BMW K-75RT
The BMW K 75 is a series of motorcycles produced by BMW between 1985 and 1996. The model was equipped with a three-cylinder in-line engine with a displacement of 740 cc. The K 75 was based on the earlier four-cylinder K 100, which was released two years earlier. This was evident both in technical terms and in the visual component.
BMW K75. Escort motorcycle from Russian Federation. Used between 1993 and 2022
To compensate for vibrations, the K-75 engine, which was reduced by one cylinder, was equipped with a balance shaft. Unlike many other motorcycles, where the clutch and gearbox are in the same block with the engine (crankcase), the K-75 had a separate engine and gearbox, as is common in passenger cars.
The engine, with an output of 55 kW (75 HP) at 8500 rpm, has two valves per cylinder. Unlike four-cylinder models such as the BMW K1 from 1988, the K 75 did not feature multi-valve technology.
Due to its reliability, many regions used the K 75 RT in police services. The Bundeswehr also used the K 75 as a military police escort motorcycle until 2004.
BMW K 75 RT
The BMW K 75 RT is a touring motorcycle that was produced from 1989 to 1996. It is the most comfortable version of the BMW K 75 series, the only model in the world equipped with a horizontal three-cylinder in-line engine.
The BMW K 75 C, introduced in 1985, served as the basis for the BMW K 75 RT.
Description
The K 75 series is closely related to the BMW K 100 with a four-cylinder in-line engine, introduced in 1983. The series was introduced as a smaller version two years after the four-cylinder engine. The main technical differences between the two K series are a modified frame, a rear brake – a mechanically actuated drum brake instead of a hydraulically actuated disc brake, and, of course, the engine.
Later models received disc brakes on the rear wheel, which became necessary with the advent of ABS, which was initially an option. The K 75 series is equipped with a BMW three-cylinder engine. To eliminate typical vibrations, the K 75 engine had a balance shaft. As a result, the engine ran quieter and with less vibration than the four-cylinder K 100 engine. The engine developed a nominal power of 55 kW (75 hp) from a displacement of 740 cm³ at 8,500 rpm. The K 75 gained popularity in the police version based on the K 75 RT, which had a single seat instead of a two-seater bench and a radio case attached to the rear.
The motorcycle accelerates from 0 to 100 km/h in 4.6 seconds and reaches a top speed of 185 km/h.
The main feature of the K 75 RT is the large fairing, which increases the weight and frontal area, reducing maximum performance, but protecting the rider from wind and weather. With its angular shape, it is reminiscent of the fairing of the BMW K 100 RT.
The distinctive feature of the K series motorcycles is the horizontally longitudinal engine with cylinders arranged one behind the other in a row, transmitting power via an intermediate shaft and a single-plate dry clutch with a five-speed gearbox. This design, due to the unusual noise, was nicknamed “vacuum cleaner”. The chassis is designed as an engine-transmission unit: the rear wheel suspension is attached to the gearbox and has no direct connection to the frame.
The three-cylinder K 75 series was discontinued in 1996. The four-cylinder series, which was further developed from the K100 in several stages of evolution to the K 1200 RS, was gradually replaced by a new series of BMW motorcycles with a transversely mounted four-cylinder in-line engine. Until 2009, the old K series with a longitudinal engine was present in the production program only in the form of a luxury tourer BMW K 1200 LT.
Sales
A total of 21,264 K 75 RTs were produced, making it the most popular model in the K 75 series. Other versions of the K-75 were:
- BMW K 75 C – the basic model with a small handlebar fairing, produced from 1985 to 1990 (9,566 units).
- BMW K 75 S – a sporty version with a half fairing fixed to the frame, produced from 1985 to 1995 (18,649 units).
- BMW K 75 – a new basic model without a fairing, produced from 1986 to 1996 (18,485 units).
The new prices were always in the upper part of the 750 class.
Manufacturer: BMW Motorrad (BMW)
Assembly: Spandau (Berlin, FRG)
Years of production: 1985—1996
Production: 21,264 units
Length: 2230 mm
Width: 960 mm
Height: 1460 mm
Engine: 3 cylinders; 740 cc
Power: 75 HP
Max speed: 200 km/h
Weight: 227 kg
FSO Museum (VDNKh, Moscow, Russia)
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