we see you at the Mexico Travellers Meeting?? Nicely on your way...


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Grant Johnson

Seek, and ye shall find.
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One world, Two wheels.
www.HorizonsUnlimited.com

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Grant Johnson
Seek, and ye shall find.
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Inspiring, Informing and Connecting travellers since 1997!
www.HorizonsUnlimited.com

I'd love to make it to the HU travellers meeting - but that depends on getting out of vancouver earlier than planned - we shall see.

Just like to send out some words of appreciation to those who take the time to reply to my every query. Your insightful help is really appreciated!!

I'm sure good karma will follow you all on yer travels.

On the bike front still considering the k100 but also tempted to look at the GS - driving down the east cape of baja is rather tempting... Im still a little concerned about riding a BMW because of parts and local knowledge...

Cant wait to just make up my mind and get moving!

Thanks again folks

Limee

ps

Grant & Susan good work on the website - the info on this site has really helped a total motorbike travelling novice like myself!

The GS is worth considering if you think the K-series is too complicated.

I also own an R80GS Paralever. Easier to work on should anything go wrong. I've just removed & re-fitted both top ends. Took about 4.5 hours per side but this included installing new stainless pushrod tubes & grommets, new valve springs, de-coking the cylinder heads, cleaning the valves on a lathe and lapping the valves back in to the head. No special tools or knowledge were required, just common sense & a good selection of regular tools and a heat source for heating the head to allow removal & installation of push rod tubes. Also replaced the Paralever pivot bearings in the bevel box. As with the K-series, regular lubing of the splines is essential.

The rest of the bike is relatively uncomplicated and everything is easily accessible.

One point worth noting is that for a large-ish bike, the distance from the seat to the footpegs is not great. I'm 5!10" / 1.80m tall and my legs are slightly more squashed than I would prefer. I know of others who have lowered the pegs slightly, there is possibly a kit available (in Germany?).

My girlfriend has the same bike also. On a 3,400 mile trip to Portugal and back last year, we each averaged over 55mpg (UK gallon = 4.54 litres) at 75mph fully loaded. At this speed, I managed 223 miles before hitting reserve (rarely below 200 miles)on 20 litres with 4 litres left in reserve.

May be a better choice if the roads you intend using are not so good. The GS is also a lot lighter (215kg v 260kg for my K100RT). Some GS' also come with an optional kickstart.

Have a good trip.

Steve

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My photos: www.possu.smugmug.com