Considering something European

[wymple]

Since there is talk of Guzzi:

Their parts are expensive as f!$k as well; but to be honest my experience with parts from other brands is limited to my old bikes.

Love my V7 to bits; it's fun, torquey no-frills motorcycling.

Riding Guzzis since 1988, don't notice parts being any worse than other stuff. They are so easy to work on you save a fortune on labor if you can't do it yourself. I can pull both jugs and pistons off the smallblock Guzzi in 30 minutes, easy. Recently re-ringed a V65 with new base & head gaskets in an hour and a half. Valve adjustments take minutes. They have both good and bad points, like anything else. I like to tinker, and they're good for that.

[GS1150Pilot]

The K75 makers a great foundation for builds...
I love this one:

Um, not my cuppa for a K75. Pretty heavy to try to turn into a bike with off road pretensions, and that seat looks like something out of de Sade's dungeon. I want one to commute and tour on.

[850 Combat]

I had an Airhead RT. I hated the fairing package. Get a load of the procedure for changing the oil and filter:

https://forums.bmwmoa.org/showthread.php?37153-oil-and-filter-change-on-81-R100RS

Note the procedure involves moving the fairing lower and an exhaust header. For an oil change. Also not the dire consequences of not performing the oil change correctly. I owned one. When I thought it was time for an oil change, I bought the oil and filter, then I read up on the procedure, then I put the bike on Craig's list. I would have a naked Airhead, but the fairing packages blow chunks. Ite weird suspension also taakes getting used to. You must be very precise in the way you initiate braking and the way you release the brake. No sudden moves, or the lightly sprung and dampened suspension travels a lot and changes the rake and trail quickly. Not really a problem, but it takes a deliberate touch to make good time on it. You don't toss it about. The bags, outside to outside were probablt 8" narrower than my 1000 Concours I had at the same time. The BMW bags would take a full face helmet each. The much wider concours would not. Like I said, the bike had merit, but the fairing package is difficult to deal with. I don't care how good it looks. I'm not taking the exhaust system and fairing lower off for an oil change.

[Cipher]

Only a fool would buy a BMW

[GS1150Pilot]

Yet another dumb statement. Drunk again?

[Bert Patterson]

Now that I'm able to ride again (hip got really bad, then had a hip replacement, but it took awhile to be back in the right position), I'm looking for more recent beast than a 1982. I was out on the GS today and amazed at how well it handled my complete lack of attention, so it should stay regardless of what I get.

The short list of bikes couldn't be more different really. Either...

1999-2004 (99 is preferable, just because it looks the best) Speed Triple
2008-2010 Speed Triple (slightly more passenger room and a metal tank)
2002-2005 Moto Guzzi V11 Sport
1999-2005 BMW R1100S
2007 Aprilia Tuono

The Speed Triples may win out because they're probably the right choice. The Guzzi just because I love them and they really are wonderful to ride. The Tuono is a great bike, but probably requires more thrashing than I can handle anymore - I had a Mille for awhile, which was great but too committed. The R1100S I have just always loved and it would be nice for longer rides - the R motor is certainly different and doesn't give the feel of punch like the rest, but it moves okay. I had an airhead, so I understand some of the weirdness.

Anyway, sometime this season - likely the Triumph or BMW, but I don't want to rule out the Guzzi just because I have to go 1000 or 2000 miles for a dealer.

[Nessism]

The K75 is reputed to be fantastically durable and a super smooth runner. There are quite a few of them out in the market with high mileage so that tells you something right there. At the end of the day they are old bikes though. Newer than a GS yes, but old regardless. Unless money is a major factor I'd get something newer. My dream is something light and with ABS.

[GS1150Pilot]

I think Ed means the K75, and that is simply a brilliant bike. I've looked at a few. Most are in good shape, many with very high miles but running like clocks. The market for them has bottomed out in the $2K range, with nice ones commanding closer to $3K-and worth it.

[Nessism]

I think Ed means the K75, and that is simply a brilliant bike. I've looked at a few. Most are in good shape, many with very high miles but running like clocks. The market for them has bottomed out in the $2K range, with nice ones commanding closer to $3K-and worth it.

Oops, yes. K75.