The New And Improved Unofficial R65 Forum V2
General Category => General Announcements => Topic started by: nanhuo88 on April 12, 2007, 11:00:17 AM
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I'm eighteen years old and about to get my first bike and both my uncles want me to get an old R65. They're both airhead fanatics and they always tell me stories about how they rode across Australia...or cross-canada...or across Europe. All on their R65s...without any breakdowns of course. My question is how fast can these bikes really go? Also its going to be my first bike and I don't really have a lot of cash to spare so how much can I expect to pay for maintenance? Thirdly, How hard is it to do repairs on these things? I'd like to consider myself pretty mechanically adept (I totally repaired an old VW Bus) but when it comes to motorcycles I haven't the slightest idea. An old R80(i think?) of my uncles is the only bike I've been on (except for my buddy's suzuki) so how hard is it going to be for my to ride this thing? Thanks in advance
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Welcome to the forum! First off if you want a fast motorcycle buy one, the R65 is not a fast bike by any means, I don't think I have gotten mine above 100 mph ( only have the 85 mph max speedometer ) ,and they don't take too well to high performance modifications either. As far as maintenance costs, it all depends on what the previous owner(s) did to the bike, if nothing of consequence has been done for 10-15 years, you can expect to put around $800-1000 into it to get to a reliable state. But these bikes are user friendly when it comes to maintaining them, a reasonable amount of mechanical know-how will get you through most routine tasks. Parts can be costly, as these bikes were last brought into the US about 21 years ago. So the internet is your friend for parts, and get good at looking up your own part numbers from the on-line parts catalogs, as most BMW dealers, don't have very competent part departments as far as airhead bikes are concerned. I've had my '81 R65 since January, 1981, and it's been a reliable friend for all of these 26 years and 79,000 miles, never left me stranded yet. Don't be afraid to ask for help here, as I don't think you are going to have a problem arise that somebody here hasn't dealt with before. Now if we can only remember what we did to fix it, as we are on average an old bunch around here, at least I can speak for myself!
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Welcome aboard. . .my R65LS is my first and only bike so far. I don't have much to compare it to as far as ease of learning to ride, I don't think you'll go wrong with an R65. I was fortunate enough to get mine with full records of good maintenance, as a result the upkeep has been pretty reasonable. Repairs are fairly simple and straightforward, these bikes are Not complicated by any stretch of the imagination. If you're good with a wrench, you'll be able to do most of the work yourself, and save yourself paying labor. Parts are out there, and I'll agree with Bob about getting good at finding the numbers. . .a few dealers have the parts fiche online, but I'd recommend getting an original BMW parts catalog if you can find one. Ebay will also be a friend to you. . .there's quite a few of these bikes out there, and no shortage of people selling off bits of them. Good luck making a choice, and you'll find this a good place for advice, chances are someone here's run into any problem you might have.
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You can get a good nick R65 to a shade under 115. To do it I was prone on the tank and had my feet on the back pegs. The only performance mod's as such were K&N air filters (borrowed off my then girlfriends Guzzi) and removal any unnecessary weight. (Mirrors, tools, pannier racks.) Over five timed at Oulton Park laps I managed to screw an average of 98 mph , with a top speed of 113 on the back straight I'm sure a better (crazier) track rider could probably have got a little more out of her but I was/am too attached to my life to try.
Pushing her that hard was not something would do again as I honestly thought thought the Bimbo was going to go bang if I carried on any longer.
But... Having said that, I have also taken her to the Nurburgring a couple of times and had a jolly fine time lapping in about 11 or 12 mins after I had got something like an idea of where the 70 odd bends go.
There are a fair few mods you can make to an R65 to get them to go faster but the couple of people I've met who have done all said that they kissed the reliability good bye in the process.
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You can buy a more modern Japanese bike that will be alot faster, but definitely more
challenging to work on and which will probably self destruct long before a decently cared
for R65 will start to feel middle-age. The R65 will also cost you alot less to insure than
a new, plastic enclosed, 600cc liquid cooled screamer will, too, and like others have said -
it is just a couple steps up from a lawnmower in terms of complexity, whereas you'll
have to bring your new bike to the dealer to change the oil or adjust the valves !
I guess it really comes down to your preferences/needs. I will tell you, when I was
a teenager, it was a good thing I only had a 40 HP motorcycle to ride on rather than
the 100 HP of these modern 600s, I learned how to be a good rider and I didn't have
a machine that could launch me into a telephone pole at the drop of a hat...
gosh, now I really do sound like an old f%rt...
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Thrang, that seems to be the general consensus. You can hot-rod an R65 but pretty much everything you do to it to increase HP decreases reliability... If I ever want a fast bike again (which I doubt) I'll go buy a fast bike! I would rather have one that is reliable and is maintainable by mere mortals such as ourselves.
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The thing I really like about the Bimbo is just how easy it to work on. Even the gear box is a doddle once you've worked out how it all comes apart.
If I was after a ballistic missile of a motorbike bike I'd go shopping for one of the 8 valve R1100s, (and probably a coffin not much later...)
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i would say look at the older super bikes if you want power, speed and ease of being able to work on them. the kawi kz line of 1000's, 900's and 650's will do you nice. enough power to do all those things you want without getting you into to much trouble as a new rider. with a little work they can look alittle newer and sporter. here is my old kz650 that my son redid this winter for himself.
i was going to use the fairing on my r65, now i am going to go the more tradional cafe line.
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Get a nice R65. Learn to work on it, learn to run it to your/its limits. Then your ready for somthin' more modern/powerful. Take it from an "old guy" you don't want to let your enthusiasm exceed your skill. That'll ruin your whole day. lots of examples here
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ijGJlol2pGU&NR=1
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My R65 has been clocked at 119mph(down hill with a tail wind) The only perfomance mods being a K+N airfilter and ditching the pulse air system. My R1150R glides past the 100 mark so smooth you'd think you were only going 40 but hitting the Ton on the R65 flat out over the tank,bike vibating your teeth out,just above red line,trying to catch the Triumph Tiger in front of you. Wow! all the speed and thrills I need thank you very much!
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I agree with what most of these guys are saying except the reliable part.I can show plenty of fast jap bikes that go on and on without any major breakdowns. The way i see it most R65's need the heads done and tranny work before thay hit 80K. I have owned and seen many inline four engines go that with no major work at all. Don't get me wrong,I think R65's are cool but any bike can run forever if you keep putting money into it. I don't mean that as a slam on beemers . The fact is most BMW's are driven by responsable riders who don't beat the crap out of their bikes., now if you look at sport bikes owned by younger riders they tend to get pounded on alot more. That's the real reason alot of metrics end up living a short life, NOT because of inferior workmanship or engineering. Find a nice honda nighthawk for your first bike, you'll love it and they can be had for short money,then you can get a beemer for you 2nd bike. ;D
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My R65 has been clocked at 119mph(down hill with a tail wind) The only perfomance mods being a K+N airfilter and ditching the pulse air system. My R1150R glides past the 100 mark so smooth you'd think you were only going 40 but hitting the Ton on the R65 flat out over the tank,bike vibating your teeth out,just above red line,trying to catch the Triumph Tiger in front of you. Wow! all the speed and thrills I need thank you very much!
How much was the ticket? ;D
I bet with my Windjammer I could get some serious use out of a tail wind.
What year Tiger is outrunning your R65? Not one of the older, carb challenged models I hope? I was too scared to run my R65 over red line, so 105 is as much as I've done on it. My speedometer only goes to 85 (and that's all it will do, officer) but I had it to about 7,250 rpms. I think that's 105.
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how often do you really need t break a ton, not often.
how often can you get away with breaking a ton? also, probably not often.
my first bike was a bright red '89 Suzuki Katana 600, and that thing was mostly a cop magnet, AND a thief magnet... fortunately, a few girls liked it too. ;)
had that up to an indicated 130+ and ppulling hard one night, just to do it, but it got plenty of tickets at speeds just above the speed limit, often after letting other traffic pass me, just because it LOOKED fast. however, it was always reliable, just needed tires, chains, oil, gas than the occasional tuneup. that was my only vehicle for several years, but was eventually stolen. i picked up a second used Katana, but it needs an engine swap because the noobie who had it didn't know how to shift, and messed up 2nd gear from clutchless upshifts. simplest solution was to get a "new" used motor and i'll be swapping that soon... just waiting on a center stand i bought.
right now, my running bike is an '87 Kawasaki KLR 650. big thumper, looks slow, handles well, simple to work on, fun to ride, been in production for 20+ years and while it has a few warts, they are all well documented, simple and inexpensive to fix. the KLR *might* break a ton if you're lucky... but i don't often feel the need to go that fast any more.
my R65 currently needs even more work that the project Katana... but i got it because it was inexpensive and i like wrenching on bikes, AND because of the reputation of the BMW, and the continued availability of parts, even for older bike, plus what looks like some good aftermarket and enthusiast support. it looks good, everyone says they handle well, isn't likely to draw the attention of many cops, or crooks, but hopefully i'll be able to find a few women who appreciate a classic... and a nice bike ::)
i haven't torn into the engine yet, but it looks soooo simple, and it actually looks aesthetically pleasing, at least to my eyes.
only drawback to the bike would seem to be that the snowflake wheels weren't designed to be tubeless.
because you have two uncles who are both into airheads, and recommend the R65, i'd say that that's another very good reason to lean in that direction... they'll probably be happy to watch you wrench on it and tell you what to do, and probably have some of the beemer-specific tools and spares.
a good pair of engine guard bars will also be more resilient than shiny plastic bodywork when you drop it the first few times... DAMHIK! :-?
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It's not going to handle, or brake, well compared to modern bikes but it was very nice in it's day and probably the most "nimble" of the Airheads.
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Erm Jap Rider Jim, your right about the heads needing work around somewhere between 80 & 100k mark. But thats fair enough it a piss easy job to do, you can do the lot including the valve guides and seats yourself, even by an idiot like me on a night school welding course. I just asked the teacher who to ask and they sorted out access and taught me how to use the tools I needed. (If your in the UK have a look at your local technical college) A BMW club memebership allowed me hire the one factory tool I needed and the job was done in two weeks with the satisfaction on knowing that I had done it myself.
Ignoring any modern Japanese bike's (which are fantastic machines to run and ride, if you don't mind not getting your hands dirty) and comparing like for like, all I can say is the succession of late 70 & early 80's aircooled UJM's ( Suzuki gsx's mainly) I had as a student gave me way more trouble than the Bimbo ever has. Even when they were new (well ish) they they were no where near to the R65 in terms of reliability. Also there is chain to adjust every couple of weeks, no dodgy connectors on the wiring loom to have to bodge up and I spent a dam sight more money on cam chains, and pissing about with shims than setting the valves on the the beemer every month.
I'm not sure who you've been talking to about R65 gear boxes unless your talking about clutch plates which fair enough lasts 70 to 80K. But the gear box its self, I've never had one go wrong on me with less than 150k on it Sure I am a bit obsessive about my gear box oil and change it every 10k along with keeping a close eye on the speedo drive bung gromit collar thing which can leak.
I guess what I'm saying is you have to look at it in historical context all Airheads (post /7) are 1970 technology and I kind of like that.
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Hi Thrang, I never owned any Suzuki motorcycles so I can't comment on them. However I owned a couple of shaft driven Hondas that never gave me that much trouble. I remember having to change the stator and rotor in the charging system in my old cb900 custom but that was it,other than that the bike was a dream to ride and own. I put 70K trouble free miles on that bike.
I had an old Sportster for my first street bike when I was 18 and that bike was a nightmare. I had to wrench that bike constantly and broke down often. Since then I've owned mostly Hondas and never looked back. I do my own maitainance but I don't like to tinker if I don't have to.
BMW is a great bike, but for a kid with little cash I think he would be better off with a late 80's nighthawk. They have shaft drive with and inline four DOHC engine. The bike can take a bit before needing any major attention.
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I'll not argue with you there, as the Nighthawks got a good reputation.
It was my old Maggot (slang for a Honda CX500) that sold me on the shaft drive long before I rode my first BMW (a K100, which I did not like one bit). The only reason why I bought the Bimbo in 1990, was a climbing trip to the Alps that summer. I needed a bike that would a) get me there, b) carry the load of me, camping gear, climbing gear, ropes, all at for price I could afford (under 2 grand).
I would not have looked at a BMW except a bloke I knew called Leo the Head who had an R100, and saw the R65 for sale at Doug Hackings in Bolton, and dragged me to see it.
If I was a 19, 20 year old today having grown up on modern very reliable learner bikes, and 400cc restricted performance machines, about the only reason why I go for the Beemer would be the insurance. Not that many 19 20 year old lads in the UK could afford a 650 these days even with the low insurance bracket of an R65!
For me once I had got used to the idiosyncrasy and quirks of the Beemer and learned how to ride her, it was as much her flaws, as her advantages that attracted me. A 2 valve BMW needs to be looked after or she'll turn in to a right bitch on you, but if you don't mind or enjoy getting your hands dirty for an afternoon of bike tinkering now and then, plus regular once overs which are really only what they told us we were meant to be doing when we passed our tests, then a Beemer makes sense.