differences between the R65 & R65LS

[oz_johnno]

high blokes,
apart from an extra front disc, what are the differences between the 2 models

Cheez

OZ

[Bob_Roller]

The wheels are different, the LS has two piece pressure cast the twin shock r65's have the 'snowflake' wheels, low/short handlebars that require different control cables than a standard R65 .

A bit of controversy about this aspect of the LS wheels, BMW says they are not tubeless type wheels, people that are knowledgeable about this say the bead area is made for a tubeless type installation, I've heard both sides, owners that have never used tubes and have not had any issues ans owners that have always used tubes, I guess it all depends on your viewpoint .

Sealed front wheel bearings .

The obvious front fairing instrument cluster housing, tailpiece fairing/housing .

The rear brake drum is a larger diameter on the LS, requiring different brake shoes than a standard twin shock R65 .

For the most part, the LS was a styling exercise, the basic bike, engine transmission final drive, frame and electrics are the same as the standard twin shock R65 .

There's a thread here by Neomi Barry, don't remember what section it's in on this site, but it gives the differences between the different model year bikes .

I couldn't find the link here on this site, but here it is .

http://www.nebcom.com/noemi/moto/r65faq.html

[nhmaf]

All of what Bob said, and

Also, seats/(foam and pans) are different shape.

And, because of the rear tailpiece/grab handles, the LS cannot use the 1-piece pannier frame/tail rack that the non-LS uses - you have to get the separate left/right pannier frames without the tail rack parts.

There is an additional underseat storage area on the LS in that rear tail piece, too.

[Ed Miller]

I wonder what Noemi is up to these days.  That web page has been around a long time, and was one of the resources I used when I was considering buying my R65 (and oddly, I'm watching an R80G/S for sale and trying to decide!):

"In the year NM has been back on the road, I've ridden it 25K miles in many, many different conditions and for the most part haven't had any serious problems. I service it religiously and by the book. I'm not going to say it's had Honda reliability, but with 62K miles on it, it feels as solid as the day I got it. Despite all this, the R65 is not my ultimate bike, that honor belongs to an eventual R80G/S. Until I can afford my G/S comfortably, NM more than serves my needs and I'm quite happy with it.

The things I have encountered in my time with it so far, including my "crash" course in mechanics, are what comprises the bulk of this FAQ. I'm no expert! But I've been through a lot with it and it was worth writing down.

Postscript: I have the R80 G/S now, and while it's better suited to the sort of riding I do, owning it has only cemented my affection for my R65, a solid and unique bike with a marvelous, unmatched quality all its own. "

Is he or she on this forum?

[bruce_launceston]

Another minor difference is that LS mufflers were black chrome and had flat ends not chamfered off like the standard R65's.

Another styling difference is that rocker covers were clear finished, not black painted.

I used to think that all LS's had matt black plastic sidecovers but have since been told by some owners that theirs were colour matched (silver or henna red) from the factory.

As far as I am aware the above posts have it covered.

[steve hawkins]

And nornmal R65s can have 2 disks as well - depending on the market.

[jakebass12]

i think that someone put ls handlebars on my regular r65 so now my cowling doesn't fit and i like the fairing on the ls. and my seat pan on my old seat is rusted out. so could i take the seat and the fairing from a ls and put it on my 1981 r65?

[tvrla]

i think that someone put ls handlebars on my regular r65 so now my cowling doesn't fit and i like the fairing on the ls. and my seat pan on my old seat is rusted out. so could i take the seat and the fairing from a ls and put it on my 1981 r65?

Yes

[jakebass12]

thank you wirespokes your the best

[tvrla]

You're welcome Jake! The LS is mostly a cosmetic styling exercise, so the parts are interchangeable.

My first R65 - an 81 - had low bars and LS wheels with dual discs. It's been about four years since I sold it and now the 'new' owner recently listed it. The only thing not going for it was it had about 80K miles when I sold it, and the recent ad was lacking mileage data entirely.

Wish I'd been able to keep that bike - a real sweetheart.

[jakebass12]

my r65 has low bars and dual discs in the front also but my r65 has the snow flake rims. was the low handle bars optional stock or is it just aftermarket? cause my cowling doesn't fit with my handle bars. that why im going for the ls fairing and cowling. and my seat pan is rusted so i might as well match em. ive found a fairing and seat with rear cowling on craigslist. whats a fair price for the 2 things?

[montmil]

If I'm reading your post correctly, R65s came with low bars. Your low bars may or may not be OEMs. The higher bars were an option for the US market.

Snowflake wheels are R65 specific whereas the R65LS had a different design two-piece wheel.

[tvrla]

I think the stock R65 came with the higher bars, but they're so easily changed, I can't imagine it being a significant point.

[Ron_S.]

I'm thinking of changing the high bars on my 86 R65 to low bars.  Am I going to have to change the cables, too.  

[nhmaf]

You will need a new (shorter) top brake line (from master cylinder to splitter - assuming that you have a splitter on your bike, probably do).  Look in the recent R65LS brake thread in  technical section for its location.

You will also need a new (shorter) clutch cable - there will be too much slack from the longer one to take up, and this must be a smooth run without binding.

If your bike is a 1981-> model with the throttle and choke cable splitter/junction thingies under the tank, can get just get the upper cables for the throttle and choke which go to them, and retain the 2 separate shorter cables that go from each junction/splitter thing to each carb.   If you have an earlier model bike  or one that has been modified with the choke lever on the airbox cover, you won't need new choke cables.  But, if you've got (2) throttle cables coming out of your throttle grip at the handlebar, you may need to replace them with shorter units -- but might be able to get away with just having them make clean, smooth arcs for the short term until you decide you like it with short bars.   Will put more weight on your wrists..