This is a model that will easily clock up more than 100,000 miles, burn up the motorways, autoroutes and autobahns at impressive speeds, carrying two with ease, along with luggage. And you can find one for less than the price of a Chinese 125. Whether thought of as an 80s technological marvel, the ultimate cheap tourer or superlative winter hack, the mystery about the BMW K75 is why everyone doesn’t have one in the shed.
The K75 was in production from 1985 to 1995 and at the time of its introduction, the K75 was BMW’s least expensive motorcycle. Developed alongside the K100 fours, the three-cylinder K75 was delayed by a year, as BMW wanted to cement the concept of K-series in the minds of the bike buying public. They needed to, as the K-series launch had caused a wave of outrage from BMWs long term fans, angered by the dramatic dropping of their trademark flat twins. The 740cc K75 engine was an inline DOHC triple with a big shaft drive. It had the same bore and stroke as the K100, and was, essentially a K100 with the front cylinder lopped off, fitted with a 120-degree crank and balance weights added to the water pump accessory shaft.
This made the K75 even smoother than the K100. The K75’s engine was given different valve timing and a higher compression ratio, the combustion chambers were redesigned, the intake manifold was shortened, and the exhaust system was retuned. The K75 engine produced 75 hp.
The S version has anti-dive equipped front ends, a rear disc brake and 17-inch rear wheels, whereas the others have a single leading shoe drum brake and 18-inch rear wheels. Finish is impressive, with good thick coats of paint and minimal amounts of chrome, as BMW preferred to use stainless steel. The K75 is incredibly smooth and while BMW might have dropped the twin, they had not dropped their attitude to quality control. The bike is well engineered, and BMW at the time majored on rider comfort rather than out and out top speed, reasoning perhaps that there’s no point in an extra 10mph if it leads to a session at the chiropractor.
Mileage: 16468
Engine type: 3 cylinders, 4-stroke, Inline
Displacement: 740 cc (45.21 cubic inches)
Bore × stroke: 67 mm × 70 mm (square)
Cooling system: Water cooled
Power: 74.37 HP (54.7 kW) @ 8500 rpm
Torque: 68 Nm (6.93 kg-m) @ 6750 rpm
Throttle: Cable operated
Valves
Valve train: DOHC, variable
Valves per cylinder: 2
Fuel and ignition
Sparks per cylinder: 1
Fuel supply system: Fuel injection
Compression: 11:1
Engine mounting: Longitudinal
Lubrication system: Wet sump
Gear box: Manual 5-speed
Clutch: Dry, single plate, cable operated
Final drive: Shaft
Starter: Electric
Dimensions
Physical measures
Length: 2220 mm
Width: 900 mm
Height: 1300 mm
Wheel base: 1516 mm
Ground clearance: 175 mm
Seat height: 810 mm (variable)
Weight
Curb weight: 236 kg
Dry weight: 227 kg
