For $3000: 2002 Kawi Concours or 1987 BMW K100?

[sprk_sprd]

Both bikes are apparently in very good condition.  Both have around 30K miles.  Both are advertised for approximately $3000.  Would you go with the timeless K100?  Or would you go for the bulletproof C10?

[Orson]

The BMW is almost 25 years old.

A bike that old will be a semi-restoration project, as the rubber bits like hoses and whatnot begin to wear out after about 15 years.

[satz]

Friend got a bmw which 15 yr old on ebay and according to him its costing some major money to fix some small issues. he is coming from Jap bikes so maybe that is the problem.
i will go with the kawi due to the less use of the bmw . His had only 6000 miles but alot of issues just standing there for years.
30k over 25yrs means the bike might not run for a few yrs . I got a 93 cruiser for my wife and went through the whole restoration process.if you get the bmw then change all the hoses and
cables . change all fluids . You need to do a fully greasing job. If you have a few months and enjoy it then go for it. I have had a 15yr old gas hose break on me and its not fun.

[Ack535]

I have owned both. Get the Kawasaki.

[JReazor]

I voted for the BMW just to be contrary but it would depend on some stuff.

If I were going to keep my current bike and was shopping for something cool to kick around town on, I'd get the BMW. If I had to depend on it day to day or I was planning on putting serious miles on it, the Connie.

[sleazy rider]

2002 Concours, hands down.  Bulletproof, reliable and cheap to operate.

/fx: closes thread  

 

[RSims]

Let me chime in on my 1st real post.  I owned an '87 K100LT that I painted and rode for 23K miles in 18 months.  I owned an '87 Connie for a short time and sold it to a buddy, and I have ridden it a couple times since.

I voted for the Connie.  Both are pretty close riding with the K a little more upright ergo, which is more comfortable for my 60 year old body.  I sold the K because it was too hot to ride in the summer in Arkansas.  Once the temp got to 90 degrees it was a roaster.  Fantastic winter bike.  The Connie is pretty hot also, but has air scoops by the footpegs that are reversible for winter or summer airflow.  

I guess the big + of the K was the Beemer factor.  After I painted the bike it really looked good and even Harley riders would walk over and look at the bike and start a conversation.  That's not a big deal to me, but if it is to you it probably won't happen with the Connie.  The K will need the clutch input shaft lubed around 40K miles which is labor intensive and big $$$ if done at a dealer.  No problem if you don't ride much.  The cooling fan WILL go out.  The plastic brush holders melt.  Parts are still available from dealers.

The reason I picked the Connie is basically you can buy a 15-20 year newer bike for the same money.  Also you can buy used parts on Ebay at a fraction of what used parts for the K cost.  Example I have seen Connie final drives for $60, a K100 final drive is minimum $400.

Both bikes' inline 4s are buzzy.  6 or one, half dozen of another.

I now ride a '91 Honda ST1100 (45K in 3 years) which I think is the better bike.  Notice I said , I think (for me).  Smoother, more comfortable and a lot cooler in the summer.

I would have no trouble with 700 mile days on either of the three.

Ralph Sims

[Papa Lazarou]

I voted for the Kwak because, although a K100 will go on forever, it seems unrealistically priced. You could a K100 in the Uk of that age for around $1200.

[kevin_stevens]

The BMW is almost 25 years old.

A bike that old will be a semi-restoration project, as the rubber bits like hoses and whatnot begin to wear out after about 15 years.

Mine's been fine, bought a 1987 with 35K on it early this year.

The BMW parts are still available, but they are costly - really on a par with new BMW parts, but we expect them to be cheaper and they're not.  You do have to deal with the final drive issues on these bikes (again, though, there are still people selling upgrades and replacements).

The BMW is just a cooler bike with the single-sided swingarm, etc.  But for any kind of practical reason, I'd get the Kawasaki in this case - just too much newer to pass up.

KeS

[PatM]

The BMW is almost 25 years old.

A bike that old will be a semi-restoration project, as the rubber bits like hoses and whatnot begin to wear out after about 15 years.

^ This

[Mortech]

When I decided to get back into riding I used a friends K bike , I liked it alot . My friend is a BMW fanatic but the cost of repair parts finally drove him to Harleys last year ...and the K bike is on the repair rack still . So when I finally got the funds for my own bike I had the chance to choose between a pristine K100 or a nice Concours ....I picked the Concours , to me there was no difference in ride comfort but due to imput from my best friend I decided on the Concours .

[jsanford]

I voted Connie, but go look at both.  The BMW could have had its last 8k ridden in the past two years after the current owner replaced all the rubber bits, while the Connie might have been used for big trips in '03 & '04 then parked under a motorcycle cover in the backyard since '06.  I learned Monster shopping that owner-evaluated condition can be very subjective indeed.

[mjrfd99]

2002 Concours, hands down.  Bulletproof, reliable and cheap to operate.

/fx: closes thread  

 

+1   mines trouble free w 55K   Oil, Tires and brakes. NW+T

[sprk_sprd]

Just wanted to say thanks for all the replies!  I appreciate it.  I'm finding that I'm longing for some of the 80s-90s models (when I was first introduced to motorcycling), rather than the shiny new stuff.  Everything from early generation VFRs to old Connies.  Reading some of the real-world issues about lack of parts and repair/replacement costs is a much needed reminder.