What is the next bike for me.. or for you ?

[nhmaf]

OK, many of you remember the big discussion we had on a previous incarnation of this forum in which
we all chimed in with our respective opinions on what Sue's next motorcycle purchase should be.
I figured that it might be time for another round...

First of all, I'm ASSUMING that business may continue to improve for me, in that I may generate some
more "spare" cash and have it to spend in the coming months on yet another motorcycle.   I
have an opportunity to purchase either a well kept, 1981 R100RT with less than 25K original miles with
the standard RT setup, plus reynolds rack and backrest, or an also well kept, 1979 R100T with hard bags
and less than 25K original miles, for pretty much the same price, roughly $4500.  Neither have
had the exhaust valve seats redone, but are being sold by a reputable local guy.  

Which would you pick if it was your money ?   Or for that matter, if you were going to buy a "new" bike
this year, what would it be (not limited to these choices).

I thought that hearing the ideas & opinions of this growing group could be fun (and informative) !
 

[Justin B.]

My choice would be the '81 RT, no question.  Lighter flywheel/clutch assembly, plus it's an RT!  In my opinion the RT and RS were some of, if not THE best looking bikes ever produced.  [smiley=thumbsup.gif] As far as new bikes are concerned, none of the really excite me very much but if i HAD to buy one I would probably look hard at the Oilhead RT or maybe even a Harley!  

[nhmaf]

Justin, what is your opinion of the newer, monolever R100RT compared to the older ones ?
The older model engines made more peak HP, but at fairly high revs.  The monolever models
(I once had an 1988 one) had less top power, but were presumably slightly better at the low
end and were smoother.   I've never had an older model to compare, but you do !?!

I do lean towards the 81 RT as it has the red smoke paint job as well, and a rear disk brake..

[Ed Miller]

If I was after another airhead, I would try to get an R80GS (or G/S, I don't know the difference), unless I could afford to import one of those Danish army R65GSs.  

I also wouldn't mind finding another old Triumph twin motor and having somebody near me build a Rickman type frame, with dual sport riding in mind.  There's a '70 Bonneville motor in Ohio for $650, but I'm pretty broke now.

Modern bikes:  

http://www.triumph.co.uk/usa/4537.aspx

Seems like it's hard to find small bikes, except for dirt bikes.

[Justin B.]

nhmaf, I think the monoshock bikes to be superior in a lot of ways.  That doesn't mean that I think the dual shockers are "inferior", just not as refined/convenient.  Things I like are:

1.  No rear wheel splines or rear wheel bearings to jack with.
2.  The input shaft on mine is supposed to be hard chromed needing less frequent greasing.
3.  True tubeless rims/tires.
4.  Handling is considerably "lighter", even with the full fairing.
5.  Centerstand is greatly improved.
6.  Sealed no-fuss front wheel bearings.
7.  Hopefully no exhaust valve issues.  53k miles and so far, so good - knock, knock, knock...

The way I ride both bikes get about the same mileage but the '81 feels like it has a bit more grunt and with a bit taller rear gear the RPMs are a couple hunderd less at 70 mph.  As far as brakes, not everybody thinks the rear disc is an improvement and a lot don't think it works as well as the drum.  I have no opinion as I can lock up the rear wheel on either bike...

[wiemer]

I still have in a shed nearby the Benelli 650 twin 1972.
Pretty tatty, I didn't run her for years now. Also unsolved lubrication issue. Needs slick 50 or so..
Also some 50 HP, but quite a different bike from the R 65.
Easy but not quite stable handling, max torque at 4000 RPM, engine smoothing out at higher RPM, kickstart.
And that is nice, kickstart, I miss it.
(yesterday I went for a ride with the R 65 in the Dutch drizzle, to see the broken trees from the storm last week..... had to push some 400 m. to get it starting!)

Maybe this summer...

wiemer.

[Bob_Roller]

I've got it in my head, that my next bike will be a red R65LS. I just like the looks of it. I remember a 1982 issue of Rider magazine had a red R65LS on the cover next to  a red WW1 Fokker Dr1 Tri-plane. It just looked timeless, a classic.

[Rob Valdez 79 R65]

I have that issue in a box, somewhere...

[Bob_Roller]

Every time I think about my first bike, a dark metallic blue 1979 Yamaha XS400, I wish I still had it. Sold it in August 1992 about half way through a 12 month period of unemployment. Had I known that I would have ended up in Phoenix, I would have kept it. Only had 14,000 miles on it, and was in showroom condition, after I got the R65, I disassembled the bike and stored it in my basement from June '81 until August '92. Got 70-80 mpg during sane riding, and it was as reliable as a rock, and about as complicated!

[Chris_in_BC]

First of all, I'm ASSUMING that business may continue to improve for me, in that I may generate some
more "spare" cash and have it to spend in the coming months on yet another motorcycle.  
 

I guess it would depend on what I already owned. If I had a tourer, then I might want a dual-sport or a sport bike.
On your two bikes I would prefer the 1981 R100RT  for the reasons Justin stated. Lighter flywheel, electronic ignition. The rear disk is not an advantage for me.  Rear disk is a bitch to bleed, wears out pads and considering how rare I use a rear brake, would much prefer the drum.

I think the later mono bikes were probably better handlers, but I am not good enough to really notice it.

If I was after another airhead, I would try to get an R80GS (or G/S, I don't know the difference),

And to answer Ed. The G/S were the earlier solid swingarm bikes  . The GS started with the Paralever swingarm on the 1000cc. . Late model European R80GS also had a Paralever.

Chris

 

[SCJJR65]

I'm with Justin on getting the '81 R100RT.   To me, that bike is a perfect definition of the quintessential "Airhead"!    

I'm hoping to add an oilhead to my stable by this spring, so Britta can take a little well deserved time off from regular duty.  A R1200C will be my next ride!  (Kind of like this one, but the "Montana" version, with luggage, windshield, and a passenger seat!)

[nhmaf]

I've thought about the GS, or G/S models, but I guess that I'm still more drawn to the sleeker looking bikes (plus all the dirt riding I do now is on one of my mountain bikes).   The splines/handling/brakes/tubeless rims, etc are all items I definitely liked ALOT on my '88 RT - still kicking myself in the head for
selling it.  But, I am not nearly as lucky as Rob (buying it back for the same price from the guy I sold it to).   The older, dual-shock bikes also
all came with such nice paint jobs from the factory, too !

I guess, if I do get one of these, it will be the RT.  Even though my 98 Concours takes care of sport touring duties very well, I can find some
way to make room for a classic tourer that goes a little more slowly, but with alot of panache...  Otherwise, I'll keep my radar on for a clean, low
mileage monoshock RT like I used to have, and maybe send the body parts off to Justin to paint smoke red !

If I had to replace the R65 with another little carving bike, I'd go with the new F800S, if I could afford it.... It would probably have to get painted
Henna Red, though, like my little Rosie.
 

[milkman]

Agreed on the new F800, they look the goods, but so do the X 650's coming out - X challenge, X moto and X country???

I really like teh X Challenge light weigth scrambler. Sharper looking dual sport than teh current f650.

If I go outside BMW, I really want a Triumph.

[Semper Gumby]

Agreed on the new F800, they look the goods, but so do the X 650's coming out - X challenge, X moto and X country???

I really like teh X Challenge light weigth scrambler. Sharper looking dual sport than teh current f650.

If I go outside BMW, I really want a Triumph.

I just bought a 1971 BSA A65T Thunderbolt OIF.  Seems my next project has arrived!!!

[milkman]

Awesome!
As teh Divinyls sang "there's a fine line between pleasure and pain"
And a classic Brit is it.

I'm jealous