Grant, I was only joking...
With regards to Ks: I have a K100RT and it runs rings around my R75/5 off tarmac. When the R hits deep gravel it tries to throw me off.
I have taken the K on a 4x4 road in NZ where you wouldn't take a car. No sweat, but without pillion. Would be doable with, but not fun. Gravel no problem, it just seems to stabilise itself after a slide. With the R I was facing death. A /5 is no GS, of course...
Tappets are adjusted with shims, but I never had to adjust any in several 10000km. The engine is practically maintenance-free, apart from oil, filter and the very occasional plug change. To me the K is the best BMW has ever built.
If you do decide on an R80 or R100, have the gearbox bearings replaced by an expert before leaving. It can't be repaired on the side of the road. The final drive can't be repaired at all, so have it thoroughly checked. On mine the nut holding the pinion gear assembly together came loose. Apparently, this happened on later models, too. I found out by good chance and fixed it before it caused any damage. Otherwise, you won't notice anything until it fails. This is said to be spectacular, sometimes...
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Salut from Southern France, the bikers' paradise,
Peter.
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