I AM IN LOVE WITH MY 83 R65 LS BUT BEING OFFERED

[klingtut]

AFTER PAIN STAKINGLY REBUILDING MY 83 R65 LS AND HAVING A GREAT TIME RIDING IT AND HOT RODDING IT ....

I am being offered as a trade for the LS - from a great friend a 1987 bmw r80 with the super rare avon lynx fairing installed.  

Has any LSer ever riden both bikes and can you make any kind of test report on your likes and dislikes on the R 89 - mono shock.

It will need a little work which I am capable of handling and some cash would also be trhown in as well.

Please help share you R 65 LS thoughts about being seduced away by more CCs and a beautiful rare fairing.

Kling Tut

be well and thanks in advance

[its_only_me]

I am sorry as this is not going to help, but I can't see how anybody could be seduced by any sort of fairing, it is like sticking a sail on a bike, if you don't like feeling the wind, drive a car

Naked bikes rule

[Bob_Roller]

I don't know how long you have had your R65 LS, but from the comments of owners here that sold their R65's, everyone regretted it after the fact.

[Semper Gumby]

The BSA and the Hondas are naked but the R65 sits behind a Luftmeister.  It is the lap of luxury.  I'm thinking about getting rid of it for a Hannigan.  

[nhmaf]

If you are tall-ish (6 feet or more) the R80 monoshocker will "fit" you much better,
seat-to-ground, and seat-to-handlebars.   The monoshockers handle quite nicely in turns,
not as quick overall as the shorter LS frame, but still decent and much smoother on
the highway expansion joints !   You won't really have much, if any, more horsepower
than the LS, but you will gain several lb-ft more of torque and a slightly more relaxed
highway cruising RPM.   Everyone claims that the R80s were the smoothest/quietest
running version of these engines.

I really like my LS, but I might trade it if I found a perfect, larger airhead for comfort
reasons.   I'd  probably regret it afterwards, too, but at least this time, I'm going to make sure that
I always have at least one airhead in the garage.

[Jon_P]

now think back to you first! wait stop, your first bike! bet you wished you never did get rid of it? now dream you still had it. i for one am lucky enough to say i have my first bike yet. i have had many after it, always keep it. i feel the same about my r65 and have heard others say the same. can you keep the r65 and buy the r80?

[Semper Gumby]

Actually my first bike did try to come back to me.  I had it for almost 10 years.

1975 Honda 550K - I rebuilt it and the motor and sold it when I bought the CBR600.  Five years later I get a call that my Honda was sitting at a Kroger in Marrietta GA with a flat rear tire.  So I go and it is sitting there plain as day.  I guess somebody was riding it without registering it or something.  

I almost picked it up and brought it home.

[Rob Valdez 79 R65]

Mr. Tut,

Since you are basically a CX guy that wants a BMW in his stable, I think you would be pleased.
It WILL handle differently than your R65.  I don't remember if you have the low bars on the LS, or not, but the R80, especially with that fairing (pictures!) will probably not have the same flikability.  But it would still be a blast to own and ride.
Unless you have something else you could sacrifice, instead of the LS...but I'm sure you have thought of that.

[thrang]

I'd stick with the LS... Mostly because they handle so much better than an R80 which are (well the ones I've ridden) can need a bit of wrestling about on quick twisty roads.

Bimbo2 came with an RT fairing and in comparison to Bimbo1 its nothing like as nimble or punchy, but is a hell of a lot more comfortable on the motorway so I guess its horse's for courses. If your doing a fair bit of long distance riding then a big fairing is great, but if for a afternoon blatt, the 65LS is miles more entertaining.

Tony

[airhead]

Having ridden both the dual and mono 65's, I opted for the Mono 65, which essentially is the mono 80 with a smaller engine (though you only really feel the difference in top gear pull, the 80 doesn't put out all that much more HP).
I rode an LS a while back I was considering buying, and was blown away by its quicker handling and lively engine compared to mine (which had given away 2hp for unleaded heads) which amounted to a nice package, but the choppier ride had me hankering for a longer wheel base, which is why I eventually shelled out for a 90/6. I decided I wanted a bike for longer distances, and both my mono and 90 fit that bill. I know there are plenty who own dual 65's who ride far, but I just like it with a bit more comfort!!
Advantages are a longer wheelbase, unleaded heads, later machine, overall sweeter engine, parts that fit nearly every other BMW model. Disadvantages are not as round town agile, not as distinctive as a bmw model.
My next Beemer might be an LS if I can get one, but why don't you get both??

Bill.....................;-)

[Ed Miller]

Why is a longer wheel base an advantage?

[Justin B.]

That couple inch longer swingarm results in not so "choppy" a ride at the expense of some "nimbleness".