What was your first BMW?

[Moot]

In response to another post, I started thinking about my first motorcycle (other than the Cushman Eagle) and got to wondering, what BMW (or other bike) was first in line for other members of the forum.

My first was a 1967 R 50 that I bought used in 1969 for $750.00. It was 500 cc and was considered a pretty big motorcycle. I think it made about 25 hp and had a max speed of about 60 mph which, as I recall now, it did not achieve either willingly or quickly. (But then all I had to compare it to was the Cushman Eagle I rode in high school.) I recall that a year or so later I wanted to upgrade to an R 69 S but could not scrape together the dough which I think was only about $1,500 or so. Does any one recall what an R 69 S was going for in 1969 or 1970? Anyway, I sure wish I still had that old R 50 and every other bike I've owned since -- even the Cushman.

What was your first BMW, when did you get it, what did you pay for it and what do you remember most fondly about it? :bmw:

[motorman587]

What was your first BMW, when did you get it, what did you pay for it and what do you remember most fondly about it? :bmw:

1996 BMW K100RS white
Ducati dealer, it was trade from lady who got a divorce.
Can not remember what I paid for it, but the lady was giving it away, I got lucky.
Hit a deer and totalled it in 1997.

[axamax]

1983 R45 473cc. Paid £1,800 for it new. It was written off 8 months later with only 13,000 miles on it. It was nice to ride when it worked (Not often).
I even had a pet name for it.

"The most unreliable heap of S*&* I've ever owned"

It would break down on average every two to three weeks if I was lucky. I got a lot of practice bump starting it. It was 8 years later before I bought another BMW. I then had a 1979 R100RS that was brilliant and an R1150RT great bike, written off at 2 years old and 50,000 miles. That was my 53rd bike.

[bigbear]

The 85 K100RT that is still in the garage. Bought it in fall of 04. First bike was a KZ400 many years ago.

[Ted Shred]

1st bike was a 92 CB750. Walked into the Honda store and asked for a fun bike that wouldn't kill me (ie, not a crotch rocket) Was a good little bike.

1st real bike was a brand new 2003 K12RS. I've had about 15 bike since buying that one in 03. Do I have a problem??:p

[donmitt]

First BMW I had was a 76 R90/6 bought in 79 with a Wind Jammer fairing and bags. It had 26k miles on it and I thought I was nuts buying this with such high milage. But it went another 55k with out problems when I lost my mind and sold it to buy a MotoGuzzi.

[Stixx]

First Bike was a Honda CB550T which I wish I had never sold. I went up the Honda chain of command lighting on the 900F till a near shunt under a semi got me off bikes and into FF Racing in the eighties. When I decided I had been off two wheels too long I got my first BMW which I still have the R 1150 R in 2002. :thumb:

I wish I'd discovered them earlier as the R1oo's of the eighties and nighties are to die for.

Currently lusting for R 1200 R or RT.

[Chockkicker]

First BMW was a late 1950s R50 my wife bought for me for Christmas right after we arrived in Holland with the USAF in 1970, did not have it long till traded it in for a new R75/5, kept the R75 for 19 years, sold it then got the 2000 K1200LT in 2004. First motorcycle was a Triumph Tiger Cub 1956 IIRC.

[norriscooper]

1985 K100RS, Alaska Blue, one of the first in the USA, purchased new in Aug of 84. Drove it 202,000 miles. It was still on the road until the third owner crashed it several years ago.

[living_free]

First BMW : 2006 K1200LT bought in February of '08, still have it!

First bike was an '80 yamamha 250 enduro that I rode for a year in Okinawa in '86.

[bemmerbiker]

My first bike was a 1961 NSU Super Max. 250cc Single. $600.00 New
My first BMW was a 1962 R69S. Used, seller wanted $600, is wife had him sell to me for $400.00. Good buy.

[Bob1200rtc1]

First BMW, 2000 RT. First bike, 70-71? Honda SL-125.

[taylorjn]

First one riden - 1966 R27 - still want one

first one bought - 1984 K100RT. A friend learned (on that bike) that it cost $400 to go 100mph in MN in 1988.

[katnapinn]

First bike was a 1969 Suzuki 90 it was a hand me down from my 2 older brothers.
First BMW is the 2000 K1200LT I am riding now got it in April 2005

[jeffklt]

First BMW was a 1969 R50 and I can assure you it would cruise at 70 mph but it didn't get there very fast. Sorry to say I sold it in 1989 to help with grad school costs with 128k on the clock, original motor and still running smooth, never ran strong :) Tractor seat, turn signal lights in the bar ends, earls forks, John Deere key, fiber glass saddle bags, document carrier in the side of the tank, traveled all over the east but never crossed the Mississippi on it. Sold it through an ad in the back of BMW ON and ended it up shipping it by common carrier to somewhere in Kansas. Boy howdy would I like to have that bike back. Geez I think I'm gonna mist...

[Mugszy]

First bike - '68 Honda 450 Hellcat, the only vehicle I could afford, at $400 for transportation.

First BMW - '86 K100RS.

[Moot]

Sorry, Jeff. Didn't mean to get you all sentimental. Sounds like you and I feel the same about our old R 50s. Not sure mine ever saw 70 mph though. Great memories, eh?

[AlaskaFish]

My first Bike was a used 63? Honda CL-72 (250cc Scrambler) which I got for an amazing $75 in 1965! It needed a little TLC, but it was a rocket for me in those High School days.

Many Jap and Brit Bikes in the years (longest I went without two wheels from 1965 till now was about 3 years.) tween then and now, but the K1200LT I currently own was my first BMW. I had ridden some of the old Airheads, but never owned one till the LT.

John

[NascaLT]

First BMW: 1972 R75/5, (new); $1895.00
First Bike: 1966 Bridgestone 90cc, followed by a 1969 Ossa Pioneer 250cc
Current: '04 LT

[Lzyellodog]

1st Bike was a 1978 BMW R100/7, I paid nothing for it. My brother gave it to me because he was moving to TX and needed to get rid of it. It sat in Cambridge, MA in his driveway for a couple of years. I picked it up in a Uhaul Trailer and brought it home. I did some mechanical things to it to get her revived. I rode her for a few months before buying my 05 LT. I got the /7 in Late 04, got my MC endorsement in May of 05. I sold the /7 to a fellow BMWLT member, who in turn sold it to someone else. It was a fun bike to ride and a great beginner bike. So that was three years ago now. I now have over 30K miles under my belt.

[Jim]

First bike was a 750 Norton in the late '60's. First BMW was a R80RT in the late '90's.

[XMagnaRider]

First BMW: 2007 K1200GT
First motorcycle owned: 1975 Honda CB400F Super Sport

[gladiator99]

First BMW is a 2006 K1200LT. Just got it about three weeks ago and loving every day with it. Have owned 1 Ariel, 1 Norton, 2 Honda's, 1 Kawasaki, 1 Yamaha, 1 BMW.
Take care!
Jim :bmw: :bmw:

[dmatson]

First bike was a shinny new black 1965 Honda CB 160 that i rode the wheels off. First BMW was my 05' LT.

[mdakis2000]

First bike was a 59 Sears Allstate 125 for $295.00. Scary, I thought it was very cool looking!!, shifter was on the handle. First BMW was a 99LT Icon with no accessories, wish I still had it. 05 GS, sold, couldn't bond with it and and bought an 07 GT.

[Raymarks]

2001 LTC. Hit a deer after having it for 7 months. Totaled. Kinda a sneaky way to get a 2002 LTE not to mention painful. Rode Yamaha before 3 cylinder 850 special them a 1100 maxium. Both good bikes but I have more miles on the LTE than all 3 of the others put together.

[RaffyK]

1st BMW: K1200LT. Currently on my 5th K1200LT.

[justlookin]

My LT is my first BMW..
My 68 Kawasaki 90cc dirt/street bike was my 1st bike.

[blankshot]

My first BMW was my '02 LT. I had to sell my Ducati because of an neck injury.

My very first bike was a 1975 RD350, I have 2 of them today.

My favorite was my Ducati ST2 unitl my latest BMW a '07 K1200GT. I enjoy it more and more every day.

[1jusbill1]

My first BMW was a 1975 R75/6. I still have the bike, the original bill of sale, and the owners identiplate (credit card lookin' thingy) that came with them way back then. She runs as well today as she did when I bought her back in April of 1975, although she sure misses that Sunoco 260!

Bill Edwards
'75 R75/6
'99 K1200LT

[TouringProf]

In response to another post, I started thinking about my first motorcycle (other than the Cushman Eagle) and got to wondering, what BMW (or other bike) was first in line for other members of the forum.

My first was a 1967 R 50 that I bought used in 1969 for $750.00. It was 500 cc and was considered a pretty big motorcycle. I think it made about 25 hp and had a max speed of about 60 mph which, as I recall now, it did not achieve either willingly or quickly. (But then all I had to compare it to was the Cushman Eagle I rode in high school.) I recall that a year or so later I wanted to upgrade to an R 69 S but could not scrape together the dough which I think was only about $1,500 or so. Does any one recall what an R 69 S was going for in 1969 or 1970? Anyway, I sure wish I still had that old R 50 and every other bike I've owned since -- even the Cushman.

What was your first BMW, when did you get it, what did you pay for it and what do you remember most fondly about it? :bmw:

2001 K1200LT; about $20K (new); long ride capability

[gpolakow]

My first Beemer is the 2000 LTC I bought last year. But it's my 10th or so motorcycle if you include the Vespa 125 and Lambretta 150 I owned before I bought my Honda CB160.

[tobiwan]

1983 R80RT. Red. $5200. most exciting trip, Syracuse to Boston 3 hr 55 min. One 4th of July weekend. traffic still passed me. and one LEO as well. Close to 100K miles and now for sale. Reconditioned with a lot of new stuff.

[Patric]

My First BMW was a '80 R100T , that I Bought new

My First Motorcycle was a '67 Triumph Trail Trophy 500 I got in '72

[usmctpdog]

My First BMW: 1973 R/75/5 Long Frame with Dustbin fairing and 12 inch
halogen headlight and RS seat. Purchased in 1976 used from friend who was a mechanic working @ Irv Seavers BMW in Santa Ana.

Memorable item. The darn key that went into the headlight that was so hard to carry around.

* Loved the idle and shake of the BMW twin cylinder engine and funny kickstart lever. Hated the carbs that would not stay in sync and lousy
suspension. Totally customized and painted in Emron silver paint.
I wish I still had that bike today. I believe I paid $2500 at that time.

[ATFLT]

Mine was a 76 R90/6 that I got from my brother. I'm not sure what I paid for it as I traded my Suzuki GT750 in on my brother's 78 Goldwing and got his R90. I guess I paid around $2,800 that way. The thing I liked best was that I could work on it myself very easily. I could change both tires, tubes and points in about an hour. Too bad the newer ones aren't like that!

[kmurphy165]

Greetings, Students!

1st bike: 1979 Yamaha 175XT. Put wife on back rode over Loveland Pass to Lake Dillon. Froze and had buzzies from elbows and knees down.

1st BMW: 2000 R1100 RT. New Wife needed more leg room, so bought 2002 K1200LTC, never looked back.

Hopalong Karl

[waycoa]

Mine was a 90/6 purchased from Reynolds BMW in SLC. Went on a honeymoon with that bike with first wife. Eventually her ultimatum was that the bike goes or she goes. I made the wrong choice, which later became moot.

[NOGILLS2]

My first BMW is my 03 K1200LTE, that I presently own.
My first bike is my K1200LTE.

[Florian]

05LT is my 1st BMW.....after many other makes and models.


F

[Slim]

No Beemer As Of Yet But First Bike Was A Chapperral 80 Neat Little Dirt Bike When I Was 10 Or So Then A 78 550-4 When I Was 18 Then A 71 Xlch Then A 89 Fxrs-sp Now A 94 Flhtc Ratter

[Bubbagazoo]

My first motorcycle was a 1978 Kawasaki KZ400 that I got in a trade for a FIAT 128 in 1982. That was replaced by a Honda CB500T after some thief stole the 400. Sold the Honda and got myself a Yamaha XS650 Heritage Special in '85. Sold it when kids started showing.

My first BMW was purchased in January of 2006. It was a 2000 R1100RT. I traded that in March of 2007 for my current ride -- Capri Blue R1200CL.

[tkramer]

My first BMW was a '78 R80/7 with an S fairing and low cafe-style bars. I bought higher wider bars, took off the fairing and rode it like a GS all over the Colorado Rocky Mountains, (fire roads, dozens of mountain passes, the Moffett tunnel a couple of times before it collapsed. I really wanted a K75 at the time (1986) but couldn't afford one. I think I ended up having more fun with the R80 than I otherwise would with the K bike.

[2002redrider]

My first BMW was a 1987 K75S that I bought for $4000 in 1993 with 12,000 miles on it. I sold it in 2002 for $3500 and wish I still had it. Famous last words.

[JATownsend]

Wow...memories! My first bike a 1975 BMW R75/5! :bmw: I traded my broken down Lotus Elan +2S130 to my brother-in-law for it. :histerica

It had a nice Vetter Windjammer fairing, leather bags and a really cool key! When I went on out-of-town jobs, I'd toss it in the back of my van and use it when I got to location. That bike was everywhere.

It burned up in 1977 when our home caught on fire, but that's another story! :(

[Tracus]

1968 - 1971 Honda 50cc cadet (Rode it from State College to Pgh. regularly with a top end of 40 mph)
Long gap and a long story why no bike for 29 years.
2000-2002 - 1991 Honda Nighthawk 750
2002-2007 - 2002 R1150RS
2007 - present '06 R1200RT

[Vffr1]

First BMW was a R1200RT, I love it, paid $1000 under MSRP and got a free GPSIII to boot. I ride it alot more then my sport bike, Triumph 675.

Michael

[skydiver]

My first BMW was a 1972 R75(I think that was the model), it was a 750cc, complete with full fairing, saddle bags and rear carrier. It cost $2200.00 back then (almost as much as I just spent for a 20,000 km service check, seal and clutch replacement). It was a lot of fun to ride, wish I had kept it. It was my 2nd bike and I thought it was so big, but compared to the 80cc Suzuki I had previously, I guess it was. I had it rigged up with a radio in the rear carrier and a loud speaker mounted inside the windshield...had to stop to change channels or adjust the volume. Sold it and bought a '76 R 90, 900 cc, with Windjammer Fairing, no bags, or anything fancy, although still a great bike. Now with my 2004 LT and the expensive repairs and service, I sure wish I had one of my old Beemers back, I never spend anything on either of them other than price of oil and filter and the occasional tire.

[Steve_R]

The 2000 K1200LT, Canyon Red Rover, that met it's demise on September 1 last year that I purchased in 2004 from Raffy.

[jzeiler]

My first BMW was a 1978 R80/7. I bought it from a guy the stored it with me when he transferred to the Phillippines. I bought it right after my 74 Suzuki GT-750 was stolen in 1985. It had the Vetter fairing and Krauser bags. The fly wheel had the Reg Pridmore lightening holes and it was a heck of a lot easier to replace the rear main seal on it compared to the LT. I did it in one afternoon in the driveway no less!

[Bobnoxous]

First beemer is the 06 K12GT I've got now. Was drawn to beemers to get a twin engine that was more reliable than the evolution model on my 01 electra glide classic, and get a lighter bike, but once I rode the K bike, I decided I didn't really need a twin.

First bike, a 450CC (I think) Honda DOHC. Forget the exact model. This was my learning bike, and it did well for me. Very little maintenance. A trip back to college was 75 miles, and if I filled up before I left, I could make it non-stop. I couldn't take notes for a couple hours though. It took a while for the vibration to leave my hands. Those were some good years (but now isn't bad either).

[StillJustJerry]

First one I ever rode was an R69S in 1966. Guy was selling it to get a Harley - it wasn't comfortable enough for him. Coming off my Yamaha 80 it was like an ungodly beast that had too much power to control, although if I would have had the bucks I sure would have loved to have tried!

[yair1956]

1978- 1976 R60/7 awsemoe bike, we had agreat time

[GeoffCee]

I bought my first BeeEmm in 1979, a R100T, to which I added a Pantera fairing, which was a British copy of a Windjammer III. I kept this great bike for 9 years and used it to tour around Britain and Continental Europe for 86,000 miles.

[jayjacobson]

An 03 Suzuki Burgman 650. Then an 06 LT and finally an 07 GT.

[kmdovie]

first bike was a 2005 suzuki c50t... still have it but looking to sell it... i now have a 2003 k12lt... i think i will keep it for quite awhile if possible... have only been riding since 9/06' but that way i am still alive... had i bought one when i was younger (51 now)...i'd probably have killed myself on one as i am a nut for power...still am but i respect the bike much more than a sports car...probably ride like a little ole lady... but i stay alive to ride tomorrow..

[BennyBob]

First Beemer is my 2001 LTC which I bought from Captain Nasty on July 8th 2007. He was gracious enough to meet me in Little Rock where we sealed the deal and I rode home. I pulled into the garage 601 miles later thinking "Wish I didn't have to work tomorrow."

BTW it's only 500 miles via interstates 40 & 35 from Little Rock to Austin. I, um.... got sidetracked by a scenic byway sign. :rolleyes:

[Duane_in_Florida]

First Beemer - '06 LT; but before that (all Hondas) - 90, 200, 500 and then 750 cc bikes - as you can see I am one proponent of working up in size.

[Retread]

My first BMW is the 2002 K1200LT I bought last September. I love it.

My first bike was a Honda S90 followed by a string of dirt bikes. My first road bike was a Honda CX500. It was fun.

If I were to buy another road bike right now it would almost certainly be another BMW. Great bikes.