BMW K75 Motorcycle

The BMW K75 was produced from 1985–1995. The K75 was a successful entry-level sport touring motorcycle. At the time of its introduction, the K75 was BMW's cheapest motorcycle. It was intended be a sport bike offering a claimed acceleration of 0–60 mph in 4.6 seconds and a top speed of 120 mph (193 km/h).

All K75 models share the same drivetrain. They are powered by a 740 cc inline three-cylinder, Bosch fuel injected, engine. The US EPA specific engine produce 68 hp (51 kW) while all others produce 75 hp (56 kW). It utilizes a five-speed transmission and a shaft-driven final drive. The engine used by the K75 is often described as "bulletproof," indicating that it is quite reliable. This engine has an advantage over the K100's larger four-cylinder because it has inherently small secondary imbalance, and perfect primary balance via counter rotating balance shaft, as opposed to the K100's inline four cylinder engine, a type noted for its secondary imbalance vibration.

Possibly the greatest strength of the K75 motorbike lies in its engine, which is a liquid-cooled, inline, fuel injected three cylinder design rotated 90 degrees. It is not unusual for this engine to go more than 200,000 miles without significant repair. The engine produces very low vibration at the handlebars, an accomplishment which few manufactures have achieved in the two decades following this design. The bike was also one of the first motorcycles to be equipped with a catalytic converter and stainless steel exhaust. The engine was designed to be less vulnerable to damage should the cycle fall over.

The K-bike lineup, including the K75 and BMW K100, were not just new models; these designs were radical departures from almost every aspect of previous ones.

The K-bikes introduced new technology and refinement for a premium brand. BMW and Harley-Davidson were the only major manufactures that did not offer liquid-cooled engines. Competing brands, notably of Japanese manufacture, were touting the superiority of their liquid-cooled engines and had introduced low maintenance shaft-drive technology into a growing number of their models.

The K-bikes offered refinements like computer-controlled fuel injection, all stainless steel exhaust, rust-free aluminum fuel tank, anti-lock brakes or ABS, mono-lever in the rear and single shock absorber, adjustable headlight, high capacity 460 watt alternator, cigarette lighter accessory plug-in, self canceling signal lights. It would take more than two decades for other manafacturers to catch-up. The engine was almost excellent vibration isolation. Two different forks manufactures were used: Showa with an outter upper tube diameter of 1.612" and Fichtel and Sachs measuring 1.627".

In 1992 the K75 cost between $10,000 and 12,000 USD depending on the options that were selected.

Read about BMW K75 Problems

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