The New And Improved Unofficial R65 Forum V2
General Category => General Announcements => Topic started by: Dizerens5 on October 18, 2010, 03:57:37 PM
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Good American friends aren't you a bit troubled that the Brits seem to be moving in on this great website? Don't worry, we are not re-colonizing, no need to call out Paul Revere and the Minutemen! And George III is long dead. We just appreciate all your help and friendliness!
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But we are overdue for a 'revolution' in this country !!!!!!!
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"KILL THE FED (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Federal_Reserve_System)!!!"
"Long live freedom!"
I love the world-wide community we share, here.
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I'm actually VERY happy that we're gaining more and more fellow R65 riders from other countries! Even if those from Britain are harder to understand language-wise ;-) It's a comforting thing to know that we in this country aren't always looked upon with disdain and loathing by others, at least when it comes to motorcycling!
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I have nothing but thanks for our "cousins" in the new country.
We have a lot to learn from them and they from us.
The R65 just does not seem to be that popular over here, they were expensive in their day and many went for Jap stuff.
I saw my first airhead at the age of 17 and knew that one day I would own one. Hopefully now the Brits are realising just how good these bikes are...
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Dear American members - There is no cause for alarm! The other colonials like me, Danie and Darwin will keep the red peril at bay!
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Actually, there seems to be a disproportionate amount of Aussies here compared to population. (A bit like the Olympics & Commonwealth Games ;))
Is there a "members by country" thingo?
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The R65 just does not seem to be that popular over here, they were expensive in their day and many went for Jap stuff.
I'm sure that was the reason. They were hideously expensive here and you could buy all sorts of exotic Jap bikes for the price of a BMW and most did me included. I was always envious of how cheap bikes were in the US and still am - no cure for that though except to move.
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When I bought my '81 R65 in January, 1981, the price before taxes, was $3299US .
The Asian bike manufacturers were 'dumping' their bikes (on the US market at least) at cut rate prices at that time, you could get a 650 Yamaha for $1600-1800US at the time .
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I don't know how it goes in the US but it is a permanent mystery to me why the R65 (and similar vintage airheads) are not regarded as classics here in Britain. The R65 is a good-looking bike, it's lovely to ride, it's usually reliable and almost all spare parts are easy to get (if expensive!). My beautiful 79, in near perfect mechanical and exterior condition, cost £1,500, about $2,000 and that's a normal price here. But a late 70s Triumph Bonneville or Norton Commando "in good nick" as we say, would probably have cost me three or four times as much. A Harley or Guzzi or Ducati of the same period and in good order would also have cost a whole lot more, I believe, and spare parts would sometimes be a hassle. Mystery.
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I don't know how it goes in the US but it is a permanent mystery to me why the R65 (and similar vintage airheads) are not regarded as classics here in Britain. The R65 is a good-looking bike, it's lovely to ride, it's usually reliable and almost all spare parts are easy to get (if expensive!). My beautiful 79, in near perfect mechanical and exterior condition, cost £1,500, about $2,000 and that's a normal price here. But a late 70s Triumph Bonneville or Norton Commando "in good nick" as we say, would probably have cost me three or four times as much. A Harley or Guzzi or Ducati of the same period and in good order would also have cost a whole lot more, I believe, and spare parts would sometimes be a hassle. Mystery.
Prices may shift after the Front Page feature on the R90s in this months Classic Bike Magazine and the praise heaped on the Boxer engines the R90s being as rare as hens teeth.
Lou
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When I bought my '81 R65 in January, 1981, the price before taxes, was $3299US .
And I bought my 1979 left-over model in 1980 for $3600!
I think the 1980 was cheaper, still, but I didn't know it at the time.
And yes, I could have had any Japanese 1000cc bike for the same money - and all the insurance woes that would come along with it for a young man of only 23. Not to mention possibly killing myself from too much HP, and NOT being a BMW!
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Dear American members - There is no cause for alarm! The other colonials like me, Danie and Darwin will keep the red peril at bay!
There could be a bunch of them up here in Canada though...and we're close!!! :o ;) ;D
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Quote from the British BMW Club magazine from the riders of an R80ST sidecar rig with 1000 cc cylinders:
“[the riders]...weren’t club members, having been put off by the matching bike and suit brigade...” How well I understand that. I once went to a BMW Club meeting, about 6 0r 7 showed up, all with ultra modern, ultra expensive oilheads, Ks, GSs etc., all kitted out with head-to-toe beautiful leather gear plus boots and gloves.....and there I was with my good R65 and crappy cheapo Spada jacket. Way out of my scene....
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I think you'll find that in Australia at least it is being regarded as a classic. I switched at the 11th hour from a 2009 Suzuki Bandit 1250 at $10,450 to a bike 25yrs old half the capacity & half the price.
The Insurance Co. quoted value of the LS as $4,600. Mechanics were predicting that it's value will rise & the few being offered for sale privately are up to $6,000.
Anyway, I bought it because I liked it. :)
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Mine got a couple of curious questions by other BMW riders when I was at the dealership the other day.
Whenever I show up at a club meeting it is pretty well ignored, though. And I feel the same social discomfort that you related, Constellation.
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I don't know how it goes in the US but it is a permanent mystery to me why the R65 (and similar vintage airheads) are not regarded as classics here in Britain.
It is a puzzle. 70's Airheads do not have much classic status in terms of escalating prices in the UK except perhaps the /5's and certainly the R90S and yet they all have far more engineering integrity than most other so called classics of the same period.
Now what really bugs me is when I see that a Lambretta scooter is worth more more than an Airhead. I know they are cult machines but the quality was rubbish by comparison. Vespa's were better.
Airheads are quality machines so maybe their time will come when the numbers thin out.
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It's even more strange that the /5 series are better regarded than the R65. Years ago I owned an R60/5 from new and it was rubbish even compared to Brit bikes of the day. I finally sold it when I cleaned out the sump (oil pan) and found a damaged 13mm nut and washer in it. That was the last of many straws.
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I have a fondness for the Britt members. After all, it was British vehicles that made a mechanic out of me!
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I have a fondness for the Britt members. After all, it was British vehicles that made a mechanic out of me!
Touche'
British bikes were fine... there was nothing wrong with them that a major rebuild every 20,00 miles wouldn't cure ;D
Jupiters travels, one of my favourite reads has Ted Simon choose a Triumph 500 twin to ride around the world when he might have had a BMW. I know he became very attached to the Triumph but you wonder if an R60 wouldn't have got him around without quite so many engine rebuilds.
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He repeated most of his 1970s trip recently (at over 70 years old) but this time used a BMW. Not sure what type but I think it was an airhead? It was certainly loaded down with electronic equipment, computer, internet, tra la la. Also not sure if he had any trouble but with all that kit he could have called on backup. On the Triumph he was on his own with only local help, I believe.
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On the Triumph he was on his own with only local help,
He certainly was on his own unlike some of the more recent characters on oilhead GS's who couldn't even pick the bike up without a backup crew. Great bikes maybe but in my book far far too heavy.
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Quote 6 0r 7 showed up, all with ultra modern, ultra expensive oilheads, Ks, GSs etc., all kitted out with head-to-toe beautiful leather gear plus boots and gloves.....and there I was with my good R65 and crappy cheapo Spada jacket. Way out of my scene....
You would fit right in on the Gabfesters forum totally irreverent BMW owners who have no time for the "Charlie and Ewan" wannabees in there Quote "matching"T**T" suits". (Pregnant goldfish springs to mind)
http://www.gabfesters.org.uk/
lou