Speed Question

[razz2234]

Being a relatively new owner of a 1981 R65, I have a few ?'s
Typically...what is your "high" speed and "RPM" max expected out of this bike. I don't want to run her at 6k RPM if that's going to cause any major problems. She rides at about 60MPH at 4500RPM's. I'm not sure if it's OK to push her at 75MPH on the Interstate. Any input would be appreciated. I've read a lot on the BMW.ORG Forum and the guys there run at 6-6500 RPM's regularly. Want to hear it from the R65 Forum to be sure.
Thanks

[Bob_Roller]

Unless the bike has problems, it will run all day long at 75-80 mph, you'll probably get wore out from the wind, before the bike will give you any problems .

I don't get the bike out on rural highways much, but I think 75 mph is around the 55-5700 rpm area .

It makes a lot of noise at that speed, due to the fact that you don't have a fuel tank to divert the noise away from you, with the cylinders sticking out to the sides like they do .

[montmil]

I will, on occasion, cruise the R65 a bit at 80 mph. The wind is the violent issue; so noisy I really don't notice the engine sounds. The speed sure doesn't bother the bike!

Monte

[nhmaf]

Basically this bike/engine is built to cruise at 5000 RPMs all day long without blinking an eye.  By design it will handle 75-80 MPH for a few hours at a time without any difficulty - and by then you'll need to stop and take a break and get more gas.    I don't generally run the bike for any length of time at 6000 RPM as that is too likely to get a BIG speeding ticket from the local law enforcement.    AT 75 MPH, my bike is really quite smooth and happy, and I can't hang on for long periods of time with more windblast than that.

[morristen]

My LS is quite happy at 75 - 80, with a back wind it can be very happy at 90, trouble is I'm not!!!

[Semper Gumby]

Hi Razz,

I put 7500 miles on my March 1980 R65 in September 2006 doing an IBA 50 hours Coast to coast ride and then returning to the east coast over the following two week period.  A lot of that ride was spent with the engine at about 5000-5200 rpms.  The engine is quite happy at that RPM provided everything is in good order.  While I did a full service and spline lub at the beginning of the trip, the only maintenance I did on the bike on the road was to change the oil (and not the filter) at 4500 miles.  I think I checked the tire pressures once (they were fine).  

I have heard anecdotal evidence that the R65 engine becomes un-happy when run continously at 6000 rpm and higher over extended periods of time.

If you are going to run in the nether region beyond 5000 rpms, you might want to consider using a really high grade of oil,  an oil cooler with a thermostat or a deeper oil sump/pan, and shortening you oil change interval.  The things will help insure longer trouble free life from your R65 motor.

Your results may vary.

Good luck.

[steve hawkins]

If set up correctly the bike should be good for 100mph even after almost 30 years.  Its book speed when new is a 105mph.

You have to hold the gears and not short shift, arrive in 5th gear at 60 and you will never get to 100mph.  

Having said that, being caught doing 30mph over the limit in the uk can lose you you license in one hit, so is not recomended.

I find my bike very stable at all speeds it is capable of - unlike some.  I have clip-ons and rear sets which make the bike more comfortable at higher speeds (50 upwards) - but less comfortable below that.

The noise is glorious when tempered with ear plugs.

So the bike is capable of far more than you are asking of it.  I find that 70-80 on the motorway is good, as I am then crusing along with the flow of the traffic, which is important for safety reasons.

On the A roads, well that is another story - sometimes slower, occasially faster - but not by much!

Steve H

[razz2234]

I put an aftermarket windshield on it to break the wind and at 70MPH it sounds like a Swiss Watch. I didn't want to take it any higher not knowing the limits of the bike and what RPM's are usually max. for it. I'm going to put on an aftermarket seat...saddle...to make it more comfortable. The trips I've taken I usually put a duffel bag right behind me so I have someting to lean against. The stock seat leaves something to be desired.

[steve hawkins]

There is no two ways about it, an upright riding position will slow you down, as will a screen and most fairings.

Not to mention the possibility of wind turbulence and buffeting.  

Having said that, it will keep some of the weather off you.

Always a trade off.

Steve H

[Darwin_R65]

Weekend before last I rode at 140km/h which was 6000rpm and travelled 90km on saturday and 90 km's back on Sunday Engine travelled beautifully, although now i have a grind from the rear wheel but I believe that be wear from age, not overspeed. I've done a bearing somewhere.

[MrRiden]

At 80-90mph the bike lasts longer than I can. 70 and above produces an electric motor feel that is so much fun I hate to drop out of it so usually cruse there on the interstates. Sitting up and crouching low the strain difference is clearly felt in the motor. Many riders have traversed great distances on these wee M Ws. Not to worry, It'll take you where you want to go at the rate you prefer.

[Barry]

Even my little R45 will cruise all day at 75MPH if I could hold up against the wind.

Because of the primary balance of a flat twin this is the one area where BMW's were light years ahead of contemporary british twins back in the 70's. The concept of an engine getting smoother the faster you go would have been very alien to me riding my Triumph Bonneville.

[Ed Miller]

At 80-90mph the bike lasts longer than I can. 70 and above produces an electric motor feel that is so much fun I hate to drop out of it so usually cruse there on the interstates. Sitting up and crouching low the strain difference is clearly felt in the motor. Many riders have traversed great distances on these wee M Ws. Not to worry, It'll take you where you want to go at the rate you prefer.

That's my experience, and with my Windjammer it's not even noisy from wind.

Oh, and Barry:  R65 pieces don't fall off!  Good thing considering what they cost.  

[drewboid]

Can cruise all day at 75 with a medium size windshield - above that speed there is buffeting due to the windshield and it starts to get uncomfortable. However, the motor just hums along.

[R65_Mark]

75mph was the Interstate norm on my recent one-up, camping gear and a small windshield, 800 mile round trip.  The motor was fine at higher speeds, say up to 85mph, but the cycle was not as planted as I wanted it to be, particularly in the wake of semis/pantechnicons.

Mark