Flying Brick: 1988 BMW K75C

Motorcycles are some of the fastest and most fuel efficient ways to get around, but they aren't practical in colder climates like here in New England. I still envy places where they make more sense. A friend of mine once described the sensation of riding a motorcycle as being unlike anything else, not a car or a bicycle. He was especially fond of BMW motorcycles and their construction.

The K-Series was launched in 1983 to great enthusiasm for a new generation of water-cooled four-cylinder BMW motorcycles, and used the line to launch a bunch of new technology, like anti-lock braking, electronic cruise control, and electronic suspension adjustment.

In 1985 they launched the K75, which was the entry-level motorcycle with only three cylinders. The engine was positioned longitudinally for greater center of gravity and an appearance which lending it the nickname "Flying Brick".

This is the "C" model, which has some slight differences like a unique handlebar-mounded cockpit fairing.

I love the styling of these. BMW made a truly modern motorcycle, landing smack in the middle of the Americans and Japanese offerings, with the simplicity of Harley Davidson and the technology of Kawasaki, but looking way cooler than both of them. This example looks particularly clean and crisp in white.

The seller says it has a healthy 70k miles on the odometer, which is a lot for a motorcycle, but has to indicate it was simultaneously taken care of to keep going that much. The seller says it is in good mechanical shape and purchased another K-series so they no longer need this one.

This could easily be someone's commuter to and from work on bright, sunny, cloudless days.

Available here on craigslist in Daphne, Alabama for $2,500.

Flying Brick: 1988 BMW K75C

Allright, I know this blog called Check Out This Car but I can't help and post this nifty motorcycle. Besides, 'car' can be interpreted as generally alluding to all motor vehicles.

A lot of people forget BMW not only makes (or made, depending on your opinion) great cars but also great motorcycles. Although their cars have changed much, their motorcycles have always lived in a separate universe were they still remain very cool.

The K75 was BMW's entry-level motorcycle, produced from 1985-1995. Various models were offered at various times. This is a "C", which added a handlebar mounted cockpit fairing. All had the same liquid-cooled inline three-cylinder engine that produced 65 horsepower for U.S.-spec bikes, 75 horsepower elsewhere. The engine is longitudinally mounted, giving it an appearnce that lended to the nickname "flying brick".

They shot to 60 mph in 4.6 seconds and were capable of a 120 mph.

The seller says this one has only 14k miles, which I think is about average for a bike. They say it runs fine, with a recent service, full spline lube, new battery, new fork seals and progressive fork springs.

I became interested in the K75C specifically when I saw Pierce Brosnan driving a silver one in the obscure '80s Cold War film The Fourth Protocol co-starring Michael Caine. It was available for viewing on Netflix last time I checked. If I hadn't seen the film, I probably would have never found this model.

I like the styling a lot. It's a cross between Japanese racer bikes, Harleys, and dirt bikes, kind of taking a bit of everything. It's very modern but not too "new" looking. They look sharp, fast and unusual. BMW bikes exude the same aura their cars used to, something very confident, specialized, rarefied. They seem like great all-purpose motorcycles.

The seller notes the aftermarket seat shows wear, but they do have the original, and also have the service manual and cover.

Find it here on craigslist in New Palestine, Indiana.