Bmw Scraps Its Triples

BMW SCRAPS ITS TRIPLES

IT MAY BE STRIKE THREE FOR BMW'S K75 Triples, but the company is out to hit a solo home run, having announced plans to sell the F650 Single in the U.S.

This year will be the last for the smooth-running Triples. “The K75’s time has come,” said a BMW spokesman. “Worldwide, it’s not a huge seller.” Prices for the ’95 bikes-essentially unchanged from last year, save cosmetics-range from $7490 for the plain-Jane K75 to $12,590 for the K75RT tourer.

Also bowing out this year are the old two-valve Boxers, to be sold in four guises. BMW’s multi-functional R100GS lists for $8590, while the R100GS PD, with its 9.25gallon gas tank, is priced at $9390. The standard-style R100R Mystic carries an $8990 price, while the fully faired R100RT retails for $10,290.

The departure of these motorcycles leaves BMW without a bike priced below $ 10,000, but that will change when the F650 (see Cycle World, September, 1994) arrives here. There’s no firm date for the bike’s introduction,

but a BMW rep-

resentative said it will be roughly 18 months before we see the Single, which has sold well overseas. Also left uncertain is the bike’s selling price, although the spokesman said, “We displayed the F650 at several motorcycle shows and asked people to base their interest on the bikes costing somewhere in the high-$6000 to low-$7000 range.”

BMW would not confirm reports that a more sporting 650 would be released, along with the dual-purpose model. Such developments would make sense, said the spokesman.

“The K75 started out as one model and became a few different models,” he said. “So, it wouldn’t be a surprise to see that happen with the F650.”

-Robert Hough