Touring BMW

[Crossrodes]

A couple of years ago I restored my '79 R 65 and was pleased by the fact that I could buy parts at the local BMW dealer and elsewhere for an old bike like that.  Now I'm thinking of doing it again...

I have a 2006 Goldwing with 165,000 km's on the clock and I'm thinking about selling it and buying an old BMW touring bike on which I could travel many miles on a single trip on (20,000 miles).  I would restore this bike also to make it reliable.  I want a bike that is not too difficult to take apart and to service and would be reliable once restored.  I also would prefer to get a bike that is 25 years old or older so that I could put collector plates on it and save myself about $1000 per year on insurance costs (Yes, that's what bike insurance costs in Canada).

So my question is what bike would you recommend for 2 up touring?

[tvrla]

It sort of depends on where you're going. If it's to third world countries, wire wheels hold up better than cast and that somewhat limits the selection.

The newest BMW twins that came with wire wheels (25 years old) are the R100GS and then its earlier incarnation (inBIKEnation?) the R80G/S.

Before that was the R80 and 100/7 (77 to 1979?)  

Really, any of these bikes are easily capable of 20K mile trips if in good condition. Having restored the R65 you already know the ins-n-outs of these things. The bigger ones are pretty much the same.

[Bengt_Phorqs]

The R100RT series is plentiful and easy to maintain.  Like any old bike, there are quirks but since you've done the R65 you could do the R100.  Prices in the USA are consistently around $4000 plus or minus $500 depending on condition.  

[georgesgiralt]

Hello !
The R65 is simple, easy to maintain and can rode 2 people quite far. 20 years ago we used it for 5 weeks in Europe camping ...
As per the spoked wheels they where offered for the R65 but are difficult to find. So you may want to buy them new.... big $$$$.
IMHO 50 HP is enough to ride cool and this gives good mileage... So cheap.
As the R65 is not "in the mood" they are often cheaper than the others.

[Mike V]

So my question is what bike would you recommend for 2 up touring?

Mike,

I purchased my 1978 R100/7 new ... and still doing coast to coast tours on it annually, as it rolled off the showroom floor.  It continues to get better with each mile.  I would suggest a faired bike for long distance tours. And a 247 power plant will probably serve you better if doing 2-up touring.

I've been called a romantic when describing my airhead(s) while touring, guess there's a reason for that.  I don't think you can fully appreciate these bikes until you spend thousands of continuous miles in the saddle.  They just do everything well.

-Mike V.