40 Years of Ownership

[Bob_Roller]

Rode my '81 R65 home from the dealer 40 years ago today .
Can't believe I've had it this long .
It had a Vetter fairing on it when I bought it, didn't take me long to realize that I wasn't a full fairing type rider .
Took the fairing off and returned it to the dealer, got a replacement headlight mount that had the turn directional tubes cut off for the fairing installation and a few other aftermarket items .
I was ridiculed for paying so much for a 650 bike, when the Asian motorcycle manufacturers were dumping bikes of the same displacement on the market for about half of what I paid for the R65 .
But none of those bikes are still on the road as a daily rider .

[donbmw]

Bob

April of next year will be 40 for mine. When I rode my Honda CX500 to California in September of 81 I realize I needed a bigger bike. Could have bought a Gold Wing for the what i paid. After riding one found that was not the bike for me. Have always liked BMWS. Found out some friends where going to look a BMW’s at a new dealer that was close to us. Glad I went.

[Justin B.]

Congrats, Bob.  Don't reckon I've ever kept anything with wheels that long!  I've had the '81 RT for about 16 years and I guess the wife's R65 about 18 years.

[Tony Smith]

The 18th of December 1978 marked the commencement of my ownership of my R100RS.

I am a johnny-come-lately in R65 ownership as I said not bought my 1984 model in 1995.

My wife has owned her R65 since new in 1979.

[mrclubike]

My 1996 Jeep Cherokee XJ turns 25  this year
I picked it up brand new  from the dealer 25 years ago this April
My daughter was brought home from the hospital in it when she was born and she has driven it.
Not many people can say they have driven the car that brought them home from the hospital   
You just cant beat simplicity when it comes to longevity   

[DeeG]

I'm new to BMW's. We bought our pair of baby GS's in 2005. After that came the 2004 'C' (it was still in the crate when we bought it in 2009), then R850R, and the three airheads: 78 R45, 78 R80 with hack and a 73 R75.
We are the second owners of the R75. Our friend bought it new when he owned the BMW dealership in Merced CA. He can't ride anymore and it was breaking his heart to sell it.  At least he knows it's in good hands, and he can come visit it whenever he wants.  :-)

[dogshome]

NOOB Here. 18 months a proud owner.

I do intend to keep this R65 until I can't see/can't stand/otherwise too old 


(Edited, rabbiting!)

[Bob_Roller]

The only vehicle I've owned longer than the '81 R65, is a '79 Pontiac Trans Am, bought it October, 1979 .

[Bengt_Phorqs]

Congratulations on the milestone Bob. That's long enough to be on your second bottle of Tabasco sauce!  Hows that Guzzi holding up? 

[Bob_Roller]

Hi Bengt !!
I parked the Guzzi about a month ago, the rear fender (plastic) was cracked in numerous places and the turn directional were hanging from their wiring when I got home from work that day .
So I need to remove it and apply some fiberglass to the inside of it .
Other than that, no issues .

[Hardgravity]

40 years! OMG!

But then, I collected my RD400 in May '79 and the R65 Sept. '83.

Both are still going strong, but not strong enough for long distance touring so my R nine t Purewas bought in March2019..