The New And Improved Unofficial R65 Forum V2
General Category => Totally Off-Topic Discussions, Rants, Tire & Oil Threads, Etc. => Topic started by: Lucky_Lou on October 11, 2014, 01:02:58 PM
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During my recent visit to the USA I sadly didn't see any Airheads despite doing over 1500 miles on my road trip, Loads of Harleys a few Goldwing's the odd Triumph and a couple of Oilheads most of the Harley riders had scant regard for personal safety with no helmets and "T" shirts... Darwinism will eventually prevail......
I did manage to get a off road ride in Colorado though and tie up with some R65 members in Fort worth Monte (Montmil) and Mike (Bengt Phorqs)
(https://bmwr65.org/smf/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2Fi278.photobucket.com%2Falbums%2Fkk113%2Fluckyloudiamond%2F200_zps308a11dd.jpg&hash=ec5c2bf365b663455c7e940c62c1f8d524effaa3) (http://s278.photobucket.com/user/luckyloudiamond/media/200_zps308a11dd.jpg.html)
(https://bmwr65.org/smf/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2Fi278.photobucket.com%2Falbums%2Fkk113%2Fluckyloudiamond%2F239_zps4d4c4a97.jpg&hash=777595852659cc49d7e30fe4e2f7638d2a016fe9) (http://s278.photobucket.com/user/luckyloudiamond/media/239_zps4d4c4a97.jpg.html)
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You don't see very many airheads on the road .
I live in Phoenix and ride just about every day and I may see an airhead once a month in my daily commute .
Out on the back roads on weekends may see an occasional airhead .
Seems like no one wants 30 + year old bikes, let alone ride them .
Try looking for Guzzi's on the road, I've seen two in the five years I've had my Lario !!!
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It's not much different in the UK. I ride most every day and while modern BMW's are common enough I rarely see an airhead and even more rarely see a type 248.
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Denton, Texas -30 something miles north of the DFW MetroMess- has a population of 121,000, more or less. I know riders of at least ten Airheads here in town, one of which rolls a sidecar rig. Also quite a few "modern" BMWs out n' about.
I believe us Airheads avoid the Interstate highways as much as possible. That means Bengt Phorqs and I must do a few super slab miles to get to our favorite Blue Hangar Cafe breakfast ride. Otherwise, us'uns stick to roads we refer to as "the cowboy way" where there are far fewer cagers.
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It's not much different in the UK. I ride most every day and while modern BMW's are common enough I rarely see an airhead and even more rarely see a type 248.
Fair point Barry but through the summer months there seems to be far more bikes on the road here than in the states.
I think the Interstate routes especially in or near the cities are quite Hairy so Monte I don't blame you for enjoying the scenic routes, the picture is taken on Highway 24 Colorado plenty of bikes up there nearly all Harleys and nearly always in groups.
On the way back to Denver there were a couple of hardy souls riding small bikes in the rain on I 70 just wondering if there is a restriction on the Interstate routes regarding engine size like we have here on the Motorways ?.
Lou
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About the only restriction I've seen on signs when entering an interstate highway, was ' motor driven cycles ' , or cycles under 150 cc's .
I don't know about other states, but Arizona interstate highway speed limit in rural areas is 75 mph .
Most traffic is 10-20 mph faster .
If you can't do at least 80 mph, you'll get yourself run over !!!! ;D
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I just looked up some demographics for the US motorcycle market and they have sold more bikes in the last 5 years than they ever did...they still worry about the aging biker ( 47yrs average) but they have been doing that for 20 years. If their data is including dirt bikes all bets are off, yes they are motorcycles but they are toys not a mode of transportation. They said a lot of their gains had been with young people and women, That suggests dirt bike to me.
My observation has been just like Lou's, what's out there are mostly Harleys, every once in a while an oil head or two, haven't seen a K bike in years. What happened to those 8 billion Gold Wings they sold, must be in someone's garage, not on the road for me to see. I have been 7000 miles plus this riding season across the Southwest into the South for my observations, No bikes.
The morning commute in Southern Calif. has lots of bikes maybe more than before. With cars making mileage close to what a bike gets(and more than a R80) you would seem that would push folks back to cars in the morning. Go figure
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A generalization - you would expect to see more bikes being used on a daily basis in warmer climates so the number on the roads in the UK are going to reduce at this time of year. I might see 2 on my commute to work and one of those is a scooter. Weekends would see many more sport riders.
For commuting I think the improved fuel economy of cars must be a factor when compared to a modern sports bike although it doesn't apply in my case. I get a minimum of 65 MPG on my short commute while my old car would never make more that the high 20's on a short run.
The real reason I ride almost every day sometimes in miserable conditions is because it's addictive. Why else have many of us been riding for over 40 years.
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Has been a recent upsurge in bike ownership and usage in Australia. Increase in bikes and scooters for commuting to the CBD as overloaded public transport and hideously expensive parking for cars. Scary seeing beautiful young things on 2 small wheels with no protective gear at all apart from the mandatory helmet. Bikes are exempt from parking meter tickets but need to observe the time limits or risk a fine. Out on the road it is later model BMW's and packs of posers on Harleys. Still a few earlier airheads getting around. Given the asking prices on the net they are highly prized.
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Hmmm Kookaburra. 63 years old, living in Sydney and has an R65. Are you me? :)
You are right, two distinct camps of Beemers or Harleys. I attended a Ulysses Club meeting last night and there was a constant banter between the two.
There is a third tribe emerging of cafe racers and other custom built bikes which looks like a bit of fresh thinking. Spring time here so many bikes and scooters on the road.
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You are right, two distinct camps of Beemers or Harleys. I attended a Ulysses Club meeting last night and there was a constant banter between the two.
I just want to place it on record that I have only one problem with Harley Davidson products, and that is that they are not described correctly on their importation documentation and essential equipment is omitted.
If they came described as "Agricultural Machinery" and came equipped with a standard three point implement mount (for things such as rakes, mowers, ploughs etc.) I would have no problem at all.
The problem is that because they are currently not accurately described, certain cognitively challenged individuals think that they are motorcycles and ride them on the road which was clearly not their intended purpose.
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If they came described as "Agricultural Machinery"
Tony , you must have a smother airhead than mine... Compared to a any Japanese multi, were on pure AG equipment too
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I got to thinking about this and I'm probably one of the worst culprits.
I moved to an area with "real winters", I work night and day, and at 69 I'm not as apt take a take off on a 3000 mile trip the way I used to. I might be doing 10% of what I was riding 10 years ago. So, I am definitely one of the reasons there are less Airheads out there.
How bout you?
Don't know why the poll didn't attach to this message. they were together when I previewed it
you can check more than 1 box. I did , too busy and "old"
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Tony , you must have a smother airhead than mine... Compared to a any Japanese multi, were on pure AG equipment too
It's not about how "smooth" they are, its about fitness for purpose.
One is a motorcycle and one is a two wheel tractor.
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It's not about how "smooth" they are, its about fitness for purpose.
Mine makes valve noise like a tractor. It shifts like a tractor. (and if we were not use to them) they look like a freaking tractor with their funny heads sticking out.
I still love my tractor, but a tractor it is
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Would you set out on a "absolutely must be there" 24hr 1500mile dash on a Harley and :-
a: Have the physical endurance to ride one that far in that time, and;
b: Seriously expect a Harley to go that distance in that time without the "laying on of spanners" ceremony?
OTOH, would you do the same thing (if you had to) on your BMW?
If your answers are "no, no & yes" then you have answered the question as to which one is a motorcycle and which one the farm implement.
PS
My best friend rides a Harley and I am in awe of both his faith in it and his personal strength in that he can load and unload it onto and off the recovery trailer all by himself.
He bought a trailer and ramps as he worked out that over a five year sample period the trailer would pay for itself when consider against the cost of paying commercial recovery rates.
He has lots of shelving space in his man-cave taken up with offerings to the Harley Gods (broken parts), but apparently they are still wonderful.
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My airhead is the smoothest motorcycle I've ever owned although that's not saying much if you consider modern bikes as I've never owned anything newer than 1982. So I consider it smooth compared to it's contemporaries.
Same goes for noise. I understand the tractor connotation but mine doesn't sound like a tractor as it's relatively quiet both in terms of the exhaust note and engine noise. When I've ridden around the parade ring at a classic bike show without a helmet it surprises me how quiet it is compared to the other old bikes. When someone has commented on how quiet it is I've tried to explain that absence of rocker arm end float is essential to keep the valve noise down. I distinctly remember saying this to another (very rare) R45 owner at a show and he looked at me as if I was making it up.
The lack of refinement I notice the most is fork noise. Not clonks because I've eliminated that problem. The difference between smooth tarmac and coarser tarmac is very evident in terms of the noise coming from the front end. I wonder if it's just tire noise or something about our forks that readily transmits noise from the road surface.
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I see where we are apart Tony, it's our definition of tractor
Tractors to me are very utilitarian machines with nothing compromised for style and they are stone reliable.
Harley has come a long way since the days of AMF and their journey isn't over. The two Harley powered bikes(Buells) I have owned suffered madding little issues that would keep me on the R65 if I HAD to get there.
Leaky valve cover gaskets. Sorry little things from the factory that everybody changes as soon as they get one. Foot pegs that snap off while standing on them(twice) and scuffed cylenders causing oil leaks at every seal.
On the bright side, a complete set of pistons, rings and barrels are less than $600 out the door from your local Stateside dealer.
A second bright side was the MOTOR . Possible the best power band and ride ability of any engine I have ever ridden. Plus 1 on the sound.... very addictive.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3wy4NVMwLnA ( My son firing off the Buell on a cold morning) almost makes me grab the classifieds and get another one!!!
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I see airheads pretty much every day, but that's because Motorworks is about three miles away and a lot of the workers ride to work, all are R100's and one with a rig.
I can hear them riding past when I'm in my office, lovely sound!
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I see where we are apart Tony, it's our definition of tractor
The two Harley powered bikes(Buells) I have owned suffered madding little issues that would keep me on the R65 if I HAD to get there.
Wilcom, admitting to having owned a Buell is something that should only be done in the privacy of your recovery group, with a mental health professional available. you know, you sit in a circle and commence by "My name is Tony and I owned a buell, I am now 345 days in recovery".
Jokes aside, the buell is visually (and audibly) about the most exciting looking thing ever made. Sadly, as at the last time I rode one (2007) they handled like a bag of shite, and seemed to incorporate ergonomics design by a descendant of the Marguis de sade.
They may have improved since then, but the 100km I rode on a brand new one (with money in pocket and intention to buy) in 2007 remains with me.
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They may have improved since then, but the 100km I rode on a brand new one (with money in pocket and intention to buy) in 2007 remains with me.
Tony I don't know how much you are paying your therapist but I would ask for a refund.... joking apart Buells are like hens teeth in the UK so I cannot comment on the merits of them.
Lou
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Tony I don't know how much you are paying your therapist but I would ask for a refund.... joking apart Buells are like hens teeth in the UK so I cannot comment on the merits of them.
Lou
If you are ever offered a ride on one - run! I (like most here) grew up in the era were there were some truly awful handling motorcycles. somehow or other I managed to own most of the real dogs, H1 & H2 Kawasaki and a TM Suzuki feature highly in my list of badly handling motorcycles.
Then in the 80s the Japanese discovered handling in big bikes (some of the small ones like the RD series Yamahas, the Suzi Hustler and the honda twins were already there) the first of course was the Suzi 750, followed closely by the Honda V4s and the water cooled Kawasakis.
It was therefore something of a shock to ride a Buell in 2007 that simply did not handle. The suspension rates were entirely mis-matched, the fork trail was such that you had to throw it down into a corner and as soon as you reached the lean angle necessary to negotiate the corner, start levering the thing upright. The fork dive under brakes was epic and the rear brake, which might have otherwise been useful to settle the front end down running into corners had exactly two positions, namely "off" and "locked".
I've already mentioned the ergonomics.
The engine vibration was epic and the engine designer and the person who choose the gearbox ratios are probably still laughing about the joke they perpetrated on the Buell buying public. Quite aside from the fact that it was a crapulous gearbox anyway, I have not ridden a motorcycle with a more poorly selected set of gears - ever!
It was so bad that after a couple of kilometers I took it back and said that there was something wrong with it and did they have another demonstrator? The salesman ripped off around the block on it and came back and said "they are all like that mate".
It was a sad and bitter experience since Buell got the visuals and the auditory stuff so right (they are simply beautiful - I will give them that) but totally fail to make a package that was pleasant (dare I even go so far as "safe") to actually ride on the road.
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In the spring and summer, I'll usually see 1-2 per week around here. You also tend to see them now on nice clear, crisp weekend days - but that is about it..
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Then in the 80s the Japanese discovered handling in big bikes (some of the small ones like the RD series Yamahas, the Suzi Hustler and the honda twins were already there) the first of course was the Suzi 750
The first good handling Jap bike I remember was that GS750 which came out in 76 or 77 just after Id bought a Z900. My mate bought one of the very first ones to hit the showroom and still has it today. It was a different beast to previous Jap bikes and even had lowish euro style bars rather than the more typical high rise. A very usable daily rider even today.
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Then in the 80s the Japanese discovered handling in big bikes (some of the small ones like the RD series Yamahas, the Suzi Hustler and the honda twins were already there) the first of course was the Suzi 750
The first good handling Jap bike I remember was that GS750 which came out in 76 or 77 just after Id bought a Z900. My mate bought one of the very first ones to hit the showroom and still has it today. It was a different beast to previous Jap bikes and even had lowish euro style bars rather than the more typical high rise. A very usable daily rider even today.
Well we agreed on the bike - the suzi GS 750, but i was terribly wrong about it's introduction - November 1976.
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I'm riding more these days because I've been doing a 40km commute the last 18 months. I tend to use the car for a couple of months in the worst winter weather, but pretty much on the bike for the rest of the time. I'm not getting out for a fun ride much, for a couple of reasons - first, riding a bike has always been stress relief, or stress release for me. Express some anger, take it out on the bike - deep in the redline, hard braking, tossing it in hard and deep...take that you [BLEEP!]er! Or just mellowing out, zen or alfa moments. But I'm riding 80km a day, that's sorted and no reason to get the bike out on the weekend. The other is fuel, after riding a pushbike to work for the previous 5 years or so, there is an expense in travelling to work - a 4 hour ride on the weekend is a weeks worth of fuel, I can't afford that.
I have a friend who rides the opposite way to me on his VMax, we usually meet halfway, he's often late...but he rides a VMax, he can sort that easily. Sometimes I see other bikes, but we are the regulars. I see Airheads on the road often, there are several in my small town....and I don't know who they are, and don't really care.
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My hundred mile a day commute definitely soured my love of riding. Or driving.
Well, mostly of working, except I never had a love of that.
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For me, the R65 has been laid up this year, but I have done more riding on the K1300S this year than have ridden in many years. Plus, the K1300S is better for long tours.
On the ironic side - I rode my K1300S to Graceland. The lone American on a BMW. I ran into a group of 10 German motorcyclists riding ------- you guessed it -------Harleys. Is something wrong there?
k_enn
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For me, I love my Beemer - I will not ride anything else! And being the only one of its kind on this island, it's good to be unique!