R65 & R80

[Yikes]

Hello all,

I am just getting back into cycling after many years.  I have always wanted a BMW and am now on the verge of buying my “new” bike.  I have nearly closed a deal on an R65LS but have run across the possibility of picking up a R80 and am sorely tempted by the increased torque and larger size of the R80.  Both bikes are in great shape with low mileage, but the R80 is much more expensive.

I plan on making the bike a daily driver for in-town use and an occasional day trip out of town.  No real long-distance jaunts planned, at least not yet.  I am average height and build.

Wondering what advice or insight you could give me comparing the R65LS to the R80.  Is one preferable as a city bike?  Is the R80 worth a considerably higher price?  Is there a significant difference in the maintenance requirements or longevity?  I’m especially interested in hearing from you folks who own multiple bikes.  And no, buying both is out of the question for me.

I’m looking forward to joining you on the road as well as here in the forum.

Thanks for any feedback!

[airhead]

What model R80, Monoshock ('86 on)?
The 80 has a longer wheelbase and would have the edge over the LS on longer distances, but the LS would be better for inner city commuting. It would also be a better handler and more fun than the 80, particularly if the 80 is a twin shock.
Power on paper may seem greater than the LS with the 80, but in actual riding the smaller bike can certainly hold its own.
The LS is a more collectable bike, the 80 a real nice all rounder with a sweet engine, really, only you can make the final decision.
Like I said before, if the 80 is a Monoshock, I'd be thinking twice (that may be why it's costing more),  if it isn't, go for the LS all other things considered.JMHO

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

[Rob Valdez 79 R65]

Do both have the equivalent of accessories?  Mostly saddlebags I am thinking about.  I couldn't live without mine, even for everyday stuff.  Rain suit and electric vest live in the right, and my "bag of stuff" I take to work every day goes in the left.

[nhmaf]

I am in complete agreement with both gentlemen's posts above this one !

[Bob_Roller]

Any maintenance history on the bikes ? I would assume that both bikes are in the area of 25 years old, and there are some  important maintenance items that needs to be addressed, if no documentation exists to their being done recently. One of the most important is the transmission input shaft spline cleaning and lubrication. It requires the transmission to be removed from the bike, so if you are not mechanically inclined, this could get costly to have a shop do the work.

[Yikes]

Thanks for the feedback.  I realized soon after posting I forgot to note that the R80 is an '86 so it is a Monoshock but totally naked, and the LS is an '81 and has city bags and heated grips.  Both plusses for both bikes.  The other thing that the R65 has going for it is this forum and a great reservoir of knowledge and advice.

It's going to be a tough choice but I'm sure I'll be happy with either one.

[airhead]

Just to blur the issue a little more, the 80 will have unleaded heads so no real problems with rigid valve clearance watching there, though if you don't go on too many long distance fast runs, shouldn't be too much of a problem with the LS either.
Finding parts for the 80, particularly S/H, will also be easier due to them sharing more in common with the other model Airheads.
I kinda know which way I would go if I only had the one bike I relied on for daily transport................but I'm not telling if you can't read between the lines!! LOL
However, like you said, can't really lose whichever bike you choose, just for different reasons though.

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

[NC Steve]

Yikes, I ride an '84 R65, and like you, returned to motorcycling after a looooong absence about 2 years ago. I'm also a big fan of the R80, and actually began my search hunting for one. I'd still love to have one someday.

That said, you'll find the R65 is lower, a tad lighter, handles quicker, making it a much better around-town and short-trip bike. The center of gravity is perfect, and with the quicker steering geometry the bike goes wherever you "think" it to. It's also geared lower and revs quicker, being a short stroke engine, so it'll run neck & neck with the R80 and, really, the R100 up thru about 3rd gear, when their taller gearing and greater torque kicks in. I know I've "dragged" a friend with a very strong R100CS, and I've got him up to about 50-55 mph.

The downside, of course, is that you start picking up vibration right about 65 mph, which does go away again around 75-80, but your rpms are also pretty high by that point. I've ridden my bike at 80-85 for 25-30 miles at a stretch and nothing "blew up", but I wasn't the happiest camper and neither was the R65. It'll do it, though, probably all day long, day after day, just not very comfortably, in my opinion: others may disagree.

The R80 has the very same 50 hp, about 7-8 lbs more torque, and , most importantly, taller gearing for lower engine speeds and a calmer ride at higher mph. It's also slower revving, has lazier steering geometry (slower around town, but more stable at speed), and handles about like its bigger R100 brother, with which it shares lots of parts, which makes finding used stuff pretty routine.

All depends on where, how far, and how fast you're gonna ride. If, like me, as a returning rider you plan to do mostly local and short-trip work, especially on the backroads with 50-60 mph sweepers, the R65's a true smile-producing machine! If you're more into the Interstates and cruising at 75-80, then the R80 might be the bike you need.
But, they're all good, so you really can't make too much of a mistake, and unless you grossly overpay, you can always resell and get your investment back, at a minimum!

Good luck, and welcome!  [smiley=thumbsup.gif]

[Bob_Roller]

Do you have the VIN for the bike, you stated that it is an '81 model, the LS started life  in the '82 model year, it may have been manufactured in 1981, but it is considered an '82 model. Just so you don't get an LS 'clone', LS parts on a standard R65.

[trolle]

I use my '84 R65 for both short rides on the small roads and for longer rides. The handling and the steering of the R65 makes it easy for me to follow most of the much stronger Japanese bikes on the small roads, and on the longer rides I can keep a steady 85 mph (6000 rpm) for hours. Going faster than that, there is a tendency to wobbling especially when the bike is loaded.

Warm handles are very useful in temperatures below 60F. Two days ago I went for a 100 mile trip at 32F without getting cold thanks to the warm handles.

I too have been tempted by the R80 but find the R65 very fun to ride, even though she is a bit on the elderly side. Only problem are the tops, my advice is to have them modified to unleaded fuel, if they have not already been so.

By the way, I took up riding three years ago after a spell of 29 years, and even though I quickly regained my riding skills, I learned very much from an advanced drivers' course I took in March this year. Money well spent!

greetings from a grey and cold north

trolle

[redzap]

Having owned both an '84 R 80 RT and an '83 R 65, I would echo the sentiments of NC Steve completely.  Both are great bikes for different reasons and in my mind equally easy to work on.  Yes, I would also pay attention to the hidden cost of accessories.  Happy riding!

[Yikes]

Thanks to all for all your advice, observations, opinions and general support.  It has been a great help to me and a lot of fun reading what everyone has to say.  Where else can you ask a question and get answers from all around the world?  Ill let you know how it all sorts out in a couple of weeks.

Till then, ride on.....

Yikes!

[Yikes]

It didn't take long, but the verdict is in!  In the contest between the '86 R80 and the '81 R65LS, the winner is...the '82 R65 that appeared yesterday that costs less than half the asking price of LS and less than one fourth the R80.  With one kid in college and one two years from starting college, even my thick thick head did not need beating with a wrench to decide which way to go.  This '82 R65 is actually not a whole lot more than I paid for my last bike - a one year old '72 Yamaha 350- which was a great bike by the way.

Needless to say, the "new" R65 is in need of a quite few things, so you will be hearing a lot from me in the next few months as I work no buffing up a dusty old gem.  I'll be picking her up Wednesday, but tonight it's off to see Phil Lesh and Friends.  And as we say here in Virginia on such occasions...

Yeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeee Haaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaawwwwwwwwwwwwww

Yikes

[NC Steve]

Wise choice!! My own '84 was a bit worse for wear when I 1st got it, but basically very sound mechanically, and responded quite well to a little time, elbow grease and $$.

Bookmark "BMW R65" in Ebaymotor's "motorcycle parts" category, and check it daily, among other sources such as www.ibmwr.org/market  and www.bmwmoa.org/flea  .

'82's a good year too.
Congrats!! [smiley=thumbsup.gif]

[Semper Gumby]

Oooooogh.  Pics please!  Congrats.